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PAST AND PRESENT 



OF THE 



CITY OF ROCKFORD 



AND /-. -^ , 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY, ILLINOIS 



BY 



CHARLES A. CHURCH 

ASSISTED BY H. H. WALDO 



TOGETHER WITH 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



OF MANY OF ITS LEADING AND PROMINENT CITIZENS AND ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD 



ILLUSTRATED 



CHICAGO: 

THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO. 

1905 



1Dc^lcatc^ to the 

lPionccr5 

ot ^1111101^00 Countv? 



r 



PRKFACB. 



THE publishers take great pleasure in presenting this volume to the public. In addition 
to the general history, which is a model of its kind, our corps of writers have gone to 
the people, the men and women who have, b\' their enterprise and industry, brought 
this county to a rank second to none among those comprising this great and noble 
State, and from their lips have the story of their life struggles. No more interest- 
ing or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. In this volume 
will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming 
generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and 
economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing 
an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of 
life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in 
every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how success has usually 
crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very many, who, not seeking the applause of the 
world, have pursued the "even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ 
said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "They have done what they could." It 
tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the 
lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was 
restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every 
woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from 
the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which 
would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work 
and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has 
been written; and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with 
few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits of a number of 
representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. 
For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some 
refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. 
Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such 
opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never 
could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business. 

November, 1905. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 



PAST AND PRESENT 

OF 

WINNEBAGO COUNTY 



HISTORICAL 



GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW. 

The territory now comprised within the state 
of lUinois first nominally formed a part of Vir- 
ginia. The English crown, by virtue of dis- 
coveries made by the Cabots and the colonies 
planted by Sir Walter Raleigh, took formal pos- 
session of that portion of the new world later 
known as Virginia. The English colonists in 
Mrginia, however, did not penetrate far into the 
interior. Thus the royal claim to the "land 
throughout from sea to sea west and northwest" 
did not secure the title of the English crown to 
this vast domain. The French were the first 
actual settlers in the great Mississippi valley. 
During the latter part of the seventeenth century 
Father Marquette, Joliet, La Salle, Tonti and 
others had explored the shores of the Father of 
Waters and his tributaries. La Salle descended 
the ]\Iississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. He 
named the country Louisiana, in honor of his 
king, Louis XIV. By virtue of these explorations 
France made formal claim to the territory lying 
on either side of the Mississippi. Thus, with 
English colonies on the coast, and French occu- 
pation in the valley of the Alississippi, it was only 
a question of time when there would come a final 
struggle for the possession of this vast territory. 

This crisis came with the French and Indian 
war, the issue of which committed the destiny of 
the west to the Anglo-Saxon civilization. By 
the treaty of Paris, in 1763, Great Britain ob- 
tained all the French territory east of the Mis- 
sissippi, with the exception of the island of New 
Orleans. 



The special claim made by Virginia to the 
Illinois territory was based upon the bold con- 
quest of this region bv Colonel George Rogers 
Clark. 

In 1778 Colonel Clark conducted a series of 
brilliant campaigns against the military posts at 
Kaskaskia, Cahokia and X'incennes. The French 
villages, the only settlements in the region, were 
seats of British power. If these posts could be 
taken, and the capture of the British effected, the 
entire region would be won for the Old Do- 
minion. The scheme appealed to the bold spirit 
of Colonel Clark, and the outcome justified his 
most sanguine expectations. 

Virginia assured the title to this extensive ter- 
ritory, first by right of her charter, and sec- 
ondly by the conquest of her own arms. The 
territory was at once organized into a country 
called Illinois. By the treaty of Paris in 1783, 
which terminated the Revolutionary war, the 
Illinois territory passed forever from the control 
of Great Britain. In 1784 the delegates in con- 
gress from the commonwealth of Virginia pre- 
sented to the Laiited States a deed of cession of 
the territory northwest of the Ohio river. By 
the ordinance of 1787 congress provided that not 
less than three nor more than five states should 
be formed from this territory. 

By an act of congress in 1800 the Northwest 
Territory was divided into two parts, called the 
Ohio and the Indiana Territory respectively. The 
latter comprised the present states of Indiana, 
Illinois. Michigan and Wisconsin. In 1809 was 
organized the territory of Illinois, which also 
included Wisconsin and peninsular Michigan. 



PAST AXn PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



The scat of frovcmmeiit was fixed at Kaskaskia. 
In 1812 Illinois was advanced to the second grade 
of territorial government; and in 1818 it was ad- 
mitted with its present boundaries into the l''nion 
as a state. 

WINNKRAGOF.S .\ND IMF. Itl.AC K HAW K WAR. 

Winnebago county does not figure prominently 
in Indian history. The Winnebagoes, from whom 
the county derives its name, occupied it as a por- 
tion of their reservation at one time. This tribe 
was first met by the Jesuit fathers at the head 
of Green bay. The Winnebagoes belonged to the 
Dacota or Sioux nation. They wandered to 
southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois and 
Iowa. r>y a treaty negotiated at Prairie du Chien, 
.\ugust I. 1829. the Winnebagoes ceded to the 
I'nited States certain lands in Illinois, of which 
W'iimebago county west of Rock river was a part. 
Article \' of the treaty granted sections of land 
to certain Indian descendants of mixed blood, 
who did not wish to migrate with their tribe. 
Tliirty-six of these descendants were given one 
section of land each, two received two sections, 
anil three two sections jointly. These grants 
were unlocated or "floating"' lands. From this 
fact came the word "float," by which these sec- 
tions were popularly known. These grantees 
were allowed to select a section, and their choice 
was to be ai)i)roved by the Indian commissioner, 
and by the (iresident of the United States. There 
were several of these "floats" in Rockford town- 
ship, .some of which now comprise the most popu- 
lous and wealthy portions of West Rockford. 

The r.lack Hawk war directed the attention 
of eastern .settlers to the Rock River valley. The 
Sacs and Foxes emigrated into Illinois from tlu' 
north. Neither tribe was snfticieiUly strong tc. 
successfully meet its enemies. Hence they be- 
came one nation. This allied tribe belonged to 
the .\lgon<|uin nation. RIack Hawk was born 
in the Sac village on the site of Rock Island in 
1767. 

In 1804 a treaty was negotiated between Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then governor of Indiana 
Territory, and the five chiefs of the Sac and Fox 
nations. P.y this treaty these allied tribes ceded 
their land on Rock river to the United States. 
It was provided, however, that the Indians should 
retain these lands until they were wanted for 
settlement. During the war of 1812 with Eng- 
lanrl, r.Iack Hawk led a faction in an alliance 
with the Hritish. .Amicable relations existed be- 
tween the Sac and Fox nations and the United 
States from the close of the war with England 
until i8,v>. In luly of that year Keokuk, another 
.'^ac chief, made a final cession to the United 
States of the lands heUl by his tribe east of the 
Missi.sssippi river. .According; to this treaty, his 



people were to remove from Illinois to the coun- 
try west of the Mississippi, and they (|uietly re- 
moved across the river. This treaty was ne- 
gotiated without the consent of Black Hawk, 
and he determined to resist the order of the gov- 
ernment for the removal of his tribe. This re- 
sistance brought affairs to a crisis. Black Hawk 
always asserted that his intentions in recrossing 
the river were not hostile. The authorities at 
Washington and at S])ringfield, however, con- 
strued his action as a violation of the treaty and 
a declaration of war. 

The cam])aign lasted only seventy-nine days. 
The most notable incident was the massacre at 
•Stillman's Run, in Ogle county, the site of which 
is now marked by a monument. Black Hawk, 
in his retreat, followed the general course of 
Rock river, passing through what is now East 
Rockford. The battle of the Bad .Vxe in Wis- 
consin practically ended the struggle. 

.■\fter the cessation of hostilities emigrants from 
New England and the middle states settled more 
rapidly in northern Illinois, which in a few years 
became the most i)rosperous portion of this great 
commonwealth. 



.sti:piii;.\ .m.m k. 



IKST .SKTTI.KR 1 .V tOfXTV. 



Stephen Mack was the first white man who 
made a permanent settlement in \\'innebago 
county. The exact time is unknown. It was 
])robably about i8ji). although earlier dales have 
lieen given. He was born in Poultnoy, \'crmont, 
and in early life his love of adventure drove him 
into the western wilderness. .About 1835 he 
l)latted a village at the mouth of Pecatonica river, 
near Rockton. which he calletl Macktown. Mack 
married Ho-no-ne-gah. a daughter of a Potta- 
watomie chief. She was the mother of eleven 
children, and died in 1847. 

Stejihen .Mack died in 1850, and was buried on 
his farm beside his Indian wife. Thirty vears 
later. May iq, 1880, their remains were removed 
and buried in the Phillips cemetery, near Har- 
rison. 

In the summer of 1833 John Phelps, in com- 
])any with a Frenchman, came down Rock river, 
and made a brief sto|) at the mouth of the creek 
where Germanicus Kent and Thatcher Pdake lo- 
cated claims a year later. They continued their 
journey down the river, and selected a site now 
occupied by the town of Oregon, in Ogle countv. 

Jo.seph Kemp was in this section from 1830 to 
1840. and again from 1842 to 1844. In 1890 he 
was living at Michigan City. 

FIRST SETTr.llMKN r IN RorKFORP. 

Germanicus Kent ancl Th.itcher Blake were the 
first permanent settlers in what is now the citv 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



of Rockford. Mr. Kent was born in Suffield, 
Connecticut, in 1790. In early life he removed 
to Huntsville, Alabama, and from there he went 
to Galena, Illinois, where his brother. Rev. Aratus 
Kent, was stationed as a home missionary. 

Mr. Blake was born in Turner, Oxford county, 
Maine, March 16, iSoc). In 1834 he went to St. 
Louis, where he heard reports of the Rock river 
country from soldiers returning from the Black 
Hawk war. Mr. Blake visited Galena, and there 
made the acquaintance of Mr. Kent. 

In June. 1834, Mr. Kent and Mr. Blake started 
on a tour of exploration. They went north into 
Wisconsin territory to the Pecatonica river ; 
thence in a canoe along- that stream to its mouth 
and then down Rock river until they arrived at 
the mouth of a small tributary, to which the name 
of Kent's creek was subsequently given. They 
continued their journey down Rock river to 
Dixon's ferry, and from there returned overland 
to Galena. 

Soon after their arrival in Galena they pre- 
pared for a second journey. On the evening of 
August 24 these pioneers arrived at their destina- 
tion, and the founding of Rockford became an 
established fact. The party consisted of Ger- 
manicus Kent, Thatcher Blake, a Mr. Evans, and 
another man whose name is unknown. 

Kent and Blake located claims. Mr. Kent's 
claim comprised a tract of land which included 
the Tinker estate, the water-power and the estate 
now owned by the family of the late Judge 
Church. ^Ir. Blake's claim included parts of 
sections twenty and twenty-nine. Mr. Kent con- 
structed a dam and a sawmill on Kent's creek, and 
was active in other enterprises. He was not suc- 
cessful in business, however, and he could not 
weather the financial storm of 1837. 

Mr. Kent removed from Rockfor<l in 1844. 
His last years were spent in Blacksburg, \"ir- 
ginia, where he died RIarch i, 1862. Fortune 
was more kind to Mr. Blake. He died October 
8, 1880, and left a large estate. 

FIR.ST .SETTLER IN EAST ROCKFORD. 

The first settler of what is now East Rock- 
ford, was Daniel Shaw Haight, who arrived 
April 9, 1835. He was a native of New York, 
and before coming to Rockford he had selected 
a claim near Geneva, in Kane countv. Mr. Haight 
subsequently came to Rockford, and selected a 
tract of land which comprised a considerable por- 
tion of what is now the business and most thickly 
settled residence district. Mr. Haight was a 
rugged, roistering pioneer, and a shrewd man of 
affairs. Mr. Haight's cabin, erected in the sum- 
mer of 1835, was the first structure on the East 
side. It was built near the northeast corner of 
State and Madison streets. 

The first public religious service in Rockford 



was held the second Sunday in June, 1835, at the 
home of Germanicus Kent, and was conducted 
by his brother, the Rev. Aratus Kent, of Galena. 
It has been said that on that day every soul in 
Rockford attended divine worship. 

PIONEERS OF 1835-37. 

Among other notable settlers of 1835 in the 
township may be mentioned James B. Martyn, 
James Boswell. James Wood, Eliphalet Gregory, 
Samuel Gregory, Ephraim Wyman, Richard 
Montague, William E. Dunbar. P. P. Churchill, 
Milton Kilburn, Israel Morrill, Ezra Barnum, 
Anson Barnum, and Dr. Levi Moulthrop, the first 
resident physician of Winnebago county, as now 
organized. Dr. Moulthrop died September 12, 
1840. 

The tide of emigration, which may be said 
to have begun in 1835. continued for several 
vears. When the Rockford Societry of Early Set- 
tlers was organized, January 10, 1870, its con- 
stitution provided that male residents of the 
county who settled therein previous to 1840 were 
eligible to membership. According to this stand- 
ard, such names belong to the historic roll of 
honor. 

Included in the settlers in the county in 1836 
were Thomas Lake, a native of the parish of Sel- 
worthy, in England ; Herman B. Potter, Selden 
M. Church, Abiram and Mary Morgan, Samp- 
son George, an English gentleman ; Dr. Charles 
Henrv Richings. the second resident physician, 
who came from England ; Bethuel Houghton, 
Isaac N. Cunningham, Hiram R. Enoch, Jacob 
and Mary Posson, Nathaniel Loomis and son 
Henrv W. ; Alonzo Corey. Spooner Ruggles, A. 
G. Spaulding. Homer Denton. Charles P. Brady, 
Henry P. Redington. Jonathan Wilson. Edmund 
Whittlesey. 

The emigration of 1837 was equal to that of 
the preceding year. John C. Kemble was the 
first lawver who practiced in this county. He 
became insane and in 1840 he was taken to an 
eastern asylum, where he died a short time after- 
ward. A few of the settlers of 1837 may be 
mentioned : John Lake, who came from England ; 
Henrv Thurston and his son John H. ; William 
P. Dennis. Samuel D. Preston. Eleazer H. Potter, 
Nathaniel Wilder, George W. Brinckerhoflf.Good- 
vcar A. Sanford, Rev. John Morrill. David D. 
Ailing. John Beattie, John Piatt, Benjamin Kil- 
burn," John Miller and sons. Jacob B., Thomas 
and George ; Isaac Toms, Wm. Twogood, Wil- 
liam Peters. Simeon Harmon. Lewis Keith. 
Joseph Hayes. Seth Palmer. 

PECATONICA. 

Contemporaneous settlements were made in the 
several townships of Winnebago county. The 



8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



township of Pecatonica was settled in 1835. The 
first settlers were Ephraini Sumner, William 
.Sumner. Mrs. Dolly Guilford. Isaac Hance, and 
Elijah B. Guilford, who is still living. The tracts 
now covered by the village of Pecatonica were 
first owned by Daniel Reed, and William and 
Ephraim Sumner. In 1852 Thomas D. Robert- 
son and John A. Holland, both of Rockford, pur- 
chased an indivitlual interest in the town ]jlat. 
and with Mr. Reed laid out the village. The ])lat 
was filed for record in December. 1852. During 
the spring of 1853, arrangements were perfected 
by which Mr. Robertson was to make and con- 
vey all titles to .said property. 

N. F. Maynard erected the first building and 
opened the first grocery store in July. 1832. .Sul- 
livan Daniels opened the first ])ublic hotel, called 
the Seward House. In September. 1853. the 
(ialeiia & Chicago L'nion railroad began the re- 
cei|)t and delivery of freight at Pecatonica station, 
under the superintendence of Josiah Stevens. The 
first great improvement for Pecatonica was the 
construction of the turnpike across the bottoms, 
a distance of about one and a quarter miles. It 
was built by subscriptions at a great expense for 
that time, under the direction of Daniel Reed, 
Sr., in tile autumn of 1853. 

The postoffice was established in the autumn 
of 1833, and Tracy Smith was appointed post- 
master. 

The Methodist lipiscopal church was organized 
in 1833. by the Rev. I'arton H. Cartwright and 
Rev. Horatio X. Irish. The society met in a 
grain warehouse, where all the religious assem- 
blies convened. In 1834 a small house of wor- 
ship was erected, which served the purpose of the 
society until i8<)8. when a stone church was 
erected. The membership of the church in Octo- 
lx;r, igo4. was 166. Rev. Charles Virden has 
served two years as pastor. 

'Hie I'irst Congregational church was organ- 
ized February 18, 1834. under the direction of 
Rev. Johnson, with a membershii) of six. .\ 
house of wor.ship was dedicated in the autumn 
of 1855. 

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church 
was organized in the year 1858. by Rev. .Xndreen. 

The First liaptist society was organized in 
Rock Run. May 7, 1843, under the direction of 
William .Still well, and in 1833 was removed to 
Pecatonica. It maintained an uncertain existence 
for .some years, and finally ilisbandcd. It be- 
longed to the Rock River .Association. 

'Hie First L'nivcrsalist church was organized 
August 5. 1835, with seven members. A cliapel 
was built in 1863, .and remodeled in 1873. 

Tlie German i-lvangelical Lutheran church was 
organized about 1874, with a small membershii). 

.\ Roman Catholic society was organized in 
1871-2 with fifty members. 



.\ high school building was erected during the 
summer of 1862, and the first school was opened 
.\ovember 24 of the same year, under the su- 
pervision of J. S. Mabie, who served as principal 
until August 14, 1863. Mr. Mabie afterwards 
became pastor of the First P.aptist church of 
Rockford. 

The village of Pecatonica was incorporated by 
an act of the legislature of 1868-9. The bill for 
the incor])oration of the village was introduced 
by Hon. l^phraim Sumner, who was then a mem- 
ber of the house. It now has a population of 
about 1,400. An opera house was built in 1897. 
It is owned by a stock company, and has a seat- 
ing capacity of about Cxio. Irvin S. Sumner is 
the postmaster. 

\VINNEB.\GO. 

The first settler in what is now Winnebago 
township was David Adams Holt, who made a 
claim in 1833 to section 34. William Holt came 
in 1836, and another brother, Elijah Holt, in 
1837. Other pioneers of 1838-39 were Alby 
Briggs. and Duty, Richard L.. and Horace Hud- 
son, three brothers. Duty Hudson opened the 
first ])ublic house in the township, which was 
known as the Buck Horn Tavern, at Westfield 
Corners. The first postoffice in the township was 
established there, and Duty Hudson was ap- 
pointed postmaster. The i)lace is designated on 
later maps as Elida. 

The village of Winnebago was laid out in 
1834 by [Duncan Ferguson, under the direction 
of Thomas D. Robertson. John .\. Holland. John 
VanXortwich. and J. D. \\'anier. .\ depot was 
erected in 1854. J. D. Warner was the first sta- 
tion agent, and he held that ])osition twelve years. 
N. G. Warner built and opened the first store in 
1833. The Methodist Fpiscojial church was or- 
ganized as a class, with nine members, in 1839, 
by Rev. Mr. Worthington. The Methodist 
Episcopal society was organized in March, 1855, 
with Rev. Barton H. Cartwright as pastor. A 
chapel was erected the following year. It was 
during the pastorate of Rev. Cartwright, in 1855, 
that the church at Westfield Corners was 
erected. This field is now abandoned. Rev. T. 
.•\. Brewster has served three years as pastor at 
\\'innebago. The church has a membership of 
one hundred. 

The Congregational society was organized 
July II, 1846, with eight nieml>ers. at a meeting 
called for the purpose at Westfield. In July of 
the following year Rev. James Hodges was 
chosen pastor, and remained ten years. He was 
succeeded by Rev. S. P. Sloan, who remained 
until November. 1870. The third pastor was 
Rev. Henry .M. Daniels. .\ house of worship was 
completed and dedicated in 1854. The cliurch 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



now has no regular pastor. The membership is 
eighty-four. 

The Presbyterian church was organized 
August 23, 1868, with twenty-four members. A 
house of worship was erected in 1869, at a cost 
of $4,300. The present pastor is Rev. M. S. 
Axtell. The membership is two liundred and 
ten. 

The Free Methodist church was organized with 
ten members May 29, 1865. The present mem- 
bership is sixteen. The pastor is Rev. James H. 
Harvev, whose circuit also includes Rockford and 
Ridott. 

The Adventists effected an organization in 
1872, with forty-three members. 

The first hotel in \\'innebago was opened in the 
fall of 1859, and was called the Winnebago 
House. 

The village of Winnebago has a population of 
about 500. W. F. Tritle is postmaster. Al worth, 
a station on the Illinois Central, receives its mail 
by rural free delivery from Winnebago. A post- 
office was once established at that point, but it 
has been discontinued. 

CHERRY V.VLLEY. 

The township was first known on the records 
of Winnebago county as Butler precinct. The 
name was changed to Cherry \"alley upon the 
adoption of township organization. The land 
now comprising the site of the village was first 
settled by Joseph P. Griggs in 1835. He built a 
small cabin on the west side of Kishwaukee river. 
Mr. Griggs sold the tract to James Works, and 
he in turn sold it to Edwin Fitch, who laid out 
the village and filed the plat for record Novem- 
ber 17, 1849. Among the early settlers follow- 
ing Air. Griggs were A. C. Gleason, and two 
brothers, W. and S. W. Gleason. Densley Kiser 
came in 1836 or 1837. The first store was opened 
by John Waterman : the first hotel was conducted 
by Mr. Ingram, and called the Ingram Tavern. 
The first postmaster was Joseph Riddelle. The 
first grain warehouse was erected by Mr. Cal- 
kins, in the autumn of 1 85 1. The Galena & Chi- 
cago Union railroad was completed to Cherry 
Valley in February, 1852. 

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized 
by Rev. H. L. Martin in 1854. An edifice was 
erected the same year. The membership reported 
to the conference of 1904 was 86. Rev. A. W. 
Gillian was assigned to the field at the conference 
last year. 

The Universalist church edifice was erected in 
1854, under the supervision of Rev. Simon Park. 
After a few years the church was abandoned 
and the building was occupied by a Swedish re- 
ligious society. 

The Freewill Baptist church was erected in 



1874, at a cost of $3,500. The village has a pop- 
ulation of about 500. Mrs. Elizabeth Kittle is 
postmistress. 

DURAND. 

The village of Durand is a business center for 
a considerable portion of Winnebago county lying 
north of Pecatonica river. The village derives 
its name from H. S. Durand, the first president 
of the Racine & Mississippi railroad. This line 
later became the property of the Western Union, 
and is now owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Railway company, and the line extends 
to Freeport. 

Among the pioneers may be mentioned L. \'. 
Cleveland, John A. Johnson, and Frederic Sid- 
orus, all of" whom came about 1837. The loca- 
tion of the village at this point was the result 
of a compromise between various interested par- 
ties who jointlv purchased the site of John Pet- 
tingill. Price B. Webster, and Edward Peppers. 
The proprietors were John F. Pettingill, Bruce 
B. Webster, Edward Pepper, L. V. Cleveland, 
Solomon Webster, Duncan J. Stewart, M. C. 
Churchill, G. H. Sackett. John R. Herring, Wil- 
liam Randall and D. H. Smith. These gentlemen 
on the i8th day of November. 1856, conveyed 
their interest in trust to J. R. Herring, by whom 
the town was immediately laid out. Durand was 
for about two years the terminus of the Western 
Union railroad. The growth was quite rapid 
during that time. John F. Pettingill erected a 
hotel, the Durand House, at a cost of $13,000. 

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized 
in 1837. Rev. Mr. Whitford preached the first 
sermon at the residence ot Scott Robb. He was 
succeeded by Rev. McCane, who was on the 
circuit one year or more. A chapel was erected 
in 1857. the pastor in September, 1905, was 
Rev. E. O. Stover. The membership reported to 
the conference of 1904 was 58. 

A Congregational church was organized June 
II, 1848, "at Hill's schoolhouse. with seven mem- 
bers. 

The Roman Catholic church began the erection 
of a house of worship in 1865-66, which house 
of worship remained in an unfinished condition 
for several years. Father Cotter, of Pecatonica, 
is the officiating priest, and holds services every 
third Sunday. 

A Lutheran church, affiliated with the Nor- 
wegian svnod, is now in process of construc- 
tion. 

The village has a population estimated at 700. 
Miss Lillian J. Harris is postmistress. There is 
a town hall, with a seating capacity of about 
300. There are two banks : The Durand State 
Bank, with a capital of $25,000: and the Citizens' 
Bank, a private banking house. 



lO 



PAST A\D PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



m:\v mi I. ford. 

Prominent among the pioneers of New Mil- 
ford townsliip were D. S. Slnimway. Horace 
Miller, and Samuel Pirown. A town was started 
by the river at what is known as the Old Slnnn- 
way ])lace. At one time there were from thirty- 
five to forty frames erected there ; but only a few 
of them were enclosed. This fact gave the place 
the ai>i)ropriatc name of "Rib-Town." 

In iS?8 Dr. .\. M. Catlin came from the West- 
ern Reserve in Ohio, in comjjany with the Rev. 
Hiram Foote and Silas Tvlcr. They were of 
New luijjland stock, and were part of a move- 
ment to found an institution of learning similar 
to the one then flourishing at Oberlin. Ohio. 
These missionary educational managers selected 
a site for their institution near the mouth of the 
Kishwaukee river. .\ large building was begun, 
but never completed. It remained for years as a 
reminder of the first attem])t to found a seminary 
in W'iiuK'bago county. 

In i83(>-40 (ieorge W. Lee i)latte(l a town on 
the up|H'r side of Kishwaukee river, at its junction 
with Rock river. Quite a town was actually built, 
with two stores and a blacksmith shop. P)Oth 
"Rib- Town" and Mr. Lee's plat were named 
Kishwaukee. but the former was abandoned be- 
fore Cieorge W. Lee jilattod the second. The lat- 
ter was sometimes called Lcetown. in honor of its 
founder. 

The present hamlet of Kishwaukee is a short 
distance below the mouth of the Kishwaukee 
river. There is a postoffice and a \\'eslcvan 
Methodist church, which was organized May i", 
1844. with seven meml)ers. The church was re- 
organized in 1863. A liouse of worship was 
erected in 1868 and a parsonage in 1870. 

The hamlet of New Milford is in the eastern 
part of the township. The Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy railroad passes by it about half a mile 
to the west. 

There have been several atteni])ts to organize 
churches in the village. The Methodist l".|)isco- 
pal church began as a class about 1838. The 
church no\v has its own property, and maintains 
regular ^rvices. The membership in October. 
KJ04, wiis 122, Rev. S. W, Lauck has served 
two years as pastor. The church at Davis Ju'ic- 
tion also belongs to this circuit. 

The Congregationalist society built a church 
in 1877. This field has been abandoned, and the 
church builcling is now used as a schoolhou.se. 

KOCKTON. 

The fact has already been noted in this liis- 
torical sketch that .Stephen .Mack was the first 
white settler in what is now Rockton township. 
Those who next succeeded him were William Tal- 



cott and his son, Thomas B. Talcott, who made 
claims July 4, 1835. These gentlemen may be 
regardeil as the first settlers of the village. Two 
other sons of William Talcott, Sylvester and 
Walter Henry, also settled there in 1835, and a 
fourth son, \Vait Talcott, came in 1838. 

The first store was opened by J. .\mbrose and 
Timothy Wigiit in 1837. There is at Rockton 
more head and fall than at any other point on 
Rock river. A sawmill was erecteil in 1838, and 
a tlouring mill in 1839, by Messrs, Talcott and 
.\dams. The village was laid out by William 
Talcott in 1840, but the ]ilat was not filed for 
record until May 30, 1844. The i)ro])rietors were 
.Messrs. Talcott and .\dams. The first bridge 
across Rock river above the month of Pecatonica 
river was built about 1845. Two bridges below 
the mouth of this stream were built a few years 
later. The first hotel was built l)y Jacob Hyatt, 
in 1839. It was a frame structure on the south 
side of .Main street. The next hotel was the New 
jjigland house, completed in 1S46. The third 
public house, a brick building, erected by Porter 
X'inton, was kept by Samuel .\dams, and was 
called the Mansion House. 

The early history of llu- Rm-ktun Baptist 
church is clo.sely identified with that of the Ros- 
coc Baptist church. The Roscoe and Rockton 
I 'nit 0(1 Baptist church was organized in June, 
1 85 1. In 1854 the services at Roscoe were dis- 
continued for lack of suitable accommodations. 
June 28, 1856, the church voted to build a house 
of worshi]} at Rockton, and January 13, 1858, 
the building was dedicated. Rev. James \'eness 
sujjplied the church until 1857, when Rev. D. B. 
Purinton liecame pastor. The church enjoyed a 
rapid growth during this time, when ninety- 
three united in seven years. The following have 
been iiastors since Rev. Purinton's resignation : 
Rev. C. T. Roe. Rev. A. L. Wilkinson. Rev. W. 
Whitney. Rev. James I'.uchanan. Rev. W. M. 
Robinson. Rev. .\. Whitman, Rev. ^^'. G. Evans, 
Rev. T. F. Hamilton. Rev. 1. I. Phelps, Rev. H. 
L. St'eele, Rev. J. C. Hart. Rev. H. Topping. 
Rev. Stephen Crickett. Rev. W. L. Tones. Rev. 
C. W. Woodruff. Rev. T. C. Pedersmi. Rev. C. 
J. Eddy. 

The First Congregational church was or- 
ganized in 1830 by Rev. William .Xdams. Tlie 
first meetings for public worship were held at 
different residences, imtil about 1840, when a 
small temporary structure was erected. .-\ sub- 
stantial stone building was built in 1848, at a 
cost of about five thousand dollars. The society 
has a bell which was the gift of William Tal- 
cott. 

Tn 1855 Rev. Holland Richardson was sent to 
Rockton as a missionary, and organized a small 
band of Christian workers. In 1856 they were 
organized as a Methodist station under the pastor- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



ate of Rev. C. F. Wright. A church was erected 
in 1859. The pastor in September, 1905, was 
Rev. O. J. Simmons. The membership is 148. 

The Racine & Mississippi Railroad reached 
Rockton October 29, 1856. E. L. Stiles was ap- 
pointed agent and he held that position for 
many years. September 10, 1872. Rockton be- 
came an incorporated town. There have been 
three paper mill plants in Rockton. One of 
these, which was burned down, was never re- 
built. The two now in operation are owned by 
Bradner Smith & Co. and J. M. Coons. Three 
flour mills have also been destroyed by fire, and 
never rebuilt. 

The occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the 
founding of the public school in Rockton was 
commemorated under the direction of the prin- 
cipal, W. W. Austin. At that time W. A. Tal- 
cott announced that he and his father would give 
a lot, building and furniture for a pul)lic library, 
as a memorial of the Talcott family, upon condi- 
tion that the township would support it by a tax. 
This generous offer was accepted. Thomas B. 
Talcott gave the nucleus of books and there have 
been subsequent gifts. The library now contains 
about foiu" thousand volumes. 

ROSCOE. 

August 3. 1835, Robert J. Cross, of Coldwater, 
Mich., and Col. Von Hovenburg, with a Potta- 
watomie Indian for a guide, came from Mil- 
waukee into what is now the township of Ros- 
coc. Mr. Ross bought a claim of Lavec, an em- 
ploye of Stephen T\Iack, upon which he subse- 
quently settled. In September of the same year, 
Elijah H. Brown, James B. Lee, and William 
Alead came from La Porte county. Indiana. 
Lentil a postofiice was established at Beloit. the 
first settlers obtained their mail at Chicago. In 
the spring of 1837 a postoffice was established at 
the village of Roscoe, and M. P. Abell was ap- 
pointed postmaster. The village was laid out 
under the direction of Messrs. Lelands, Jenks and 
Tuttle, and the plat was filed for record August 
3, 1841. The townsliip and village derived their 
names from William Roscoe. a celebrated English 
biographer. 

There are two churches, ^Methodist Episcopal 
and Congregational. The membership of the 
former was reported to the Rock River confer- 
ence of 1904 as 128. The pastor the last confer- 
ence year was Rev. T. E. Fluck, who also sup- 
plied the church at Harlem. 

The Congregational church was organized No- 
vember 28, 1843, with eighteen members. June 
3, 1858, the wife and seven children of Rev. Ills- 
ley, the pastor, were killed or drowned. In 
building the Madison branch of the Chicago & 
Galena railroad, a liigh embankment liad been 



thrown up at the crossing of the creek about half 
a mile above the village. The culvert was too 
small for the volume of water, and up to the 
afternoon of the day of the awful catastrophe, a 
pond two miles long, half a mile in width and 
from twenty-five to thirty feet in depth had 
formed above the embankment. About midnight 
the culvert caved in, the embankment gave way, 
and the water rushed down in one mighty torrent, 
carrying away several houses in its maddened 
rush, among which was the brick house occu- 
pied by Mr. Illsley and family, which toppled 
over and buried beneath its ruins the mother and 
seven children. Mr. Illsley, who had lost a leg, 
was comparatively helpless and was carried away 
by the flood nearly down to the Rock river, where 
he caught in a tree and held on until he was 
found by L. W. Richardson, who waded in and 
carried him out. In the Roscoe Cemetery, near 
the northeast corner, the eight bodies of one fam- 
ily, who had not all been united for some time 
till the day of their death, were buried in one day. 

Rev. Eaton, the venerable father of President 
Eaton, of Beloit college, was pastor of this church 
for many years. 

The Beloit and Madison division of the Chi- 
cago & N'orthwestern railway passes near the vil- 
lage of Roscoe. The Rockford. Beloit & Janes- 
ville electric line passes directly through the vil- 
lage. 

Gni.FoRn. 

In August, 1835, William E. Enoch, the eldest 
son of Henry Enoch, accompanied by two or 
three men from Will county, came to what is 
now Guilford township on a land prospecting 
tour. \\'hile out on this trip, young Enoch was 
taken sick and returned liome. In September 
following, his father, Henry Enoch, and brothers, 
Richard H. and A. I. Enoch, started out, and, 
following the direction of William, struck Rock 
river at Rockford. Leaving his sons in camp, 
he started out, and, going northeast from there 
two or three miles, he struck the spring brook 
known as Bucklen creek. Believing this stream 
came from springs, he followed it to its source, 
which he found in the northeast corner of sec- 
tion II, town 44, range 2, now in the town of 
Guilford. Here in the centre of a great prairie 
he found a spring of water 25 feet in diameter, 
the water about 24 inches deep and coming up 
from numerous places in the bottom through 
snow-white sand. The water was cold, and clear 
as crystal : the bank of the spring fringed with 
tall grass and bright prairie flowers. He was so 
charmed with the location, the great spring, the 
apparent fertility of the soil, and the general 
beauty of the surroundings, that he at once made 
up his mmd to make it the tuture home of him- 
self and family. Going to a thicket of hazel and 



12 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



younp ])oplar trees a few rods distant, he cut a 
small stake, and plantiiiji^ it on tlie bank of the 
springy, declared it his "claim." This springs be- 
came dry in the early 'seventies. This location 
was known for many years as the h\i^ sprinfj of 
"L'ncle luioch" in the jirairie. .Mr. ImiocIi made 
tnis claim his permanent home until the autumn 
of 1856. ( )ther early settlers of (hiilfurd were 
Elisha -V. Kirk. Thaddeus Davis, Sr.. and his 
sons, David .\.. Thaddeus, Jr., and Daniel; 
Harry Doolittle, J. H. Kirk, "Elisha A. Kirk, 
Giles C. Hard. G. L. Horton. and Dr. Charles 
Cnurcli. 

A town hall was erected about ten years ago. 
tile fnnils for which were raiseil by ta.x levy. Its 
cost was alxnit Si.^cx). It is on the Guilford 
Center road, five miles northeast of Rockford. 

HARRISON. 

Harrison is one of tlie four extreme northern 
townships of \\'innebag;o countv. The first set- 
tlement in this townshi]) was made in the fall of 
•^35 '•>■ «i ^Ir. Hrayton, who made a claim on 
section 35. In the sprins: of 1836, Mr. Drayton 
moved on his claim and commenced makinpf a 
farm. 

In 1840 the settlers desired to form a new pre- 
cinct, and it was necessary to present a petition to 
the county commissioners to have a new precinct 
formed. .\t that time a majority of the settlers 
were democrats, and several of the citizens being 
together one day. they pitched upon Isaac Parker 
to circulate a petition. He consented to do so 
on condition that some of his neighbors (who 
were Democrats) would work for him hoeing 
corn while he was absent, to which thev readilv 
agreed. Parker then drew up his jietition. went 
to Rockford. where the countv commissioners 
were in session, and had no difficultv in getting 
a new precinct formed, but was asked what name 
thev should give it. Parker, being a whig, im- 
mediately answered. Harrison, which name was 
adopted. When Parker returned and told how 
well he succeeded, his democratic friends were 
greatly rlisgusteil with the name. When the 
countv was organized imder townsliij) organiza- 
tion the name was continued. 

Its war record is notable. The whole number 
of enlistments was 122: whole number killed 
or died in the service, 24. It is believed that this 
town furnished a larger numlier of enlistments in 
projHirtion to the iiopulation to the number of 
voters than any other town in the county. Of 
the foregoing enlistments. 12 were in Wisconsin 
regiments, and a numl>er are credited to other 
townships. 

The village of Harrison is in the northeastern 
part of the township, at the junction of Sugar and 
Pecatonica river-;. It is a small settlement ab.iut 



one mile almost directly south of Shirland. It 
has no railroad facilities, and therefore has made 
comparatively little progress since the early days. 
There is a Congregational church, with a mem- 
bership of forty-four, and the ])uli)it is su])plied 
by the jjastor of .Shirland. The Modern Wood- 
men have erected a hall, which is used for public 
meetings and lodge purposes. 

SHIKI..\.\IX 

The townshi]! of Shirland borders on the state 
line. The village of the same name is in the 
eastern part of the township. It was originally 
called Kaoota. an Indian name. The village has 
never been incor])orated. It has a ])opu]ation of 
about 125, and is on the Chicago. Milwaukee & 
St. Paul road. Thomas B. Boswell was appointed 
postmaster October 29. 1869, and served until 
about ten years ago, when he was succeeded by 
his son, George E. P>oswell, who still retains the 
office. .A town hall was erected about three years 
ago. in which all township elections and political 
meetings are held. 

The religious needs of the community are sup- 
])lied bv two churches. The Methodist Episcopal 
belongs to the Freeport district and had a mem- 
bershi|3 in October. 1904. of 208. The i)astor is 
Rev. J. C. Jones, who has served seven years. 
The Congregational church is one mile and a 
f|uarter north of the village. It has thirty-three 
members. The ])astiir is Rev. Selby. 

SKWAUn. 

Seward forms the southwest corner of Win- 
nebago comity. It is in this township that the 
highest i)rice has been jiaid for farm land in this 
count}-. The village of Seward is on the Illinois 
Central. .\ Roman Catholic church stands some 
distance north of the railroad track. 

Perhaps few persons now living ever heard 
of the N'ancelxirough ])ostoffice. X'anceborough 
was another name for Twelve-Mile Grove, on the 
State road, about half way from Rockford to 
I'reeport. Ejihraini Sumner settled near there 
when he came to Winnebago county, in 1835. He 
engaged in milling and farming near Twelve-Mile 
( irove, and Ix'came an extensive landowner, 

February 11, 1845. ^^^- Sumner was commis- 
sioned postmaster of N'anceborough. He was to 
retain the office during the i)leasure of the post- 
master-general. The commission is signed by C. 
Wickliffe. who was postmaster-general during 
the administration of John Tyler. The seal is the 
figure of a man on horseback, with a small mail- 
bag upon his back. Both man and horse are 
apparently in great haste to reach the next sta- 
tion. This commission, now in possession of 
Hon. P.. p.. Sumner, is well preserved, although 



PAST AXD PRESEXT OE WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



it was issued sixty years ago. The elder Sum- 
ner built a stone house at Vanceborough, which 
is still in a good state of preservation, and has 
well-nigh outlived the memory of the town. 
These primitive villages along the old stage lines 
were superseded by the railway station, and thev 
now scarcely live in memory. 

.Among the early settlers of the township were. 
A. Bridgeland, Mrs. Sylvia Conover, Samuel 
Eaulkner, William Fitzgerald, Jacom M. Hamil- 
ton, Rev. Chester Hoisington, Marcus L. Lowrev, 
and Hon. Laurence McDonald. 

H.\RLEM. 

The first settlement in Harlem township was 
on the east side of Rock river, on what was called 
Big Bottom, nearly opposite the stone quarry. 
A man named \\'attles staked out his farm into 
lots and streets, and called it Scipio : but even its 
classic name did not give it prestige. The pro- 
prietor built the only house ever completed. The 
stakes remained for several years, until they were 
plowed under by the owner, who could not give 
away his lots. 

Other early settlers were P. S. Doolittle. G. C. 
Hutchins, W. T. Magoon, Peter Mabie, Robert 
Smith, and L}inan Taylor. 

The village of Harlem is a small station on 
the Kenosha division of the Chicago & North- 
western railway. There is a Alethodist church 
some distance from the station. 

Argyle is another hamlet on the Kenosha 
division, near the Boone county line. That por- 
tion of the county was settled in an early day by 
Scotchmen from Argyleshire. Their descend- 
ants support one of the most prosperous country 
churches in Blinois. The present house of wor- 
ship was dedicated Eebruary 14. 1878. The ser- 
mon was preached by the Rev. Francis L. Patton, 
of Chicago, but later president of Princeton uni- 
versity. The church will seat six hundred and 
cost, with furniture, $12,796. Rev. B. E. S. Ely, 
Sr., was pastor at the time the church was dedi- 
cated. The manse adjoins the church. 

BURRITT. 

Burritt is one of the few townships in Win- 
nebago county, which has no railroad. There are 
no towns or villages with the single exception of 
W^enpletown, in the eastern part. A postofifice 
was formerly located there, but it has been su- 
perseded by the rural free delivery. There is a 
church in the township on section 14. 

Settlements were made in this township at an 
early date. James Atkinson came from England 
in 1837. Other pioneers were Thomas J. Atwood, 
Albert J. Atwood, George A. Atkinson. Edward 
H. Boomer, Jacob B. Conklin, William Dickin- 
son, Jesse Herrington, Joseph Jennings, William 
Ludley, and Jefferson Southard. 



OWEN. 

Owen is a township lying directly north of 
Rockford. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
railroad passes through nearly its entire length 
north and south. There is a station at Latham 
Park. There was once a postoffice there, but it 
has been superseded by the rural route. 

Among the early settlers may be mentioned 
Patten Atwood, who went there in 1839 ; Mowry 
Brown, who first came to Rockwood in 1838; 
Wadleigh Favor, William Halley, Frederick M. 
Knapp, James B. Lee, Stephen' O. Thompson, 
Isaac W. Seaverns. 

L.VONA. 

Laona is the northwestern township of Win- 
nebago county. There are no towns or villages 
in the township. No railroad passes through" it, 
and there is only one church within its borders. 
Among the early settlers of the township were 
Peter Johnson. Niles Patterson, William Phipps, 
and Rienza Webster. 

The late Judge Church is authority for the 
statement that the population of the county in 
June, 1837, was 1,086. In 1840 it was 4,609; 1850, 
11,773 : i860, 24,491 ; 1870, 29,301 ; 1880, 30,505 ; 
1890, 39,938; 1900, 47,845. 

ORG.VXIZ.VnON OF THE COUNTY. 

In the summer and autumn of 1835 the settlers 
in this section began to agitate the question of 
local government. This matter was promptly 
brought to the attention of the state legislature. 

The counties organized in northern Illinois 
prior to 1835 were much larger than thev are at 
present. At that time Cook, La Salle and Jo 
Daviess counties extended from Lake ^Michigan 
to the Mississippi river. Jo Daviess was or- 
ganized in 1827. It then extended east of Rock 
river, and included the territory now comprised 
in nine counties. 

Cook and La Salle counties were organized in 
1 83 1. It was the evident intention at that time 
to subdivide these counties at a later day, to 
meet the demands of an increased population. A 
map of Illinois, printed in 1835, represents Cook 
countv with territory attached on the north for 
judicial purposes. La Salle has northern ter- 
ritory annexed for the same purposes, corre- 
sponding to portions of McHenry, Kane, Winne- 
bago and Ogle counties, and all of Boone and 
De Kalb, as at present organized. Jo Daviess is 
shown with annexed territory on the east and 
south. The distinction between Cook and La 
Salle counties proper, and their annexed portions, 
appears to have been in the fact that the former 
were surveyed, while the latter were not. Al- 
though Jo Daviess county was organized eight 



14 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



years before the ma]) was ])riiiteil, the map does 
nut even represent the cmnity as surveyed. The 
ci>nilitions, however, in [i-> Daviess were pecuHar. 
The country near dalena inchiding a mining 
camp, witli (piitc a considerable po|)iilation. and 
thus re(|uired a local jjovennnent. Hence the or- 
gfanization of the county preceded by several 
years the government survey of the land. 

The state legislature at that time held its ses- 
sions at \andalia. .\n act of January i6, 1836, 
provided for the organization of Mcllenry, Win- 
nel)ago, Kane. Ogle and Wiiiteside counties, and 
the reorganization of Jo Daviess. Section two 
of the law created Winnebago county, with 
boundaries as follows : "Commencing at the 
southeast corner of township number forty-three, 
range lunnber four, east of the third ])rincipal 
meridian, and running thence west to the said 
meridian, thence north along the line of said 
meridian, to the southeast corner of townshii) 
number twenty-six. in range number eleven, east 
of tiie fourth principal meridian; thence west to 
the dividing line between ranges number seven 
and eight : thence north along said line to the 
northern boundary of the state : thence east along 
said boundary line to the northeast corner of 
range munber four, east of the third ])rincipal 
meridian : thence south to tlie place of beginning." 

Wimiebago was thus formed from the attached 
portions of Jo Daviess and La Salle counties. 
That part of the county east of the third prin- 
ci(>al meridian was taken from La Salle ; the 
portion west of this meriiliau was detached from 
Jo Daviess. .\s at first organized, Winnebago 
count V was almost exactly double its jiresent size, 
and included all of I'loone county, and the eastern 
two townshij) ranges of what is now Stephenson 
county. Wimiebago has never been enlarged or 
reduced from its original form on its northern 
or southern boundary. 

TIIK riRST EI.IXTIO.N. 

The law to establish the county ordered an 
election to be held at the house of Ciermanicus 
Kent, on the first Monday in ^^ay. for sheriff, 
coroner, recorder, surveyor, and three county 
commissioners, who should hold their offices 
until the next succeeding general election, and 
until tlieir successors were <|iialified. The elec- 
tion, liowever, was not held until the next .Vug^ist. 

No county created by this act was to be or- 
ganized, and an election held, until a majority of 
the voters of the prospective county had ad- 
dressed a petition for the same to the judge of 
the sixth judicial circuit, or. in his absence, to 
another circuit judge. The voters were also re- 
quired to give sufficient proof that the jiroposed 
county ountained not less than three hundred and 
fifty white inhabitants. This task was under- 
taken b\ Dr. Daniel II. Whitney, who had settled 
at I'.elvidere. 



These facts were communicated to Judge 
Thomas II. Ford. He thereupon issued an order, 
dated July 15, 1836, for an election to be held at 
the house of Daniel S. Haight, on the first Mon- 
day in .\ugust. The statute had designated an 
earlier date and another place for this election ; 
but inasmuch as the organization of the county 
dcix'nded upon a prescribed population, a subse- 
(|uent section of the law necessarily referred the 
time and place of such election to the presiding 
judg-e of the circuit. I'nder the first constitution 
of Illinois, all elections for state and coimty of- 
ficers were held the first Monday in .Vugust. 

Gcrmanicus Kent, Joseph P. Griggs and Rob- 
ert J. Cross were chosen judges of election. 
Judge Ford's order has been framed, and is pre- 
served in the office of Captain Lewis I*". Lake, 
the circuit clerk, as an interesting relic of those 
early days. 

The election was held on Monday, .\ugnst ist, 
in a decidedly primitive maimer. Written or 
I)rinted ballots had not then been introduced into 
Illinois. Under the old constitution, all votes 
were to be given vive voce until otherwise pro- 
vided by the general assembly : and up to this 
time no change had been made, 

.Simon P. Doty, Thomas I!. Talcott ami Wil- 
liam E. Dunbar were elected county commission- 
ers : Daniel S. Haight, sheriff: Daniel H. Whit- 
ney, recorder ; Eliphalet Gregory, coroner ; and 
D. A. Spaulding, surveyor. The results of the 
election for member of congress and represent- 
atives in the general assembly are given later in 
this sketch. 

One hundred and twenty votes were cast at 
this election. The names of the voters were as 
follows: David Caswell. George Caswell, David 
I'.arnes, P. P. Burnham, Thomas Crane, Thatcher 
lllake, Seth Scott. Joshua Fawcett, John Bar- 
rett, Jeremiah Frame, John F. Thayer, William 
Randall, John \\'elch, Joshua Cromer. John 
Slavins. David Blake. William P.arlow, Joseph B. 
liaker, Daniel Fairchild. Livingston Robins, 
.\lfred Shattuck. .Mva Trask, William Smith, Ira 
Haskins, John Bunts. .Simon P. Dotv. Milton S. 
Mason. Timothy Caswell. Charles H. Pane. Royal 
Briggs, Solomon Watson, .Xbram Watson, 
Ralzimond Gardner, Mason Sherburne, John K, 
Towner, John G. Lockridgc, John .\Ilen. John 
Lovesse, .\. E. Courtright, Henry Enoch. Ephr- 
aim Sumner. S. P.rown, .\. R. Dimmick, Sanniel 
Hicks, H. M. Wattles, T. R. J. English. Oliver 
Robins, J. P. Griggs, .Aaron V. Taylor, Luke 
Joslin, William Sumner. David D. Elliott, John 
Handy, Jacob Pettyjohn. Daniel .S. Haight, Jacob 
Keyt, John Lefonton, John Kelsoe, William R. 
Wheeler. M. Ewing, Charles Works, Sidney 
Twogood, Phineas Churchill. Thomas P>. Talcott, 
.Austin .Andrews, Thonias Lake, Benjamin Mc- 
Connell, Benjamin DePue, Lewis Haskins, .Aaron 
!'.. Davis. Joel Pike. R. M. Waller, Julius Trask. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



IS 



William Carey, Ephraim W'vman, P. D. Tavlor, 
William Brayton. Israel Morrill, Harlvn Shat- 
tuck, David DeWitt, James B. Young, Abel 
Thurston, John Kaudler, John Adams, Alilton 
Kilburn, Richard H. Enoch, Joseph Chadwick, 
Daniel Piper, John Hance, Henry Enoch, Jr., 
Peter Moore, Sylvester Sutton, \'. B, Rexford, 
William G. Blair, Daniel H. Whitney, James Jack- 
son, Isaac Adams. Isaac Harrell, E. A. Nixon, 
John Wood. William Mead, Joseph Rogers, A. 
C. Gleason, Henry Hicks. John Brink, E. 
Gregory, L. C. Waller, James Thomas. G. Kent, 
Chauncey Mead, George Randall, W. H. Talcott. 
William E. Dunbar, S. A. Lee. Charles Reed, 
Charles Sayres, Robert J. Cross. D. A. Spaulding. 
Benjamin White, Jacob Enoch. The votes of two 
men. John Langdon and Thomas Williams, were 
rejected. Not a single voter of this list is now 
living. The last survivor was Harlyn .Shattuck. 
who died in 1899. near Belvidere. 

On Wednesday. August 3d. the county com- 
missioners-elect met in special session at the 
house of Daniel S. Haight. for the transaction of 
business necessary to complete the local govern- 
ment. D. A. Spaulding was elected clerk of the 
county commissioners" court ; and Robert J. 
Cross was chosen trc^urer. William E. Dun- 
bar was sent to A'and-'.ia. the capital of the state, 
with the election '.turns. The term "court" 
might seem to imply that this body possessed ju- 
dicial powers, but such was not the fact. Under 
the constitution of 1818, three commissioners 
were elected in each county for the transaction 
of all its business. This court performed the du- 
ties corresponding in a general way to those en- 
trusted under the present law to the board of 
supervisors. 

At this first session of the court the commis- 
sioners divided the county into seven precincts. 
as follows : Yellow River, which included the 
towns of Silver Creek, Ridot. Freeport, Lancas- 
ter, and the south half of Rock River, in Stephen- 
son county : Rock Grove, which included the 
north half of Rock River, all of Buck Eye. Rock 
Grove, and the east half of Oneco, in Stephen- 
son county, and Laona and Howard f^now Dur- 
and) in Winnebago: Peeketolika. corresponding 
to the towns of Seward. Lvsander (now Peca- 
tonica) and Burritt : Kiskwaukee. now the town- 
ships of Cherry Valley. New Milford, and part 
of Rockford township ; Rockford, which in- 
cluded the present townships of Winnebago, 
Guilford, the larger part of Rockford, and the 
south half of Owen and Harlem ; Rock River, in- 
cluding the townships of Shirland. Harrison, 
Rockton, Roscoe, north half of Owen and Har- 
lem, and ^lanchester in Boone county ; Belvi- 
dere, which included all of Boone county except 
IManchester township. This precinct contained 
two hundred and fifty-two square miles ; yet at 



the first presidential election, in 1836, it could poll 
only twenty-three votes. Rock River precinct 
was twenty-four miles in length, and from six to 
twelve in width, and included six townships. At 
the presidential election previously mentioned this 
immense territory could poll but twenty votes. 
The number of precincts was subsequentlv in- 
creased to ten. 

At this session of the court an order was 
issued, which fixed the time and place of hold- 
ing an election in each precinct, for justices of 
the peace and constables. Upon the election of 
these officers the county organization was com- 
pleted. There was as yet no countv seat. The act 
to establish the county, however, had provided 
that until public buildings should be erected for 
the purpose, the courts should be held, as the 
county commissioners should direct. 

COUXTV SE.\T LOCATED AT WINNEB.XGO. 

The law establishing \\'innebago countv desig- 
nated Robert Stephens and Rezin Zarley, of Cook 
county, and John Phelps, of Jo Daviess, as com- 
missioners, to locate the permanent seat of justice. 
These commissioners were authorized to meet 
on the first Monday in May. 1836. or as soon 
thereafter as may be, at the house of Daniel S. 
Haight. for the discharge of their duty. John 
Phelps never made his appearance. The other 
two commissioners met Juh' 14th, at the place 
specified by law, for the selection of a site for 
the county buildings. 

At the county commissioners' court on Thurs- 
day. .\ugust 4. 1836. the report of the special 
commissioners was presented. The reader will 
avoid confusion bv noting the distinction between 
the three county commissioners elected bv popu- 
lar vote, and the special commissioners designated 
by the statute to locate the county seat. The lat- 
ter reported that on the 14th day of July they 
had met at the house of Daniel S. Haight, and 
that two days later they had selected a site on 
lands owned bv Nicholas Boilvin & Co.. on con- 
dition that the proprietors should execute a war- 
ranty deed to the county of thirty acres of land, 
so long as it should remain the seat of justice. 
On the same day Charles Reed presented to the 
countv commissioners a aeed of twelve blocks, 
containing two and one-half acres each, situated 
about two miles up the river trom the ferry cross- 
ing. 

The law was very specific concerning the lo- 
cation of a site. It provided that if the site 
chosen should be the property of individuals, in- 
stead of government land, the owners thereof 
should make a deed in fee simple of not less than 
twenty acres of said tract to the county ; or in 
lieu thereof they should pay the county three 
thousand dollars, to be used in the erection of 



i6 



PAST AM) I'RKSKXT OF WIXXEHACO COrXTV 



county buildings. Mr. Reed may have presented 
his deed in good faith, but it was not accepted 
because it contained an objectionable clause to 
the effect that the county shoukl hold the prop- 
erty "so long as it should remain the seat of 
justice." This reservation defeated his scheme. 
This tract of land came into possession of 
Nicholas I'oilviii about one year ])revious. Mr. 
r.oilvin was at one time a government agent for 
the Winnebago Indians. It lias been noted that 
by the treaty negotiated at Prairie du Chien, 
.\ugust I. i82(>. iK'tween the United States and 
the w'innebagoes. grants of land were made to 
certain descendants of this tribe. Catherine 
Mvntt, a half-breed Indian woman, was one of 
the two who had received two sections each. 
I^revious to this contest over the county seat, one 
of these two unlocated sections had been sold to 
Henry Gratiot. 15y deed executed .\ugust 25, 
18^5. Catherine Mvott conveyed the other un- 
located section to Xidiolas llnilvin for eight hun- 
dred dollars. This was the first individual con- 
veyance of land in Winnebago county. This deed 
was filed for record in Cook county, September 
3, 1835, and recorded by Daniel H. Whitney, 
recorder of Winnebago county, September 8, 
1836. This instrument was the first filed for 
record in this county. The tract located for Mr. 
i'oilvin, by virtue of the treaty of 1829, is the 
east half of section fourteen and all that part 
of section thirteen west of Rock river, in Rock- 
ford townshi]), and contains six hundred and 
thirty-.scvcn acres. At the time Mr. Reed made 
the offer of his deed to the county commission- 
ers, the property belonged to Nicholas Boilvin, 
of Cliicago. Charles Reed, of Joliet. and Major 
Campliell. 

.\s soon as the organization of the county 
iK-gan to be agitated. Boilvin and his associates 
determined to secure the location of the county 
seat on their site. The entire tract was platted 
September 14, 1836. It was known as Nicholas 
I'.nilvin's plat of the town of Winnebago, and the 
plat was filed for record September 17, 1836. 
Reed appeared as the principal manager. There 
were two hundred and fifty-one blocks, and these 
were subdivided into two thousand four hundred 
and thirty-six lots. The town was christened 
Winnebago. Reed built a two-story house, to 
be used as a hotel and store, which is still stand- 
ing a few rods alx)ve John H. Sherratt's resi- 
rleiice. .\ free ferry was established : a lime- 
kiln and a blacksmith shop were built : and a road 
opeiu-il through the timber east from Winne- 
bago, to meet the state road from Chicago to 
(ialena. at a point on Beaver creek. Nothing was 
left undone to secure the countv seat : but the 
decision of the commissioners, like the law of 
the Mcdes and Persians, coulrl not be changed. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the special com- 
missioners were given full jwwer by the statute 



to locate the county seat, their selection was 
arbitrarily set aside by the commissioners' court. 
This rejection, however, was based upon a reason 
which would have been considered valid by any 
court. The cpiestion difl not again come before 
the ])eople until 1839. Pending the location of 
the county seat the commissioners ordered that 
the circuit and county commissioners' courts 
should be held at the house of Mr. Haight. 

i:.\Rl,Y FERRIKS OX ROCK RIN'KR. 

The ferry was the first mode of transit across 
the river. Ferries were estalilished by special 
acts of the legislature, with regular charters, in 
territory not under county organization. The 
issue of licenses for conducting ferries came 
under the jurisdiction of the commissioners' 
courts in organized counties. In 1836. at the 
.September session of this court for Winnebago 
county. Cermanicus Kent was authorized to es- 
tablish a ferrv at Rockford, at what is now State 
street. He was required to pay a license of ten 
dollars for one year, and rates of ferriage were 
established. 

At the same session of the court \'ance & 
Andrews were authorized to establish a ferry at 
^^'innebago, on the same terms for license and 
ferriage as given ?^lr. Kent. C. Doolittlo. by his 
agent. H. M. Wattles, was granted the j^rivilege 
of establishing a ferry where the line between 
Rockford and C)wcn townships crosses Rcick 
river, on the same terms. In the spring of 1836 
Harvey Lowe and Nel.son H. Salisbury, who had 
made claims in Howard in the preceding autumn, 
returned with their families. May i8th they 
crossed the river at the point now spanned by 
Trask's bridge. They were the first to cross in 
the boat which had been launched that da v. They 
had been detained there about a week, and during 
tint time they had assisted in building the boat. 
This ferrv, which was established through the 
agency of Love and Salisbury, to enable them 
to cross their claims, subsequently became the 
thoroughfare in the direction of Mineral Point 
and formed a convenient crossing for all emi- 
grants to the country north of the Pecatonica. 

In 1837 the ferry licenses of Kent and ^^ance 
were extended another year, at the same rates. 
Mr. Kent conducted the ferry at Rockford from 
1836 to 1838. In the latter year a license was 
issued to Kent & Brinckerhoff. The rates of 
ferriage were changed and the license fee raised 
to twenty dollars. These gentlemen were suc- 
ceeded by .Selden M. Church, who continued the 
business until the first bridge was built. 

SURVEY OF THE ST.\TE RO.\D. 

When Germanicus Kent and Thatcher Blake 
made their settlements, there were no state roads 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



17 



in this vicinity. Indian trails wended their way 
through prairie and forest, but these did not 
greatly facihtate the trayel of the white man. 
At that time Chicago and Galena were the only 
well known points in northern Illinois. The first 
settlements in the state were made in the south- 
ern portion ; and as the tide of emigration poured 
from the east into the Rock riyer valley, after 
the Black Hawk war, each session of the legis- 
lature laid out a number of state roads. 

By an act approved January 15, 1836, James 
Gifford, Daniel S. Haight and Josiah C. Good- 
hue were appointed special commissioners to view, 
survey and locate a road from Meacham"s Grove, 
in Cook county, to Galena, in Jo Daviess county. 
The bill directed that the commissioners should 
make "Elgin on Fox river, in Cook county, Bel- 
videre on Squaw Prairie, in the county of La 
Salle, and Midway at the ford on Rock river, in 
the county of Jo Daviess, points on the said road, 
and shall fix the said road on the most advantage- 
ous ground, for a permanent road, having refer- 
ence to said points." This road was opened with- 
out delay, and State street in Belvidere and in 
Rockford is a portion of this highway, which 
extends nearly across the state in a general north- 
westerly direction from Chicago. 

THE \-ILL.\GE CHRISTENED. 

Mr. Kent was in a sense the first proprietor of 
the colony. He gave it the name of Midway. 
This name was suggested by the fact that the 
settlement was about half way from Giicago to 
Galena. "Midway, Rock River, Jo Daviess 
county, Illinois, June 17, 183s." is the name and 
date Mr. Kent gives in a letter to a friend. The 
law of 1836 which established the State road, 
noted in the last paragraph, referred to "Mid- 
way at the ford on Rock river." 

Under date of October 17, 1837, ^Ir. Kent 
writes a letter from Rockford. The settlement 
was therefore known as ]Midway from one to 
three years. 

Authorities differ as to the origin of the name 
Rockford. One writer says the place was known 
as Rockford by the Indians ; and that this name 
was suggested to them by nature. Upon the site 
of the present dam was a solid rock bottom, 
where the water was usually so shallow as to 
afford easy crossing with their ponies. Hence 
it was called b^' them the rock-ford. 

John H. Thurston gives a somewhat different, 
though not necessarily a conflicting, version. He 
says Daniel S. Haight. Germanicus Kent, Wil- 
liam H. Gilman, of Belvidere, John P. Chapin and 
Ebenezer Peck, of Chicago, and Stephen Edgel, 
later of St. Louis, met at Dr. Goodhue's office, on 
Lake street, in Chicago, to name the claim, or 
mill privilege, which they hoped at some time 
2 



would become a town. "Midway," though an 
appropriate name, was not in favor. Various 
names were suggested and rejected, until Dr. 
Goodhue said : "Why not call it Rockford, from 
the splendid rock-bottom ford on the river there ?" 
The suggestion seemed an inspiration, and was 
at once unanimously adopted ; and from that day 
to this. Dr. Goodhue has been given the credit 
of the present name. The date of this christen- 
ing is uncertain. Mr. Thurston says it occurred 
in the summer of 1835; -but the statute of Janu- 
ary, 1836. still designated it Midway. News 
traveled slowh', however, in those days ; and pos- 
sibly the solons at Vandalia had not learned of 
the change. 

THE FIR.ST SURVEYS. 

The first surveys in Winnebago county were 
made early in 1836. Don Alonzo Spaulding, a 
pioneer of 1835, was the government surveyor. 
One of his associates was Hon. Charles B. Far- 
well, of Chicago, who in 1887 succeeded the late 
General John A. Logan as a United States sen- 
ator from Illinois. In October, 1835, Mr. 
Spaulding began the extension of the third prin- 
cipal meridian, at a timber corner about two miles 
north of the point where this meridian crosses 
the Illinois riyer, on the western boundary line 
of La Salle county. Mr. Spaulding extended the 
third principal meridian north to its intersection 
with the Wisconsin boundary line. Mr. Spauld- 
ing surveyed the range and township lines in all 
of Winnebago county, and the western range of 
Boone : and subdivided all of Winnebago except 
New Milford and Cherry \'alley townships. 

THE BEGIXXIXG OF METPIODISM. 

jNIethodism was established in Winnebago 
county in 1836. It was therefore the vanguard of 
the church militant to enter and possess the land. 
The official record of the first society has not 
been preserved. 

Galena was the first appointment within the 
bounds of the present Rock River conference. 
It was at that time, in 1829, in the Illinois con- 
ference, which comprised the states of Indiana 
and Illinois. The Indiana conference was formed 
in 1834. After this separation of Indiana from 
the Illinois conference, the latter still covered a 
vast region. In the autumn of 1835 Rev. Wil- 
liam Royal was appointed to the Fox River mis- 
sion. Rev. Samuel Pillsbury was associated with 
him. This mission circuit extended northward 
from Ottawa. In June, 1836, Rev. Pillsbury 
preached a sermon at the home of Henry Enoch, 
in Guilford township, seven and one-half miles 
east of Rockford. This was the first service in 
the county conducted by a Methodist clergyman. 



i8 



PAST AND l'RESi:.\T (U W l.\.\lil!AGU CUL'XTY. 



On that occasion Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Beers and 
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Gre<;ory traveled six miles 
in a heavy lumber wagon drawn hy a yoke of 
oxen. 

This service was followed during: tlie sum- 
mer by occasional sermons by Rev. Royal at Mr. 
Enoch's house : and Mrs. Enoch often prepared 
Sunday dinners for the cont^recfation. On his 
wav to conference at S])rin};field. in the autumn 
of iS,^^>, Rev. Royal passed tlirouijh Rockford. 
Monday afternoon, September 2d, he jireached 
in .sanniel Ure^'ory's lofj liousc, which stood on 
what is now block fourteen in Gilbert Woodruff's 
second addition to Rockford. At the close of the 
sermon Rev. Royal orjjanized the first Methodist 
class, which consisted of five persons : Samuel 
Greg'ory, Joanna (irejjory, ^fary Enoch. Daniel 
I'.eers and Mary Ileers. These pioneer Metho- 
<lists have been honored by five memorial front 
windows in Centennial church. 

At the conference of 1836 Bishop Roberts ap- 
pointed Dr. Arnold to the Sycamore circuit, of 
which Rockford was a part. The few Methodists 
gathered for worship as often as possible at Mr. 
Gregory's house. In 1837 the conference met 
at Rushvillc, when llisho]) Roberts sent William 
( laddis, with Robert Lane, as assistant, to the 
Rockford circuit. Tiiis circuit belonged to the 
Chicago di.strict. over which John Clark was pre- 
siding elder. Mr. Lane soon retired from the 
field, and he was succeeded by Leander S. 
Walker. At the conference of 1838, at Alton, 
Bishop Soule returned Mr. Walker to Rockford 
as ])reacher in charge, with Nathan Jewett as 
assistant. During the earlv i)art of Mr. Walker's 
pastorate he ])reached in the house of James Bos- 
well, north of the brewery. The Methodists sub- 
scf|uently worshi]>ed in a building erected by Mr. 
Ilaight on the site of the .American House. This 
building was used for various i>uri)oses. In the 
summer of 1838 the Methodists built a parson- 
age on First .street, between Prairie street and 
Lafayette avenue, facing west. This was the 
first Methodist parsonage built within what is 
now the Rock River conference. 

Tlie Rock River conference was organized 
.'Vngust 26, 1840, at Mt. Morris. Bishop Waugh 
]>rcsiiled over this conference, which was held in 
a grove. Rockford was retained in the Chicago 
district, with John T. Mitchell as presiding elder, 
and Semphronious H. Stocking as circuit 
preacher. .August 25. 1841. the conference was 
held at Platteville, W'isconsin, when Bishop Mor- 
ris sent John Crummer to Rockford. 

.August 3. 1842. the conference met in Chi- 
cago, and Bishop Roberts assigned Rockford to 
the care of Silas BoUes. .At this time the Metho- 
dist church was worshiping in what was after- 
ward knf)wn as the "old seminary l)uilding." This 
structure had been begun as a Congregational 



church, but was abandoned for the church built 
on the West side 1)\- Kent and Brinckcrhoff. In 
1842 the Methodists bought this "seminary" 
property of the county commissioners, and held 
it for .some years. September 20, 1842, the First 
Methodist church became an incorporate body, 
with five trustees, as follows: Horace Miller, 
James B. .Martyn, Samuel Gregory, Daniel Beers 
and Willard Wheeler. At the conference in Du- 
bufjue, Iowa, .August 30, 1843, Rockford was 
made a "station," and Bishop Andrews sent Rich- 
ard Blanchard. November 10th of that year the 
trustees of the society purchased of Daniel S. 
Haiglit the lot on which the parsonage had been 
built five years previous. The consideration was 
two hundred dollars. 

I'"e1)ruary 25, 1846. the trustees purchased of 
William II. (iilman, lots one, two, three, four and 
five, in the east half of block thirty-one, front- 
iTig on South Second street, between Oak and 
Walnut. The consideration was tliree hundred 
and twenty-five dollars. These lots, except lot 
one. are the same upon which the Centennial 
church and parsonage now stand, and which were 
occupied by the I'irst church and parsonage. The 
contract for building the l-'irst church was made 
with M. II. Regan, in 1846, but it was not com- 
pleted until 1848. 

l-'rom 1 84 1 to 1853 Rockford had been a part 
of the Mt. Morris <listrict. In the latter year, 
the conference, which met at Chicago. September 
14th, redistricted the work, and the Rockford 
district was formetl. ISi.shon Scott sent Luke 
I litchcock to the district as presiding elder. Wil- 
liam Taskcr was assigned to the First church, 
and "West Rockford" was left to be supplied bv 
Mr. Chatfield. 

Of the sixty sessions of the Rock River con- 
ference eight have been held in Rockford. The 
first convened with the First church. July 18, 
1849. Edmund S. James was presiding bishop. 
.August 26. 1857. tlie conference convened in 
Court Street church, with Lewis Scott as presid- 
ing bishop. .At the conference held with the First 
church, September 23. 1863. Bishop Scott again 
jiresided. October 0, 1S72, the conference met 
in the Third Street church, with I'ishop Isaac W, 
Wiley iiresiding. The next conference in Rock- 
ford met (\-tober 13. 1880. in Court Street 
church. Bishop Hurst presided. The charge 
of heresy preferred against Dr. H. W. Thomas 
was considered and referred to the presiding 
elder of his district. September 21. 1884, the 
conference convened with Centennial church. 
Bishop Henry W. Warren presided. Bishop 
Mallalieu presided at the conference held with 
Court Street church, September 27, 1887. The 
eighth conference convened with Centennial 
church, October 3, 1800, with Bishop Hurst in 
the chair. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



19 



FIRST MARRIAGES AXD BIRTHS. 

The first marriage was that of Dr. Daniel H. 
Whitney and Sarah Caswell, and was solemnized 
bv Rev. Seth S. Whitman, of Belvidere, Decem- 
ber ID, 1836. The first marriage ceremony 
within the present limits of the coimty was that 
of Jeremiah Roberts and Harriet Clausen, and 
was performed December 11, 1836, by Sylvester 
Talcott, a justice of the peace. The first mar- 
riage, however, reported in the registery in the 
county clerk's office is that of William P. Randall 
and I\Iiss Delia Driscoll, solemnized February 13. 
1837, by William R. Wheeler, a justice of the 
peace. 

Melissa J. Long, daughter of John B. Long, 
born in February, 1836, is entitled to the distinc- 
tion of being the first white child born in the 
county. The first male child, Ogden Hance, was 
born in what is now Pecatonica township. 
George E. Dunbar, son of William E. Dunbar, 
was born in 1836, in a little log house situated 
about one block south of Kent street, on ?ilain. 
Mrs. T. W. Carrico. a daughter of Benjamin Kil- 
burn. was also among the earliest accessions by 
birth to the population of the village. 

COUNTY DIVIDED. "mILE-STRIP CONTEST." 

An act of the legislature, approved March 4, 
1837, provided for the reorganization of Winne- 
bago countv, and the creation of Stephenson and 
Boone. The latter was named in honor of Col- 
onel Daniel Boone, the first white settler of Ken- 
tuck}-. By this act Winnebago county was re- 
duced to one-iialf its original size. The reader 
will find it necessary, in tracing the boundary 
lines, to have before him maps of Winnebago 
and Boone counties ; also some acquaintance with 
the township survey system. Confusion will 
arise if it is not remembered that the townships 
in ^^'innebago county, west of the third prin- 
cipal meridian, are numbered from a different 
base-line from those east of this meridian. It 
must also be borne in mind that the ranges west 
of the third principal meridian are numbered, not 
as ranges west of the third principal meridian, 
but as east of the fourth principal meridian. 

The first section of this law creates Stephen- 
son county from the eastern portion of Jo Daviess 
and the western two ranges of Winnebago, as the 
latter had been organized the preceding year. 
The next section defines the new boundary of 
Winnebago. The line begins at the northeast 
corner of Stephenson, as formed by the preced- 
ing section ; thence running east on the state line 
to the section line between sections five and six, 
in township forty-six north, range three east of 
the third principal meridian : thence south on 
said section line to the south boundary of town- 



ship forty-three north, range three east ; thence 
west on said township line to the third principal 
meridian ; thence north on said meridian to the 
southeast corner of township twenty-six north, 
range eleven east of the fourth principal 
meridian ; thence west on said line to the range 
line between ranges nine and ten east of the 
fourth principal meridian ; thence north to the 
place of beginning. 

The third section of this law contemplated the 
boundaries of Boone as they now exist, except 
the mile-strip on the west. This law was 
seriously defective in defining the boundary lines. 
The intention of the legislature, however, was 
obvious and was accepted until two years later, 
when the act of March 2, 1839, corrected the 
errors, which may have been either verbal or 
typographical. 

Bv comparing the boundary lines of Winne- 
bago and Boone, as defined by the act of 1837, 
with an atlas of the counties, it will be observed 
tnat the eastern boundary of Winnebago was 
exactly one mile east of the present line. Thus 
established, Boone was only eleven miles wide. 
The western tier of sections, which clearly be- 
long to Boone under the p-overnment survey, was 
denied her and given to \A'innebago. 

This manifest injustice to Boone county was 
a thorn in the flesh of her citizens and finally pre- 
cipitated what is known as the "mile-strip con- 
test," the most bitter controversy of those early 
days. The statement is twice made in Kett's 
History of Boone county that the assignment of 
this mile-strip to Winnebago in 1837 was a com- 
promise to conciliate conflicting interests in this 
county. These "conflicting interests" were prob- 
ably the ambitions of East and West Rockford 
for the county buildings. The extra mile-strip 
may have been given to Winnebago, at the in- 
stance of clever manipulators, to increase the vot- 
ing strength of that part of the county east of 
Rock river. 

In 1843 the question of annexing this mile- 
strip to Boone county came before the legislature. 
An enabling act, approved February 28th, pro- 
vided that sections six, seven, eighteen, nineteen, 
thirty and thirty-one, in townships forty-three, 
fortv-four, forty-five and forty-six, range three 
east, should be annexed to Boone, if the voters on 
the mile-strip should so elect. The strip com- 
prised what is now the western tier of sections 
in the townships of Manchester, Caledonia, Belvi- 
dere and Flora, in Boone county. An election 
was ordered to be held at the house of Samuel 
Keith, in the village of Newburg. W'innebago 
countv. May 4, 1843. The citizens of Rockford 
were deeply interested in the result, although the 
county seat had recently been relocated on the 
West'side, and the voters the preceding year had 
expressed a preference for that side. They were 



20 



I'Asr AND i'Ri:si-.\ r oi- w ixxi-.i'.aco torxiv. 



not III cuursc. allowi-il to vole. Only those on 
the mile-strip liad a voice in the matter. The elec- 
tion called ont ninety-five votes. Fifty-one were 
lor annexation to l!o<ine, and forty-four against 
it ; a majority of seven in favor of lioonc. This 
election added twenty-fonr sections of valuable 
land to our eastern neighbor, and thus greatly 
increased luT taxable property. 

I 111-: FIRST TW I.KVY. 

I he first tax levy was oruercd 1)\ the county 
commissioners' court, at its .March term, 1837. 
One-half per cent, tax was levied on town lots, 
horses and mares, meat cattle above three years 
old, watches, carriages, and wagons, and a tax 
of one- fourth ])er cent, on stock in trade. 
Through some technicality, this levy was de- 
clared illegal, and a second levy was made. At 
that time farm lands were not taxable. They 
were not |)laced u])nii the market at the land of- 
fices until two years later, and for three years 
thereafter they were exem])t from taxation. It 
was not until 1842-43 that any county revenue 
was obtained from this source. The revenue re- 
quired to meet the expenses of the county until 
the lands became taxable was derived from as- 
sessments against ])ersonal property. Under this 
order the total amount levied was five hundred 
and sixty-two dollars and fifty-nine and one-half 
cents. 

THE n.W OF SMALL THINGS. 

The first frame building in Rockford was 
erected in 1836. by Sidney Twogood and Thomas 
Lake. It was a story-and-a-half structure, and 
stood on the southwest corner of State and Madi- 
son streets, and faced east. It was first occupied 
as a general store by Harry W. Bund}- and 
George Goodhue. The latter was a nephew of Dr. 
Goodhue. This firm continued in business there 
only about two years, and then removed to Beloit 
in the spring of 1838. 

The second frame structure was built for 
naniel .S. Ilaight. on the northeast corner of 
State and Madison streets, and to which reference 
has already been made. 

James B. Martyii, who came from Alabama 
upon Mr. Kent's .solicitation, claimed to have 
built the first frame house in the county, outside 
of Rockford. in 1836. on his claim on the State 
road, one mile east of the intersection of State and 
Third streets. Mr. Martvn died at Belvidere in 
i88t. 

The first theatrical performance was given Oc- 
tober j«). 1838, in the old Rockford House. The 
manager of the company was the elder Jefferson, 
father of the world-renowned Joseph Jcflferson. 
"Joe" was but a youth, and acted in "Lord 
I»vell." then a new play. The company was 



weather-bound in Rockford while en route from 
Chicago to (ialena. The river was not passable 
by reason of heavy moving ice. 

The first tailor in Rockford was William 11. 
Tinker, who came from Massachusetts. He was 
in the village in 1836, but he did not consider the 
outlook very ])romising, and he left the field. In 
June, 1837, Parson King Johnson, from I'.ran- 
don, Vermont, came to Rockford, and found Mr. 
Tinker's cutting board in the rear room of Bundy 
iS: ("roodhue's store. Mr. Tinker returned to 
Rockford. and the firm of Tinker & Johnson be- 
came the first ill that line in the village. The firm 
occupied the u|)per room in a building on the site 
of Ti I South .\Iadison street. 

The first shoemaker was ICzra r>arinim. He 
was father of .\nson Barinim and Mrs. James 
M. \\'ight. and grandfather of Mrs. Sherratt. 
Mr. r>arnum came from Danbury, Connecticut, 
in the summer of 1837. .\ history of Danbury 
shows the Barnums to have been an old family 
of that city. 

The first brick was made in the autumn of 
1837 by Cyrus C. Jenks, in Guilford, about three 
and a half miles northeast of the town. 

The first carpenter cannot be determined with 
accurac\' : but it is probable that Thomas Lake 
and .Sidney Twogood were the first skilled work- 
men. The first saloon was o])ened in 1837. by 
Samuel Little, an luiglishman. He ])ut up a 
small one-story building near 316 Last State 
street. The first blacksniilh was probably one of 
the men em])loyed by Mr. Kent. The second was 
William Penfield. His frame building was on 
the northeast corner of Madison and Market 
streets. William V. Dennis was the first house- 
painter, and in 1837 he disi)layed his skill on Mr. 
Haight's first frame house. The first drug store 
was opened early in the summer of 1838 by "Dr." 
Marshal, a Scotchman. It was on the north side 
of State street, about eighty feet from the river. 
The first bakers were Ephraim Wyman and 
Bethuel Houghton, who did business in 1838 as 
I)artiiers on South Main street. The first store 
was kept by John \'ance, in a log cabin on South 
First street, opposite the city hall now in process 
of construction. 

CO.NGRIiG.XTIO.N.M.ISM — THK FIRST CHURCH. 

Xew England Congregationalism came with 
the early settlers. This institution was firmly es- 
tablished within three years after the arrival of 
Mr. Kent and .Mr. I'.lakc, and it has maintained 
a strong and intluential position in Rockford until 
the present time. The First Congregational 
church was organized May 5, 1837, with nine 
members: Rev. [ohn Morrill, Herman B. Potter, 
Israel Morrill. " Richard .Morrill. Elizabeth P. 



PAST AXD TRESEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



21 



]\[on-ill, AFarv J. Morrill, Sophia X. IMorrill, 
Minerva Potter, and Eunice Brown. 

The church was founded by Rev. John Mor- 
rill, at the home of his brother. Israel Morrill, on 
the west side of the river. It is therefore the 
oldest church in Rockford, inasmuch as the First 
Methodist church, formed the previous year, 
ceased to exist. The three ^lorrill brothers and 
their wives constituted just two-thirds of the 
original membership. During its first year the 
church had attained a membership of twenty 
souls. Israel Morrill and H. B. Potter were the 
first deacons. 

The first confession of faith and form of cove- 
nant, adopted temporarily at its organization, 
was that recommended by the Watertown pres- 
bytery. One year later. May 4, 1838, this was 
displaced by the articles of faith and covenant of 
the Rock River Congregational Association. 

Rev. John Morrill was the first pastor. Very 
little is known of him previous to his removal to 
the west. He had come in a farm wagon from 
Xew York as a home missionary to this cotmty, 
where his brother had previously settled. Mr. 
Morrill served as pastor one year from May, 
1837. The late Mrs. Eunice Brown Lyon is au- 
thority for the statement that Mr. Morrill received 
no formal call to the pastorate of the Congrega- 
tional church. He was the leading spirit in its 
organization, and he may have assumed the work 
with the understanding, explicit or implied, that 
he should serve as its pastor for a time. This 
pioneer minister died at Pecatonica February 16, 

1874- 

Soon after its organization the church held 

services in the "stage barn,"' built by Daniel S. 
Haight, near the intersection of State and Third 
streets. Only a few years ago this structure was 
standing on the farm of Isaac Rowley, near the 
city. In the summer of 1838 the trustees began 
the erection of a frame structure on the west side 
of X'^orth First street, on a site near the residence 
of Irvin French. When the building had been 
enclosed and shingled it was learned that !\Iessrs. 
Kent and Brinckerhoff had obtained about eight 
hundred dollars from friends in New York for 
a church. Instead of turning over this money to 
the society to complete the church, these gentle- 
men built an edifice on their own side of the 
river. This building was raised in the summer 
of 1838, and enclosed the same season. \\'hen it 
was completed they turned it over to the society 
for worship, but retained their nominal title. .\t 
that time they possessed no legal title to the land 
from the government. The unfinished building 
on North First street was abandoned, and was 
never afterwards used bv this church as a house 
of worship. It was. however, devoted to other 
purposes, which will be noted in subsequent 
pages. 



The building erected by Kent and Brinckerhofif 
was the first church edifice in Rockford, and stood 
on the southwest corner of Qiurch and Green 
streets. It was a frame structure, clap-boarded, 
in Doric style, forty-five feet square inside, and 
stood on a foundation of blocks of trees, cut in 
the adjoining grove, with sills resting upon them 
about three feet above the ground. In fact, the 
greater portion of the buikling material was ob- 
tained from adjacent lots. The building fronted 
to the east, and had three windows on each side. 
A porch about ten feet wide extended across the 
front, covered by an extension of the roof, which 
was supported b>' four fluted wooden columns. 
This sylvan sanctuary was occupied by the First 
church about six years. 

The Ladies" Foreign iMissionary Societv was 
organized in 18^8, just one year after the found- 
ing of the church. The originators of this move- 
ment, like the founders of the church, were 
largely from New England, who had been in- 
terested in foreign missions and education in their 
eastern homes, and who had not left their zeal 
behind them, although they might properly have 
considered themselves on home missionary 
ground. 

The second pastor was Rev. Cyrus L. Watson. 
who served the church from Xovember. 1838, to 
May, 1841. He was a genial, social elderly gen- 
tleman, a good pastor, and he was highly es- 
teemed. His death occurred at Battle Creek, 
Michigan. Rev. William S. Curtis, D. D., sup- 
plied the pulpit from X'ovember. 1841. to August, 
1842. Dr. Curtis subsequently became pastor of 
the Westminister Presbyterian church. His death 
occurred in 1885, and his funeral was held June 
1st, from the Westminister church. Dr. Curtis 
was succeeded by Rev. Oliver W. Norton, who 
was the pastor from September. 1842. until some 
time in the following year. Rev. Lansing Porter 
served a brief pastorate from February, 1844, to 
April, 1846. 

In the spring of 1846 the churcli dedicated a 
new house of worship on tne East side. It was a 
brick structure, and stood on the northeast corner 
of South First and Walnut streets, on the site of 
the new citv hall. Its dimensions were forty by 
sixty feet : the walls were twenty feet high. A 
])rojection at the rear lormed a recess for the 
pulpit. The roof was one-quarter pitch, with a 
square tower on the center of the front, rising 
about twentv feet. From this tower a bell called 
the people to their public devotions. The bell 
belonged to Rev. Norton, and he took it with him 
when he went away. W. A. Dickerman, as agent 
for the church, subsequently purchased a Aleneely 
bell, in Xew York, weighing six hundred and 
forty pounds. This church continued to be the 
house of worship for this congregation until 
1870. 



22 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



The construction of a new house of worship 
is frequently, and perhaps generally, followed by 
a change in the pastorate. Such was the ex- 
perience of this society soon after the dedication 
of its new church. The resignation of Rev. Lan- 
sing I'orter was followed by a call to the Rev. 
Lewis H. Loss, whose pastorate began in August, 
1846. 

The pipe organ used in this church was built 
by PL IL Silsby and his brother. The organist 
at one time was Rufus ILttch, who subsequently 
removed to Xew York, and became one of the 
most famous operators on Wall street. During 
his residence in Rockforil he was engaged in the 
dry goods business on East State street, near the 
site of the Coyncr urug store. His home was on 
South Madison street, where Miss Kate O'Con- 
nor's residence now stands. Mr. Hatch removed 
from Roc'Kt'ord alxiut 1856. When .Mr. Hatch 
becaiue wealthy, he presented the pipe organ 
which is in use in the ])resent house of worship, 
to Dr. and .Mrs. (kiodwin. The doctor was pastor 
when this church was dedicated. This splendid 
gift, whicii cost four thousand dollars, was Mr. 
Platch's personal token of esteem for Dr. Good- 
win. Some time later Dr. (ioodwin ])reached a 
sermon on music, in which he referred to its 
high place in Christian worshi]). .\t the close of 
this discourse Dr. (ioodwin said that he and Mrs. 
Goodwin rclin(|uished all claim to the organ. "It 
is henceforth neither mine nor yours, but the 
Lord's, to whom I now dedicate it." 

Dr. Loss" pastorate continued until Xovember, 
1849. He was a man of ability and thorough edu- 
cation. He went from Rockford to Jolict. where 
he had charge of a church until 1856. His last 
pastorate was at Marshalltown, Iowa, where he 
died. In his last illness lie longed to see his old 
friend and physician. Dr. Lucius Clark, of this 
city : and his church sent for the doctor and paid 
his traveling expenses. 

Dr. Loss was succeeded by the Rev. Henry M. 
Goodwin. D. D., who perha])s gave to the church 
its most distinctive i)astorate. It extended from 
.August. 1850. to January. 187J. This period of 
more than twenty-one years constitutes nearlv 
one-third of its entire history. The interim be- 
tween the departure of Dr. Loss and Dr. Good- 
win's acceptance was supi)lied by Prof. Joseph 
Emerson, of Pieloit college. Dr. Goodwin was 
graduated frnni ^'ale, and the Rockford church 
was his first (k'lrish. 

.Soon after leaving Rnckford. Dr. (ioodwin 
wrote a Itook entitled Christ and Humauitv. which 
was publislied l)v the Harpers. It was dedicated 
to his friend in these nol)le words: "To Horace 
liushnell. my reverend friend and teacher, whose 
profiiimil and sanctified genius has made the 
world his debtor, and whose eminent services to 
C1iristianit\ in the reconciliation of faitli and rea- 



son await the verdict of the future ages, these 
later studies of Christian doctrine are filially and 
affectionately inscribed by the author." This 
work was written while the author was enjoying 
an extended sojourn in (iermaiiy. In 1875 Dr. 
(ioodwin was called to the chair of English liter- 
ature by the college at Olivet, Michigan, which he 
filled for several years. His death occurred at 
the home of his daughter. Mrs. Weld, in Wil- 
liamstown. Massachusetts, March i. 189^. Dr. 
Goodwin was seventy-one years of age. His re- 
mains were brought to Rockford for burial. 

The following named ministers have been Dr. 
Goodwin's successors to date : Revs. Wilder 
Smith. Theodore Clifton, William White Leete. 
F'rederick H. Bodnian. and Frank M. Sheldon, 
who began his pastorate Sunday, September 3. 
1895. The present membership is about 385. 

FIRST I'.VTRioTic ci-:i.i:i!K.\ rn ).v. 

The iiatriotism nf the little village did not dif- 
fer essentially from the jirevailing tyi)e. It neces- 
sarily found its expression in more primitive ways 
than it does at the present time. There was 
such a display of elo(|uence and gunpowder as 
the times afforded : and the amusements differed 
somewhat from those of to-day. 

The morning of July 4, 1837. was welcomed 
with the boom of all available artillery. William 
Penfield's blacksmith's anvil did heroic service. 
.A. hickory liberty-pole was raised near what is 
now 310 East State street. Patriotic exercises 
were held in Mr. Haight's barn, which stood in 
the grove near the intersection o( State and Tl-ird 
streets. The bay was floored for the speakers, 
and the ihreshing-fioor was occu])ied by the ladies. 
Charles 1. Ibirsman read the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and Hon. John C. Kemble was the 
orator of the day. Dinner was served in the old 
Rockford House by the ]jro])rietor. Henry Thurs- 
ton. The main part of the building had been 
covered with a roof, and was sided to the first- 
stovy windows. Loose boards were laid for a 
floor, tables were arranged, and. in the absence of 
crockery, the cold meat was served on shingles. 
The tickets for this dinner were sold at one dollar 
each, and this feature of the celebration was a 
financial success. The celebration was concluded 
with a public ball, the first in the county, given 
in Mr. Haight's barn. 

FIRST TKR.MS OF CIKl L'lT COURT. 

The act establishing the county had provided 
that until public buildings should be erected, the 
circuit courts should be held at the house of Mr. 
Kent or Mr. ilaight, as the county commissioners 
sliould direct. At the first session of this court 
it was ordere<l that, pending the location of the 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



23 



count}- seat, the circuit courts should be held at 
the house of J\Ir. Haight. An examination at the 
circuit clerk's office reveals the almost incredible 
fact that no records of this court previous to 1854, 
except the simple dockets of the judge, have been 
preserved. The conclusion must be drawn that 
this docket was the only record made at the time. 
Memoranda kept by individuals have given facts 
upon which the official records are silent. 

The first circuit court convened at the house of 
Daniel S. Haight, October 6, 1837. This is the 
frame building which stood on the northeast 
corner of Madison and State streets, and a part 
of which is now on the northeast corner of Sec- 
ond and Walnut streets. At that time there was 
no elective judiciary. Under the old constitution 
the justices of the supreme court and the judges 
of the inferior courts were appointed by joint 
ballot of both branches of the general assembly. 
Under this same fundamental law, these courts 
appointed their own clerks. The state's attorney 
was also ajipointed. The statute of 1835 P''0" 
vided that the general assembly, on joint ballot. 
at that session, and every two years thereafter, 
should choose one state's attorney for each ju- 
dicial circuit. 

At this first court Hon. Dan. Stone, of Galena, 
was the presiding judge. Seth B. Farwell was 
appointed state's attorney pro tem ; and James 
^Mitchell, then of Jo Daviess county, clerk. Mr. 
Mitchell held this position until 1846, when he 
was chosen superintendent of the lead mines. He 
was succeeded as clerk by Jason Marsh, who was 
appointed by Judge Thomas C. Brown. The 
offices of circuit clerk and recorder w-ere separate 
until the second constitution went into effect, 
when they were united, and this officer was made 
elective. 

The petit jurors on duty at the first term were: 
Edward Gating, James B. Martyn, Joel Pike, Wil- 
liam Pepper, Richard Montague, Isaac N. Cun- 
ningham, Thatcher Blake, Henry Thurston, 
Charles I. Horsman, David Goodrich, James Jack- 
son, and Cyrus C. Jenks. There were but two 
trials by jury, and these were of very little im- 
portance. 

The sessions of May. 1838. and April 18. 1839, 
were also held at Mr. Haight's house ; although, 
for convenience, a room in the Rockford Hotise, 
on the corner west, was actually used when more 
room was required. The first grand jury was im- 
paneled at the May term. 1838. The names of 
this jury were : Anson Barnum. Lyman Amsden. 
Isaac Johnson, James Sayre, H. AI. Wattles, Asa 
Daggett, H. W. Gleason. Samuel Gregory, Asa 
Crosby, Daniel Beers, Walter Earle, Isaac Hance, 
Benjamin T. Lee, E. H. Potter, Paul D. Taylor, 
Lyman B. Carrier, Aaron Felts, Cyrus C. Jenks, 
James B. Alartyn. Livingston Robbins. Henry 
Enoch, and Luman Pettibone. Anson Barnum 



was appointed foreman. At this term the usual 
order was reversed, in that the judge occupied one 
of the few chairs in the house, while the jury 
"sat on the bench.'' 

The first building erected for the use of courts 
and religious meetings was built by Mr. Haight, 
in the summer of 1838, on the southeast corner 
of Madison and Market streets, on the site of 
the American House. It was a frame structure, 
about sixteen by thirty-two feet, with one story. 
This house, with additions, is now the residence 
of William G. Conick. In this building were 
I)robably held the sessions of November, 1839, 
and April, 1840. Several of the lawyers who at- 
tended the courts in those days attained distinc- 
tion in their profession. Among these may be 
mentioned Judge Drummond, then of Galena, 
who removed to Chicago and became a judge of 
a federal court : Thompson Campbell, of Galena ; 
Joel Wells, who canvassed the district for con- 
gress ; Norman B. Judd, of Chicago ; and Seth 
B. Farwell and Martin P. Sweet, of Freeport. 
The famous John Wentworth, "Long John," 
made his maiden speech in Rockford, as attorney 
in a case that promised to bring him prominently 
before the public. Mr. Wentworth made fre- 
quent visits to Rockford in later years ; and for 
several terms he represented the Belvidere dis- 
trict in congress. 

September 12. 1840, the county purchased the 
abandoned building on North First street, which 
had been commenced by the First Congregational 
church two years before. The consideration was 
six hundred dollars. The deed was executed bv 
H. B. Potter, E. H. Potter, and S. D. Preston. 
Since the building had been abandoned by the 
Congregationalist people it had been used as a car- 
penter's shop. When the county obtained pos- 
session the building was partially finished so that 
the courts could be held there. The session of 
September 10, 1840, and subsequent sessions were 
held at this place until the transfer of the court 
house to the West side. 

THE ST.\GE CO.VCH. 

The state roads naturally prepared the way for 
the stage coach. The railroad had not then 
reached this western region, and the only com- 
mon carrier was "the coach and four." Stage 
lines were then running from Chicago in several 
directions. They carried mails, passengers and 
light parcels. Frink, Walker & Co. became fa- 
mous throughout this region as the proprietors of 
the one stage line which connected Chicago with 
Rockford. It is impossible to determine the pre- 
cise date when the stage coach began to make 
regular trips on this line as far west as Rockford. 
It is certain that it had thus become an established 
institution not later than January i, 1838. On 



PAST AXI) PRESFA'T OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY 



tliat (l;iy ilu- arrival of the siai,'f coach in Rock- 
foffl attracted the attention of the peoijle of the 
villafje. and hir^e numbers came from tlie sur- 
roim(Hii}jf country to witness the siK'Ctacle. The 
stafje office in Chicago was for a lonj; time at 123 
Lake street, and later at tlie southwest corner of 
Lake and Dearborn. 

Frink. Walker & Co. first ran their sta.tje lines 
only from Chicago to Rockford. The coaclics 
were alwavs drawn by four horses. In 1840 the 
schedule time from Chicago to Rockford was 
advertiseil to be twenty-four hours. Horses 
were changed at intervals of fifteen miles, at 
stations built for this purpose. Frink, Walker 
& Co.'s stage barn in Rockford was the well 
known barn near the intersection of State and 
Third .streets, and faced nttrth and south. It 
was built in 1836 for Mr. Maight by Sidney Two- 
good and Thomas Lake, l-'ew buildings in the 
county have served more diverse uses. It was 
there the first patriotic exercises were held ; 
tiiere the First Congregational people first held 
public services on the East side. When Frink, 
Walker & Co. |)urchased the building, it was 
luoved a few rods west, and turned to face east 
and west. There the first (|uarterly meeting of 
the I'irst Methodist church was held in the sum- 
mer of 1838. 

Coaches left tlie main office in Chicago every 
Sunday. Tuesdav and Thursday, and returned on 
alternate days. The fare from Chicago to Rock- 
ford was five dollars. 

From Rockfi>rd to Galena the stage lino was 
conducted for a time by John D. Winters, of 
l-llizabeth. a little town south of Clalena. The 
route first i)assc<l through Elizabeth, but subse- 
(|uently the luore direct route was by wav of 
I'reeport. The first stopping-place west of 
Rockford was Twelve-Mile drove. Mr, Winters 
retired from the business after a time, and then 
Frink. Walker & Co. had the entire line from 
tliicago to ( ;alena. The late William Cunning- 
ham was in the employ of this firm at one time 
as a driver between Twelve-Mile Grove and 
I'reeiwrt. 

K.\UI.V IIOIKI.S. 

The first hotel in Rockford was the Rockford 
House. The early ])ublic houses were more 
generally called t;uerns. lleforc the Rockford 
Hnu.se was built, .Mr. Kent and a number of the 
other settlers had entertained strangers, but not 
as regular hotel-keei)ers. The Rockford House 
was Iniilt by Daniel S. Haight and Charles S. 
Oliver. It stood on the site of the Young Men's 
Christian .Association building. The wing was 
finished in the aiUimin of 1S37, when the house 
was o|)ened by Henry Thurston. The third story, 
which was divided into two rooms, was reached 



b\ a ladder, which was made by slats nailed to 
two pieces of the studiling, in the first story of 
tlie main building. The pro()rietor's son John 
was an important functionary. He made the 
beds and escorted the guests u)) the ladder when 
they retired. He was admonished bv his sire 
not to drop the melted tallow from the di]) ujMin 
nis guests. .Mr. Thurston's successors as land- 
lord were Lathro]} Johnson, Daniel Howell, .An- 
drew lirown, J. SchaefYer, .\bel Cami)bell, E. 
Radcliflf. .Major John William.son, Elam Zim- 
merman. This hotel was burned March 7, i86g. 
The second hotel, the Washington House, was 
built in 1838 by two brothers. Jacob B. and 
Thomas Miller, and opened to the |)ublic the fol- 
lowing year. Jt stood sixty feet front on .State 
street, with large additions in the rear, with base- 
ment kitchen, dining-room, and sleejiing apart- 
ments above the dining-room. The name of this 
hotel was changed to the Rock River house. A 
part of the building stands on 307 East State 
street, and is occu])ied as a fruit store. Another 
part is the saloon building on the southeast cor- 
ner of State and .Madison streets. The suc- 
cessive proprietors nf the house w-ere : Jacob 
Miller. David Paul, McKenney & Tyler, E. S. 
r.lackstonc, W. Fulton. H. D. Searles, L. Cald- 
well. 

The log tavern, known as the Stage House, 
was opened in 1838. It was built on the old Sec- 
ond Xational Hank corner. Brown's Cottage was 
opened in 1850 by .\ndrcw Brown. The name 
was changed to the .American House in 1852 bv 
G. S. \Ioore. The Waverly and the Union 
House, near the Xorthwestern depot, on the West 
side, were opened in 1852. The Inn, which was 
located where the Chick House now stan<ls. was 
opened in 1840 by Spencer & Fuller. The I^agle 
Hotel was ODcned in 1841. It was located on 
>ontli Main street, in the third block below State. 
In the autumn of 1838 was erected by Dr. 
Haskell the brick building wiiich was known 
later as the Winnebago House, on Andrew .\sh- 
ton's corner. When laying out the ground for 
the cellar Mr. Silsby persuaded Dr. Haskell to 
set his building six feet from the line of the 
street. The Winnebago House was the first brick 
store built above Rock Island on Rock river. 
Into this store Dr. Haskell moved the slock of 
goods from the building on the river bank which 
hafl been occu|)ied by Piatt &• Sanford : and he 
and Isaiah Lvon continued the business. In 1843 
-Mr. Lyon closed <iut the stock and converted the 
building into a hotel, luider the name of the 
Winnebago House. Mr. Lvon's successors as 
proprietor were X. Crawford. C. C. Cobern. P. 
C. \\'atson, James P.. Pierce. Isaac X. Ciuuiing- 
ham. and D. Sholts. The building passed into 
Mr. Seaton's hands in 1854 and was afterwanl 
rearranged into stores. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



25 



THREE PIONEER PHYSICIAN'S OF 1838. 

As noted in a previous paragraph. Dr. A. M. 
Catlin emigrated to Illinois from the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, in February, 1838. He moved 
to a log cabin on the bluff overlooking Big Bot- 
tom, four miles north of Kockford. A Hoosier 
by the name of Shores had worn a slight track 
between his home back on the hills and a iilowed 
field on the Bottom, and this was the onlv road 
near the doctor's new home. A small, inconstant, 
near-by stream, like the road, lost itself in the 
dry prairie. At that time Dr. Catlin intended to 
abandon the practice of medicine. To feed his 
little family, he nired a broken prairie of Her- 
man B. Potter, who lived two miles south of 
Rockford. This land, six miles from home, the 
doctor cultivated under difficulties, for it soon 
became known to the scattered people that he was 
a physician, and, like Cincinnatus, he was called 
from the plow. He was not a man to deny the 
necessities of others ; and against his wishes at 
the time, he was drawn into the practice of his 
profession, which he continued tmtil near the day 
of his death, nearly sixty years later. He had 
practiced in early life in New York and Ohio, 
and his entire professional service lasted seventy 
years. He died in t8q2. at the age of ninety-one. 

Dr. Josiah C. Goodhue settled in Rockford in 
the autumn of 1838. He had attained some dis- 
tinction before he became a citizen of this county. 
He was born in 1803, at Putney, Vermont. The 
doctor was graduated from the school of medi- 
cine at Yale, and began practice at St. Thomas, 
Upper Canada, in 1824. While there he was 
married to Miss Catherine Dunn. The doctor 
emigrated from Canada to Chicago in 1835. He 
was the first resident physician in that city out- 
side the garrison of Fort Dearborn. When Chi- 
cago was incorporated as a city in 1837, Dr. 
Goodliue was elected the first alderman from the 
First ward. There were six wards in the city at 
that time. William B. Ogden was chosen mayor 
in that year. Dr. Goodhue designed the first 
city seal of Chicago, and it became known as his 
little baby. He was quite proud of his offspring. 
The doctor was the real founder of the first free 
school system of Chicago. He was one of a com- 
mittee appointed to solicit subscriptions for the 
first railroad chartered to run from the city, the 
Galena & Chicago Union. In his practice in Chi- 
cago Dr. (ioodhue was associated with Dr. 
Daniel Brainard. Their office was on Lake 
street, near the old Tremont House. John \\'ent- 
worth and Ebenezer Peck were engaged in the 
practice of law in the same building. Dr. Good- 
hue was one of the men who drew the act of in- 
corporation for Rush Medical college, and was 
a member of the first board of trustees. Dr. 
Goodhue's first house in Rockford was what was 
then known as the "ball alley," on the northwest 



corner of ]Madison and \\'alnut streets, where the 
Golden Censer brick building was subsequently 
erected. He afterward purchased a home on the 
site of the watch factory : and the house was 
moved away when the factory was built. The 
lot had at one time a pleasant grove, with no 
fence. Reference was made in a preceding para- 
graph to the fact that Dr. Goodhue gave to the 
city of Rockford its name. Dr. Goodhue had 
thirteen children, five of whom died under five 
years of age. Four sons and four daughters at- 
tained adult life. One son, George Washington 
Goodhue, died of yellow fever, in Mexico, dur- 
ing the war with that country. Another son, 
William Sewcll, died from illness contracted dur- 
ing the Civil war. He had read law with James 
L. Loop. Dr. Goodhue's oldest daughter, jMrs. 
C. F. Holland, widow of Jolm A. Holland, and 
step-mother of H. P. Holland, now resides in 
Chicago. Mrs. Hoyt Barnum, another daugh- 
ter, is a resident of Rockford. Dr. Goodhue's 
death was the result of an accident on the night 
of December 31. 1847. He was called to make a 
professional visit to the family of Richard Stiles, 
four miles west on the State road. After caring 
for his patient, he accompanied Mrs. Stoughton, 
a neighbor, to her home. The night was dark, 
and he fell into a well, which was then being 
excavated, and had not been covered or inclosed. 
Mrs. Stoughton had asked him to wait until she 
returned with a light : but Isefore she came back 
the doctor had made the fatal fall. He survived 
only a short time after he was taken from the 
well. His death was deplored by the entire com- 
munity. He was a positive character : nature had 
liberally endowed him in qualities of mind and 
heart. Dr. Goodhue was an attendant at the 
Unitarian church. Mrs. Goocinue was an Epis- 
copalian. She died October 14, 1873. A son of 
Dr. Goodhue died November 14, 1880. 

Dr. Alden Thomas was born at Woodstock, 
\'ermont, November 11, 1797, and was a lineal 
descendant from John Alden. He was married 
to Elizabeth Marsh, June 15, 1824. In the 
autumn of 1839 the family came to Rockford. 
He practiced medicine about five or six years, and 
then removed to a farm two miles south on the 
Kishwaukee road, where he lived about two years. 
The family then returned to the village, and 
lived for a time in a house still standing on South 
Second street, and later in the Grout house near 
the corner west of the First Congregational 
church, which Dr. Thomas built. He opened a 
drug store soon after his return from the farm, 
and continued in this business until a short time 
before his death, which occurred iMarch 21, 1856. 

PR. HASKELL AND THE FIRST STEAMER. 

On the morning of April 16. 1838. Dr. Haskell 
and family, IMowry Brown and wife, Samuel 



26 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



Haskell. 11. 11. Sil.shy, Isaiah Lyoii, Caleb P.lood 
aiul William Hull boanleil the steamboat Gipsy 
at Alt! III. Illinois. The destinatinn of this party 
was RtK-kford. Tlie river was hijjh, the bottom 
lands were overflowed, and the boat sometimes 
left the ehannel of the .Mississii)))i and ran across 
points of land, and once went tbronsht a jjrove 
of timber. When the Gipsy arriveil at Rock 
Island and ran alonjjside the wharf-boat, a strong 
wind from the east turned the bow out into the 
stream. .\s the Ixxit turned, the rudder struck 
the wharf-boat and broke the tiller rojies. This 
accident rendered the boat unmanageable, and 
it was blown across the river to Davenport, 
Iowa. While at Rock Island Dr. Haskell con- 
tracted with the ca|)tain that upon his return from 
( ialena he would steam up Rock river to Rock- 
ford. .\t Savamia, Samuel Haskell. William 
Hull and H. H. Silsby left the Gipsy. They had 
come to the conclusion that the boat would never 
reach Kockfonl: and in company with Moses 
Wallen. of Winiiebas'o village, where the county 
seat had been located by the special commission- 
ers, they started afoot for Rockford. They 
stop])ed over night at Cherry Grove, and the next 
morning they traveled to Crane's Grove, on the 
stage route from Dixon to Galena. There they 
hired a c<iach and team which brought them that 
evening to Liximis' Hotel. 

Mr. Silsby writes that a few days after his 
arrival he arose one morning as soon as it was 
light to see if he could discover any sign of the 
(jipsy. He was rewarded by the sight of dense, 
black smoke, near Corey's bluff, which seemed to 
be moving uj) the river. Soon the Gipsy came 
in sight, and the ])eople gathered on the banks of 
the river and cheered the lx)at as it ascended in 
fine style until nearly over the rapids, when it 
suddenlv turned, swung around, and went down 
stream much faster than it ascended. It rounded 
to and tried it again, and soon turned down 
stream a second time. After several attempts, 
with the ai<l of a fjuantity of lard thrown into the 
furnaces, the boat ran up the swift current, and 
soon tied up to the bank in front of Piatt & 
Sanford's store, which stood near the water's 
edge, in the rear of the .Masonic Temple site. 
The ( iipsy was the first steamer that visited 
Rockford. It was a stern-wheeler, not less than 
one hundred feet in length, and perhaps thirty in 
width. It had a cabin above the hold, and an 
upper deck, ripen and uncovered, lliere were 
several state-rooms. 

Dr. Haskell was a native of Massachusetts. He 
was born at Harvard. March 23, 1709. His 
father. Samuel Haskell, removed to Waterford. 
Maine, in 180V I" 1821 the son went to Phil- 
lips I'xeter academy, and entered Dartmouth 
college in 1823. He left his college class in his 
sophomore year, and studied medicine until 1827. 



when he received the degree of M. D. from the 
college. While in college he taught one term of 
district school in East Haverhill. One of his 
pu|)ils was lohn (i. Whittier : and the school- 
master in Whittier's "Snow- Bound" was his for- 
mer teacher. On page thirty-four of Samuel T. 
rickard's Life and Letters of Whittier, is found 
this allusion to the hero of this jioem: "Lntil 
near the end 01 Mr. Whittier's life he could not 
recall the name of this teacher whose portrait is 
so carefully sketched, but he was sure he came 
from Maine. .\t length, he remembered that the 
name was Haskell, and from this clew it has been 
ascertaine<l that he was ( ieorge Haskell, and that 
he came from Waterfnrd. .\laine." Dr. Haskell 
never api:)eared to have been aware of the fact 
that his gifted Haverhill nupil had immortalized 
him in "Snow-Bound." Dr. Haskell also received 
this tribute as a teacher from his illustrious 
j)ui>il. as given in a later chapter of Mr. Pick- 
ard's biographv: "He [Whittier] was accus- 
tomed to say that only two of the teachers who 
were emplovcd in that district during his school 
days were fit for the not very exacting |iosition 
they occupied. P.oth of these were Dartmouth 
students : one of them George Haskell, to whom 
reference has already Ix^en made." Dr. Haskell 
began the practice of medicine at East Cambridge, 
.Massachusetts, in 1S27. and removed to .\shby, in 
tlic same state, in the following year. 

Dr. Haskell came to Illinois in 1831. and set- 
tled at Etlwardsville. and two years later he re- 
moved to L'pper Alton. While there he became 
one of the founders of Shurtleflf college, of 
which he was trustee and treasurer. The doctor 
built u]) a large jiractice, which he soon aban- 
doned. November 7. 1837, the cause of the 
slave received its first bai)tism of blood. On that 
day Rev. Elijah P. Lovejov was murdered at 
Alton, for his bold utterances in behalf of an 
oppressed race. Dr. Haskell entertained radical 
anti-slavery views, and he determined to leave 
that ])ortion of the state in which the pro-slavery 
sentiment was largely prednminaiit. 

From the time of his arrival in Rockford until 
his removal from the city about twenty-eight 
vears later. Dr. Haskell was a broad-minded, 
re])reseiitative man of affairs. He conducted for 
a short time a mercantile business on the river 
bank, as the successor to Piatt & Sanford. But 
his ruling passion was horticulture. He entered 
from the government c|uite a tract of land lying 
north of Xorth street, and built the house on 
North .Main street now occupied by (ieorge R. 
h'orbes. He ])I:nited a nursery and became an 
expert in raising fruit. It is said that one year 
he raised sixty luishels of peaches. The severe 
winter of iS!;^-^^) killed his trees, and from that 
time he devoted his attention to more hardy 
fruits. His later Rockford home was on Nortii 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



27 



Court street, near the residence of Hon. Andrew 
Asliton. 

Dr. Haskell was generous and public-spirited. 
He and his brother-in-law, John Edwards, pre- 
sented to the city the West Side public square, 
which -was named Plaskell Park, in honor of the 
former. A street, called Edwards Place, forms 
the southern boundary of the park. A ward 
schoolhouse in \\'est Rockford also bears Dr. 
Haskell's name. In 1853 Dr. Haskell became a 
convert to Spiritualism, and April 15, 1854, he 
began the publication of the Spirit Advocate, an 
eight-page monthly. The paper was an able 
propagandist of the new faith. A complete file 
of this paper has been preserved in the Rockford 
public lilirary. Twenty-three numbers were 
published. 

In 1866 Dr. Haskell removed to New Jersey. 
There he was engaged in founding an industrial 
school, and purchased with others a tract of four 
thousand acres «hich was laid out for a model 
communit}'. In 1857 Dartmouth college gave the 
doctor the degree of A. B., as of the year 1827. 
Dr. Haskell died at Yineland, New Jersey, 
August 23, 1876. 

PIONEERS OF 1838-1839. 

James ]\Iadison ^^'ig■ht was born in Norwich, 
^Massachusetts, in 1810. He was admitted to the 
bar of Queens county. New York, in 1837, and 
immediately afterwards came west. He first 
joined his brother. J. Ambrose Wight, in Rock- 
ton. But he found no field in that village for the 
practice of his profession : and he came in 1838 
to Rockford, where for a time he taught school. 
In his earlv life he served a few terms as city 
attorney of Rockford. He was one of the 
pioneer lawyers of northern Illinois, and built 
'.ip a large practice. He was for many years local 
attorney for the Chicago & Northwestern rail- 
road and for other corporations. He was also 
for a time a member of the state legislature, and 
served on the judiciary committee. Air. Wight 
was a member of the constitutional convention 
of 1870. called to draft a new constitution for 
submission to the voters of the state. He died 
in Rockford in 1877. 

Jason Alarsh was born in \\'oodstock, Windsor 
county, Vermont, in 1807. He came to Rock- 
ford in 183Q. He was accompanied by his wife 
and children, a brother and wife, and his three 
brothers-in-law. Soon after his arrival he and 
the three Spafford brothers built the brick house 
three miles south of State street, on the Kish- 
waukee road, later owned by F. J. Morey. A 
large farm was attached. ]Mr. Marsh drove daily 
to the village, where he practiced his profession. 
His later home was the residence subsequently 
owned bv the late W. W. Fairfield, on East State 



street. In 1862 Mr. Marsh entered military 
service as colonel of the Seventy-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. He was severely wounded at the battle 
of Missionary Ridge in the autumn of 1863, and 
returned home. Two months later he again went 
to the front. In the campaign from Chattanooga 
to Atlanta his old wound troubled him, and he 
resigned. His last years were spent on his farm 
near Durand. His death occurred at the home of 
his daughter in Chicago. March 13, i88r. He 
was buried in Rockford with military honors. 

Francis Burnap was born at Merrimac, New 
Hampshire, January 4, 1796. Mr. Burnap set- 
tled in Rockford in August, 1839, and began the 
practice of law in Winnebago and neighboring 
counties, in the state supreme court, and in the 
federal courts. He practiced his profession until 
1864, when ill health compelled him to retire. 
Mr. r.urnap died in Rockford, December 2, 1866. 

Duncan Ferguson was a native of Scotland. 
He was born in Glasgow, in November, 1810. In 
1837 he left his native land and came to the 
United States. He first settled in Pennsylvania, 
where he remained two years, ilr. Ferguson 
removed with his family to Rockford in 1839. In 
1840 he was elected surveyor and justice of the 
peace. He held the office of surveyor until 1856. 
In 1862 he was appointed assessor of internal 
revenue. He held this position eight years, and 
then resigned. For ten years Mr. Ferguson was 
supervisor from the Seventh ward of the city. 
March 3, 1873, he was elected chairman of the 
county board to succeed Hon. Robert J. Cross, 
who had died February 15th. ]\Ir. Ferguson re- 
tained this position until 1881. In 1877 he was 
elected mayor of Rockford, and served one year. 
He held the offices of city engineer, assessor, 
county treasurer, and commissioner of the county 
under an act of the legislature for the improve- 
ment of Rock river. His death occurred May 
14, 1882. 

Thomas D. Robertson was born in Edinburg, 
Scotland, March 4, 1818. He came to the United 
States in 1838. He stopped for a time in Chi- 
cago, and arrived in Rockford in December of 
the same year. Mr. Robertson studied law in 
Rockford and at Madison, Wisconsin. He was 
admitted to the bar, and was a prominent prac- 
titioner for some years. In 1848 Mr. Robertson 
and Tohn A. Holland opened the first banking 
house in Rockford in a building adjoining the 
European Hotel site on West State street. From 
that time he gradually abandoned the practice of 
law, and devoted his attention to banking and 
real estate. 'Sir. Robertson was a leader in the 
movement to secure the extension of the Galena 
& Chicago Union railroad to Rockford. He had 
charge of the collection of the subscriptions to 
the capital stock in Boone, Winnebago and Ogle 
counties. Mr. Robertson continuously resided in 



28 



PAST AXI") I'RKSEXT OF WIWEBAGO COUXTV. 



Rockford for .■.ixiv-niu- \i;ii>. His death oc- 
curred l'\'hruary 4, Iip2. 

Ira W. I'.akiT arrived at Rock river ( )ctolKr 
(>. 1S3S. on Saturday, at siiiulown, with Iiis fam- 
ily of eii^ht. from a ijraiidmotlier of seventy to 
a Ijabe of four. 

Hon. I-M\vard II. I'.aker. son of Deacon Ira 
I taker, was l)orn in I'errishurs. X'ermont, April 
3, i8j8. and when ten years of age he came 
with his father to W'imiebajjo county. Mr. 
I'akcr received his education at Knox coUejje and 
Illinois colleije at Jacksonville. He stinlied law 
and was adnntled to the bar. .\t one time he 
was in partnership with his father-in-law, Jason 
Marsh. L'jion the orijaniz-ition of the Rockford 
& Kenosha railroad, Mr. I'.aker was chosen sec- 
retary of the comiiany. He was elected mayor of 
Rockford in 1866, and served one year. His 
death occurred January 2C1, i8t>7. 

Henry .\. I'.aker. another son of Deacon Baker, 
was also a native of I'errishurtr. N'ermont. For 
many years he was ensra.ired in the real estate and 
loan business in Fast Roi-kford. Mr. i'.aker was 
for some time |)resident of the boird of education. 
He died in the west a few months asjo. 

Daviil S. Penfield was the first of three broth- 
ers to settle in Rockford. He was a native of 
I'ittsfield. X'ermont. and was born in 1812. Mr. 
I'entield and the late SlieiVherd Leach came to 
Rockford in i8_^8 by way of Dixon. There was 
then no stable currency. Larsje numbers of 
private banks furnished a currency of more or 
less value, and each state had its own issues. The 
exchanjie of money in travclintr from state to 
state was therefore attendeil with not a little dif- 
ficidty, and c<insideral)le risk. The unsettled 
coimtry was infested with bandits, and travelers 
were never sure, when seekintj entertainment for 
the niyht, whether they would escape the snare 
of the fowler. I'pon their arrival in Rockford. 
Mr. Penfield and Mr. lA-acli ])nrchased a large 
tract of land on the West side. They were also 
in mercantile business on tlic site of 322 Fast 
State street, and there employed the first tinner in 
Rockford. Mr. Penfield formed a partnership 
with his brother John G. in the real estate and 
loan luisiness : and sul)se(|Uently became a mem- 
ber of the bankiu};^ firm of l'.ri}jp;s, SpafFord &■ 
i'enfield, which was luerjjed into the Third Xa- 
tional I'.ank. Mr. Penfield died May 20, 1873, 
at the ape of sixty-one years. Some years ajjo 
Mrs. Penfieltl !,'ave the site to the Younjj Men's 
Ciiristian .Association on which its sjilendid build- 
ini: now stands. 

Sheiihenl Leach, to whom reference was made 
in the prccediiifj paraj^rajih, was an extensive 
landowner, and amassed a larpe estate. Mr. 
Leach was g-ifted with keen business sagacitv, 
and was successfid in nearly every enterprise. He 
had an extensive ac<|uaintance among business 



men: was straightforward in his dealings; and 
withal, was a man who jiossessed many (pialities 
worthv of emidation. Mr. Leach died Inlv 9. 
1SS5. ' 

\Villard Wheeler came from St. Thomas, 
L'|)per Canada, in .'September. 1839. He was the 
second tinner in the town. .Mr. Wheeler was a 
brother of the late Solomon Wheeler. He built 
the house on South First street where Mrs. Julia 
.\. Littlefield resides. To Mr. Wheeler belonged 
the honor of being the first mayor of Rockford. 
He died .\i)ril 24, 1S76. 

The Cunningham brothers were among the 
last survivors of that early period. Samuel Cim- 
ningham was born .\ugust 15, 1815. in Petcrboro. 
Hillsboro county, .Xcw Hamjishire. He came to 
this county in the .s])ring of 1839. His active life 
was devoted to agricidture. He served one term 
as county commissioner. He died September 2S:. 
1902. His brother. William Cunningham, came 
to Rockford in the sjiring of 1838. He spent 
nuich of the intervening time on the Pacific coast, 
but later lived a retired life in Rockford. He 
died January 7. 1903. The writer was imlebted 
to these brothers for valuable historical infor- 
mation. Another brother, I'.enjamin l-'ranklin 
Cunningham, preceded Samuel to Rockford in 
the spring of 1831). He ownecl a beautiful home 
below the city, on a rise of ground which com- 
mands an extended northern an<l southern view 
of the river. He died June 20, i()oo. A fourth 
brother, Lsaac Xewton Cimningham, previously 
noted, came to Rockford at an earlier date. 

Joel P>. Potter was born in I'airfield county, 
Connecticut, in 1810. I'rom there the family re- 
moved to ( )rleans county, Xew York. He re- 
ceived a collegiate education and iirejiared him- 
self for the Presbyterian luinistrv. His health 
failed, and he never resumed this calling. In 
1839 he came to this county, where his brothers 
Hemian P.. and Flcazer had jireceded him. In 
the same year Mr. Potter built the house now 
owned by Judge Morrison. He carried on a 
farm for some years, and was subse<|uently en- 
gaged in the <lrug business on Fast .State street. 
He conducted the store alone for a time, and later 
with his son-in-law, J. 1'. Harding, as a partner. 
untU the death of Mr. Harding, in 18^17. when 
Mr. Potter retired from business. He died Xo- 
vember 30, 1880. 

Tlie llerrick family came from eastern Mas- 
sachusetts in 1838-31). I^lijah L. llerrick. Sr., 
and three .sons, h'phraim. I^'lijah I... Jr.. and 
William, arrived in Rockford in 1838: and the 
following year there came three sons. George, 
Fdward, and Samuel, and four daughters, 
Phoebe, Sarah, Martha, ami Hannah. .About 
1841) the father of the family built a cobble-stone 
house on what is now F.ighteenth avenue. 

v.. L. llerrick was born :it .\ndover. Massa- 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



29 



chusetts, September 30. 1820. Mrs. Herrick, 
previous to lier marriage, wasr a teacher in Rock- 
ford seminary. She came in September, 1852, 
and taught three years. 

The three Spafford brothers came to Rockford 
in 1839, in company with their brother-in-law, 
Jason Marsh. Their father was Dr. John Spaf- 
ford. The eldest son, Charles H. Spafford, was 
born in Jefferson county. New York, January 6, 
1819. He was educated at Castleton, \'ermont. 
He had chosen the profession of the law, but his 
decision to come west changed his plans in life. 
Mr. Spafford performed a conspicuous part in 
the development of the city. He held the offices 
of postmaster, circuit clerk, and recorder. He 
was president of the Kenosha & Rockford Rail- 
road Company. Mr. Spafford, in company with 
his brother John, and John Hall, built Aletro- 
politan Hall block. The stores and offices were 
owned separately and the hall was held in com- 
mon. Mr. Spafford also, with others, built the 
block now known as the Chick House. Mr. Spaf- 
ford died in September, 1892, at the age of 
seventy-three years. Mrs. Spaft'ord died July 19, 
1901. 

Amos Catlin Spafford was born September 14, 
1824, in Adams, Jefferson county. New York. 
After he came west he followed farming in this 
county until 1848. About 1854 he became a mem- 
ber of the banking firm of Briggs, Spafford & 
Penfield. Upon the organization of the Third 
National Bank in 1865, Mr. Spafford became its 
president, and held this position for thirty-three 
years, until his death. In 1876 he was one of the 
state commissioners at the centennial exposition. 
Mr. Spafford died suddenly at Adams, New 
York, while on a vacation, August 22, 1897. 
Mrs. Spafford died May 22, 1898. 

John Spafford was born November 26, 1821. 
During his long life in Rockford he was engaged 
successively in farming, grocery, and grain and 
limiber trade. In 1856 he became the general 
agent of the Rockford & Kenosha Railroad Com- 
pany. Until within two years of his death, Mr. 
Spaft'ord was president of the Rockford Wire 
Works Company and the Rockford Suspender 
Company ; he was also interested in manufactur- 
ing a lubricating oil, and in a planing-mill. Mr. 
Spafford died September 5, 1897. 

Phineas Howes was a native of Putnam county. 
New York, and was born September 25, 181 7. 
He came to Rockford in 1839. He was a car- 
penter and joiner, and followed this trade for 
many years. He purchased a tract of land in 
Cherry Valley township. For about fifteen years 
he was a partner with John Lake in the lumber 
trade. By strict attention to business, Mr. Howes 
accumulated quite a large estate. His death oc- 
curred October 11, 1894. 

William Worthington was born at Enfield, 



Connecticut, July 5, 1813. He came to Rockford 
in the spring of 1838. About 1840 he built a 
brick blacksmith's shop on the southwest corner 
of State and First streets, where the Crotty block 
now stands. This shop was eight or ten feet be- 
low the present grade. Later Mr. Worthington 
built a wa.gon shop on the same lot, about the 
same size, of wood, one story. This was the first 
wagon shop on the East side. There were then 
no other buildings on those corners. Mr. Worth- 
ington was the next blacksmith on the East side, 
after \\^illiam Penfield. and was probably the 
fourth in the village. About 1842 Air. Worth- 
ington formed a partnership with Hosea D. 
Searles, and opened a drug store. This was the 
founding of the business now carried on by 
Worthington & Slade. 

Laomi Peake, Sr., a native of Herkimer county, 
New York, emigrated from St. Thomas, Upper 
Canada, to Rockford, in September, 1839. He 
was one of the few pioneers who brought ready 
capital. He came with about five thousand dol- 
lars in money, which was a princely sum for that 
time. Mr. Peake was the first person who made 
a harness in Rockford, although a man preceded 
him who did repairing. Mr. Peake purchased the 
northeast corner lot on First and State streets, 
and erected a brick building, twenty-two by thirty- 
five feet, with two sto-ries and a basement, at a 
cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The corner of 
this lot is now occupied by J. H. Keeling's drug 
store. In 1852 he completed a second brick block 
on the same site, and finished a hall on the third 
floor, at a total expense of about eight thousand 
dollars. Peake"s hall was the first public hall in 
Rockford. This block was destroyed by fire in 
November, 1857, and the side and rear walls were 
left standing. The corner store was occupied at 
the time by C. A. Huntington and Robert Barnes, 
as a book store, at a rental of four hundred and 
fifty dollars per year. Elisha A. Kirk and An- 
thony Haines purchased the property in the 
autumn of 1858, and rebuilt the block the fol- 
lowing year. In 1856 Mr. Peake built the sub- 
stantial stone house on East State street owned 
by the late Anthony Haines. Mr. Peake died 
November 8, 1 89 1, at the age of eighty- four years. 

W'illiam Hulin was a native of Salem, Mas- 
sachusetts. He settled in Rockton township in 
1837 or '38. August 5, 1839, he was chosen a 
justice of the peace, and from that time he was 
continually in the public service. He resigned 
from the office of clerk of the county court a few 
davs before his death, which occurred December 
10. 1869. 

Daniel Barnum was a native of New York, 
born in 1778. In 1838 Mr. Barnum, with his 
wife and six children, came to Winnebago county, 
and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
land in Cherry Valley township. Mr. Barnum 



30 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



removed to Rock ford and spent his last days in 
retirement. He died November 8, 1870, at the 
ape of ninety-two years. 

Harris P>arnnm. son of Daniel Barnum. was 
born in Danbury, Connecticut, September 8, 1819. 
He came with his father to Rockford in 1838. 
His early manhood was spent on his father's farm. 
In 1 866 he eiifjaged in the shoe business in Rock- 
ford with the late Daniel Miller, but soon sold 
his interest. In 1874 Mr. P>arnum was one of 
tne organizers of the I'orest City Insurance Com- 
pany, of which he served as treasurer until in- 
capacitated by illness. Mr. P.anunn held the 
offices of alderman and suiiervisor. He died 
February 26, i8(/), in his eii,dnieth year. 

Hon. Horace Miller was a native of P>erkshire 
county, Massachusetts, and was born in 1798. lie 
came to this county m 1839, and settled on a large 
tract of land near the mouth of the Kishwaukce 
river, which in an early day was known as the 
Terrace farm. At one time he owned twelve 
hundred and fifty acres. I'-rom 1850 to 1852 Mr. 
Miller rei)resented this county in the state legis- 
lature. He resided on his farm until about 1861. 
when lie came to Rockford and lived a retired 
life until his death, .August 5, 1864. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jolm Benjamin came from 
Canada in 1839, and settled in Guilford town- 
ship. Mr. Benjamin's steii-daughtcr, Mrs. Sarah 
.\. Cook, who still resides in East Rockford, has 
the ilistinction of being the first matron of Rock- 
ford seminary. She served in this capacity from 
1849 to 1852. The students were served with 
meals in a frame structure directly opjjosite the 
first seminary building, on the east side of North 
F'irst street. 

.\31inng the other ])ioneers of 1838 were : Alfred 
P. Mather. William Hamilton. Levi Monroe, and 
Richard .Marsh. In 1839 there came Courtland 
Mandeville, Frederick Charlie, Thaddeus Davis, 
Sr., Stephen Crilley, D. Bierer. Chester Hitch- 
cock, John I5ull. M. Hudson. Others who came 
previous to 1840 were: Sylvester Scott, James 
Gilbert, .\rtcmas Hitchcock, John \V. Dyer, 
Samuel C. Fuller, Newton Crawford, Jonathan 
Hitchcock, Dr. D. Cioodrich. Ilotlis II. Holmes. 
Stephen Gilbert, and Bela .Shaw. Judge Shaw 
died suddenly May 31, 1865. Five brothers. 
Thomas, William, John, Robert and Benjamin 
(iarrett, with their parents, settled in Guilford 
township. Thomas died January 20, 1900. He 
was a Manxman, born on the Isle of ^Ian, Feb- 
ruary II, 1827. 

TRI.M^ OF THE PIONEERS. 

One of the greatest privations of the early 
settlers was the scarcity of provisions, which at 
that time were obtained from the older settle- 
ments in the southern portion of the state. Tlie 



l)ioncers possessed limitetl means, and few were 
individually able to bear the expense of a journey 
of such distance. Several neighbors would unite 
their small sums, and send one of their number 
for supplies. The difficulties of travel were 
great ; there were rivers to cross, either forded or 
swam ; streams and sloughs to be waded ; muddy 
roads and ponderous wagons. Under these cir- 
cumstances, the time of the messenger's return 
was uncertain. Later, when a trade in provisions 
had been established, the .same obstacles kept them 
at almost fabulous prices, and the settlers w"ere 
sometimes reduced to the verge of absolute desti- 
tution. I'lour sold from sixteen to twenty dol- 
lars per barrel, and on one occasion Thomas Lake 
purchased three barrels at twenty-two dollars 
each. Pork was thirty dollars per barrel ; wdieat 
sold from three to four dollars per bushel ; New 
Orleans sugar twenty-five cents per pound : and 
other provisions in pro])ortion. This condition 
rendered it ini|iossible for the great majority of 
the settlers, with their scanty means, to scarcely 
procure the necessities for their support. For six 
weeks in the winter of 1837-38 there was a to- 
bacco famine, wliich was a terrible privation to 
the slaves of the filthy weed. "Judge" E. S. 
Blackstone said the people in the early forties 
were too poor to cast a shadow. Mr. Thurston 
ventures the assertion that in 1841-42 there were 
not twenty fanners in the county who possessed 
a suit of clothes suita1)le to wear at church or at 
court, which they had purchased with the fruits 
of their labor on their farms. Some who had 
passed the prime of life became discouraged and 
returned to their homes in the east to die. Barter 
was practiced even in i)ayment for performing 
the marriage ceremony. Abraham I. Enoch, a 
justice of the peace, once took a bushel of beans 
as his fee. Joel B. Potter, a clergyman, was com- 
pensated for two ceremonies in wheat, and one 
day's breaking. Ephraim Stunner swam Peca- 
tonica river twice one cold night to perform the 
rite and received fifty cents. 

Had it not been for a beneficent Providence, 
who stocked the woods and prairies with game 
and the rivers with fish, many would have suf- 
fered for the necessities of the barest subsistence. 
As late as 1841 the scarcity of fruit was a great 
trial. There was little, and often none, not even 
canned fruit. There were dried apples, and the 
housewives made "mince-pies" of them. Some- 
times, in case of sickness, the ways and means 
looked rather dark, and the mother and her whole 
familv might be involved. In such cases none 
filled a more important place than Miss Betsy 
Weldon. whom a few will remember. Strong and 
well herself, she could fill a place of nurse, house- 
keeper, dressmaker, milliner, and general repairer 
of clothing. She was ever ready to respond to 
cases of need. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WTXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



31 



ROCKFORD HOUSES IN 1838 LATER BUILDINGS 

H. H. SILSBY. 

In April, 1838, there were only fonr houses 
north of State street, in West Rockford ; the 
ferry house on the site of the Register-Gazette 
building ; Abriam Morgan's log house, on or very 
near the site of the Horsman residence, which 
was recently torn down : a log cabin on the bank 
of the river, about one hundred and thirty rods 
above State, occupied by Rev. John ]\Iorrill. and 
D. A. Spaulding, the government surveyor ; a 
board and plank house near the site of Mrs. A. 
D. Forbes' residence, occupied by John and 
Calvin Haskell, nephews of Dr. George Haskell. 
South of State street there were quite a number 
of cabins. Nathaniel Loomis and his son, Henry 
W. Loomis. lived in a log house near the south- 
east corner of State and Main streets : and much 
of the valuable property in this block still belongs 
to the Loomis estate. On the west side of Main, 
D. D. Ailing had an unfinished house. Directly 
north was a two-story frame house which re- 
mained unfinished for several years. On the same 
side, opposite the government building, still 
stands the residence of George W. Brinckerhoflf. 
On the corner north of the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern depot. Nathaniel Wilder had a house of one 
and a half story. On the east side of Main, op- 
posite the depot, Wyman & Houghton had a story- 
and-a-half building used as a bakery and boarding- 
house. South of the C, B. & O. depot, on the 
west side of Main, James Mitchell had a small 
house. On the same side of the street, near the 
bank of the creek, stood Mr. Kent's house and 
sawmill. There was a log hut eight or ten rods 
below the mill that had been used as a black- 
smith's shop, and a store near the river. \\'il- 
liam E. Dunbar had lived in a log cabin about 
one hundred yards south of the creek, and twelve 
to fifteen rods east of Main street. Sanford & 
Piatt's store was on the river bank, south of 
State. Benjamin Kilburn had a frame house on 
the site of the Hotel Nelson. There was a total 
of eighteen buildings in the village on the west 
side of the river, beside the cabin built by I\Ir. 
Blake in the grove to the west. 

The East side was somewhat larger. The 
Rockford House was for some time the only 
hotel between Belvidere and Freeport. On the 
southwest corner of State and Madison streets 
stood Bundy & Goodhue's store. Directly south 
was a building erected by Mr. Haight. The first 
floor was the postoffice. and the second was oc- 
cupied by Tinker & Johnson as a tailor shop. On 
the northwest corner of ]\Iadison and Walnut was 
a ball alley owned by Charles Oliver. On the 
southeast corner of State and Madison was Pot- 
ter & Preston's store. They succeeded Bundy & 
Goodhue on the opposite corner, where they re- 



mained until the death of ]\Ir. Preston, when Mr. 
Potter continued the business alone for a time. 
East of Potter & Preston's first store was the 
foundation of the Washington House. On the 
northeast corner of State and Main was Daniel 
S. Haight's unfinished frame house. On East 
State street Mr. Haight was putting up a one- 
story building for a postoffice. which a few A-ears 
later was occupied by Worthington & Searles as 
the second drug store in the village. East of 
the postoffice site, on the alley, was 'Sir. Haight's 
first log house, occupied by John !\Iiller as a 
boarding house. East of the alley, on State, was 
.Samuel Little's saloon. C)n North First street 
was a story-and-a-half house occupied by 
Samuel Corey, a brother-in-law of Mr. Haight. 
North of Mr. Haight's frame house was a story- 
and-a-half house owned by William Hamilton ; 
and at the northeast corner of Madison and 
Alarket was William Penfield's blacksmith's shop. 
Between the "swell-front'' and the brick house 
south of South Second street owned by Samuel 
I. Church, stood a house with a story and a half 
owned by Dr. David Goodrich. In the rear of 
this, on the alley, was a log structure occupied as 
a schoolhouse about 1837-38. On the site of the 
street car barns on Kishwaukee street, was Anson 
Barnum's double log house. At the southeast 
corner of Second and Walnut was John Phelps' 
house, afterward owned by William P. Dennis. 
C)n the west side of First street, opposite the city 
hall, was John C. Kemble's house ; and on the 
river bank, north of Walnut, James Clark was 
building a store in which he kept a general stock. 
The "stage barn" built for Mr. Haight in 1836 
by Thomas Lake and Sidney Twogood, stood 
near the intersection of State and Third streets. 
John X'ance's log structure, built for a store, 
was on South First street nearly opposite the 
city hall. There was a log house about ten rods 
southeast of the "stage bam," occupied b)' a Mr. 
Kingsle}-, who came from Belvidere to work for 
Mr. Haight on the Rockford House. James Bos- 
well's cabin was near the Peacock estate. Jacob 
Posson's cabin was in the vicinity of block 
twenty-one. Gregory & Penfield's addition. 
These, with the East side ferry house, and a small 
log hut used for a stable, were all the buildings 
within half a mile of the intersection of State and 
Madison streets, on the east side of the river, in 
April, 1838. Mr. Haight erected at least seven 
buildings on the East side, beside three barns, 
and one-half of the Rockford House. In 1839-40 
he built the large two-story brick house, east of 
Longwood street, which is still standing. Mr. 
Haight claimed that one hundred thousand brick 
were used in its construction. 

In the spring and summer of 1838 Harvey H. 
Silsby, Mowry Brown, William Hull and Wil- 
liam Harvev built the house now standing north 



I'AST AXD l'Ri:SF.XT OF WIXXEBAGO COL■X•l•^■. 



of Mrs. W. A. Uickcrman's rcsitlcncc. for Dr. 
Haskell, who afterward sold it to John F.dwards. 

After finishins Dr. Haskell's hrick block. Mr. 
Silshy and .\h>wr_v llrown built a house for G. 
A. Sanford near tlie center of the block, south 
of Porter's druji store, on Main street. This 
house later stood for many years near the Chest- 
nut street bridjjc. lienjaniin Kilburn built his 
house near the Trask brid<je road that season. 
The rear r>f the I'.eattie house was built the same 
summer. 

Mr. Silsby rendered ,i;reat service to the writer 
in locating^ these buildin,i,'s of the early days. His 
trade, that of contractor and builder, doubtless 
fi.xed the dates of their erection in his mind. X'o 
other individual furnished a more valuable fund 
of information in the preparation of this work. 
He knew the villasje from the besinnin.s:. and he 
retained his excellent memory unim]iaired to 
the last. Mr. Silsby died suddenly April 7. 1899, 
in Kansas, after havin.i^ sjjent the winter with his 
dauf^hter in Rock ford. Me was ei,!;hty-one years 
of afjc. Mr. Silsby was bom in .\cworth, Sul- 
livan county, Xew Hampshire, Xovember i, 181 7. 
He went in 1837 to Upper Alton, where he re- 
mained until he came to Rockford the following 
year. .Vfter working at his trade for some years, 
he embarked in mercantile business. 

Kir<ST B.\PTIST CHURCH. 

The First Baptist church is the second or- 
ganization of that faith planted in northern 
Illinois outside of Chicago. It was organized 
December 22. 1838, at the home of Dr. George 
Haskell, and was the third religious organiza- 
tion founded in Rockford. There were sixteen 
charter niemlx-rs. as follows : James and Martha 
Jackson, .\biram Morgan, Fierce and Evelina 
Wood, John and Susan Emerson. Win. B. Brain- 
ard. Ransom and Lucy Knajip, George and 
Eunice Haskell, Mowry and Lucy Brown, Isaiah 
Lvon. an<l Caleb Blood. Services were held in 
a hall on the second floor of Dr. Haskell's brick 
block, which stood rm the site of the .-\shton block. 
The congregation de()eniled u])on supplies until 
May, 1 84 1, when Rev. Solomon Knapp became 
the first resident pastor. The first house of 
worship was built in 1841, on the corner now 
occupied by the .American Insurance building, 
on Xorth Main street. 

The second pastor was Rev. Warren F. Par- 
rish, a convert from Mormonism to the Baptist 
faith. He was succeeded by Rev. O. H. Head 
and Rev. Luther Stone, and by Prof. Whitman, 
of IV'lvidere, as a stated supply. 

In the autumn of 1848 Elder Jacob Knapp 
removed from the east, and November i8th he 
united with the Fir.st church by letter. The 
church was then without a pastor, and arrange- 



ments were soon made with Elder Knapi) lor 
holding revival meetings. The little frame build- 
ing was too small, and the church secured the 
use of the court house, where it continued to 
hold services until the new structure was com- 
pleted. Elder Knajip continued his labors until 
June, 1849. .Vt the amnial session of the Rock 
River Association, held that mouth, the church 
reported sixty-two additions by baptism and 
seventeen by letter. These accessions increased 
the membership to one hundred and sixty. 

Elder Knap]) was one of the most remarkable 
men of his time. He was born in ( )tsego county, 
Xew York. December 7, I7<;9. He was gradu- 
ated at Hamilton Theological seminary in June, 
1825. and ordained in the following August at 
.Springfield, Xew York. After serving the 
church at Springfield for five years, and the 
church at Watertown for three years, he began 
his career as an evangelist. For fifteen years his 
home was at Hamilton. Xew York, and for 
twenty-five years at Rockford. 

Elder Kna])p claimed to have ])rcache(l about 
sixteen thousand sermons, baptized four thou- 
sand candidates, and was the means of making 
one hundred thousand converts by his revival 
ministry, of whom two hundred became ministers 
of the gospel. Elder Knapp's mind was char- 
acterized by strong logical tendencies, and his 
sermons abounded in homely illustrations, apt 
quotations from the Bible, and a good knowledge 
of human nature. In stature l-"lder Knapp was 
short, squarely and stoutly built, his voice was 
deeply sepulchral, and his manner self-possessed. 
He was fertile in expedients and possessed an in- 
domitable will. He was quick at repartee, in 
which he was a consummate master. 

To this day the widest differences of opinion 
])revailed as to the sincerity and true Christian 
character of Elder Knapp. Many of his fellow 
citizens believed his daily life was quite incon- 
sistent with the nigher ideals which he taught 
from the jjulpil : while others considered him the 
very incarnation of godly zeal ; as a veritable John 
the Baptist, warning the i)eo])le in terms of awful 
grandeiu- to flee from the wrath to come. Presi- 
dent Knott, of I'nion college, testified: "Elder 
Knapp is uncqualed among iminspired men." Dr. 
Thomas Armitage, in his History of the P>aptists, 
says : "The writer heard him preach many times, 
and judged him, as he is apt to judge men, more 
bv his prayers than his sermons, for he was a 
man of much prayer. His ai)i)earance in the 
pulpit was very striking, his face pale, his skin 
dark, his mouth wide, with a singular cast in 
one eve bordering on a squint : he was full of 
native wit, almost gestureless, and vehement in 
denunciation, yet so cool in his deliberation that 
with the greatest ease he gave every trying cir- 
cumstance its appropriate but unexpected turn," 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



33 



Elder Knapp died March 3, 1874, on his farm 
north of Rockford, and was buried in the West 
Side cemetery, with his feet toward the west, in 
accordance with his strange request. Elder 
Knapp's autobiography was published in 1868. 

Rev. Ichabod Clark succeeded Elder Knapp. 
During his pastorate, in 1850, the congregation 
built the present stone church on North Church 
street, which is now the oldest house of worship 
in Rockford. 

Dr. Clark was succeeded by Dr. Thomas Kerr, 
who began his labors June i, i860. His first 
pastorate closed November i, 1866, when he was 
called to Hannibal, Mo. After a brief pastorate 
by Rev. James Lick, Dr. Kerr was recalled to 
his old charge, and in 1869 he began his second 
pastorate. In 1870 Dr. Kerr began to preach a 
more liberal faith. An ecclesiastical council de- 
posed him from the Baptist ministry, and the 
church excluded him. with forty-eight sym- 
pathizers, from its membership. Dr. Kerr was 
succeeded in the pastorate by Revs. John S. 
Mabie, L. Anderson, W. A. Stanton. C. H. Mos- 
crip, Theo. G. Soares, C. W. Barber, and W. 
C. Keirstead. The membership reported to the 
association in June. 1905, was 287. The value of 
the church property is $18,000. 

THE VILLAGE INCORPOR.VTED. 

Early in 1839 the little village aspired to the 
dignity of an incorporated town. The general 
law of 1831 provided that "whenever the white 
males over the age of twenty-one years, being 
residents of any town in this state, containing not 
less than one hundred and fifty inhabitants, shall 
wish to become incorporated for the better regu- 
lation of their internal police," it should be law- 
ful for them to do so. The ambition of the vil- 
lage was sustained by the required population. 

A meeting of the citizens of Rockford was 
held, pursuant to public notice, at the Rockford 
House. April i. 1839. It was resolved that the 
two villages of Rockford, east and west sides of 
Rock river, be incorporated into one town. Com- 
mittees were appointed to ascertain the number 
of inhabitants within the prescribed boundaries of 
Rockford ; to draft an act of incorporation for 
the town ; and to confer with Mr. Brinckerhoff 
concerning free ferriage for the citizens of the 
county. 

An adjourned meeting was held April 3d, but 
no business was transacted. A second adjourned 
meeting was held on the following evening. The 
committee on census reported that the number 
of inhabitants was two hundred and thirty-five. 
The committee appointed to confer with Mr. 
Brinckerhoff made a report to the effect that he 
would furnish free ferriage to the citizens of the 
county on condition that the trustees of the town 



would remunerate him, at the close of each year, 
with such sum as a committee of three should 
determine, after ascertaining the receipts and ex- 
penses of the ferriage. One member of the com- 
mittee was to be chosen by the trustees, another 
by Mr. Brinckerhoff and these two were to ap- 
point a third. At this meeting, by a two-thirds 
vote, as required by law, the town was incorpor- 
ated. An election for five trustees was lield 
April loth. There were chosen Dr. Goodhue, 
Daniel S. Haight, Samuel Little. Ephraim Wy- 
man and Isaiah Lyon. 

The statute provided that the boundaries of a 
town incorporated under its provisions should 
not exceed one mile square. The trustees re- 
stricted the limits as thus prescribed bv the law. 
They organized by the election of Daniel S. 
Haight. president: Anson Barnum, clerk; John 
C. Kemble, attorney. Isaiah Lyon was elected 
collector and treasurer ; Henry Thurston, asses- 
sor for the first district : John Haskell for the 
second ; Nathaniel Wilder for the third ; S. D. 
Preston for the fourth. 

Rockford continued its simple municipal life 
under this system until January, 1852. These 
vears were quite uneventful, so far as municipal 
affairs were concerned. The complete records of 
the proceedings of the board of trustees for those 
twelve years are contained in a single small 
volume. This book is well preserved and is in 
the office of the city clerk. Routine business oc- 
cupied the most exclusive attention of the board ; 
and frequently less than a page is required to 
record its proceedings. 

E.\RLY L.\ND S.^LES. 

The lands in Winnebago county did not come 
into market until the autumn of 1839. The lands 
in Rockford and Rockton townships were not 
offered for sale until 1843. by reason of the 
famous "Polish claims." which will be considered 
in detail in subsequent paragraphs. The land 
office for this district in 1839 was at Galena. The 
opening of the lands to sale and entry in that year 
was an interesting event to the settlers of Win- 
nebago county. Some of them had their farms 
well under cultivation, and had raised a sufficient 
surplus, so that they were able to secure their 
farms when the sale began. The uniform gov- 
ernment price for land was ten shillings per acre. 
Speculators were always around the land office 
on days of sale, waiting for the first chance to 
make a claim. A common interest bound the set- 
tlers together, and they usually maintained their 
rights in equity against the sharp practices of the 
land sharks. 

Many settlers, however, did not possess ready 
money. Stock and grain had become plenty by 
this time, but thev could not be sold for cash. 



34 



PAST ANT) PRESENT OF WIXXEBACO COUNTY. 



Money at one time cummaiuk'il thirty per cent. 
Some of the farmers liatl their claims bid in on 
sliares. I^inds wore al.so hid in hy men who had 
money, on condition that tlieir advances sliould 
donl)le in three years — tliirty-tliree and one- 
tliird |)er cent, interest : the money loaner fur- 
nisheti the money, and gavv a bond to the claim- 
ant to redeem at the expiration of three years if 
the money sliould be paid on or before that dav. 
The moncy-loaner supposed his title was cjood, as 
it was entered in his own name, and paid for in 
full with his money. It was decided otherwise. 
however, by the supreme court, which treated it 
as a mortgage. There was nnich litigation on 
this point. 

K( >c K l-( IUI> CK.\I KTERI i;S. 

Four sites have been used in West Rockford 
for the pur|)ose of a cemetery, besides that used 
by the Roman Catholics. The first Inirial in the 
village of Rock-ford was that of Henry Harmon, 
who was drowned at the ferry in Rock river 
.\])ril 7, iS.^7. on block thirty-five of J. \V. 
I.eavitt's plat of the original town of West 
Rockford. The Commercial Hotel, South 
Church street, is on the southeast corner of this 
block. The second interment was of the body of 
Sarah Kent, a daughter of (iernianicus Kent, 
n]>iin the same block, in 1837. These were fol- 
lowed by the l)urials of .\ddison Phillips, who 
accidentally shot himself in March. 1839, and 
John Ha.skell, a brother of Dr. (ieorge Haskell, 
also in that year. Mrs. James Mitchell and some 
others were buried upon block thirty-five, which 
was the only place ot interment on the west side 
of the river until about 1840. The proprietors of 
that j)ortion of the town west of the section line 
<iividing sections twenty-two and twenty-three 
then gave to the citizens of West Rockford a plat 
of ground for cemetery purposes, corre.«])onding 
to block fifty-three in .Morgan and Horsman's 
addition to the city of Rockford. on the south 
side of Slate street. This block now includes the 
land owned by the late Dr. C. H. Richings. .Mrs. 
.Montague, wife of Richard Montague, was the 
first ])erson buried in this ground. She died 
February 17. 184J. 

I-'rom that time this ]ilat of ground continued 
to be the i)lace of burial until 1844. The original 
proprietors of the town, by an agreement with 
the citizens, exchanged this place of burial for 
a site corres|)onding to what would have been 
blocks thirty-seven and forty-eight of the original 
plat, on the north bank of Kent's creek. This 
tract corresponds witli the switch yards, round- 
house and stock yards of the Chicago & North- 
western railroad. The bodies were removed from 
the cemetery near State street and reburied in the 
new grounds. In the year 1844 the citizens after 
several meetings, organized an association and 



in I'"ebruary, 1845. they obtained a charter in- 
cori)orating the Rockford Cenieter\ .\ssociation. 
I'nder this charter they electeil their trusfecs and 
other otiicers. and kept u)) the organization in 
accordance with all the ])rovisions of the act. The 
first trustees named in tliis charter were John W. 
Taylor. Fphraim Wyman, Cyrus F. .Miller. Rich- 
artl .Montague ami IJenjamin Kilburn. 

From 1844 to 1852 this site remained the place 
of burial for the Rockford Cemetery .Association. 
1 )uring this time the number of graves had in- 
creased to about one lumdreil and seventy-five. 
The bodies that had been buried on block thirty- 
five remained there until 1852. 

The extension of the Galena & Chicago Union 
railroad to West Rockford again made it neces- 
sary for the association to remove its cemetery, 
as the grounds had been selected by the railroad 
comjiany as the site of its de])ot. .\ ])ortion of 
this tract was condemned by the comjianv for 
this i)urpose. The association thereupon made 
arrangements with the railroatl company for 
the sale of the entire property, except seventy 
feet fronting on Cedar street. The company paid 
the association one thousand and nine hundred 
dollars. The frontage of seventy feet on Cedar 
street was sub-divided into twelve lots, and sold 
to different jier.sons for three thousand eight 
hundred and twelve dollars and twelve cents. 

In .\]iril, 1852, the trustees took measures to 
l^rocure a new charter for their more extended 
needs. In the following May the association 
purchased of Charles Reed, George Ha'sTKcll and 
.\athaniel \\'ilder. a part of the present cemetery 
grounds. This tract contained thirty-three acres, 
for which the .Association ])aid twelve hundred 
dollars. On the 29th of .May, 1852. the associ- 
ation made a contract with David D. .Vlling. to 
remove all the bodies in the original place of 
burial on block thirty-five and those in the later 
cemetery. 

At the s|)ecial session of the legislature in June, 
1852. the association obtained a new act of in- 
cori)oration. 'i'he sum realized from the sale of 
its former iirojierty left a good margin after the 
later ])urchase. (Juite extensive improvements 
were made with a i)ortion of this reserve. This 
cemetery is a beautiful spot in summer, well kept, 
and contains many splendid monuments. 

In February. 1880. the association purchased 
seventeen acres of D. C. Littlefield. The cemetery 
now covers fifty acres, the purchase price of 
which was oidy $2.()oo. There have been more 
than five th<iusanil interments. The association 
has an invested fund, the interest of which is ex- 
pended in Ix^autifying this city of the dead. 

The Roman Catholic cemetery is also located 
on the West side. 

:\t an early date Daniel .S. Haight appropri- 
ated an acre of ground for a cemetery on the 



PAST -VXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



35 



East side. It was situated on the east side of 
Longworth street, about ten rods north of State. 
The ground was open prairie. There was no 
shade from the summer sun, and the wintr}- 
winds intensified its desolation. 

An act approved February i8. 1847, provided 
for the incorporation of the Cedar Bhtff Ceme- 
tery Association. E. H. Potter. \\'inard Wheeler, 
Bela Show, Selden AI. Church, HoUis H. Holmes, 
and Lucius Clark and their successors were made 
a body politic and corporate for the purpose. The 
association was not fully organized, however, 
until November 28, 185 1. Twelve acres in sec- 
tion twenty-three were purchased from Bela 
Shaw for four hundred dollars, subject to the 
dower of Rebecca Shaw. The tract was sur- 
veyed by Duncan Ferguson. April 3, 1853. It 
remained the only burying ground on the East 
side until the organization of the Scandinavian 
Cemetery Association, which is near Cedar BluflF. 

THE .SEVEN" years' WAR ON'ER THE .SITE OF THE 
COUNTY SEAT. 

The attempt in 1836 to locate the county seat 
had proven a failure. The county business had 
been transacted in the meantime in various places 
in the village. The proprietors of Winnebago 
did not consider the refusal of their deed of ces- 
sion to the county, noted in a previous paragraph, 
as a finality. On that very day began the famous 
controversy over the location of the county seat, 
which was continued for seven years with great 
soirit and not a little bitterness on all sides. The 
proprietors of Winnebago had expended con- 
siderable money in their town plat, and they were 
anxious to have the county buildings commenced 
at once, and thus settle the question. On the 
other hand, the county commissioners opposed 
the site of Winnebago, and placed every obstacle 
in the way of such location. A^arious proposi- 
tions were made by the proprietors during this 
and the succeeding year to induce the commis- 
sioners to take some action that would secure 
them in the location which had been previously 
made. All these overtures were either refused 
or evaded. The persistent refusal of the county 
commissioners led to state legislation. 

By an act of the general assembly, approved 
Alarch 2, 1839. the question was submitted to a 
popular vote. It was made the duty of the clerk 
of the county commissioners' court to give notice 
of an election to be held on the first Monday in 
May, 1839. The law provided that if it should 
appear that within one hundred of a majority of 
all the votes cast were in favor of the town of 
\Mnnebago. that town should remain the per- 
manent county seat. But if any other place, after 
the first election, should receive a majority there 
should be an election held on the first Mondav 



of each succeeding month, dropping off at each 
election, the place receiving the smallest number 
of votes, until some one place should receive a 
majority of all the votes polled. 

These provisions gave \\'innebago a decided 
advantage, but even then the town was unable 
to win the prize. At the election six aspirants 
received votes, as follows: Rockford, three hun- 
dred and twenty ; Winnebago, seventy-five ; Ros- 
coe, two : Willow Creek, five : Pecatonica, one : 
Scipio. one. Total vote cast, four hundred and 
four, of which Rockford had a majority over all 
of two hundred and thirty-six. 

The ])rospective village of \\'innebago reached 
the highest point of all its greatness on the day 
when its ambitious claims were rejected by the 
county commissioners' court. In April, 1844, 
many of the lots were sold by the sheriff' to 
satisfy delinquent taxes ; and in 1847 the plat was 
vacated by a special act of the legislature. 

In pursuance of the popular vote in favor of 
Rockford. the county commissioners, on June 
8, 1839, selected the public square on the east 
side of the river as the site for the courthouse. 
.\nson Barnum and Daniel S. Haight were au- 
thorized to accept stone and other building ma- 
terial. A large quantity of brick and lumber was 
contributed by the citizens. This material re- 
mained on the public square for a long time, be- 
cause the county had no money to continue the 
work. At a special session held June 17, the 
court selected the southeast corner of block nine 
as a site for a jail. This is the site now occu- 
pied by the Rockford Gas Light and Coke Com- 
pany. No jail, however, was built upon that 
location. 

At the session of September 28. 1841. a propo- 
sition was submitted to the commissioners' court 
to furnish a suitable jail and quarters for the 
county offices in West Rockford until permanent 
buildings could be constructed. This proposal 
was signed by Messrs. George Haskell. Charles 
I. Horsman, Abriam Alorgan. John W. Taylor, 
David .\lling. Nathaniel Loomis. Ephraim 
Wyman, Horatio Nelson. Derastus Harper 
and Isaiah Lyon. L^pon executing a bond in the 
penal sum of one thousand dollars this proposi- 
tion was accepted. December nth these gentle- 
men reported to the commissioners' court that the 
building for the county offices was ready for use 
and the same was accepted by the court. This 
was a frame structure on the southwest corner 
of Main and Chestnut streets, opposite the Hotel 
Nelson. This building was occupied by the court 
until the courthouse was built, and only a few 
\ears ago was torn down to make room for the 
block now occupied by Mead, Hallock & Ben- 
nett. The donors at this December session were 
given an extension of five months to complete the 
jail. This was a log structure about twelve feet 



36 



PAST AXI) PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



square, with plank door, ami wiiulow barntl with 
iron set into the logs above and below. It stood 
east of the ])resent courthouse, in the .same block. 
Whenever a desperate character was confined 
therein it was necessary to station a j^uard. Pre- 
vious to the erection of this primitive prison the 
nearest jail was at (ialcna. When I. N. Cun- 
ninj^diam was sheriff he owned a substantially 
built house a short distance from town, and his 
brother William once prevented a prisoner from 
escai)ing at ni^fht by fastening one end of a 
chain to his ankle and the other to the ankle 
of the prisoner, and both were secured to the 
stronj^f puncheon tloor. The old lotj jail did its 
duty after a fashion until the brick jail was 
completed. 

.•\ controversy aro.se concerning the precise 
meaniufi of the statute under which the election 
of May, 1839. had been held. That portion of 
the tliird section of the law enclosed in paren- 
thesis was ambiguous. The point at issue was 
whether the law actually authorized an election 
to select a seat of justice, or merely to decide the 
general fiuestion of removal. The question was 
before the connnissioners' court at its September 
session in 1841. Each commissioner held a dif- 
ferent opinion. May 10, 1842. the commission- 
ers" court requested the bar of the city to submit 
opinions in writing concerning the legal effect of 
the popular vote. Opinions were prepared by 
Anson S. Miller, Francis Burnap, Thomas D. 
Robertson, James M. Wight, and Jason Marsh. 
Mr. Miller's ojiinions were f|uite elaborate. The 
attv)rneys were unanimous in the o|)inion that the 
county seat had been changed from Winnebago 
to Rockford, in accordance with the evident in- 
tent of the law. At the session of July, 1842, 
the commissioners' court authorized the judges 
of election in the several precincts to take the 
sense of the voters at the .Vugust election on the 
question whether the county buildings should be 
l)ermaneiUly located in East or West Rockford. 
Several ])rccincts did not vote on the question ; 
but the general result was favorable to the West 
side, inasmuch as the temporary location of the 
county offices on that side had already given it 
a degree of prestige. The vote had no legal 
effect, however, because the law had given the 
commissioners' court full power in the premises. 
Piut it clid have a certain persuasive influence. 

In April, 1843, Daniel S. Ilaight, E. H. Potter, 
HoUis II. Mohnes, Laomi Peak. Daniel Howell 
and John A. Brown, of the East side submitted 
a proposition to the county commissioners to 
huild a courthouse and jail, to cost four thou- 
.sanrl dollars. This proposal was considered, but 
complications prevented its acceptance. In a 
few <lays. .\pril 22d, citizens of West Rockford 
made a similar proposition. On condition that 
the commissioners select the site on the West 



side, the citizens agreed to erect such buildings 
as the county commissioners should direct, and 
according to such ])lan and finish as the com- 
missioners should furnish for a courthouse, 
county offices and jail, the said buildings to be 
commenced before the first day of June next, and 
the jail to be finished before the first day of 
January, 1844, The remainder of the said build- 
ings was to be finished by the first day of No- 
vember, 1844. The donors were to perfect and 
convey to the county a good title to the land on 
which the said building should stand, to the 
amount of two and one-half acres. This propo- 
sition was signed by Messrs. George Haskell, 
Charles I. Horsman, H. W. Loomis, M. Burner, 
Charles Hall. Thomas D. Robertson, George W. 
Dewey, David D. Ailing, H. R. Maynard, Alden 
Thomas, S. Skinner, George 1 '.arrows, John 
F'isher, Derastus Harper, Daniel Dow. 

Nothing had been done on the I'-ast side toward 
erecting county huiklings with the material 
furnished, and the proposition from the west side 
citizens was accepted, with five conditions : These 
were: First, security must be given to the ac- 
ceptance of the commissioners or any two of 
them in term, time or vacation within twenty 
days ; second, that the security be a bond for 
twenty thousand dollars, and the buildings be 
worth not less than six thousand dollars ; third, 
that said bond \jc placed in the hands of the clerk 
of the court within three days from its accept- 
ance ; fourth, that the subscribers to the proposi- 
tion, or a majority of them, enter into a contract 
in writing within twenty days to erect the build- 
ings as offered in their proposition ; fifth, that 
the contract be placed in the hands of the clerk 
ot the court within three days from its approval. 
The commissioners ordered that block twenty- 
five in west Rockford be the site of the buildings. 
Thus closed a contest which had continued for 
seven years. 

The brick jail was completed and occupied 
Januarv i. 1844. The court house was finished 
in July of the same year and was accepted by the 
county commissioners. Derastus Harper and 
John Beattie were the architects. It was one 
story, about fifty-six feet long, thirty-five feet in 
width and seventeen feet high. The court room 
was fifty-four by thirty-three feet ; nine feet in 
the rear of the bench was partitioned off into 
jurv rooms. Two rows of sli]is made in the style 
of those erected in the churches, filled the room 
outside the bar, and accommodated three hundred 
persons. The entire edifice, including the pedi- 
ment, and four fluted columns in front, was built 
in the Grecian Doric order of architecture. The 
])ublic square, jail and courthouse were furnished 
i)v the citizens of West Rockford without the out- 
lav of a dollar by the county. The stone building 
in which the county records were kept was built in 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



i7 



1851. All these buililin^s have lieeii removed 
from the square. 

The first term of court held in the new build- 
ing; was in August, 1844. The presiding judge 
was Thomas C. Brown; James Mitchell, clerk; 
G. A. Sanford, sheriflf. Many bright stars in 
the legal firmament of that day practiced in Win- 
nebago county. Belvidere, Freeport, Galena, and 
Chicago sent their best talent. The famous "Mat" 
Carpenter of Wisconsin came to Rockford on 
professional business half a century ago. 

NOTABLE .SECES.SION MOVEiMENT. 

Sixty years ago Winnebago county figured 
prominently in a movement of secession from 
Illinois for the purpose of annexation to Wis- 
consin. This agitation covered the entire period 
between the admission of Illinois in 1 818, and the 
admission of Wisconsin thirty years later. The 
storv forms one of the most interesting chapters 
in the history of the commonwealth. The move- 
ment was widespread, and the feeling at times 
was intense and even bitter. The village of 
Rockford played quite a part in this struggle. 
There was brought to light in this city in 1899 
a copy of the official proceedmgs of a mass meet- 
ing held in Rockford, July 6, 1840. This con- 
vention was composed of delegates from the 
northern fourteen counties of the state. Its pur- 
pose was secession from Illinois, and annexation 
to the proposed new state of Wisconsin. 

History has never fulh^ explained the causes of 
this movement. Tradition alone has interpreted 
its true animus. The apparent motive was a 
restoration of the boundary line as originally es- 
tablished between the two states that might be 
formed of the territory north of an east-and-west 
line running through the southerly bend of Lake 
Michigan. This line, it was claimed, had been 
arbitrarily and unfairly extended fifty miles 
north when Illinois became a state. 

The real reasons for this movement were two : 
First, the settlers in the northern and southern 
portions of the state had little or no interest in 
common. The northern portion was settled prin- 
cipally by people who had come from New Eng- 
land and New York. Thev were industrious, 
thrifty and progressive. They built towns and 
cities as by magic. The southern part of Illinois 
was settled by emigrants from the slave-holding 
states. They were generally poor, as the well- 
to-do people did not emigrate. In those days the 
poor man in the south was scarcely above the 
negro in the social scale. This class came into 
southern Illinois from slave-holding states to es- 
cape the limitations of their former poverty. Be- 
tween the people of the southern and the north- 
ern portions of the state was a great gulf fixed. 
Each misunderstood the other. The Illinois and 



Michigan canal was opposed by the people of 
southern Illinois for fear it would flood the state 
with Yankees. This conflict of interest and 
opinion was a continuation of the struggle be- 
tween the civilizations of Plymouth and James- 
town. The Puritan and the class distinctions of 
the cavalier had entered the western arena, where 
a few years later Lincoln and Douglas fought 
the historic battle of the century. 

The second reason for this sectional divorce- 
ment was the desire of the northern people to 
escape the burden of the enormous state debt, 
which had been created by the gigantic scheme 
of internal improvements. In 1840, during 
Governor Carlin's administration, the total debt 
of the state, principal and interest, was fourteen 
million si.x hundred and sixty-six thousand five 
hundred and si.xty-two dollars and forty-two 
cents. The treasury was bankrupt ; the revenue 
was insufficient : the people were not able to pay 
high taxes, and the state had borrowed itself out 
of credit. The state never repudiated its debt, 
but it simply could not pay it at that time. More- 
over, the state had little to show for this vast ex- 
penditure. Southern Illinois dominated the state, 
and the people in the sparselv settled northern 
counties were not responsible for the creation of 
the state debt. 

Such was the condition of affairs when the 
mass convention was held in Rockford in the 
summer of 1840. In order to more fully under- 
stand the historic situation at that time, it will 
be necessary to briefly refer to the document 
which gave a plausible pretext to the separatist 
movement. This was the ordinance for the 
government of the Northwest Territory, adopted 
in 1787. This ordinance provided for the 
division of this vast area for territorial purposes, 
which of course had no bearing upon the present 
matter. It further provided that not more than 
two states should be formed from the territory 
north of an east-and-west line running through 
the southerly bend of Lake Michigan. 

In 18 1 8 Illinois territory ])etitioned congress 
for admission into the union on an equality with 
the original states. The petition defined the 
northern boundary of the state in accordance with 
the provisions of the ordinance of 1787. When 
the petition came before congress, Nathaniel 
Pope was instructed by the committee to report 
a bill in pursuance of the petition. Before the 
bill became a law it was amended by the extension 
of the boundary line from the southerly bend of 
Lake ^Michigan to fortv-two degrees thirty 
minutes. Thus was added to Illinois a territory 
fifty miles from north to south, which now in- 
cludes the northern fourteen counties of the state. 
These important and radical changes were pro- 
posed and carried through both houses of con- 
gress by Mr. Pope, entirely on his own personal 



38 



PAST AXD TRESEXT OE WIXXEriAGO COl'XTV. 



respoiisil)ility. Tlie territorial k'g:islatiire had not 
petitioned for tlicin. l)iit tlic jjrcat and lasting ad- 
vantage was so ap])arent that the action of Mr. 
Pope received the lUKiualified endorsement of the 
people. 

When Wisconsin hegan to as])ire to stateliood, 
it was ui)on the language of the or<linance of 
1787. above t|iioted. which was «leclareil a com- 
pact to remain forever unalterable, that our north- 
ern neighbor based her claim to the territory 
north of the original line. 

This <|uestion of boundary became an issue in 
local politics, and it was not until 184S. when 
Wisconsin became a state, that all hopu of the 
restoration of the original line was abandoned. 

In accordance with this wiilcspread movement, 
which is said to have Ix-gun at Galena, a mass 
meeting was held at the Rockford House, in 
Rockford, July 6, 1840. One hundred and twenty 
delegates, who re])resented the entire territory 
in dispute, were in attendance. 

.\ committee was instructed to report resolu- 
tions ileclaratory of the right of Wisconsin to 
the territory in dispute. The preamble declared 
that it was the general, if not the universal, belief 
of the residents of the tract of territory in dis- 
pute, that the same by right and by law is a part 
of the Territory of Wisconsin ; and that their 
interests would be advanced by the restoration of 
the original line, as defined b\- the ordinance of 
1787. 

The resolution declared first, that it was the 
opinion of the meeting that the intention of the 
framers of the ordinance of 1787 for the govern- 
ment of the Xorthvvest Territory, was that if 
congress formed one or two states north of the 
cast-an<l-west line aliove mentioned, that the 
states south of the line .shoidd not extend north 
and beyond it : second, that congress, in thus 
extending the northern boundary of Illinois, 
transcended its power and violated the provisions 
of the ordinance. 

It was also resolved that if the governor of 
Wisconsin Territory should issue a ])roclamation 
for an election of delegates to a convention for 
the formation of a state government, under the 
resolutions relating to the southern boundary, ap- 
])roved January i.^ 1840, the citizens of the ter- 
ritory in dispute should elect delegates to the con- 
vention, according to the ratio fixed by the rcso- 
hition. 

The sixtli resolution |)rovided that a central 
Cfunmittee of five be a])pointe<l to carrv iiUo ef- 
fect the resolutions of the convention, and to in- 
form the executive of Wisconsin of tlie status of 
public opinion. It was finally resolved that a 
copy of the proceedings of the convention should 
be signed by the president and secretary and for- 
warded to the governor of the Territory of Wis- 
consin. 



Other boundary conventions were held in 
various parts of the district. A convention at 
Oregon City, January 22, 1842. adopted resolu- 
tions similar to those approved at Rockford 
eighteen months earlier. The delegates even 
went to the point of declaring that the ordinance 
of 1787 should not be changed without the con- 
sent of the ])eo|)le of the original states, and of 
the X'orthwest Territory. 

.\ meeting was held in (lalena. March 18, 1842, 
of whicli Charles S. Hemi^stead was i)resi(lcnt. 
Strong resolutions were adopted. One declared 
that the annexation of the district to Illinois was 
an unlawful, arbitrary ])rocecding, and a danger- 
ous precedent. 

In June. 1842, the commissioners' court of 
W'innebago county submitted this question to a 
popular vote of the county at the .August election. 
The returns were as follows : Eor annexation to 
Wisconsin, nine hundred and seventy-one ; op- 
posed to annexation, six. 

.\ meeting of the citizens of P.elvidere was 
held September 7, 1842, when it was decicled to 
call a special election for the fourth Monday in 
September, in pursuance of the recommendation 
contained in the proclamation of Governor Doty, 
of the Territory of Wisconsin. Such an elec- 
tion was held, with a result similar to that in 
\Mnnebago county. 

This prolonged agitation accomplished no re- 
sult. The movement suddenly lost its momentum 
and became a spent force. The essential jjrinciplc 
involved in the resolutions that were adopted at 
Oregon City was whether the congress of the 
United States under tlie constitution, had no 
))ower to amend a jirior act of confederated states. 
In view of the subse(|uent evolution of the federal 
idea, under the S])lendi<l leadershiji of Webster 
and Marsliall. it seems sunirising that such a 
preposterous claim should have been seriously 
considered. 

KOCKIDKD ol'l'OSi:s RI-ITDIA I ION, 

The history of the l)onde<I indebtedness of the 
states begins with the ))eriod from i8_^o to 1840. 
.\t the beginning of that decade the aggregate 
debt of the several states amounted to only thir- 
teen million dollars. Then began an era of ex- 
travagance in which certain states made enormous 
cxjienditures for ititernal improvements, and for 
funiling their delits. negotiated large loans on 
long time. Within the twelve years succeeding 
1830 the aggregate debt of the states had arisen 
to more than two liun<lred millions, an increase 
of more tlian sixteen hundred |ier cent. 

Illinois narrowlv escajied tlie odium of rc|)udi- 
ation. .\t this critical period Thomas Eord be- 
came governor, t >n this jjfiint he says in his 
History of Illinois: "It is my solemn Ix^lief that 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



39 



when I came into office I had the power to make 
Illinois a repudiating state." After July, 1841, 
no effort was made to pay even the interest on the 
debt: and her bonds declined to fourteen cents 
on the dollar. Ford was elected governor in 
1842 : and his title to fame securely rests upon 
the fact that he stemmed the tide, so that the 
larger proportion of the debt was actually paid 
during his administration. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the citizens of 
\\'innebago county desired annexation to Wis- 
consin, in part by reason of this debt, there was 
no attempt made to repudiate the debt so long as 
they remained in the state. On the other hand, 
the citizens took an unequivocal position against 
such a ruinous policy. A call was issued for a 
meeting February 5. 1842, to consider the con- 
dition of the public credit. This call was signed 
by S. Al. Church, S. D. Preston, George S. Has- 
kell : Germanicus Kent, D. S. Haight, G. A. 
Sanford, Francis Burnap and others. It had 
been surmised that Illinois would refuse to pay 
its debt. This call was endorsed by a vigorous 
editorial in the Rockford Pilot, which closed 
with these words : "As this is a question of vital 
consideration to every citizen, we trust tliat a full 
attendance will be had on that occasion — that by 
your presence and your voices you may show to 
the world your opinion in regard to these sur- 
mises. Think not that your individual credit is 
independent of that of your state and nation. All 
power and all public acts emanate directly from 
the people, who are the sovereigns of the re- 
public ; and whatever honor or shame falls to 
your state, must be shared among you." The 
citizens" meeting was in sympathy with this edi- 
torial comment ; and the moral influence of Win- 
nebago county was thus placed on record against 
a repudiating policy that would have brought 
the state into everlasting disgrace. 

SETTLERS OF THE EARLY FORTIES. 

Orrin Miller came to Rockford in 1843 ''nd 
engaged in the practice of law. He was a bril- 
liant and able attorney. Mr. Miller married a 
daughter of AMllard \\Tieeler. About 1871 he 
removed to the Pacific coast. His death oc- 
curred at Pomona, near Los Angeles, in Febru- 
ary, i8gi. He was about seventy years of age. 
His remains were brought to Rockford for inter- 
ment. 

Another early lawyer of the village was Grant 
B. Udell. His name is occasionally found on old 
legal documents : but he seems not to have been 
generally remembered. 

Anson S. Miller was a prominent lawyer and 
politician half a century ago. He was elected 
state senator in 1846, was postmaster of Rock- 
ford under appointment of President Lincoln, 



and probate judge from 1857 to 1865. Judge 
Aliller was one of the presidential electors in 
1864, and was chosen by the electoral college to 
carry the vote of Illinois to Washington. Judge 
Aliller died January 7, 1891, at Santa Cruz, Cali- 
fornia. For twenty years preceding his death he 
had resided in California. Judge Miller was 
eighty-two years of age. 

Cyrus F. Miller, a brother 'of Judge Miller, was 
born near Rome. New York. He came to Win- 
nebago county in 1839 or '40 and was for many 
years a well known member of the local bar, and 
justice of the peace. Mr. Miller removed to Chi- 
cago in 1871, directly after the great fire. He 
practiced law in that city until 1876. when he re- 
turned to Rockford. His death occurred June 4. 
i8qo, at Beatrice, Nebraska, and his remains 
were brought to Rockford for burial. 

Daniel Dow came to Rockford in 1841, and 
opened a boot and shoe store, and later he car- 
ried a general stock of merchandise. He pur- 
chased goods at St. Louis, and his first trip to 
that city was made by team to Galena ; thence by 
the Mississippi to his destination. Mr. Dow con- 
tinued in business until i85(). when he retired 
and traveled extensively. Upon his return to 
Rockford he began dealing in grain. Mr. Dow 
served the Third ward as alderman for six years. 
He died November 8, 1903. 

Lewis B. Gregory is a native of Seneca county, 
New York. He was born in 1820, of New Eng- 
land ancestry. His father was Rev. Harry 
Gregory, a Methodist minister. Mr. Gregorv ac- 
quired a seminary education. He came to Rock- 
ford in 1843, '1"'^' began teaching the same year. 
Mr. Gregory is probably the oldest living teacher 
in the county. After teaching several terms, he 
became interested in business on the old water- 
power on the east side of the river. He was a 
nephew of Samuel and Eliphalet Gregory, set- 
tlers of 1835. 

George Tullock was a well known citizen of 
Scottish birth. He was born in 181 5. and came 
to Rockford in 1841. At Chicago Mr. Tullock 
hired his passage with a teamster : but the roads 
were so bad that he started ahead on foot, and 
arrived in Rockford three days ahead of the 
team. Mr. Tullock was employed by Daniel Dow 
nearly four years as a shoemaker. He then 
became a farmer. 

THE FIRST COUXTV F.MRS. 

As early as August, 1840. a committee was ap- 
pointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for 
the Winnebago County Agricultural Society. 
This connnittee deferred its report until the next 
Alarch term of the county commissioners' court, 
in order to avail itself of the privilege of organiz- 
ing the society under the statute "to incorporate 



40 



PAST AND PRESENT OF W IXXEBAGO COUX'IV, 



agricultural societies," which was passed March 
28, 1830- The act re(|uirecl the county commis- 
sioners to jjive due notice of the intention to form 
such society at that s])ecial term only, and pre- 
cluded a lej^ai or^^fanization in this county at an 
earlier tlate, under the provisions of the statute. 

The Ajiricidtural .Society was orfjanized 
A])ril 13, 1 84 1. Dr. Haskell was elected presi- 
dent ; Robert J. Cross, vice-president ; George W. 
Lee, secretary; Cliarles I. Ilorsman, treasurer; 
Horace Miller, Richard Montajjue. I'. M. John- 
son, James S. Xorton, Xewton Crawford. I. X'. 
Cunningham. Jonathan W'eldon. directors. An 
adjourned meeting was held July stli. .Septem- 
ber 8th a meeting of the officers was held to com- 
plete arrangements for the first cattle show. Tt 
was <Iecided that the fair should he held annually 
in Rockforil. alternating on the east and west 
sides of the river : that all the available funds of 
the society be distributed in premiums, and that 
the premiums be i)aiil in agricultural ])ublications. 

The e.xhibition was held on the 13th of October. 
The stock was exhibited in the grove near the 
northeast corner of I'irst and Oak streets which 
was known as the Oak Openings, where the 
ground was covered with a beautiful tuft. A 
few splendid specimens of the jiriniitive oak trees 
remain in the vicinity. Cattle and horses were 
tied to the trees ; the shee]) and hogs were con- 
fined in rail |)ens. The dis])lay of domestic ar- 
ticles and garden proiluce was made in the hall 
of the Rockford House. Charles I. Horsman cx- 
hil)ited a squash weighing one hundred and 
twenty-eight pounds. There were several loads 
of grain standing in the street in front of the 
Rockford House. 

-At two o'clock the society and visitors formed 
a procession, under direction of Jason Marsh. 
the marshal of the day. and marched to the court- 
house, on the East side. Rev. Joel B. Potter 
offered prayer, and Dr. Goodhue delivered an ad- 
dress. He was eloquent in his pro])]iecy of the 
future whicli awaited the farmers of this fertile 
valley, .\fter these exercises dinner was served 
at the Rockford House. .\t half past five the 
committee on awards made its report. The pre- 
mium list was brief. There were seven premiums 
offered for horses, six for cattle, four for hogs, 
and two for sheep ; one for the Ix^st cultivated 
ten acres of land, one for the best twenty-five 
])ounds of butter, one for the best cheese weighing 
over fifteen i)r)unds, one for the best ten yards of 
dannel manufactured in the comity, f)ne for the 
best fifty skeins of sewing silk manufactured in 
the county, and one for the best ten )ioimds of 
sugar manufactured in the county. Thus was 
held, in a single day. the first cattle show in north- 
trn Illinois. 

This society kept up its organization and an- 
nual exhibits for some vears, when it ceased to 



exist. In 185J another society was formed, out 
of which a larger organization was developed. 
The latter was organized under a general law, 
apjjroved in 1855. Until 1858 the society held 
its exhibitions on leased ground. In that year, 
twelve acres of land were purchased of C. I. 
Ilorsman, for six himdred dollars per acre. Later 
inirchases were made, which increased the 
grounds to twenty-two acres. 



llll-; liANIMI" 



Ol" rilK I-KO.NTIICR. 



The frontier is always the prey of the banditti. 
I-rom 1837 t<i 1845 the Rock river valley was in- 
fested with a notorious gang of outlaws, .\mong 
the leaders of this band were: John Driscoll, 
William and David Driscoll, his sons ; John 
llrodie, and his three sons, John. Stephen and 
Hugh ; Sanniel .\ikens, and his three .sons, Rich- 
ard. Charles and Thomas ; William K. I'ridge, 
Xorton U. Royce. Charles Oliver, and Charles 
West. liesides these chiefs of the robber con- 
federacy, there were a large number of subordi- 
nates scattered throughout the country. 

The leaders of this gang were among the first 
settlers, and thus had the choice of locations. 
John Driscoll came from ( )hio, and settled near 
Killbuck creek. Monroe townshij). Ogle county. 
William Driscoll settled at South Grove, in De- 
Kalb count V. David Driscoll resided a short 
distance east of the old village site of Lynnville, 
in (^gle county. John Pirodie lived in a grove of 
timber in Dement township. Samuel .\ikens and 
his son Charles and William K. Bridge settled in 
Washington Grove, and Thomas and Richard 
Aikens and Xorton P.. Royce at Lafayette Grove, 
scarcely half a mile distant. Charles Oliver set- 
tled at Rockford, and made his home at the 
Rockford House. He had a good address, and 
was given four thousand dollars by his father 
when he left the parental home. About 1837, 
while he was an miknown member of this band 
of oulaws, he came within a few votes of being 
elected a justice of the peace, over James B. 
Martyn. Charles West made his home at Inlet 
Grove, in Lee county. 

The operations of this hand extended through 
the western and northwestern states. Along the 
entire line there were convenient stations in 
charge of men who, to all ajipearance, were 
honest, hard-working settlers. Such was Wil- 
liam McDole. a quiet, industrious resident of 
Rockford. I'nder this arrangement, a horse 
stolen at either end of the line or elsewhere 
could be passed from one station to another, and 
no agent be absent from his home or business for 
more than a few hours at a time ; and thus for 
vears thev remained unsus]>ected. .\t that time 
few counties were sufficientlv organized to en- 
force efficient jiolice regulations. This section 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



41 



was sparsely settled ; the pioneers were poor, 
and money was scarce. There were few jails, 
and these were scarcely worthy of the name. For 
several vears after the settlement of Winnebago 
county, the nearest jail was at Galena. There is 
a story to the effect that the sheriff of this 
county once took a culprit to Galena, and upon 
his return to Rockford his late prisoner was 
among- the first to greet him. 

This primitive condition of society was the op- 
portunity of the border outlaw. Counterfeiting, 
horse-stealing, robbery and even murder were of 
such frequent occurrence that the settlers were 
driven to desperation. They resolved to adopt 
radical measures for relief ; for if these outrages 
were continued property was insecure, and hfe 
itself was in constant jeopardy. In the spring of 
1841. a delegation of reputable citizens of White 
Rock and Paine's Point, Ogle county, called upon 
Judge Ford, who was then holding circuit court 
at Oregon for consultation. Judge Ford was a 
fearless man, and naturally well equipped to meet 
the peculiar conditions of pioneer life. Judge 
Ford knew that the settlers were at the mercy of 
the banditti, and that it was useless to invoke the 
civil authorities. He therefore advised them to 
organize a company, which should call upon the 
men whom they knew to be lawless, take them 
bv force from their homes, strip them to the waist, 
and lash them with a blacksnakc. He recom- 
mended thirty-six lashes as the first chastise- 
ment, and sixty for a second ofifense ; and that 
the leaders should be given ten days in which to 
leave the country. 

Judge Ford's advice was followed to the let- 
ter. A decree from the bench could not have 
been more faithfully executed. In April about 
fifteen citizens met at a log schoolhouse at White 
Rock and organized a company known as the 
Ogle County Regulators. P>y-laws and rules 
were' adopted and the membership increased to 
hundreds in Ogle an<l Winnebago counties. The 
late Ralph Chancy was an active member of this 
organization : and to him the writer is indebted 
for information of those stirring experiences. 

John Earle was the first victim of this savage 
justice. It was proved that he had forced or in- 
duced a young man under twenty years of age to 
steal his neighbor's horse. Earle's coat and vest 
were removed, and his arms pinioned. Six or 
seven luen were chosen from the company to ad- 
minister five lashes apiece. Mr, Chancey relates 
that a deacon of the church inflicted the most 
vigorous strokes. The result was quite unex- 
pected. At the next meeting of the Regulators, 
Earle applied for membership, was admitted, and 
became a good worker. 

The second instance occurred in the afternoon 
of the same day. The culprit's name was Dag- 
gett. Before coming to the w'cst he had been a 



Baptist minister. He was not a shining example 
of the perseverance of the saints, a distinctive 
doctrine of that church ; for he had fallen from 
grace with a dull, sickening thud. The Regu- 
lators were not agreed concerning his punish- 
ment : although his guilt was generally believed. 
A bare majority of one or two voted to release 
him. That night, however, the minority tied 
Daggett to a tree and gave him ninety-six lashes. 
Dr." Hobart examined him occasionally to prevent 
fatal injurv. This chastisement was denounced 
by the more conservative Regulators. 

' Soon after their organization John Campbell 
was chosen captain of the Regulators. A short 
time after they had begun their work of ex- 
termination, Mr. Campl)ell received an epistle 
from William DriscoU, in which he offered bat- 
tle. The Regulators were challenged to meet 
him Tuesday, June 22d, at his home in South 
Grove. Mr. Campbell was generally recognized 
as the right man to lead such an organization. 
He was a devout Scotch Presbyterian, who had 
come from Canada. 

At the appointed time one hundred and ninety- 
six men, armed with rifles and muskets, re- 
sponded to the challenge. They were mounted 
on good horses ; with the stars and stripes un- 
furled to the breeze, and a bugle, they formed in 
line, two abreast, and began the march to the 
field of battle. When they arrived at South 
Grove they found seventeen members of the gang 
in a log house, barricaded for defense, armed 
with fifty-four guns of different kinds. The 
Regulators halted just outside of gunsliot and 
held a council of war. Before making an attack 
it was resolved to send a messenger to the house 
to ascertain the plans of the inmates, Osborn 
Chaney volunteered to beard the lions in their 
den. When within forty rods of the house the 
men broke through the door and ran away; and 
Mr. Qianey did not get an opportunity to speak 
with any one of them. Soon after Mr. Chaney 
returned to the company he was followed by a 
man named Bowman, who said he had a message 
from John Driscoll to the effect that if the Regu- 
lators wished to confer with him he would re- 
ceive the message from Bowman and from no 
one else. William Driscoll also sent word by the 
same messenger that he had three hundred allies 
at Svcamore, and that they would meet the Regu- 
lators on the prairie two hours later. The latter 
repaired to a level piece of ground, examined 
their guns, and waited developments. In due 
time Driscoll arrived, with the sheriff of De- 
Kalb county and two other officials, who wished 
to know the meaning of the demonstration. Cap- 
tain Campbell stood in a wagon, and in a vigor- 
ous speech gave them the desired information. 
Meanwhile Driscoll sat on his horse about four 
feet distant. He was silent, buKin a terrible rage. 



42 



PAST AM) I'RKSKXT OF WIXXELSAGO COUXTY. 



Mr. Chancy says he heard the tiratiiisj of his 
teeth, and l)eheves that then and there Cami)bell 
received his death sentence from Driscoll. Tlie 
officials from DeKalb county expressed their 
sympathy with the Ret^ulators. and the DriscoUs 
promised to leave the state within twenty days. 
The Re;julatf>rs disl)ande<l for the day and went 
home. Tile Driscolls did not keep their word. 
On the contrary, a meetinp of the des])cradoes 
was held on the followinjj Saturday ni,e:ht at 
the house of William I'.ridfjc. at Washington 
Grove, where the nuirder of Campbell was 
])lanned. 

On Sunday. June 27th, David an<l Ta\lor Dris- 
coll. who had been chosen to murder Campbell, 
accomplished their purjiose. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cami)l)ell ha<l just returned from church at the 
log schoolhouse at White Rock. While .going 
trom the house to the barn about twilight, he was 
shot through the heart by David Driscoll. Ralph 
Qianey was luaking his home with his brother 
I'hineas about three-(|uarters of a mile distant. 
He heard the rejiort of the gun and the cries of 
the family. He and FMiineas immediately went 
to the assistance of the Cami)i)ell family. Mr. 
Campbell walked about forty feet and fell dead. 

Xews of the tragedy s])rea<l f|uickly to Rock- 
ford and other towns. Mrs. Campbell was a wit- 
ness of the murder, and there was no doubt about 
the identity of the assassins. On Monday the 
sheriff of ( )gle county and a ])osse arrested John 
Driscoll at the home of his son. David, near 
Lynnville. Mr. Chaney gives this incident of the 
arrest: "When he was arrested he said: "I al- 
ways calculate to hold myself in subjection to 
the laws of my country." .-\ daughter who was 
sto|>])ing there, a woman grown, large and strong, 
when the sheriff announced that he was a pris- 
oner, turned and faced her father, and their eyes 
met, and there was that kind of a look I can 
hardlv descriln?, passed between them, and as she 
held hi? eye she nodded her head to him. Xoth- 
ing said, but such a look I never saw in the 
world." 

The sheriff and his ])osse then went to South 
( Irove in search of William Driscoll. The elder 
Driscoll was seated in a wagon between two 
guards. .\ company from Winnebago . county 
had preceded them, and had arrested \\"illiam and 
his younger brother Pierce. The sheriff took his 
prisoner to TJregon and lodged him in jail. 

.-\bout nine o'cl<ick Tuesday morning a parly 
went to the jail, and with heavy timbers battered 
down tlie door. They to<ik John Driscoll from 
his cell, put a ro])e arfiund his neck and dragged 
him to the river as ra])idly as ])ossible. The 
sheriff |)ursued. Init l)efore he could overtake 
them they had entered a Imal with their jirisoner 
and were soon on the otiier side of the river. 
There they met a man from Washington Grove, 



who told them there was a ])arty at that place who 
had taken the two sons, William and Pierce. They 
then proceeded with John Driscoll to Washington 
Grove, where they met the Rockford division, 
liy this time, aboiu ten o'clock in the forenoon, 
the crowd had increased to about five hundred. 
Xearly every class of people was rejiresented. 
The horsemen dismounted, secured their horses, 
and stacked their arms around a tree. They 
formed a hollow stjuare around the tree, and 
brought the three Driscolls into the centre. 
.Among the lawyers jiresent was E. S. Leland, 
who acted as the leader, and conducted an ex- 
amination of the prisoners. A mob court was 
instituted. The senior Driscoll was asked how 
man\' horses he had stolen in his tiiue : to which 
he replied thai he supposed he had taken as many 
as fifty. "Could you not say a hundred?' asked 
an inc|uisitor : and the old man, with a faint 
smile, said: "It luight be." He confessed that he 
had ])aid young men fifteen to twenty-five dollars 
to steal a horse from a neighbor, simply to satisfy 
a grudge, when he received no pecuniary reward 
from the theft. William Driscoll was similarly 
interviewed. Pierce Driscoll was examined, but 
no evidence was found against him. and he was 
given his liberty. 

John and William Driscoll were then told that 
David and Taylor had been identified as the mur- 
derers of Campbell : also that evidence had 
])roved them to be accessories in the i)lot at 
1 'ridge's house on the preceding .Saturday even- 
ing. .\fter further deliberation. Mr. Iceland 
called for an e.\i)ression of oi)inion u])on the guilt 
of the i)risoners by the uplifted right hand. The 
decision was almost unaniiuous against them. 
The vote upon their jiunishment was equally de- 
cisive that they should be hung, then and tlicre ; 
and they were given one hour in which to pre- 
pare for death. The condemned men implored 
their executioners to change the method of death 
from hanging to shooting. This request was 
granted by a unanimous vote. The senior Dris- 
coll had stood in the meantime with the rope 
around his neck, and he asked Mr. Chaney to 
remove it. 

The arrangements for the execution occupied 
about an hour and a half. Jason Mar.sh, of 
Rockford, was ])resent, and pro|)osed to Charles 
Latimer, as an additional formality, to defend the 
])risoners. and |)re.sent their case before the mob 
court. .Mr. Marsh then made the opening pica 
for the prisoners. "And I nuist say." said Mr. 
Chaney. "he did himself credit, and full justice 
to the i)risoners in his sjieech. Latimer followed 
in Ix'half of the peoi)le. and made a very able 
speech." There were several ministers of the 
gospel on the scene, who spent the time allowed 
the prisoners in praying and conversation with 
them. It was an occasion of great solemnity. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



43 



Righteous wrath was expressed in the resohite 
and orderly execution of mob justice. 

When the hour of execution arrived, about 
one hundred and twenty men were drawn up in 
line, in single file. This line was divided in the 
center. John Driscoll was led out by Captain 
Pitcher, in full view of his executioners. He 
was made to kneel ten paces in front of the west 
half of the line. His eyes were blindfolded, and 
his arms pinioned behind him. At the signal 
all the guns, save one, were fired in a single volley. 
John Driscoll fell forward on his face without a 
struggle or groan, or the apparent movement of 
a muscle. 

William Driscoll was then brought out and 
placed at the same distance before the center of 
the other half of the line. He was blindfolded, 
pinioned, and made to kneel upon the ground. 
As Judge Leland counted three, the volley of 
more than fifty guns was as the sound of one. 
William Driscoll was dead. The father and son 
fell about forty feet apart. A grave was dug be- 
tween them, about two and one-half feet deep, 
and four feet wide. The old man was first taken 
and placed in the grave, without coffin or shroud ; 
and then the son was laid by his side. Their 
caps were drawn over their faces, and thus they 
were buried, without the presence of a mourn- 
ing friend. Mr. Chaney assisted in carrying the 
elder Driscoll to the grave, and discovered that 
the bones of his head were literally broken to 
pieces, and the region of the heart perforated 
with bullets. In William Driscoll's vest front 
were found forty bullet-holes. After their execu- 
tion one of their guards stated that \Mlliam Dris- 
coll, in his prayer, confessed he had committed 
five murders and jjrayed to be forgiven. It is 
said that just before he was led out to die, Wil- 
liam called his brother Pierce and said : "They 
are going to kill me, and I want you to take that 
money of mine that is hid and give my children 
a liberal education, and spend it for their sup- 
port until they become men and women grown. 
There is plenty of it." Pierce expressed his wil- 
lingness to do so, but said: "I don't know where 
your money is ; you have never told me." Wil- 
liam tried to tell him, but exclaimed: "O my God! 
I can't do it."' 

A strange sequel occurred many vears later. 
The farm that had been owned by William Dris- 
coll became the property of a man named Byers. 
One day in autumn, while he was threshing, 
three men came on horseback and entered the 
grove west of the house. After surve}'ing the 
premises they located a spot and began digging. 
Byers ordered them to stop, but he was con- 
fronted by a revolver and an order to return 
and mind his own business. After their de- 
parture Byers went to the spot and found a hole 
which they had dug in the ground, and beside it 



a small empty box, and at the bottom of the hole 
the mark and place from which the box had 
been dug. No explanation -was ever found. A 
reward of five hundred dollars was ofifered in 
August, 1841, for the capture of David and 
Taylor Driscoll, by a committee of citizens of 
Ogle county. David Driscoll never returned. 
Taylor Driscoll was indicted for the murder of 
Campbell and kept in different jails nearly two 
}ears ; and by changes of venue and confusion 
of witnesses he was at length given his liberty. 

Throughout these strange proceedings the 
Regulators were sustained by the ablest lawyers 
and best citizens throughout the country. "Doc- 
tors and scholars, ministers and deacons" re- 
garded this terrible example of lynch law as a 
public necessity. 

Some months after the execution of the Dris- 
colls the matter was brought before the attention 
of the grand jurv in Ogle county. Judge Ford 
then resided at Oregon, and it is said this action 
was taken at his suggestion. At the September 
term of the circuit court, indictments were foimd 
against one hundred and twelve citizens. Among 
these were four Chancy brothers, Richard, 
I'hineas, Osborn and Ralph, three of whom be- 
came residents of Rockford : and Horace ]\Iiller, 
Jason Marsh and Charles Latimer, of Winne- 
bago county. The case was called for trial at 
the same term of court. Judge Ford presided, 
and Seth B. Farwell appeared for the people. 
Some of the jurors were under indictment for 
complicity in the affair. Several witnesses were 
called, and pleas made ; and without leaving their 
seats the jurv returned a verdict of "not guilty." 
No one expected a conviction, but it was con- 
sidered desirable to have the matter settled ac- 
cording to the regular form of law. Thus closed 
the trial of the largest number of defendants 
ever indicted under one charge at one session 
of a grand jury known to the judicial history of 
this section. 

ROHBERY OF IICKENNEY AND MULFORD. 

The execution of the Driscolls was only the 
beginning of the work of extermination ; al- 
though it was the sole instance where such des- 
perate measures were considered necessary to ac- 
complish their purpose. Robberies and murders 
continued, and the people lived, for years under 
a literal reign of terror. 

September 19, 1843, the store of William i\Ic- 
Kenney, near the site of 318 East State street, in 
Rockford, was robbed of a trunk containing 
nearly twelve hundred dollars. Bradford Mc- 
Kenney, his brother, who slept in the store at the 
time, gives a vivid account of the robbery in Mr. 
Thurston's reminiscences. 

The narrative, in its use of adjectives and in- 



44 



PAST AXn I'RF.SF.XT OF WTXXFP.ACO roCXTV. 



torjcctions, requires some revision in order to 
make it conform to the canons of good literary 
style. The rol)l)er. in liis hasty flight, left eight 
dollars in silver in the trunk. The next day 
several dollars were found at another place : and 
the ne.xt spring James (iilbert found sixty-two 
dollars only a few roils from where the trunk 
was rifled of its contents. .\ reward of two 
hundred dollars was otTered for tlie apprehension 
of the thief and the recovery of the money: but 
he was an ex]>ert. and eluded capture. 

The community was startled two weeks lati,'r 
by another bold depredatinn. Monday evening. 
( )ctober 2. one of the four-horse coaches belong- 
ing to I'riiik. Walker & Co. was robbed four 
miles from Rockford, while en route to Chicago. 
It is said the baggage of the ])assengers was 
stolen from the rear of the coach while in mo- 
tion, and that the fact was not discovered until 
its arrival in Xewburg. The next morning the 
trunks were found a few rods from tlic road, 
rhey had been broken open and all propertv of 
any value had been taken. .\ |)lan had been laid 
to secure a large amount of money which had 
been rieposited in the land office at Dixon, and 
this was the object which it was intended to ac- 
complish by the robbery of the stage coach at 
this time. It was known that a considerable sum 
of money, which had been received from the sales 
of ])ul)lic lands was on dep«xsit at Dixon and was 
about to be removed. .\ leader of the banditti 
liad asked the receiver when he intended to go 
to Chicago, where the dci^osit was to be made. 
The receiver was a prudent man, and his sus- 
picions were arou.sed. He therefore replied that 
he would leave Dixon one week later than he 
really intended to start : he thus baffled the plot 
of the robbers. The Rockford l'\)rum. in com- 
menting on this affair, said: "What renders these 
transactions still more exciting is that they arc 
performed by those who are ix-rfect scholars in 
the business movements of the town." Xo im- 
mediate clew to this robberv was obtained. 

In Xovember, 1844, William Mulford, resid- 
ing on his farm in Guilford, four and a half miles 
east of Rockff>rd, on the Cherry \'alley road, 
was robbed of five hundred dollars in money. 
It had been fal.sely rei)orted that .Mr. .Mulford 
hail received alKiut fourteen thousand dollars a 
short time before : and this rumor had reached 
the robbers. (X-tober 28th a man who gave the 
name of Haines called on Mr. Mulford and pro- 
fes.sed to be in search of employment. His real 
purjjose was to obtain money by other means 
than honest toil : and he had come to look over 
the premises. ( )n .'Saturday, Xovember <)tb. 
about eight o'clock in the evening, three masked 
men, armed with pistols, knives and clubs, 
forced an entrance into the house. The leader 
ordered Mr. Mulford to sit down. He then took 



the candle from the table, cut it into three pieces, 
lighted them, placed one in each of the two win- 
dows, and with the third he began his search of 
the house. With the most direful threats the 
family were forced to sul)mission. The keys to 
the bureau drawers were ilemanded. They were 
told that they were in the stable behind the 
horses. This was a ruse to give .Mr. .Midford 
an o]i])ortunity to reach his rifle in another i)art 
of the room. When the men went tt) the barn he 
attempted to reach the gun, but another man, 
who had been stationed at the door, held a ])istol 
close to his head and ordered him to desist, '("lie 
robbers could not find the keys in the barn, and 
returned in a rage to the house. They swore 
they would "chain the old devil," and set the 
house on fire, and by that time they would tell 
where the keys were. Mrs. Mulford imagined 
she heard the clanking of chains, and told the 
robbers where the key could be found. They 
unlocked the drawer and found the money in 
an envelojje, just as it had been taken from the 
bank. One of the gang was identified as Haines, 
who had called in search of emiiloyment. It 
was subsequently learned that two men, armed 
with rifles, stood outside, and for their benefit 
the candles were placed at the windows. 

.Xemesis was on the trail of the outlaws, and 
in due time she will summon a cloud of witnesses 
to bring them to justice. In the spring of 1845 
Charles West, of Lee county, was arrested for the 
robbery of a peddler named Miller, and a ])ortion 
of the goods was found in his ])ossession. West 
was committed to jail at Dixon, and during his 
confinement he jiroposed to turn state's evidence, 
and disclose all he knew concerning his con- 
federates. It was an instance where "the devil 
sick, the devil a monk would be." His 
proposition was acce])ted. and West made what 
he professed to be a full confession, and de- 
clared that Charles Oliver and William McDole. 
of Rockford, were members of the band. He 
al,so gave the names of the outlaws who com- 
mitted the robberies at McKenney's store and 
Mulford's farm-house. 

This startling intelligence soon reached Rock- 
ford and created great excitement. L'|)on the 
strength of West's statements Oliver and Mc- 
Dole were immediately arrested and an officer 
was dis])atched to bring West to Rockford to 
give his testimony at their examination. Oliver 
and McDole were given a hearing alxnit the 7th 
of June. West testified that he was at Oliver's 
house about a year before, when the plans of the 
gang were discussed in detail. .McDole and Sut- 
ton were also nresent at the same time. McDole 
and Oliver talked about a jial named Burch in 
connection with the McKenney robbery. McDole 
discovered where the money was kept, and P.urch 
entered at the window and obtained the bootv. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



45 



In the proposed raid upon Mr. ]\Iulford, Oliver 
and AIcDoIe were to ascertain the situation of 
the house and Burch and one or two others were 
to get the money. 

Such, in brief, was the testimony given by 
West. His story was generally believed. Oliver 
and McDole were required to give bail in the 
sum of fifteen hundred dollars each, for their 
appearance at the next term of court : in default 
of which they were committed to prison. A few 
days later Bridge, one of the leaders of the 
banditti residing in Ogle county, was arrested 
and placed in jail at Rockford. A guard was 
necessary for some time for their protection. 

The trial of Oliver began in the circuit court 
August 26, 1845. His indictment was for re- 
ceiving money stolen from William Mulford, in 
November, 1844. Hon. Thomas C. Brown was 
the presiding judge. The jurors were: Giles 
Mabie, Calvin Haskell, J. Heath, Jr., George 
Dixon, Phineas Howes, Ezra C. Tracy, Asa 
Farnsworth, Asa Crosbv, Andrus Corbin, Harvey 
Higby. 

There was an unusual display of legal talent. 
The district attorney was James L. Loop. He 
was assisted bv Thomas D. Robertson, Jason 
JMarsh, James 'SI. ^^'ight, and Miller & Miller. 
Martin P. Sweet, of Freeport, and M. Y. John- 
son, of Galena, were the counsel for the defend- 
ant. Among the witnesses on the stand were : 
William Mulford, Charles H. Spafford. G. A. 
Sanford, D. Howell, E. S. Blackstone, William 
J. Mix, of Oregon, Charles West, of Lee, and 
S. C. Fuller, the jailer. The last named wit- 
ness testified that the prisoners tried to bribe 
him to furnish them with brace and bits so that 
they might effect their escape. Each offered Air. 
Fuller fifty dollars at first, and then increased the 
Sinn to five hundred. During the trial Oliver 
was defiant and confident of acquittal. But since 
his arrest retributive justice had been forging 
another chain of convicting evidence. 

During the summer Jason Alarsh had received 
a letter from the warden of the penitentiary at 
Jackson, Michigan, to the eft'ect that a prisoner 
in his charge knew about the robbery and was 
willing to testify. Mr. Marsh went to Michi- 
gan and foimd the prisoner to be Irving A. 
Stearns, who had fonnerlv resided in this county, 
and who had left the state soon after the rob- 
bery. He had been convicted of some crime in 
Michigan and sent to the penitentiary. Mr. 
Alarsh pretended not to recognize Stearns ; but 
told him that he wanted to know what he had 
to say upon the subject, and that he would know 
if he told the truth. Mr. Marsh found the 
testimony of the prisoner very important, and 
communicated the facts to the governor, who 
gave to Mr. Marsh a conditional pardon for 
Stearns. The prisoner's communications to Mr. 



Marsh, however, were made without any promise 
of consideration whatever. Mr. jMarsh returned 
to Rockford, and at the time for the court to 
convene, he sent for Stearns, and upon his ar- 
rival he was placed in close confinement until 
he was wanted in court. Oliver knew nothing 
of these facts. When the name of "Irving A. 
Stearns" was called as a witness for the people, 
Oliver was startled, and sat crestfallen by the 
side of his counsel. Courage and hope fled to- 
gether. Stearns testified that the secrets of the 
Mulford robbery had been given by Oliver, and 
that Oliver had offered him some of the stolen 
money in exchange for a horse. His evidence 
was straightforward, and a rigid examination 
failed to weaken it at any point. 

The case was given to the jury Saturday after- 
noon. The jury was out an hour and a half, 
when it returned with a verdict of guilty and a 
sentence of eight years' confinement in the peni- 
tentiary. Thus terminated the most exciting 
criminal case ever tried in Winnebago county. 
The case was managed with great abilitv on both 
sides. The argument of James Loop and the ex- 
ploit of Jason Alarsh have become familiar tra- 
ditions of the local bar of the olden time. 

Bridge took a change of venue on all his in- 
dictments to Ogle county. When his case was 
called he plead guilty, and was sentenced to the 
penitentiary for seven years. McDole's trial be- 
gan November 26, 1845, ^"d the case was given 
to the jury December ist. After an all-night's 
session the jury brought in a verdict of guilty, 
with a sentence of seven years in the penitentiary. 
The attornevs for the state were Marsh & 
Wright, :\Iifler & [Miller, and T. D. Robertson. 
McDole was defended bv John A. Holland, Grant 
B. Udell, of Rockford, and Martin P. Sweet, of 
Freeport. The court ordered that one month of 
the term of imprisonment be spent in solitary con- 
finement. 

John Long, Aaron Long, and Granville Young 
were executed at Rock Island in October, 1845, 
for the murder of Colonel Davenport, which oc- 
curred July 4, 1845. This execution practically 
completed the work of extermination which had 
been begun by the Ogle County Regulators on 
Tuesday, June 2q, 1841. 

Burch was indicted for the murder of Colonel 
Davenport. He took a change of venue to an- 
other county, and made his escape from jail. The 
three Aikens brothers died as they had lived, 
although they escaped the penitentiary. Bliss, 
Dewey, and Sawyer, confederates in Lee county, 
were sent to the penitentiary. Bliss died in 
prison. The way of the transgressor is hard. 

The Prairie Bandits, written by Edward Bon- 
ney, is a stirring tale of those early days. Bon- 
ney was a newspaper man, who did some detective 
work. His book was first printed about fifty 



46 



PAST A NO PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



years ago. and there have heen several subse- 
quent editions. 

m:\v k.nclani) L-Nrr.\Ri.\xisM. — kiust church. 

A number of early settlers from New Eng- 
land were I'nitarians of the old school. An 
effort to organize this sentiment was made as 
earlv as 1841. The first meeting for this pur- 
pose was held Fel)ruary ,vl. .\ subscription list 
of this date was found among the papers of the 
late Francis llurnai). It contained pledges 
amounting to one hundred and sixty dollars for 
the sui)])ort of a Unitarian clergyman. At the 
same time a committee was appointed to promote 
their interest. An adjourned meeting was held 
on the 13th, at the West side schoolhouse, and 
an organization completed. 

There is no record of any progress during the 
ne.xt two years, and it may be concluded that 
there was only an occasional preaching service. 
Early in March, 1843. Rev. Joseph Harrington, 
of Chicago, came to Rock ford and preached every 
evening of one week on the distinctive doctrines 
of L'nitarianism. The meetings were well at- 
tended, and a new interest awakened. On the 
following Sundav. March gth. a church was or- 
ganized. The constituent members of the church 
were: Joseph Harringti>n. Sarah F. Dennis, 
Isaac X. Cunningham, Xancy G. Cunningham. 
James Cunningham, Sarah M. Cuiuiinghain. 
Samuel Cunningham, h'milv C. Cunningham, 
lohn Paul, R. P. Paul, W. D. Bradford. Callier- 
ine F. Goodhue. I'^ihraim W'ynian. James M. 
Wight. John K. Kendall. Susan Goodrich. 

In December. 1844. steps were taken to se- 
cure a place of worship. It was jiroposed to pur- 
chase the unfinishef! Universalist church, which 
had been abandoned. Several hundred dollars 
in subscri|)tions. conditional and otherwise, were 
raised, besides a sum for an organ. These sub- 
scription lists are still in existence. But the 
|)roject was not successful. .Another unsuccess- 
ful eflfort was made to build in i84fi. 

December i.v 1845. the I'nitarian society was 
organized at the liome of Ephraim Wyman. The 
trustees chosen were Ephraim Wxman, Thatcher 
l»lake, and Richard Montague. 

I'"or a niuuber of years little was done. The 
church had services whenever a traveling clergy- 
man was available. This condition continued 
imtil 1840. when Rev. H. .Snow volunteered to 
strengthen the waste places in this branch of 
Zion. 

The church hail hitherto held services in tlie 
courthouse : luit now they felt the need of an- 
other place. The frame building which had been 
u.setl by the First Piai)tist church was for sale. 
Tliis old e<lifice may well be called a church 
cradle. It successively rocked the Baptists, 



Episcopalians, Unitarians and Presb\-terians. It 
was an illustration of the coiumon origin of all 
believers who belonged to the true household of 
faith. At this time the I'nitarians owned a lot 
on the ncjrtheast corner of Church and Elm 
streets. They had received two hundred and 
fifty dollars from the American Unitarian As- 
sociation, and with this tliey purchased the old 
Baptist building, which they removed upon their 
lot. For alxiut a year Mr. Snow jireached two 
Sundays in the month, and the other Sundays 
at Pielvidere. ]\lr. Snow invited Rev. A. A. 
Livermore, who was then at Keene,. Xew Hamp- 
shire, to act the generous Christian part by 
presenting a communion service to the church. 
The ladies of Mr. Livermore's church comjilied 
with the request. 

Mr. Snow's health failed in the spring of 1830. 
and he was obliged to resign from his pastorate. 
He was succeeded by Rev. John M. \\'indsor. 

The church enjoyed a fair degree of jirosperity 
for several years. In 1853 it was proposed to 
build a more comfortable place of worship. A 
lot was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and 
Church streets, and generous subscriptions were 
secured. Mr. Windsor was sent east to solicit 
contributions from the Unitarians of Xew York 
and Massachusetts. He went to Xew York early 
in the spring of 1854 to collect the i)romised 
money, and never returned. Mr. Windsor was 
succeeded by Rev. John Murray, whose pastor- 
ate continued until March. 1857. 

The church was dedicated .\pril 18. 1855. 
I'riends came from Chicago. Geneva, and P>elvi- 
dere. Rev. Rush R. ShijiiJen, of Chicago, 
lireachecl the dedicatory sermon. On Sunday. 
Mav Otii. a Sunday-school was organized, with 
twenty-five scholars, with Rev. H. Snow as 
superintendent. 

June 8, 1857, a call to the pastorate was sent 
to Rev. .Augustus H. Conant, of Geneva, Illinois. 
He accepted the call, at a salary of one thousand 
dollars, with certain ])rivileges of vacation for 
missionary work .""Sunday afternoons during a 
|)art of the year. Rev. Conant began his jiastoral 
work July 12, 1857. The congre,gation then num- 
bered about seventy. He inirchased a home of 
Mr. Cosper. on the corner of ( Ireen and West 
streets. 

Mr. Conant enjoyed an extcndeci ])ersonal ac- 
(|uaintancc among distinguished rejiresentativcs 
of the Unitarian faith. an<l other cnntemporaries. 
.\mong these were William I-lllery (."banning, 
'nieodore Parker. James Freeman Clarke. Horace 
Greelev, O. B. Frothingham, Margaret Fuller, 
l-Ved Douglas, and Rolx-rt Collyer. Among Rev. 
Conant's guests at his Rockford home were Ral]>h 
Waldo Emerson. Prof. Youmans, Bayard Taylor, 
Tom Corwin, John Pierpont, and T. Starr King. 
Tames Freeman Clarke, in his .Vutobiograjihy. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF \^TXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



47 



refers to Rev. Conant as a "saint and an apostle." 
The church prospered under Mr. Conant's min- 
istry for a time. He was a man of high ideals 
and noble enthusiasm, and was filled with the 
missionary spirit. But there came a serious de- 
clension in the financial and numerical strength 
of the church. In July, 1861, the reliable income 
of the society had fallen to four hundred dollars 
a year, and six months' salary was due the pastor. 
Some of the former members had removed from 
the city, and others had been overtaken with 
financial reverses. Under these circumstances, 
]Mr. Conant tendered his resignation to take effect 
the first Sunday in July, 1861. 

The Civil war had now begun and Mr. Conant 
enlisted in his country's service immediately after 
his resignation. He went to the front as a chap- 
lain in the Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. 
At Nashville. February 8, 1863, Mr. Conant 
passed from earth to "bathe his weary soul in 
seas of heavenly rest." His death was due to ex- 
posure and over-exertion at the battle of Mur- 
freesboro. His death was universally la- 
mented. He was one of those rare souls whom 
every one loved, and who had never incurred an 
unkind feeling from any one. His remains were 
buried at Geneva, and Rev. Robert Collyer, then 
of Chicago, preached the funeral discourse. Dr. 
Collyer subsequently wrote a biography of Mr. 
Conant, with the title, "A Alan in Earnest." Mrs. 
Conant died March 20, i8q8, in her eightieth 
year. 

After Mr. Conant's resignation, services were 
maintained with some regularity ; but the church 
gradually declined. Fred May Holland began 
pastoral labors January 4. 1863. Differences 
arose. The conservative element became dissatis- 
fied with the pastor on account of his radical or 
"Parkerite"' tendencies. Mr. Holland was suc- 
ceeded by William G. Nowell. who was ordained 
April 14, 1864. Mr. Nowell left the church in 
June, 1865. The last pastor was Rev. D. M. 
Reed, a very scholarly gentleman. Mr. Reed 
wished some recognition of his denomination in 
the name of the church. In accordance with his 
request, the name was changed to the United 
Unitarian and Universalist church. The name, 
however, in legal matters was simply Unitarian. 
The church was subsequently sold, and in 1890 
the proceeds were divided pro rata among the 
original subscribers. Many of the members of 
the church united with the Church of the Chris- 
tian Union, and others became identified with the 
Second Congregational church. 



EARLY ELECTIONS ■ 



■POLITICAL REMINISCENCES. 



I'nder the first constitution of Illinois, the com- 
missioners, sheriff' and coroner were the only con- 
stitutional countv officers. The latter was elected 



every two years. The other county officers were 
created by statute. They were filled by appoint- 
ment made either by the county commissioners' 
court or by the governor. Previous to 1835 a 
recorder for each county was appointed bv the 
governor ; and a surveyor was chosen by the com- 
missioners' court. The statute of 1835 made 
these offices elective on the first Monday in 
August of that year, and every fourth year there- 
after. Previous to 1837 county treasurers and 
clerks of the commissioners" court were ap- 
pointed by said courts. An act approved Febru- 
ar\- 7th of that year made these offices elective on 
the first Monday in the following August, on a 
corresponding day in 1839, and in every fourth 
year thereafter. Up to 1837 a judge of probate 
was appointed for each county by the legislature. 
An act of March 4th made this office elective, 
with the title of probate justice of the peace, on 
the first Monday in August of that year, on a 
corresponding date in 1839, and in every fourth 
year thereafter. Under an act approved Febru- 
arv 27, 184:;, the tenure of office of probate 
justice of the peace, recorder, clerk of the county 
commissioners' court, surveyor and treasurer was 
reduced to two years. This law took eft'ect on the 
first }\Ionday in August, 1847. Under the con- 
stitution of 1848 the term of office of the county 
and circuit clerks was extended to four years. 

August I, 1836, occurred the first general elec- 
tion in Winnebago county. The choice of the 
county officers was given in a preceding para- 
graph. 

L'nder an early statute, presidential elections in 
Illinois were held on the first Monday in Novem- 
ber. At the presidential election in 1836, only 
one hundred and fifty-eight votes were polled. 
This was an increase over the August election 
of thirty-eight votes. The Harrison electors re- 
ceived seventy votes, and the \"an Buren electors, 
eighty-eight : a democratic majority of eighteen. 

In 1837 Harvey W. Bundy was elected re- 
corder, to succeed Daniel H. \M:itney. of Belvi- 
dere, who had become a resident of the new 
countv of Boone. Herman B. Potter was elected 
county commissioner to succeed Simon P. Doty, 
of Belvidere. Charles I. Horsman was elected 
probate justice of the peace, ililton Kilburn had 
served as judge of probate the preceding year, 
under appointment. Nathaniel Loomis was 
chosen clerk of the commissioners' court ; Robert 
J. Cross was elected county treasurer. 

Winnebago count}- forged so rapidly to the 
front that in 1838 it was conceded one of the 
representatives in the general assembly, and 
Germanicus Kent was elected. Hon. James Craig 
was re-elected. Isaac N. Cunningham was 
elected sheriff of the county ; Cyrus C. Jenks, 
coroner : Don Alonzo Spaulding, surveyor : Elijah 
H. Brown, commissioner. In 1839 William E. 



4S 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



Dunl)ar was elected recorder, ami John Emerson, 
surveyor. 

The presidential cani])aiijn of 1840 was one of 
tlie most exciting in .American ])olitical history. 
The hero of Tippecanoe was the idol of his party, 
and no leader ever received a more enthusiastic 
support. Winnehajjo county had now become a 
wliij:^ stronjjhold, and the party waged an ag- 
gressive campaign against tlie locofocos. as the 
democrats were then called, .\pril nth the 
whigs held a convention at Rockford, and nomi- 
nated a full county ticket, .\mong the local 
leaders of this party were Seldcn AT. Church. 
Jacob Miller, H. P.. Potter. G. A. Sanford, Isaac 
N. Cimningham. Democratic principles were 
championed by Jason Marsh. Daniel S. Haight. 
Henry Thurston. P. Kna|)i)en. J. C. Goodhue. 
H. W. Loomis, C. I. Horsman. P.oone county 
had been organized from the eastern portion of 
Winnebago, and the western two ranges had been 
transferred to Ste]i]ien.son. In the .August elec- 
tions the wliigs polled six hundred and thirty- 
seven votes, and the democrats, two hundred and 
eighty-five. The total vote was nine hundred and 
fiftv-two. Thomas Drunimond, of Jo Daviess, 
and Hiram Thornton, of Mercer, both whigs. 
carried the county by good majorities for repre- 
sentative, and were elected. I. N. Cunningham 
was elected sheriff : .Alonzo Piatt, coroner ; and 
Ezra S. Cable, commissioner. 

The presidential election occurred in Novem- 
ber. The whigs cast seven lnin<lred and sixtv- 
eight votes in the county, and the democrats, 
three hundred and twenty-one : total, one thou- 
sand and eighty-nine ; whig majority, four hun- 
dred and forty-seven, .\brahani Lincoln was one 
of the five candidates for the presidential elector 
in Illinois. The facilities for communication were 
so meagre that the official vote of the state was 
not known in Rockford until late in December. 
A messenger from the capital, with the official 
vote of tlie state, passed through Rockford ten 
days in advance of its publication in the Chicago 
papers, and comnnmicated, it is said, the news to 
the prominent men of the democratic party in 
each village for betting purposes. Illinois was 
one of the seven states that elected Van Puren 
electors. This vote may have been intentionally 
kept back by the democratic officials at Sjiring- 
field. Through a technicality in an alleged non- 
compliance with the law. the legality of \Ir. Cun- 
ningham's election to the office of sheriff in 
.\ugust was questioned : and he again appealed to 
the voters at the November election, and received 
an emphatic cndorserTicnt. 

In 1842 Tndge Thomas Ford was elected 
governor by the democrats. That party in Win- 
nebago countv nominated the following ticket : 
Senator for \\'innebago and Ogle counties. Tames 
Mitchell : for representative. John A. Brown. 



editor of the Rockford Pilot: sheriff". John Paul: 
commissioner. .Spencer Post: coroner, Nathaniel 
Poomis. The whigs nominated S|)()oner Ruggles 
for senator : George \V. Lee. representative ; G. 
.\. Sanford, sheriff: Isaac M. Johnson, commis- 
sioner: Harvey (jregory, coroner. Mr. Lee with- 
drew, and Darius .\dams, of Pecatonica. was sub- 
stituted. The official vote of the county for sen- 
ator, representative and sheriff was as follows : 
Ruggles. four hundred and sixty-nine: Mitchell, 
four hundred and ninety : .Adams, five hundred 
and forty : Prown, three himdred and seventy-six ; 
Sanford, five hundred and fifty-nine: Paul, one 
hundred and twelve. Spooner Ruggles, Darius 
.\dams, .Spencer Post. G. A. Sanford and Na- 
thaniel Loomis were elected to the respective 
oftices. 

r.EWIS KE.XT : TIIK (INI.V St..\\l-: IN- Tlir. COU.VTY. 

Only one man ever lived in Winnebago county 
as a slave. His name w-as Lewis Kent, although 
he was more familiarly known as Lewis Lemon. 
In 1829, wdien Germanicus Kent was a citizen of 
.\labama, he purchased of Orrin Lemon a colored 
boy named Lewis. He was born in North Caro- 
lina, and had been taken by his master to Ala- 
bama. He was about seventeen years old at the 
time lie was sold to Mr. Kent for four hundred 
and fifty dollars in cash. When Mr. Kent de- 
cided to remove north, he jiroposed to sell Lewis ; 
but the colored man preferred his old master. 
.Mr. Kent made an agreement with I^ewis when 
they arrived at St. Louis. It was in substance 
that Lewis should pay him for his freedom at 
the expiration of six years and seven months, 
the sum of eight hundred dollars, with ten per 
cent, interest. Lewis obtained his freedom, how- 
ever, in four years and four months. On the 6th 
day of .September. 1839, Mr. Kent executed and 
placed in the hands of Lewis a deed of manu- 
mission. .At a session of the county commission- 
ers' court held in March. 1842, Mr. Kent filed for 
record the instrument which officially proclaimed 
Lewis Kent a free man. The transcript of this 
document, which is on file in the county clerk's 
oflfice. is the only evidence in Rockford of the 
existence of slavery, and that one of its victims 
Uere found freedom and a home. 

.After his manumission Lewis obtained some 
land, and earned his livelihood by the cultivation 
of garden produce. He died in September, 1877. 
His funeral was attended by nienibfr^ nf tin- OM 
Settlers' Society. 

THE POLISH CLAIMS DEL.W L.VXD PATENTS. 

Events of local interest occasionally have their 
historic background in national and even inter- 
national affairs. A notable instance was the cele- 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



49 



brated Polish claims made in 1836 to a portion 
of the territory which now comprises the town- 
ships of Rockford and Rockton. It is one of the 
most interesting chapters in the history of Win- 
nebago county. Local histories have briefly re- 
ferred to the incident, but only one complete 
statement of the affairs has previously been writ- 
ten. 

The checkered career of Poland furnishes the 
historic background. The reader of history will 
recall the Polish rebellion of 1830-31. Previous 
to that time her territory had been partitioned be- 
tween Russia and other powers. The impulse to 
this uprising of 1830 was given by the French, 
and was begun by a number of students, who pro- 
posed to seize the Grand Duke Constantine in the 
vicinity of Warsaw. The city and the troops en- 
listed in the movement, imder the command of 
General Chlopicki. a veteran of the wars of Na- 
poleon. Upon the suppression of this uprising 
in the following year, the leaders were sent into 
exile. They naturally sought refuge in this 
country. 

The forlorn condition of these exiles enlisted 
the sympathy of the American people, and con- 
gress rendered them some assistance. An act was 
approved June 30, 1834, which granted to these 
Polish exiles, two hundred and thirty-five in num- 
ber, who had been transported to this country by 
the order of the emperor of Austria, thirty-six 
.sections of land. These sections were to be se- 
lected by them, under the direction of the secre- 
tary of the treasury, in any three adjacent town- 
ships of the public lands, surveyed or unsurveyed, 
in the state of Illinois or the territory of Michi- 
gan. After this land had been surveyed it became 
the duty of the secretary of the treasury to divide 
the thirty-six sections into equal parts, and to dis- 
tribute them by lot among the exiles. They were 
to reside upon and cultivate these lands for ten 
years, and at the expiration of this time they were 
to obtain their patents upon the payment of the 
minimum price per acre. 

The exiles arrived in America in 1835, and 
their committee, at the head of whom was Coimt 
Chlopicki, arrived in Rockford in the autumn of 
the following year. The count was an elderly 
gentleman, well informed, and apparently an ex- 
cellent judge of land. Upon his arrival in the 
Rock river valley, he selected townships forty- 
four and forty-six, range one east. These are 
Rockford and Rockton. The intervening town- 
ship of Owen was not taken, and thus was 
violated one of the provisions of the grant, which 
stipulated that the land should be selected in three 
adjacent townships. 

Much of this land was already in the posses- 
sion of American citizens when the count arrived 
upon the scene. They had only a squatter's title, 
inasmuch as there was then no pre-emption law 

4 



that would apply in this case, and the govern- 
ment had not placed the land upon the market. 
The settlers had enclosed their farms and made 
such improvements as they were able. More- 
over, the several Indian "floats" in these town- 
ships might have precedence over the claims of 
settlers or exiles. But these facts did not dis- 
turb the plans of the doughty count. He dis- 
regarded the squatter rights of the settlers, and 
made a formal selection of their land, and re- 
ported his choice to the secretary of the treasury. 

While in this section Count Qilopicki had been 
a guest of Germanicus Kent. That gentleman 
explained the situation to his visitor, and the lat- 
ter declared that the settlers should not be dis- 
turbed. He thus set their fears at rest in a 
measure. But these assurances were not entirely 
satisfactory, and after the count's departure a sum 
of money was raised and Mr. Kent was sent to 
Washington to make further inquiry. The 
anxiety of the settlers was increased by the fact, 
as already stated, that they held no titles to the 
land upon which they had settled. Upon Mr. 
Kent's arrival in Washington he found that his 
apprehensions were well founded. The count had 
not kept his word ; he had chosen the very town- 
ships he had promised Mr. Kent he would not 
select. Mr. Kent went directly to the land office 
and made his complaint before the commissioner ; 
but he was told that every settler in the county 
was a trespasser, and that he had no legal right 
to a foot of the land which he had so uncer- 
emoniously taken. It is said facts are stubborn 
things. Mr. Kent and the settlers knew that the 
commissioner was correct, but they did not be- 
come alarmed. Perhaps they thought that in 
union there was strength. The secretary of the 
treasury did not, however, order the subdivision 
of the lands, because their selection by the Polish 
agent was not in compliance with the law, and 
thus the matter rested for some years. 

The selection of these lands by the Polish 
agent, while squatters' possession was held by 
the settlers, complicated the whole question of 
titles. The settlers had certain rights in equity, 
but inasmuch as no pre-emption law was then in 
force that would bear upon the case, the govern- 
ment did not at that time formally recognize their 
claims. In view of this fact, it is not a matter 
of surprise that the Polish count, in his desire to 
select good lands for his exiled countrymen, 
should disregard claims that the government did 
not recognize. Moreover this section of the Rock 
river vailey had been framed in the prodigality of 
nature. Its soil was good, its atmosphere in- 
vigorating, its scenery a perpetual delight. The 
possession of such land always promotes domestic 
happiness and commercial strength. 

The lands in this vicinity belonged at that time 
to the Galena land district, and with the excep- 



50 



PAST AXn TRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



ii..ii ui Kockfonl aiul Ruckton. wi-re opened to 
sale and entry in the autumn of 1839. These 
to\vnshi]>s. whicli inchided the thirty-six sections 
in controversy, were withheld from sale for nearly 
eig'ht years after they had been surveyed. 

Matters continued in this unsettled condition 
until 1843. In tiie meantime the land office had 
been removed to Dixon, through the influence of 
John Dixon, who settled there in 1830, and after 
whom the town was named. In 1840 Mr. Dixon 
went til W'asiiington, and ihroujjb the influence 
of General Scott and other army officers, who 
were his ])ersonal friends, he secured the removal 
of the government land office from Galena to 
Dixon. The settlers in Kockford could not pro- 
cure i)atents of the lands which they had occupied 
for some \ears. The attention of congress was 
repeatedly called to the situation. The settlers 
addressed petitions to that body imtil their griev- 
ance received attention. The Polish agent had 
forfeited his claim in not .selecting his lands in 
three adjacent townships. The exiles had also 
forfeited their rights in not making an actual set- 
tlement on the lands. Congress, therefore, April 
14. 1842. passed another act, authorizing the 
entry and sale of these lands in these two town- 
ships. This relief was due in large measure to 
the efforts of Hon. O. H. Smith, of Indiana : Hon. 
Robert J. Walker, of Mississipjii. and Hon. Rich- 
ard M. Young, of this state, senators in congress. 
When the settlers had been finally delivered 
from their dilemma by a special act of congress, 
thev began to make jireiiarations to perfect their 
titles to their lands. The inhabitants petitioned 
the president for a public sale. Fifteen months 
elapsed before their ])elition was granted, and 
October 30. 1843, the land in these townships 
was offered for sale, and was sold November 
3d. It was the most notable land sale that ever 
occurred in the district. Rockford had been in- 
corporated as a town four years before. Daniel 
S. Haight had platted the East side, north of 
State, as far east as Longwood. and south of 
.State east to Kishwaukee. .\ portion of this had 
been i)latteil as early as 1836: and Mr. Haight 
had sold the lots to the settlers and given them 
quit-claim deeds to the same several years before 
he had obtained his own patent from the govern- 
ment. When the land was finally offered for 
sale at the land office, Mr. Haight was authorized 
to go to Dixon and bid in the entire tract for 
the settlers. A committee, appointed for this 
jiur|iiise, prepared a list of names to whom the 
rleeds shiiuld be given after the sale. This com- 
mittee consisted of Willard Wheeler. David S. 
Penfield, E. H. Potter, of Rockford. and 
Nathaniel Crosby, of Bclviderc. This committee 
was in session several days, passed upon every 
lot in the town on the East side, and decided quite 
a number of disputed claims. Mr. Crosby was 



not present, liut it was understood that a majority 
should have power to act. Thus a number of the 
first settlers of East Rockford purchased their 
land twice. The first purchase of town lots was 
from Mr. Haight ; the second was made through 
Mr. Haight as agent, from the general govern- 
ment. Inasmuch, however, as the land office took 
no notice of the fad that the land had been 
platted, it was sold at the usual price of a dollar 
and a quarter per acre. The second purchase 
was therefore more of a formality than an ad- 
ditional burden. With the land sold in bulk, at 
a dollar and a c|uarter per acre, the second pur- 
chase of a town lot, from the government, w'as 
at a nominal ])rice. merely its relative value to an 
unplatted acre of land. This second purchase, 
however, perfected the title. 

At this point it may be necessary to state that 
Mr. Haight's first sales of land were perfectly 
legitimate transactions. The ])urchasers knew at 
the time that a second purchase would be neces- 
sary to procure a perfect title. There was re- 
centlv found among some old pa])ers of the late 
Francis r>urna|) a list of the town lots in East 
Rockford and the names of the persons to whom 
the deeds should be given after the land sale. The 
document comprises seventeen pages of legal cap, 
and is jierfectly preserved. .\t the same sale at 
Dixon the land on the west side of the river was 
bid in for the settlers by Ephraim W'yman. The 
\\"est side committee was composed of G. .\. San- 
ford. Derastus Harper, and George Haskell. The 
certificates of title were turned over to Mr. Wy- 
man by the committee. When Mr. Wyman went to 
California, about 1850. these certificates were left 
in a trunk, in charge of G. A. San ford. During 
Mr. \\'yman's absence they were totally destroyed 
by rodents : and these facts are set forth with 
grave precision by Mr. Wyman. in a certificate, 
duplicates of which are on file in the abstract 
offices of this city. 

Thus for a period of nine years from Mr. 
Kent's settlement were the early residents of 
Rockford and Rockton unable to obtain titles to 
the lands which lluy had selected and improved, 
bv reason of the illegal intrusion of an exiled 
Polish count. The seijuel is one of those facts 
that is stranger than fiction. Only one of those 
exiles ever subsequently appeared in Rockford or 
WinnelKigo countv. He was emi)loyed for a time 
as a cook, in 1837, by Henry Thurston, the land- 
lord of the old Rockford House. The later history 
of the exiles is unknown. 

Mr. Haight's plat of East Rockford was filed 
for record November 7. 1843, four days after the 
land sale. The east part of the original town of 
Rockford, west of Rock river, included all that 
part of the city lying south of a line drawn 
from the Beattie residence west to the property 
now occupied by the Ziock flats, and east of a 



PAST AXD PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



51 



line drawn from the latter point to the west 
end of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad 
bridge. It was platted by Duncan Ferguson, No- 
vember 9, 1843. ^id filed for' record by Ephraim 
Wyman, November 28, 1843. 

J. W. Leavitt's town plat included all that part 
of West Rockford situated between Wynian"s plat 
on the east, and Kent's creek on the west and 
south. This plat was made August 17, 1844. 
and filed for record October 5. 1844. 

THE FIRST DAJ[. 

The attempt to utilize the water-power was the 
first step in the transition of Rockford from a 
hamlet to a manufacturing city. February 28, 
1843. 'I" '^ct of the legislature was approved, to 
improve the navigation of the rapids in Rock 
river at Rockford, and to incorporate the Rock- 
ford Hydraulic and Manufacturing Company. 
The corporation was given power to construct a 
dam across the river, which should raise the water 
not more than seven feet. The company was 
also required to erect and maintain such locks as 
might be necessary for the passage of steamboats 
drawing three feet of water. At that time the 
navigation of Rock river was an open question, 
and the government might assert its control of 
the river as a navigable stream. A dam would 
obstruct navigation : hence the company was re- 
quired to construct locks for the passage of boats, 
whenever they should become necessary. The law 
specified the rates of toll which the company 
should be entitled to collect for the passage of 
boats through the locks ; and it was given power 
to detain such craft until the toll should be paid. 
Daniel S. Haight, Germanicus Kent. Samuel D. 
Preston, Laomi Peake, Charles I. Horsman, 
George Haskell and J. C. Goodhue were ap- 
pointed commissioners to receive subscriptions to 
the stock. The capital stock was placed at fifty 
thousand dollars, divided into five hundred shares 
of one hundred dollars each. The corporation 
was given power to increase its capital stock to 
an}- sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars. The law expressly provided 
that the state might, at any time after the con- 
struction of the dam and locks, assume the owner- 
ship of the same : the state, however, was to keep 
them in good repair. All the hydraulic power 
was to remain absolutely the property of the com- 
pany. July 22. 1843, books were opened for sub- 
scriptions to the capital stock. By an act of the 
legislature, approved February 11, 1845, the law 
of 1843 was amended. 

In the spring of 1844 the Rockford Hydraulic 
Company was fully organized. The dam was 
located a few rods above the present water-works. 
Directly above, the main channel of the stream 
shifted abruptly from the east to the west shore. 



On the east side, at the site of the dam, the water 
for two-thirds the width of the stream, was about 
three feet deep in summer, with eight or nine feet 
in the channel. This site for the dam was chosen 
because it was generally believed that if the dam 
were located at the head of the rapids, the town 
would be built there. Had the dam been built at 
the ford, on the rock bottom, it would have re- 
quired a larger outlay of cash. This article was 
scarce, while timber, brush, stone and earth were 
abundant. 

Edward S. Hanchett. of Freeport, had charge 
of the construction of the dam when it was com- 
menced. He abandoned the work and was suc- 
ceeded by C. C. Coburn. Eighty acres of the best 
timber land were stripped of material to build the 
(lam and repair the breaks. This brush dam was 
built to a level with the banks. A frame-work 
was then raised on the brush, to which plank was 
spiked. The work of graveling then began. The 
rock and gravel were obtained along the bank of 
the river from sixty to eighty rods above the dam. 
There were head-gates at either end, built high 
above the comb of the dam, with gates which 
opened like the gates of a lock on a canal, wide 
enough for the passage of steamboats. At each 
side of these gates were openings to admit the 
water to the races, which carried it to the mills 
below. As the water raised on the brush, the 
fish, coming down the river, would lodge on the 
dam during the night ; and in the morning the 
people would get sturgeon, pickerel, black bass 
and catfish. The dam was completed in the 
autumn of 1845. I" '*^s issue of September 24th 
the Forum said : "As we hear the roaring sound 
of the falling waters (which can now on a still 
morning be heard for several miles arovmd) daily 
increasing in strength and power, as the sheet of 
water becomes thicker and heavier, as the dam is 
made closer and tighter, we cannot but realize 
more forcibly the immense influence which these 
hydraulic works are to exert upon our town and 
country if the dam remains firm and pennanent." 

The mill-race on the east side extended to Wal- 
nut street, and was twenty feet in width. At 
the end of the race Gregory. Phelps & Daniels 
had a sawmill. At the south side of State street 
was Nettleton's gristmill, the first in Rockford, 
which was started in 1846. Just below James B. 
Howell operated carding and fulling machinery. 
WHieeler & Lyon"s sawmill was at Walnut street. 
The race on the west side was about fifteen rods 
in length. At the head Thomas D. Robertson and 
Charles I. Horsman built a sawmill. Just below, 
Orlando Clark had an iron foundry in a stone 
building. It is significant that three of these six 
plants were sawmills. Pine lumber had not come 
into general use, and the only available material 
for frame dwellings were the trees of the ad- 
jacent forests. 



PAST AXl) I'RKSlvXT ( M^ WIXXKliAGU tOL.XTV. 



April j8. 184^1. tlu' west end of tlie dam went 
out. About two hundred feet, includintj tlie Inilk- 
liead, were swept away, and more tlian an acre 
of ground was washed out. The Mydrauhc Com- 
pany imniecHately decided to repair the dam, and 
the work was completed duriufj the year. 

March 20, 1847, the dam ^'dve away at the 
east entl, and carried away the sawmill of Gre- 
gory. Phel])s & Daniels. About one hundred and 
fifty feet of the dani were washed out at this time. 
This break was re])aired by Mr. Xcttleton. 
rhel|>s and Daniels sold tlieir interest in the 
wrecked sawmill to Lewis H. Gregory and A. C. 
.'^|)alTord, who rebuilt it. The mills then had 
good water-power until June i, 185 1, when the 
entire dam went out. breaking away at the west 
bidkhead. Several changes on the East side then 
followe<l. Mr. Howell renuivecl his carding ma- 
chine to Xew Mil ford, where he remained until 
the next year, when he returned to Rockford. to 
the West side, just below the I'.artlett flouring 
mills. Wheeler & Lyon's mill was removed 
across the race near Joseph Rodd's mill, and 
became a part of his plant. 

In February, 1849, the legislature provided for 
the improvement of the navigation of Rock river, 
and for the ])roduction of hydraulic power, under 
a general law. It ap]iears liy an entry on the 
county records, that under tliis law the company 
filed a certificate of incoqioration .\i)ril 13. 1849, 
before the abandonment of the enterjirise. The 
organization of the present water-power com- 
pany, two years later, will he considered in 
later paragraphs. 

I'OST.MASTF.R.S OF KOCKFOKO. 

The early official records of the postoffice de- 
I)artment at Washington are very meagre. There 
arc no local records, as these arc supposed to be 
kept at Washington. In 1890 Hon. Robert R. 
Hitt addressed a letter to Hon. John Wanamaker, 
who was then postmaster-general, asking for in- 
formation upon this subject. That official re- 
plied that the records were incomplete during the 
early history of the service, and he could only 
give the time of appointment and resignation of 
the first postmaster. The later information has 
been obtained from the files of the Rockford 
newspa|)ers in the jiublic library. This is the only 
source from which the facts given in these para- 
graphs could he secured. The research involved 
considerable time and labor, and it is impossible 
to give the e.xact date upon which the com- 
missions were issued. 

Daniel S. Haight was tlie first postmaster. His 
commission was dated .'\ugust 31, 1837. and he 
served until May, 1R41. 

The first mail arrived about September 15th. 
J'revious to this time the small packages of mail 



had been brought from Oiicago by parties who 
matle trii)s to that city for sujiplies. An order 
for mail ujjon the jjostmaster at that office, to 
which each man attached his name, was left at 
Mr. Haight's house. The first mail was brought 
on horseback, the second by a carrier, and the 
third by open wagon with two horses. .After the 
postoffice had been established, the contract for 
carrying the mail was made with John D. Win- 
ters. .Vhout this time Winters became associated 
with Frink. Walker & Co. Still later Winters 
was on the line west from Rockford, and finally 
Frink, Walker & Co. carried the mail on the 
through line. Previous to January, 1838, the 
mail arrived from Chicago once a week. In 
1831J-40 the mails arrived from the west and east 
each three times a week. The northern and the 
southern mails came once a week : the mail from 
Mineral Point arrived on Saturday, and the mail 
from Coltonville caiuc on Wednesday. 

The first mail, in September, arrived with no 
key, an(^ it was returned unopened. When the 
second mail arrived a key had been providetl, but 
the postmaster was not equal to the combination, 
and he turned it over to Giles C. Hard, who 
solved the pmblem. Its contents, about a hatful, 
were received with a general handshaking. The 
postage was twenty-five cents for each letter, and 
stamps were unknown. Mr. Haight erected a 
small building sixteen by twenty-six feet, one 
and a half story, in the summer of 1837, for a 
jiostoffice, near 107 South Madison street. There 
were about twenty-five boxes. This building was 
used until the following year when Mr. Haight 
erected a more conunodious structure near 312 
East State street with ante-room and boxes. This 
building was used for this purpose during sev- 
eral adiuinstrations. 

Mr. Haight was succeeded by Edward War- 
ren, a brother of Mrs. Cliarles H. SpafTord. Mr. 
Warren served until August, 1841. 

Selden M. Church was the tliird postmaster, 
and served two years, when he was removed. 
The announcement of this change was made in 
three lines by the Rockford Forum. In the en- 
tire history of Rockford there is nothing more 
marked than the evolution of its newspapers from 
the most primitive sort to the present daily of 
luetropolitau proportions. 

In .\ugust, 1843, Charles IT. Spafford was ap- 
])ninted postmaster. There is a tradition that Mr. 
Church was f|uite active in obtaining the office ; 
and, to balance the account, Mr. Warren, who was 
not lacking in influence, used it in securing the 
appointment for his brother-in-law. The late 
Mrs. Spafford recalled interesting reminiscences 
of those davs. She says : "The postoffice busi- 
ness was not large at that time : there were no 
clerks. The mail came at night and re(|uired the 
postmaster to get out at midnight or very early 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



53 



morning- to change tlie mail. \\'liat seems more 
strange, the postoffice money was kept at the 
house in my dressing bureau. Mr. Spafford was 
accustomed to come home late in the evening, 
bringing a bag of money. In those times of burg- 
laries all this occasioned me a good deal of 
anxiety, as I was alone so much of the time when 
Mr. SpaiTord was at the office : especially as 
houses were not securely built in those days. I 
was not sorry when the robber band that had been 
committing the burglaries around were secured 
and taken to Joliet." 

In Jidy, 1845, Charles I. Horsman received the 
appointment. Two years before, in 1843, Mr. 
Horsman erected a small structure at 306 West 
State street. It was occupied by Colonel James 
W. Taylor as a dry goods store, and was the first 
building erected on West State street for busi- 
ness purposes. In the following year he pur- 
chased the stock of Mr. Taylor, and sold dry 
goods himself. In 1845 li*? built a wing. No. 
306^, and moved the postoffice into it from the 
East side. The jealousy between the two sides 
of the river was very acute, and ^Ir. Horsman 
was obliged to move his fixtures across the river 
in the night. This building with others adjoin- 
ing was removed, in 1873, to make room for the 
present brick block, which is still owned by the 
Horsman estate. The postoffice remained at 
306^^ West State street during ^iFr. Horsman's 
term of office. 

Buel G. Wheeler was appointed postmaster in 
May, 1849, and served four years. Mr. Wheeler 
removed the postoffice to the East Side, into the 
building which had been occupied by the first 
postmaster, and stood on the west side of South 
^Madison street. 

In June, 1853, C. I. Horsman received a second 
appointment, and served until i8v- He removed 
the office to the building on West State street, 
from which it had been taken by ]\Ir. Wheeler 
four years previous. The postoffice has remained 
on the West side for the past forty-eight years. 

G. F. Hambright succeeded Mr. Horsman in 
March, 1857, and held the office four years. He 
removed the office into the new Holland House 
block, which had been completed the vear before. 
The office occupied the corner ground floor. 

Melancthon Smith was commissioned by Presi- 
dent Lincoln in 1861. Mr. Smith subsequently 
enlisted in the service of his country, and went to 
the front with the Forty-fifth Illinois regiment. 
June 25, 1863, Colonel Smith was mortally 
wounded at the storming of a fort at \'icksburg 
by General Logan's division. He lingered three 
days in a state of half-consciousness, and died 
Sunday morning, June 28th, in the thirty-sixth 
year of his age. 

After Colonel Smith's death the local 
politicians supported David T. Dixon as the logi- 



cal candidate for his successor in the postoffice. 
.\ ]H'tition, however, was numerously signed by 
the citizens, asking for the appointment of Mrs. 
Smith. Melancthon Starr, who was a cousin of 
Colonel Smith, went to Washington and presented 
the matter to President Lincoln. The president 
endorsed her application, and sent a letter to the 
postmaster-general, of which the following is a 
copy : 

"Executive ^Mansion, Washington, July 24, 
1863. — Hon. Postmaster-General: Yesterday lit- 
tle indorsements of mine went to you in two cases 
of postmastershi]is sought for widows whose hus- 
bands have fallen in the battles of this war. These 
cases occurring on the same day brought me to 
reflect more attentively than I have before done, 
as to what is fairly due from us here in the dis- 
pensing of patronage toward the men who, fight- 
ing our battles, bear the chief burden of saving 
our country. My conclusion is that other claims 
and qualifications being equal, they have the bet- 
ter right, and this is especially applicable to the 
disabled soldier and the deceased soldier's family. 
"Your obedient servant, 

A. Lincoln." 

Mrs. Smith accordingly received the appoint- 
ment, and completed the term. Mrs. Smith be- 
came the wife of General A. L. Chetlain, of Chi- 
cago. She is a sister of Mrs. Julia A. Clemens, 
of Rockford. 

Mrs. Smith was succeeded by the Hon. Anson 
S. Miller, who assumed the duties April I, 1865. 
Judge Miller removed the postoffice from the 
Holland House to the Brown's hall block. He 
retained the office six years. 

In 1 87 1 Charles H. Spafford was appointed 
postmaster and served four years. 

February 20, 1875, President Grant sent to the 
senate the name of Abraham E. Smith, editor of 
the Rockford Gazette, for postmaster at Rock- 
ford. Mr. Smith was confirmed February 24: 
received his commission March 23, and assumed 
the duties of the office April i. In December, 
1875, Mr. Smith removed the postoffice to that 
part of the block on the river bank now occupied 
by the Register-Gazette. 

The choice of a successor to Air. Smith was 
informally determined by a direct popular vote of 
the citizens. ^Mr. Smith was a candidate for re- 
appointment, but he refused to go before the 
people. Saturday, December 21, 1878, a special 
election was held. Israel Sovereign received 214 
votes : Thomas G. Lawler, i ,689 votes : a ma- 
jority for the latter of 1,475. The name of Col- 
onel Lawler was sent to the senate by President 
Hayes, February 19, 1879, He was confirmed 
Febrrarv 22. and began the duties of the office 
Alarch 15. Colonel Lawler was reappointed by 
President Arthur. 

October 5, 1885, considerably more than a 



54 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



year before llie expiration of Colonel Lawler's 
second term. President Cleveland a]i])()inled John 
D. Waterman as postmaster, and he began his 
duties November 2d. Mr. Waterman's term e.x- 
pired during' the administration of President Har- 
rison, and Colonel l-awler was reinstated. When 
(Jrover Cleveland was elected president a second 
time he again appointed .Mr. Waterman. His 
name was sent to the senate Decemlxr 19, 1893. 
and continued January 8, 1894. With the ad- 
vent of William McKinlcy to the presidency. 
Colonel Lawler was again a])pointed and still 
holds the office. His nomination was sent to the 
senate by President McKinky. January 13. 1898. 
Colonel Pawler has the uiii(|ue distinction of re- 
ceiving commissions as ])ostmaster of Rockford 
signed by five presidents of the United States : 
Rutherford li. Hayes, Chester A. Arthur, 
lienjamin Harrison. William McKinley and 
Theodore Roosevelt. Thus for a period of nearly 
twenty-six years the postmastershii) has see- 
-sawed between Thomas G. Lawler and John D. 
Watemian. 

I'Ved Wheat is a veteran in the postal service. 
He first entered the local office in .\pril, 1866. 
There was an interval of fourteen years when he 
was in the railway mail service. He then re- 
turned to the city office, where he has since re- 
mained. Mr. \Vheat has been assistant post- 
master since 1889. 

The government building was authorized by 
act of congress apjiroved February 9. 1891. and 
was appropriated for by act of March 3. 1891. 
It is located on the southwest corner of Alain and 
Green streets. The land was secured by pur- 
chase February 2, 1892, for the sum of $17,500. 
The building was completed and occupied Octo- 
ber I. i8<>3. The cost of construction was $82,- 
169.14. It is constructed of Portage red sand- 
stone and coiuaius a space of 186.000 cubic feet. 

The Rockford postoffice now gives emplov- 
nient to sixty-three men. There are eleven rural 
free delivery routes. Hy the extension of this 
system the postoffices at Elida, Wcmpleton and 
Latham Park have been discontinued. 



oKc.x.Niz.vriox OF riiK umvkksai.ist ciiuRcn. 

The Unitarian church did not at first in- 
clude all the adherents of a liberal Christian faith. 
At a meeting held in the brick schoolhouse, in 
Fast Rockford. .\i)ril 24, 1841. a Universalist 
church was organized by the election of Daniel 
S. Haight, I*>.ra Dorman and Thomas Thatcher 
as trustees. This election was recorded in the 
recorder's office, as provided by law'. It is not 
probable that the official records of this church 
have been preserved. It is known; however, that 
j)rcaching services were held at the courthouse 
on the Fast side, and at the schoolhouse a por- 



tion of the tiiuc during the next ensuing few 
months. 

In 1841 the Universalists were sufficiently 
strong to consider the erection of a house of 
worship. In those days the citizens regarded any 
church, of whatever name, as a factor in pro- 
moting the general welfare of the vill.ige. Hence 
the name of a generous. ])ul)lic-s])iriteil citizen 
would be found among the contributors to the 
support of liberal and orthodox churches alike. 
The original subscription list for the Universalist 
church which is still extant, is an interesting 
document. .Mr. Haight gave a lot which he 
valued at one hundred dollars ; the same amount 
in carpenter's and joiner's work ; "forty-two sleep- 
ers in my wood-lot near Rockford. seventeen feet 
long, at three cents per foot, twenty-one dollars 
and forty-two cents :" and fifty dollars in money. 
.Almost the entire subscri])tions are in work or 
material. William W'orthington subscril^ed ten 
dollars in blacksmith's work ; Charles Latimer, 
twenty dollars, how i)aid is not stated ; A. M. 
Catlin. in produce fir building material, twenty- 
five dollars; J. M. Wight, one thousand feet of 
lumber at Stokes & Jewett's mill, twelve dollars. 

On Thursday, July 22. 1841, the corner-stone 
of the Universalist church was laid on a site near 
the East side public S(|uare. The large assem- 
blage included peoj^le of other denominations. 
Prayer was offered hy Rev. Mr. \'an .Mstine, and 
a discourse was delivered by Rev. Seth Piarnes. 
This structure was never comjileted. .\ stranger, 
in jjassing the unfinished building, intiuired of 
Dr. George Haskell concerning its ])urpose. The 
doctor replied that it was an "insurance policy 
again.st hell-fire." .Xll the original supporters of 
this project are gone : and not even tradition has 
given the cause for its sudden abandonment. 
Thus the Unitarian church became the one liberal 
household of faith. 



FIRST BRIDGE. 

Ten years elajised from the first settlement of 
the village before Rock river was spanned by a 
bridge at Rockfonl. .\ bill had passeil the legis- 
lature, aiijiroved I'ebruary 27, 1843, aiuhorizing 
Daniel S. Haight, S. D. Preston. Charles I. Hors- 
man. and their associates to build a bridge. When 
coiui)leted in a manner so as not to obstruct the 
navigation of the river, and accepted by the 
countv commissioners' court, it was to be a public 
highway, anil kept in repair by the county. Piut 
nothing was done until nearly one year later, when 
the construction of the county buildings on the 
West side emphasized this need to the citizens of 
the East side, where the courts had been held. 
The entire i)eo]iIe felt that a bridge must be 
built, although few had means enough to con- 
duct their own business successfullv. Citizens of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



55 



the West side, including- the country west of the 
village, had built the courthouse and jail without 
a dollar's expense to their neighbors on the east 
side of the river. But the progressive citizens 
were willing to assume another burden. At a 
meeting held in December, 1843, a committee con- 
sisting" of E. H. Potter, D. Howell, Willard 
Wheeler, C. I. Horsman and G. A. Sanford, 
were appointed to solicit subscriptions. A per- 
sistent efifort throughout the county secured 
pledges to warrant the construction of an oak 
lattice bridge. All the money raised at this time 
was by subscriptions. The most liberal con- 
tributors were Frink, Walker & Co., the stage 
proprietors. January 22, 1844. the committee let 
the contract to Derastus Harper. This gentle- 
man was a competent workman. He subsequently 
went to Cliicago. became the city engineer, and 
designed the first pivot bridge across the Chicago 
river. The lumber was cut from trees on gov- 
ernment land on Pecatonica river, rafted down 
the Rock, and sawed at Mr. Kent's mill. The 
covering for the lattice was basswood boards, cut 
from logs in Mr. Blake's grove, and sawed at 
Kent's mill. C. I. Horsman and William G. 
Ferguson drew the logs. By August or Septem- 
ber, Mr. Harper had sufficient material on hand 
to commence laying the bridge. This was done 
nearly in the rear of the Masonic Temple site, on 
the piece of level bottom. The bridge was of 
three strings of lattice-work, made from oak 
planks, fastened with oak pins. There was no 
iron in the structure, except the nails that held 
the half-inch basswood boards which covered the 
lattice when the structure was completed. There 
were stone abutments on either shore. Christmas 
night, 1844, the lattice was in place a distance of 
about seventy feet from the west shore, supported 
by temporary trestles. Ice formed about the 
trestles from the west shore. The water arose 
and lifted the entire structure, including the 
trestles, when it toppled over with a crash. The 
pride and fond anticipations of the village went 
out with it. Such discouragement is seldom de- 
picted on the faces of the entire community. x\ll 
shared in the disappointment : but the energies of 
the citizens were not easily foiled. A united 
efifort was made in a short time, and promises 
were again secured. The abutments, piers and 
one section were left, and some of the material 
was saved which had floated down stream. The 
fallen lattice was taken from the water, and each 
plank numbered with red chalk ; and excepting a 
few that were splintered, thev were again placed 
in proper order. After the ice went out in March, 
1845, the structure was again raised, without ac- 
cident. Cheerfulness and hopefulness assumed full 
sway : and after many discouragements the bridge 
was open for travel. Julv 4, 1843. It was a time 
of great rejoicing. The public-spirited citizens 



of Rockford felt that Independence Day had been 
properly celebrated. When the last plank had 
been laid E. H. Potter mounted a horse and was 
the first man to ride across the bridge. It was 
estimated that two thousand people crossed the 
bridge that day. There were two roadways, 
separated by the centre lattice, which projected 
about five feet above the planking. 

Perhaps no other public improvement in Rock- 
ford ever so tested the courage and financial 
strength of the community. The burden fell 
heavily upon the committee. The contract with 
Mr. Harper was for five thousand and five hun- 
dred dollars. A financial statement, made July 
15, 1845, showed that only two thousand eight 
hundred and forty-seven dollars and ninety cents 
had been collected. The committee had borrowed 
five hundred dollars on their personal credit, for 
which they were paying twelve per cent. There 
was also a balance due Mr. Harper of one thou- 
sand two hundred and ninety-seven dollars. The 
bridge served its day and generation very well, 
but it was subject to many calamities. The dam 
broke three times after the bridge was completed. 
When the west end broke in April, 1846, the 
pressure of the water on the upper side of the 
center and principal pier removed the foundation 
on that side and settled the bridge in the center 
of the up-stream side nearlv to the water, and 
gave it the appearance of being twisted nearly 
one-fourth around. The bridge stood in this 
])osition for some months, when a contract was 
made with William Ward to raise it into position. 
The bridge sustained some injury when the east- 
ern portion of the dam broke in April, 1847. On 
the 25th of February preceding a law of the legis- 
lature had been approved, providing for a special 
tax to be levied upon the taxable property of 
Rockford precinct, for the purpose of repairing 
and maintaining the bridge, and for the payment 
of the debt incurred in its construction. New- 
ton Crawford, Bela Shaw, Ephraim Wyman and 
Daniel ^IcKenney were appointed bridge com- 
missioners by the act, and vested with power to 
declare the amount of tax to be levied, which 
was not to exceed fifty cents on one hundred 
dollars. These commissioners were appointed by 
the act, until their successors should be elected 
annually at the .\ugust election. When the dam 
went out the third time, in June. 1851, the bridge 
withstood the rush of waters, although it was 
wrenched from its position. It reminded one of 
a cow-path or a rail-fence, and had a very in- 
secure look. Though twisted from end to end, 
it kept its place very tenaciously until it was re- 
placed by the covered bridge in the winter of 
1852-53. Its memory should be treated with re- 
spect. It enabled people to attend their own re- 
spective churches, for nearly everybody went in 
those days — Congregationalists on the West side, 



56 



TAST ANT) PRESEXT OF W IXXE1!A< io COL'XTV. 



an<l the .Methodists on the East side. Post office 
and county l)nildin_sjs were accessible to all. It 
proved a linnd of nnion hetween the two sides. 

KIUST KUL'.NDKV .\NI) .\l .\l 1 1 1 .\ K SllOl'. 

The first foundry and niaciiine sho]i was built 
in the autumn ot 1843. or early in the s]>rinjj of 
the followintj year. It stood on the site of Jerc- 
niiali Davis' residence, on Xorth Second street. 
The proprietors were Peter II. and William W'at- 
.son. Tlieir father's family came from Canada 
and settled on a farm in the Enoch neighborhood 
in (iuilford. Peter Watson was at one time as- 
sistant secretary of war durinjj the civil conllict, 
and at a later period was president of the Xcw 
"^'ork and I">ie railroad. The foundry was run- 
nintj in the sjirins; of 1844. The jiroprietors ob- 
tained a contract for larjj^e pumps and jjipes for 
raisintj water from the lead mines at Galena. 
March 11. 1845. William Wat.son sold his interest 
in the business to his brother and eufjag'ed in the 
manufacture of fanniufj mills. Peter H. con- 
tiiuieil the foundrv until .Aujjust, 1843. His suc- 
cessors in the business at this stand were in turn : 
R. E. Reynolds. 0. K. Lyon. John Stevens. H. 
H. .Silsbv Laomi Peake. and James L. Fountain. 
The last named proprietor removed the material 
and patterns to Xew Milford about 1852. The 
last vear Mr. Sil.sby conducted the business, in 
i84i>. it was prosperous. Peojile came a distance 
of forty miles to g;et their work done. Mr. Silsbv 
was often reiiiiired to work niijhts in order to 
ketj) up with his orders. James Worslcy was the 
ex|)ert moulder durinsj all these years, and he was 
master of his trade. He was afterward in the 
employ of Clark & L'tter until his retirement from 
the business bv reason of old age. 

Orlando Clark, who has been erroneouslv 
credited with building the first foundrv. came 
from Dcloit in 1847. and established himself in 
business on the \Vest side race, where he re- 
mained imtil 185 1, when lie went into business 
with .Mr. l'tter on the new water-])ower. Mr. 
Clark built the residence in South Rockford. 
which is now the liome of Mrs. John C. Harver. 

TIIIC MvW F.Nr,r..\ND TYPF.. 

E.nierson observes that an institiUion is the 
lenf,'tliened shallow of one man; as, the Reforiua- 
lion of Luther: Methodism, of Wesley: and that 
all history resolved it.self into the biographv of a 
few stout and earnest jiersons. Thus, he savs. 
■'events prow on the same stem with persons : are 
sul)-|)ersons." The larper iunn])er of the earlv 
sittlers of Rfickford came froiu Xew Enjjlaml. 
Some emigrated from Xew York and other states. 
hut the Xew Enpland element iiredominated. 
These pioneers im|)rcssed their pir-.. m.-ilil v upon 



this connnunily. .•md it has remained until this 
day. The .Xew Enyianders. in their native home, 
were a homo.ijeneous race : even the Chinese were 
scarcely more so. With the exception of a few 
Ihisjuenot families, who came from the old world 
at the close of the seventeenth century, and who. 
from religious symiiathy and other causes, were 
easily jjrafted (ju the primeval vine, they were 
all descendants of I-jiirlish stock. 

Industry, thrift, and a high sense of personal 
honor are prominent traits in the typical son of 
Xew England. Soil and climate determine in 
some measure the character of a people. The 
rocky soil of New England refjuircd the hus- 
bandman to practice the virtue of industry. In a 
s])eech given at a dinner of the Pilgrim .Society 
in Plymouth, in 1855. Wendell Philii])s gave this 
unique characterization of the Puritans: "How 
true it is that the Puritans originated no new 
truth. How true it is. also. Mr. President, that 
it is not truth which agitates the world. I'lato, 
in the groves of the .\cademy. soundetl on and 
on to the utiuost depth of |)hilosophy, but .Vthens 
was quiet. Calling around him the choicest 
minds of Cirecce. he pointed out the worthlessncss 
of their altars and the sham of ])ul)lic life, but 
Athens was quiet. — it was all speculation. When 
Socrates walked the streets of .\thens. and. cpies- 
tioning everyday life, struck the altar till the 
faith of the passer-by faltered, it came close to 
action, and immediately they gave him hemlock, 
for the city was turned upside down. I might 
find a better illustration in the streets of 
Jerusalem. What the Puritans gave the world 
was not thought, but action. luiro])e had ideas, 
but she was letting T dare not wait upon I 
would, like the cat in the adage. The Puritans, 
with native ])luck. launched out into the deep sea. 
Men. who called themselves thinkers, had been 
creeping along the Mediterranean, from headland 
to headland, in their timidity: the Pilgrims 
launched boldly out into the .Atlantic and trusted 
(iod. That is the claim they have upon pos- 
terity. It was action that made them what they 
were." 

That which is pinxhascd at the greatest cost 
is usually the most highly treasured : and thus 
the inelustrious farmer and artisan became frugal. 
It was a point of honor with a true Xew Eng- 
lander to maintain his family and pay his debts. 
This he could not do except by a persevering in- 
dustry, and a metliodical and prudent manage- 
ment of his affairs. He must be economical if he 
would be generous, or even just, for extrava- 
gance sooner or later weakens the sense of moral 
obligation. These traits of industry and thrift 
were pleasantly satirized many years ago bv a 
southern writer in the following paragrajih : "We 
of the south are luistaken in the character of 
these peo])le. when we think of them only as 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



peddlers in horn flints and bark nutmegs. Their 
energy and enterprise are directed to all objects, 
great and small, within their reach. At the fall 
of a scanty rivulet, they set up their little manu- 
factory of wooden buttons or combs : they plant 
a barren hillside with broomcorn, and make it into 
brooms at the bottom, and on its top they erect 
a windmill. Thus, at a single spot, you may set 
the air, the earth and the water all working for 
them. But, at the same time, the ocean is 
whitened to its extremities with the sails of their 
ship, and the land is covered with their works 
of art and usefulness." 

The early New Englanders have been charged 
with coldness and severity of manner. For an 
austere people, however, they have been easily 
enkindled with noble enthusiasms. There are 
certain traits prominent in their type of character, 
such as their love of order and the habit of self- 
control, which hasty observers have mistaken for 
tokens of a want of earnestness. PiUt seldom, if 
ever, has there been a more sublime rage than 
was shown near Boston, in April, 1775, and for 
eight years thereafter. The accusation most fre- 
quently repeated against those stalwart people is 
that of religious intolerance. Christian charity, 
however, has been a slow and painful evolution 
through the centuries ; and the New Englander 
was but a sharer in the world-wide spirit of in- 
tolerance. Perhaps they held their spinal columns 
too rigidly erect, and carried their heads too high 
to view with tender sympathy the weak and sinful 
world about them. Nevertheless, they bore aloft 
the standard of righteousness before a lawless 
generation, and planted in the new world the 
seeds of patient, practical and self-denying mor- 
ality. Their posterity have sold their birthright 
for the pottage of license and disregard of the 
moral law. Whatever of justice there may be in 
the strictures upon those ancient worthies, it 
may be observed that no Channing, nor Sumner, 
nor Garfield has ever been nttrtured in the atmos- 
phere of a Sunday beer-garden. 

When Judah was in exile in Babylon, her 
prophet, Ezekiel, had a vision of a brighter day. 
".Afterward he brought me again unto the door 
of the house : and behold, waters issues out from 
under the threshold of the house eastward : for 
the forefront of the house stood toward the east, 
and the waters came down from under, from the 
right side of the house, at the south side of the 
altar." This river was primarily a symbol of 
the transformation that should be wrought in 
Canaan to make it a fit dwelling-place for the 
ransomed of the Lord who should return to Zion. 
A feature of Messianic prophecy is the promise 
of the renewal of nature and the reconstruction 
of society. In the prophet's vision the stream of 
blessing proceeded from the temple of Jehovah ; 
and the virtue of its waters was received as thev 



flowed b}' the altar of sacrifice. In the mind of 
the devout Hebrew, Jehovah was always to be 
found in his visible sanctuary. The Lord was 
in his holy temple. So the institutions of an en- 
lightened civilization have proceeded from the 
Christian church, through the sacrifice of the 
noble men and women of the past, who have 
served her with a lover's devotion. The early 
colleges of this land, with very few exceptions, 
were the offspring of the church, and consecrated 
by its prayers. 

It could not be said that every settler of Rock- 
ford belonged to the highest class ; but the de- 
termining force in the community came from 
those high ideals of culture and religion, and 
those habits of economy, industry, integrity and 
temperance which have made the true Englander 
a representative of the best elements of our 
civilization. It was ordained in the beginning 
that seed should bring forth fruit after its kind. 
It is none the less true in social and moral life. 
The moral status of a city or country as truly indi- 
cates the character of its pioneers as the rich, 
ripe fruit of the vineyard tells the secret of its 
seed and culture. 

Hon. R. R. Hitt, in an address delivered in 
August, 1899, before the old settlers of Seward 
in this county, said the statement that the early 
settlers builded wiser than they knew, was a 
reflection upon their intelligence. He insisted that 
the ]5ioneers knew what they were doing, and had 
some conception of the outcome. Certain it is 
that whatever Winnebago county is to-day is 
directly traceable to their agency. They have 
been the architects of her institutions. They laid 
broad and deep the foundation of her industrial, 
educational, moral and religious interests, and 
from time to time they have superintended the 
superstructure.. The large majority of this van- 
guard have ceased from their labors, and their 
works do follow them. As the few who remain 
behold the institutions of learning that have been 
reared in every town, and the resources provided 
for the humblest as well as for the strongest : as 
the>- look over the prairies reclaiined from bar- 
renness and barbarism through their toil and 
privations : as they consider the various religious 
influences that are quietlv softening and humaniz- 
ing the moral nature, they have the satisfaction 
of knowing that they have not lived in vain. 

There is a tendency in this age to remove the 
ancient landmarks which the fathers have set. 
The Sabbath has lost much of its former sanctity. 
Parental authority has become a lost art, or a lost 
virtue : and there has been a widespread insub- 
ordination to constituted authority ; and the mad 
chase for wealth has established false standards 
of worth, and weakened the moral fibre of the 
people. These are not the reflections of a pes- 
simist, but the conclusions of the casual observer. 



5S 



PAST AXD PRESFA'T OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



If this rciniblic is to endure there imist be a 
speedy return to the homely virtues and the high 
ideals of the fathers. "For wheresoever the car- 
cass is there will the eagles be gathered together." 
In the ( )Id Testament the eagle, i>r the liird of 
prey, represents a foreign army sunimoiied by 
Jehovah to execute his chastisement u])on a cor- 
rni)t nation. The interpretation is this : Wher- 
ever there is corruption there will be inflicted the 
judgments of Him who rules in righteousness. 

KIVICK .\M> IIARHOR CO.W ENTIOX. 

Prior til 1846 Chicago was a port of delivery 
only and belonged to the district of Detroit. The 
former city was made a port of entry by act of 
congress in 1846. Some improvements had been 
made in the harbor previous to 1839, when the 
work" was discontinued for want of funds. A bar 
had formed, which extended across the entrance 
of the chamiel. so that vessels could enter only in 
fair weather, and even then with considerable 
difficulty. It was only in response to the un- 
remitting efforts of the citizens, by memorials 
and personal influence, during the years 1839-41, 
that congress, in 1843. appropriated twenty-five 
thousand dollars to continue the improvements. 
The next year thirty thousand additional were 
a|>|)ropriated for the same purpose. Up to this 
time two hundred and forty-seven thousand dol- 
lars had been ex|)ended : yet the harbor was still 
incomplete, if not positively dangerous. John 
Wentworth, Chicago's able representative in con- 
gress, had secured the incorporation of another 
appropriatir)n in tlie river and harbor l)ill of 1846 
by a decisive majority : but Presiilent Polk in- 
teq)osed his veto. 

The president and the minority in congress 
were thus comniitte<l against the |)olicy of river 
and harbor iTuijrovement. This course pro- 
voked general criticism, and especially in the 
west : and resulted in the call for the famous river 
and harbor convention, which met in July, 1847 
It was f>ne of the most notable events of the 
()eriod. Preliminary conferences had been held 
in Chicago. Detroit, Buffalo, and New York, and 
such encouragement had been received that a 
meeting was held in Chicago, November 13, 184^1. 
to complete the arrangements for the convention. 
William Moscly Hall, who took the initiative in 
calling the convention, was, from 1845 to 1848, 
agent at St. Louis of the Lake Steamship Associ- 
ation, connecting by Frink, Walker & Company's 
stage lines, and later by Illinois and Michigan 
canal packets, with Illinois river steamers to St. 
Louis. 

The convention assembled in Chicago July 5. 
1847. Delegates were present from eighteen out 
of the twenty-nine states of the union. New 
^'ork sent over three hundred: and still larger 



numbers came from Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, 
Indiana and Illinois. The total attendance was 
estimated to be from six to ten thousand. Many 
of the leading men of the nation were present. 
Among them were Thomas Corwin. \\'illiam 
I '.ebb. Stanly Mathews, Schuyler Colfax, David 
Diidly Field, Thurlow \\'ccd. and Horace Greely. 
Thirty-five counties in Illinois sent delegates. 
Abraham Lincoln was one of the number. Mr. 
Lincoln was the only whig representative in con- 
gress from the state. He at this time made his 
first visit to its commercial metropolis. Giicago 
was then a city of fifteen thousand pi)])ulation. 

The resolutions adopted enthusiastically as- 
serted that it was the right and duty of the 
general government to facilitate commerce by 
improving harbors, and clearing out navigable 
rivers ; and that theretofore ajipropriations made 
for the improvement of inter-oceanic rivers and 
lakes had not Ijcen in fair proportion to those made 
for the benefit of the Atlantic coast. A resolution 
in favor of a railroad from the states to the 
Pacific, introduced by William Moseley Hall, was 
adopted. The closing speech was delivered by 
the president. Edward Bates, which tradition has 
pronounced "'a masterpiece of American oratory 
theretofore unexcelled." No report of this great 
oration has been preserved. 

Winnebago county was re])resented at this con- 
vention by thirty delegates, as follows: Daniel S. 
Maight, .\nson S. Miller. S. G. Armor. Thomas 
D. Robertson. William Hulin. Spencer Post, 
Charles H. Sjjafford. O. Jcwett. J. A. Wilson, 
Jason Marsh. Newton Crawford. Cyrus 1". Mil- 
ler, Goodyear .A. Sanford. W'. A. Dickerman. R. 
R. Comstock, Jesse Bliiui, J. B. Peterson. Austin 
Colton. Shepherd Leach. C. A. Huntington. J. M. 
Wight. L B. Johnson. Samuel Cunningham, 
Horace Miller, F. M. Miller, W. P. Dennis. H. 
Barross. D. Corey. M. H. Regan. Dr. Carpenter. 

The most complete report of this historic con- 
vention is published in Fergus' Historical Series, 
number eighteen, which devotes about two hun- 
dred pages to the subject. Several numbers of 
this work, which have now become rare and valu- 
able, may be foimd in the Rockford public library. 

idNSTITlTloNAr, CONVENTION OF 1848. 

In pursuance of an act of the general assembly, 
ajiproved I-'ebruary 20, 1847, a constitutional con- 
vention assembled at .Springfield. June 7th of the 
same year. The delegates from \\'innebago 
county were Seldon M. Church and Robert J. 
Cross. The delegates from the neighI)oring 
county of Boone were Dr. Daniel H. Whitney 
and Stephen A'. Hurlbut, both of whom were well 
known in Rockford at an early date. The jour- 
nal of ])roceedings indicale that all of these gen- 
tlemen took part in the iliscussions. Upon the 



PAST AN'D PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



59 



organization of the convention Mr. Church was 
appointed a member of the standing committee 
on the organization of departments and offices 
connected with the executive department ; ^Ir. 
Cross, a member of the committee on the bill of 
rights ; ]\Ir. Hurlbut, on the judiciary depart- 
ment, and Dr. Whitney' on incorporations. 

Early in the session Mr. Church introduced the 
following resolution: "Resolved, That the com- 
mittee on the bill of rights be requested to in- 
quire into the expediency of so amending the 
sixth article of the present constitution that it 
shall provide that there shall be neither slavery 
nor involuntary servitude in this state, otherwise 
than for the punishment of crimes, whereof the 
parties shall have been duly convicted. Nor shall 
any person be deprived of liberty on account of 
color." June 26th Mr. Cross introduced the fol- 
lowing resolution : "Resolved, That the com- 
mittee on elections and the right of suffrage be 
instructed to inquire into the expediency of 
changing the time of holding the elections from 
the first Monday in August to the Tuesday next 
after the first Monday in November, and the 
manner of voting from vive voce to the ballot." 
]\Ir. Cross also led in an effort to secure in the 
new constitution a provision for a state superin- 
tendent of schools, with a liberal salary. 

The convention continued in session luitil 
August 31st, when the new constitution was 
adopted. It was ratified by the people March 6, 
1848, and in force from April ist following. The 
adoption of this new constitution was a notable 
event in the transition from a primitive, pioneer 
state to a great commonwealth. Many changes 
were made. A section, introduced by Air. Hurl- 
but, of Boone, provided for township organiza- 
tion in the counties wherever desired. The time 
of holding the general election was changed from 
August to November ; the method of voting from 
vive voce to the ballot : the judiciary was made 
elective ; and many improvements were made 
along other lines. This constitution remained in 
force until 1870. A new constitution was adopted 
in convention in 1862. but it was rejected by the 
people. The delegate from Winnebago county 
to this convention was Porter Sheldon, a brother 
of C. \\'. Sheldon, of Rockford. 

THE GALENA AND CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD. 

January 16. 1836. a charter was granted to 
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company 
to construct a railroad with a single or double 
track from Galena to Chicago. The capital stock 
was to be one hundred thousand dollars, with the 
privilege of increase to a sum not exceeding one 
million dollars. William Bennett, Thomas Drum- 
mond, J. C. Goodhue. Peter Semple, J. M. 
Turner, E. D. Tavlor and T- B. Thomas, Jr., were 



made commissioners for receiving subscriptions 
to the capital stock. At that time Galena was the 
leading village of this western country. This 
fact explains the precedence given to that name 
in the title of the road. The company was given 
three years in which to commence operations. 
Either animal or steam power might be used. The 
charter was obtained mainly through the influence 
of Ebenezer Peck and T. W. Smith. The Galena 
& Chicago Union was the first railroad chartered 
to be built from Chicago, upon which work was 
immediately begun. The road became an im- 
portant factor in the great transportation system 
of Chicago, as well as towns along the line. 

Thirteen months after the charter was granted, 
the survey of the proposed route was begun by 
an engineer, James Seymour, and was extended 
from the foot of North Dearborn street as far as 
the Des Plaines river. Work was suspended in 
June, 1838, but resumed the following year, and 
piles were driven along the line of Madison 
street, and stringers placed upon them. It soon 
became evident, however, that Chicago's financial 
strength was not equal to her ambition, and the 
enterprise was temporarily abandoned. The sus- 
pension of operations was a source of profound 
regret to the citizens of the Rock River valley, 
who had made several attempts to obtain better 
connection with Chicago, first by means of the 
contemplated road, and later by canal. These 
schemes did not prove feasible, and other plans 
were substituted. 

The agitation was continued in Winnebago 
county for several years. The first railroad meet- 
ing in Rockford was held November 28, 1845. 
Anson S. Miller was chosen chairman and Seldon 
M. Church, secretary. The meeting was ad- 
dressed bv Hon. iNIartin P. Sweet. It was re- 
solved that those counties interested in the con- 
struction of a railroad from Galena to Chicago be 
recommended to send delegates to a convention 
to be held in Rockford. January 7, 1846, for the 
purpose of taking measures for the construction 
of the road at the earliest possible time. Jason 
Marsh, T. D. Robertson, and William Hulin were 
appointed a corresponding committee to carry out 
the object of the meeting. The following dele- 
gates were appointed to attend the convention 
from Winnebago county : Horace Miller, A; C. 
Gleason, Robert Barrett, Harvey Gregory, Robert 
J. Cross, Asa Farnsworth, Stephen Mack, 
Thomas B. Talcott, Leman Pettibone. Guy 
Hulett, Snvder J. Fletcher, Alonzo Hall, Daniel 
B. Baker,' E. S. Cable. Harvey Woodruflf. 
Joseph Manchester, George Haskell, Willard 
Wheeler, E. H. Potter, Newton Crawford, J, C. 
Goodhue, S. M. Church, Anson ^Miller, Jason 
^larsh, and T. D. Robertson. 

December 5, 1845, a meeting was held in Chi- 
cago to select delegates to the Rockford conven- 



6o 



PAST ANT) l'ki:SI-:\T OI" W l.Wl-.r.ACO COUXTV. 



tion. Mayor A. Garrett presided, aiul Isaac X. 
Arnokl was secretary. Tlie meetinj:; was ad- 
dressed by J. Y. Scamnion, of Cliicago, and Wil- 
liam lialdwin. of I'.oston. The followiiijj delc- 
fjates were chosen to attend the convent ion at 
Ki)ckfi)rd: Isaac .\. .\rnold, J. V. ."^caninion. J. 
1>. I'". Rnssell. Mark Skinner. Thomas D\er. K. 
\V. Tracy. John Danlin. Stei)lien 1-". dale. Wil- 
liam H. Ilrown. Walter L. Xewberry. William E. 
Jones, iJryan W. Raymond, 1". C. Sherman, Wil- 
liam Jones, Mayor A. Clarrctt. Meetings were 
held at ISelvidere. December 20th, and at Free- 
port. December 25th, for the selection of dele- 
jrates to the convention. 

The convention was held .ii Rockford Jann- 
ary 7, 1S46. Delejjates were present from the 
counties i)roposed to be traversed by the line. 
Cook comity sent si.xteen delejfates ; De Kalb, 
one ; McHenry. fifteen ; Rock, three ; Ogfle, eighty ; 
Hoone. forty-two; I.ee, one; Kane, fifteen; 
Stephenson, forty ; Winnebago, one hundred ; 
Jo Daviess, six; a total of three hundred and 
nineteen delegates. It will be observed that Win- 
nebago, and i)robably other comities, sent a larger 
delegation than had been authorized by the pre- 
liminary meeting. The convention was called to 
order at twelve o'clock by T. D. Robertson, who 
nominated T. X. .\rnold for teiiii)orary chairman. 
Mr. Robertson was chosen secretary. i)ro teiii. 
The committee a|)pointed to nominate perniaiieiit 
ofJicers jireseiited the following rejiort : Thonias 
Drummond. of Jo Daviess, jiresident ; William II. 
Hrown, of Cook; Joel Walker, of lioone; 
Spooner Ruggles, of Ogle; Elijah Wilcox, of 
Kane, vice-presidents ; T. D. Robertson, of Win- 
nebago ; J. ii. Russell, of Cook; S. P. Hyde, of 
Mcllenry, secretaries. 

The president, on taking the chair, addressed 
the meeting <m the great im])ortance of the out- 
come to northern Illinois and the northwest, and 
expressed the hope that all their transactions 
might be characterized by an intelligent view of 
the situation. J. Y. Scamnion. of Cook, oflfercd 
a resolution that a committee of one from each 
countv be ajipointed to re|)ort resolutions which 
would express the views of the convention. The 
chair appointed the following committee: J. Y. 
Scanimon. of Cook; (icorge T. Kasson, of Mc- 
Henry ; Charles S. Hempstead, of Jo Daviess ; 
M. G. Dana, of Ogle; James S. Waterman, of 
DeKalb ; William H. Ciilman. of Pioonc ; [ohn A. 
Clark, of .Stephenson; .\. 1!. Wells, of Kane; S. 
M. Church, of Winnebago; E. (i. Fisher, of Wis- 
consin Territory. Walter E. .Xewberry. of Chi- 
cago, otYered the fallowing: "Resolved, If a satis- 
factory arrangement can be made with the |)resent 
holders .if the stock of the ( ialena & Chicago 
I'nion Railroad Company, that the members of 
this convention will use all honorable measures to 
obtain .subscriptions to the stock of said com- 
()any." 



.\n animated debate followed, and after a full 
discussion of the powers of the charter and pos- 
sible benefits, the resolution was adopted by an 
overwhelming vote. 

The following resolutions, presented by J. 
^'olmg Scamnion. in behalf of the coniiiiittce ap- 
pointed for that purpose, were adojited without 
a dissenting vote : 

"Resolved, That the wants of the farmers and 
the business men of northern Illinois require the 
immediate construction of a railroad from Gii- 
cago to (ialena. That the value of farms ni)oii 
the route wonUl he doubled by the construction 
of the road, and the convenience of the in- 
habitants immeasural)ly i)rofited thereby. 

"Resolved, That in order to accomplish the ob- 
ject of this convention, it is indispensably neces- 
sary that the inhabitants and owners of property 
between (ialena and Chicago should come for- 
ward and subscribe to the stock of the proposed 
railroad to the extent of their ability; and that 
if each farmer ni»on the route shall take at least 
one share of the stock ( (Jiie hundred dollars) the 
coiiii)letioii of the road would be placed beyond 
contingency." 

This action enkindled enthusiasm along the 
entire line, but before the necessary subscriptions 
had been secured. Messrs. Townsend and Mather, 
who owned the original charter, otTered the same, 
together with the land and such improvements as 
had alread\- been made, to the citizens of Chicago, 
for the sum of twenty thousand dollars. The 
terms contem])lated the payment of the entire sum 
in stock of the new company ; ten thousand dol- 
lars immcdiatelv after the election and organiza- 
tion of the board of directors, and the remaining 
ten thousand dollars on the completion of the road 
to Rock river, or as soon as dividends of six per 
cent, had been earned. This proposition was ac- 
cepted. The i)urcliasers subscribed from their 
own means for the expense of the survey on De- 
cember 6, 1846, and the following year the work 
was begun, under the su]iervision of Richard P. 
Morgan. 

It was decided to open subscription books at 
Chicago and at (Ialena. as well as the several set- 
tlements through which the road was to pass. 
The task of canvassing among the farmers be- 
tween the jiroposed termini was undertaken by 
William P.. Ogden. J. Young Scamnion solicited 
funds in Chicago, but the subscriptions came in 
slowly. ( )nly twenty thousand dollars were ob- 
tained at the t)utset from all the real estate men 
and others who might have been supi)osed to 
have been especially interested. Certain business 
men in Chicago opposed the construction of the 
road on the ground that it might divert business 
from Chicago to other jioints along the line. Mr. 
( )g(len met with better success in the rural dis- 
tricts. Even the women were willing to undergo 
many i)rivations of a per.sonal character, that they 



PAST AXD TRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



6i 



mig-ht assist in the construction of an iron high- 
way, which they behaved would prove of great 
benefit to the succeeding generations. The citi- 
zens of Rockford and farmers in the adjoining 
districts made hberal subscriptions to stock. John 
A. Holland and'T. D. Robertson were the most 
active local promoters of the enterprise. 

The original ])lan was to secure as large a local 
subscription to the capital stock as possible, and 
then apply to eastern capitalists for such advances, 
either in the form of subscriptions to capital stock 
or loans, as might be found necessary. The in- 
terest in the enterprise, however, was such that 
by April i. 1848, one hundred and twenty-six 
subscribers had taken three hundred and fifty-one 
thousand and eight hundred dollars' worth of 
stock. It was therefore concluded that the road 
should be constructed and owned by residents of 
the territory through which it was to pass. It was 
determined, however, to interview friends of the 
project in the east, to obtain such suggestions as 
their experience in railroad matters might enable 
them to give. Eastern capitalists advised the con- 
struction of the road as far as the subscription 
might be available ; and later, if money were 
needed, it might be obtained in the east. There 
was another factor in the problem. Illinois was 
burdened with an enormous debt, and repudiation 
had been imminent. Eastern capitalists were 
therefore not prompt in response to calls for loans 
to be expended in internal improvements. 

In September. 1847, a corps of engineers was 
engaged for surveys and work was begun. Un- 
expected obstacles were encountered, and it was 
impossible for the directors to make the first con- 
tract for construction until near the close of the 
year. Contracts for the grading and bridging of 
twenty-five additional miles were made in March, 
1848. Meanwhile, in February, 1847, an amended 
charter had been secured, under the terms of 
which a new board of directors was elected April 
5th of the following year. Changes were sub- 
sequently made as follows : Thomas D. Robertson, 
of Rockford. was elected director, vice Allen 
Robbins, resigned, April 5, 1849; Dexter A. 
Knowlton, of Freeport, vice J- Y, Scammon. re- 
signed, in 1850. 

The canvass for subscriptions made along the 
line by Mr. Ogden was subsequently supple- 
mented by Charles Walker, Isaac N. Arnold, 
John Locke Scripps and John B. Turner. In 
1848 B. ^^'. Raymond and John B. Turner visited 
the seaboard to enlist eastern support in the 
project. The journey was not as successful as 
they had hoped ; yet they reported to Chicago 
subscriptions for fifteen thousand dollars' worth 
of stock and the promise of a loan of seven thou- 
sand dollars additional. The financial success of 
the enterprise seemed to be so far assured by this 
time that the management purchased a limited 
amount of rolling-stock. 



Mr. Ogden, the president of the company, and 
also a member of the city council of Chicago, en- 
deavored in the latter capacity to secure the pas- 
sage of an ordinance giving the company the right 
of way into the city, with other incidental privi- 
leges. The ordinance failed to pass, but the road 
was granted the privilege of constructing a tem- 
]iorary track, in order to facilitate the hauling of 
necessary material through the city. The first 
civil engineer of the reorganized company was 
John \^an Xortwick, and in June, 1848, his as- 
sistant, George W. Waite, drove the first grading 
peg, at the corner of Kinsie and Halstead 
streets. 

In September, 1848, the directors purchased 
two engines from eastern companies. The first, 
the Pioneer, arrived in Chicago, October loth 
following. They were clumsy in appearance and 
workmanship : but they rendered efficient service. 
The Pioneer was unloaded from the brig Buf- 
falo, on the Sunday following its arrival in Chi- 
cago. It proved to be a memorable purchase. At 
first it ran simply as a motor for hauling ma- 
terial for construction: but December 15, 1848, 
it started from Chicago at the head of the first 
train which left the city over the four miles of 
track. In the rear of the Pioneer were six 
freight cars, extemporized into passenger coaches. 
The engineer in charge was John Ebbert. As 
the road developed Mr. Ebbert was promoted 
until he became master mechanic of the road. His 
death occurred in Chicago, August 21, 1899, at 
the age of eighty-five years. The first engineer, 
however, who ran the Pioneer as far west as 
Rockford was I. D. Johnson. In 1854 Mr. John- 
son was married to ]\Iiss Delia, a daughter of 
Samuel Gregory. To them were born six chil- 
dren, three of whom survived the father. Mr. 
Johnson died at his home in Chicago. February 
24, 1899, and was buried in Rockford. He was 
a man of straightforward character, and as an 
engineer he was careful and courageous. The 
Pioneer was on exhibition at the world's Colum- 
bian exposition in 1893. under the charge of its 
former master Engineer Ebbert, and attracted 
great attention as an example of primitive ideas 
in locomotive construction. It is now on exhibit 
at the Field Columbian Museimi. 

The line was extended to Elgin, forty miles 
west, in January, 1850. Nearly one hundred and 
sixty-five thousand dollars had been expended 
for construction up to that time. The rolling- 
stock was then an object of admiration; but it 
is now only of interest as a relic of the day of 
small things. The track was laid as far west as 
Belvidere in the spring of 1852. On IMonday, 
August 2, 1852, a train on the Galena & Chicago 
Union railroad arrived in East Rockford. Its 
advent was signalized by the ringing of bells and 
the firing of cannon. The iron horse was 
greeted by the populace as the successor of the 



PAST AX I) I'RESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



horse ami \va,t;nn ami oxcii ami ilrivcr and whip. 
From tliat day Rock ford ])cgan to make rapid 
strides in wealth, population, and commercial im- 
portance ; and the I'^orum took the llattering unc- 
tion to its .>;oul that Chicago and Galena might 
be soon '■looking this way with a jealous eye 
lest they become eclipsed in greatness by the city 
of the Rock river valley." 

r.y the year 1857 quite an extension of the line 
liad been completed. A double track had been 
extended thirty miles west, as far as Turner Junc- 
tion, and large a<lditioiis to the rolling stock had 
been acquired. The expense thus incurred in- 
creased the total up to that time to nine million 
dollars. Before the close of 1853 the company 
had extended its main line to Freeport, one hun- 
dred and twenty miles from Chicago. Notwith- 
standing the fact that there was no little en- 
thusiasm in Galena over the extension of the line 
to that i)oint. Fate decreed that (Galena should 
be connected with Chicago by another line. The 
Galena & (."hicago L'nion sold its right of way to 
the Illinois Central. It has been said that had the 
great Central system made a connection with the 
Rock ford at that early date the population of the 
city would have been materially increased. At the 
close of 1858 the Galena & Chicago Union Com- 
l)any was free from a lloating debt ; but it had a 
fimded indebtedness of three million seven hun- 
dred and eighty-three thousand and fifteen dol- 
lars. 

The system owned and operated by the Chicago 
& Northwestern Railway Company, as it exists 
at the ])resent time, is a consolidation of not less 
than forty-five distinct roads. June 2. 1864. was 
effected a consolidation of the Galena & Chicago 
Union and the Chicago & Northwestern com- 
l>anies. under the name of the Chicago & North- 
western Railway Company. The old Galena & 
Chicago Union had been legitimately built, and 
was never bonded : and when it was purchased 
bv the Chicago & Northwestern, the stock held by 
the old subscribers in the Galena road was ex- 
changed for stock in the new com])any. The con- 
solidatifin was effected by the late Samuel J. Til- 
den, one of the greatest railroad lawyers of his 
time. The Galena had been a profitable road ; 
and its consolidation was one of the first in north- 
ern Illinois. 

KKI-KIiSEXTATlVr, ROCKFORD CITIZENS: 1842-5O. 

Marshall II. Regan was born in Rochester, New 
^'ork, and his early life was spent in his native 
state and in Canada. Mr. Regan came to Rock- 
ford in 1842. He engaged in the lumber trade, 
in which he spent his active business life. He 
was also a contractor and builder, did a large 
i)usiness, and accumulated a competence. Mr. 
Regan was the architect of the old First Congre- 



gational church, on the corner of First and Wal- 
nut streets. He was a ])rominent citizen in early 
Rockford. and a Democrat in politics. He died 
ill 1875. 

James B. Howell settled in Rockford, No- 
vember 8, 1843. His business was that of a wool- 
carder and cloth-dresser. When the first dam 
was completed, Mr. Howell operated a carding 
and fulling machine on the south side of State 
street. He erected a building in 1846. and began 
business in 1848, and continued therein until the 
dam went out in 1851. He then removed his 
machinery to New Milford. He returned to Rock- 
ford. and some years later he formed a partner- 
ship with his brother-in-law, M. H. Regan, in 
the lumber business. After Huntington & 
iiarncs' book store was destroyed by fire, Mr. 
1 lowell engaged in the book trade. His stand 
was the east store in Metropolitan Hall block, 
which for many years was occu])ie(l by B. R. 
Waldo, in the same line of trade. Mr. Howell 
was a consistent member of the State .Street 
Baptist church. 

Benjamin A. Rose was torn in Philadelphia in 
1 81 7. In early manhood he removed to Chemung 
county. New York, and in October, 1844, he 
came to Rockford. Mr. Rose was county clerk 
from 1847 to 1849. He was one of the clerical 
force in the banking house of Robertson & Hol- 
land, and remained in the bank one year after re- 
moving to his farm in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Rose 
were charter members of the Second Congrega- 
tional church. Mr. Rose died in 1883. Mrs. 
Rose died in December, 1896. 

Dr. Lucius Clark became a resident of Rock- 
ford in 1845. T^r. Clark was born in Amherst, 
Massachusetts, June 10, 1813. He was the third 
in a family of seven sons, five of whom became 
physicians. Dr. Clark was a member of the 
.American Medical Association, and of the Illinois 
State Medical Society. During the war he was 
in the field a short time as president of the board 
of examining surgeons for the state of Illinois. 
He was for many years a trustee of Rockford 
seminary. In 1836 Dr. Clark married Julia A. 
.\dams, of Hinsdale, Massachusetts. She died in 
1 861. In 1864 Dr. Clark married Charlotte M. 
Townsend, of this city. His death occurred No- 
vember 5, 1878. Dexter Clark. M. D., followed 
his brother Lucius to Rockford, where he re- 
sided until his death, except the time spent in 
California, where he went in 1850. Dr. Dexter 
Qark was for many years a prominent member 
of the -Second Congregational church, and su- 
perintendent of its Sunday-school. Another 
brother. Dr. E. N. Clark, settled at Beloit ; and 
a fourth brother. Dr. .Asaliel Clark, resided at De- 
troit, Michigan. Dr. Lucius Clark had two sons 
who succeeded him in the practice of medicine: 
Dexter Selwvn, ami Lucius Armor. Dr. D. Sel- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



wvn Clark died February 12, 1898. No citizen of 
Rockford had a higher sense of professional and 
personal honor, and his death was universally 
lamented. The death of Dr. L. A. Clark occurred 
July 23, 1899, in the house in which he was born 
fifty years before. He had a wide reputation as 
an expert surgeon. During his residence on the 
Pacific coast he was employed as a steamship sur- 
geon for some years, and was a passenger on the 
first voyage of the Colema. which, after long 
service, foundered a few vears ago. Dr. Clark 
was also surgeon for the Illinois Railroad Com- 
pany, which position he held at the time of his 
death. For more than half a century the Clark 
family was represented in the medical profession 
of Rockford. In the death of Armor Clark there 
passed awa}' the last of this historic familv of 
practitioners. 

C. A. Huntington came to Rockford in 1845. 
He had left his family in July at Racine, Wis- 
consin, until he could find a desirable place for 
settlement. November 5th of that year he be- 
gan his first term of school in Rockford in a 
building owned by H. R. Maynard, which stood 
on the site of the Masonic Temple. In the fol- 
lowing year L. B. Gregory retired from teaching, 
and Mr. Huntington succeeded him as teacher 
in the old courthouse building on North First 
street, where he remained until the fall of 1848. 
Mr. Huntington then taught in the old Baptist 
church on North Main street. In the autumn of 
1849 Mr. Huntington was elected school com- 
missioner, and served eight years. In that same 
year he also opened the first book store in Rock- 
ford, on the site of the Third National Bank. 
He subsequently removed to the corner store in 
Laomi Peake's block, where the Reeling's drug 
store now stands. There he and Robert Barnes 
conducted a book store, and a book bindery on the 
second floor. November 27. 1857, this block was 
destroyed by fire. Huntington &. Barnes carried 
a stock of eleven thousand dollars. Mr. Hunt- 
ington resided in Rockford until 1864, when he 
removed to California, where he died a few 
months ago. 

Hon. W'illiam Brown was born in Cumberland, 
in the north of England, June I, 1819. In 1846 
he became a citizen of Rockford. During his first 
winter in the west he taught a district school. 
Judge Brown was honored with several public 
offices. He was chosen a justice of the peace 
in 1847. In 1852 he was elected state's attorney 
for the district comprising Stephenson, Winne- 
bago and Jo Daviess counties, and served three 
years. At the expiration of that time he was 
elected mayor of Rockford. In 1857 Judge 
Brown formed a partnership with ^^^iliam Lath- 
rop, which continued three years. He then be- 
came a partner with the late H. W. Taylor, with 
whom he was associated until 1S70. In 1864 he 



was elected a member of the legislature as a re- 
publican. Judge Brown was first elected judge 
to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of 
Judge Sheldon to the supreme bench. He was 
subsequently elected for three full terms. His 
career on the bench covered twenty j-ears. Judge 
Brown died January 15, 1891. 

Hiram H. Waldo was born in Elba, Genesee 
county. New York, November 23, 1827. He 
came to Rockford in 1846, when he was nine- 
teen years of age, and completed his early 
education in the district schools. He studied 
in summer, and taught in the winter, for several 
years, until 1851. Mr. Waldo taught in the Red- 
ington district, in the old First Baptist church, 
Cherry Valley, Guilford, Harlem, in the basement 
of the First Methodist church as assistant to See- 
ly Perry, and as assistant to C. A. Huntington, on 
First street. Mr. Waldo subsequently spent two 
years in Chicago, where he secured a clerkship in 
the postoffice, under Postmaster Dole, and was 
promoted to the superintendency of western dis- 
tribution. Mr. Waldo remained a short time under 
Postmaster Isaac Cook. He returned to Rock- 
ford when Charles I. Horsman became postmas- 
ter the second time. Mr. Horsman did not give 
his personal attention to the office, and Mr. Wal- 
do assumed this responsibility. Mr. Waldo 
opened a book store in 1855, in a frame building 
which rested on poles, where the Grand Union 
Tea Store now stands. He remained there four 
}'ears, and then removed into his present stand, 
in 1859, where for forty-six years he has done 
business without interruption. He is the only 
merchant now in business of all those engaged in 
trade when he began. Mr. Waldo, however, was 
not the only early book dealer on the west side. 
John M. Perry, a brother of Seely Perry, had a 
book store on the site now occupied by Whee- 
lock's crockery store. Mr. Perry sold this stock 
to J. W. Seccomb. Mr. Waldo served as school 
commissioner of Winnebago county from 1857 to 
1859, and again from 1863 to 1865. Upon the 
failure of the Second National Bank, Mr. Waldo 
was appointed receiver by Commissioner Eckles, 
and paid eighty-five per cent, of the indebtedness. 

L. F. Warner was a native of Connecticut. He 
read law with Hon. Reuben Booth, who had been 
governor of the state. Mr. Warner came to 
Rockford in November, 1848. He was always a 
democrat, and was a delegate to the famous con- 
vention at Charleston, in i860, which resulted 
in a breach in the party, and the nomination of 
Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency at a later 
convention. Mr. Warner seiwed Rockford as 
city attorney several terms. He died in 1904. 

Melancthon Starr is an honored name in Rock- 
ford history. Mr. Starr was born in Albany, 
New York, April 14, 1816. He removed to Rock- 
ford in 1850. He first conducted a dry goods 



64 



PAST AXU I'KF.SEXT OF WIXXFi'.AGO COUXTV. 



business on the old Second Xational Hank corner. 
He was assignee of Charles I. Horsnian's bank 
when it failed. In 1855 Mr. Starr became inter- 
ested in what was afterward called the Winneba- 
go Xational Bank. This banking house was 
founded in 1848 by Thomas D. Robertson and 
John A. Holland. Later John S. Coleman be- 
came a partner, and the (irm was Robertson, Cole- 
man & Co. On the death of Mr. Holland, Mr. 
Starr was admitted to the firm ; and after Mr. 
Coleman's death the firm was Robertson 
& Starr, which continued until the organi- 
zation of the Winnebago Xational Bank, 
in 1865. Mr. Robertson was president, and 
Mr. Starr was vice-president until his death, 
.\ beautiful trait was his sympathy for his 
old friend, tlie late Ephraim Wyman, wlio 
in his old age was reduced to very moderate cir- 
ctuustanccs. Xcarly every Sunday Mr, Starr 
visited his friend, and cheered his last years with 
liis sympathy and purse. Mr. Starr was a Uni- 
tarian, and was a communicant of the local 
church until its membership disbanded, when he 
became a regular attendant at the church of the 
Christian Union. Mr. Starr died, universally 
esteemed, Xovember 29, 1885. 

John Edwards was born at Acton, Massachu- 
setts, August 18, 1800. He was in business in 
Lowell before his removal to the west. Mr. Ed- 
wards was living at Alton, Illinois, during the 
excitement which resulted in the death of Rev. 
Elijah P. Lovejoy, America's martyr to free soil 
and free speech. On that occasion Mr. Edwards 
took an honorable and decided position in favor 
of the freedom of the press ; and stood on guard 
at Mr. Lovejoy's bed, with a loaded musket in 
his hand, the night before that brave abolitionist 
was murdered by the pro-slavery mob. Mr. Ed- 
wards came to Rockford in 1850. He was the 
first dealer in ])ine lumber in the city. His first 
yard was near Peter Sanies' wagon factory, near 
the Xorthwestern Railroad track. Mr. Edwards 
encouraged the development of the Rockford 
water-power ; was interested in the work of the 
seminary, and during his last years lie was its 
agent. His death occurred June 14, 1871. 

I)F.P.\RTURK OF MR. H.MGIIT. 

Daniel S. Haight, the founder of East Rock- 
ford, like his west side rival, did not remain in 
Rockford to see the fruition of his early settle- 
ment. Mr. Haight removed from the village 
in the winter of 1847-48, and settled in Texas, 
near .'^hrcveport. Louisiana. He revisited Rock- 
ford in 1857. The date of his death is unknown 
to his old friends in Rockford. There is a tradi- 
tion, which is commonly accepted, that he was a 
soldier in the Confederate army, and that he died 
after the Civil war at Fort Worth, Texas. No 



worthy record of his life and work has been pre- 
served ; but next to Mr. Kent, his name is most 
])n)niincnt in early history. 

GOLD IILNTERS OF '49 

ihe gold e.xciteiuent drew many to California 
in 1849-50. Among those who went from Rock- 
ford was Giles C. Hard. A. C. Spafford, D. K, 
Lyon, H. B. Potter, Dexter Clark, William Ham- 
ilton, H. H. Silsby, Isaac Rowley. Obadiah E. 
Lamb, a Mr. Smith, a Mr. Lewis, Sylvester Rob- 
inson, and Henry L. Simpson. Mr. Robertson 
died at .Mud .Springs, forty-five miles east of Sac- 
ramento, a few days after his arrival. Mr. Rob- 
inson was a native of Connecticut, and came to 
Rockford in 1847. He was the father of Mrs. 
E. P. Catiin and H. H. and X. S. Robinson. Mr, 
Simpson died while on his return home, at Peru, 
Illinois, in March, 1851. His remains were 
brought to Rockford for burial, Mr. Simpson 
was the father of E. L. Simpson and Mrs. Z. B. 
.Sturtevant. He came to Rockford about 1839. He 
built a brick house which still stands on Leonard 
Schmauss' lot on Xorth Second street ; and part 
of another brick house on the southwest corner 
of First and Market streets. Mr. Simpson was 
engaged in the business of blacksmithing. He 
owned a one-half interest in a gristmill at Cherry 
X'alley, and pro])crty in Rockford. Mr. Lamb 
died in California. As in all similar ventures, 
some were successful : while others received no 
adc(|uate returns for their journey into this far 
country. 

i;.mm.\n'i;el cmurch. 

The Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D. D.. first 
bishop of the diocese of Illinois, made his first 
e|)iscopal visitation to Rockford. August 28, 
1841. Prior to this time there had been no public 
services of the Episcopal church held in the 
county. There had been only a very few families 
of the faith who had .settled in Rockford. Levi 
Moulthrop, M. D., was the first churchman who 
came into this county. 

The first church family who settled in the 
county was that of Sam]>son George, who came 
from Yorkshire, England. They arrived in the 
settlement of Rockford, September 24, 1836. The 
family consisted of Mr. George, his wife, Ann, 
and five children, two daughters and three sons. 
The children had received baptism in England. 
Mr. George brought a letter from their parish 
priest, commending the family to the spiritual 
care of any clergyman of the American church 
into whose jurisdiction they might come. The 
death of Mr. George occurred five weeks after 
the arrival of the family in Rockford. There was 
no priest nearer than the missionary at Galena, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



6S 



he could not be definitely located, owing to the 
extent of territory under his charge. Thus the 
first churchman was buried without the offices of 
church. 

During the next few years several other fami- 
lies of the church settled in the county. Among 
these were Jonathan W'eldon, Chauncy Ray and 
John W. Taylor. The former two settled on 
farms about six miles southwest of the town, and 
the latter remained in the village, and engaged 
in the dry goods business. 

At the Bishop's first visitation the services were 
held in the old courthouse building on North 
First street, which served a similar purpose for 
other households ot faith. 

August 4, 1842, the bishop made a second visi- 
tation to Rockford. The services morning and 
afternoon were held in the same building as in the 
preceding year. The sacrament of the holy eu- 
charist, baptism and confirmation were adminis- 
tered. The bishop preached two sermons. 
Aside from these yearly visitations by the bishop, 
the church families in and around Rockford were 
without the sacraments of the church, except an 
occasional visit by some missionary priest from 
a distant point. 

In 1845, the Rev. Alfred Lauderback, of New 
York State, was appointed by the domestic board 
of missions to the missionary field of northern 
Illinois and southern Wisconsin, with Belvidere 
and Rockford as chief points of location. 
This fact meant more regular and fre- 
quent services for Rockford. The new mis- 
sionary's service was held August 10, 1845. 
Father Lauderback ministered in this sec- 
tion two years, when he was sent to take charge 
of the parish which had been recently organized 
at Galena, Illinois. From this time for several 
years occasional services were held in the village 
by the Rev. Dudley Chase, a son of the bishop, 
and the Revs. Humphrey and Millett, of Beloit, 
Wisconsin ; Pulford, of Belvidere ; Johnston, of 
Pekin, and ]\Iiller, of Bonus, Illinois, the father 
of Orin ]\Iiller, an early Rockford attorney. Ser- 
vices were generally held in the new courthouse. 

The present parish was organized May i, 1849. 
A meeting of the parishioners, both men and 
women, was convened, at which the Rev. Dudley 
Chase presided ; and the parochial organization 
was effected in accordance with the prescribed 
canonical fomi. The articles of association were 
signed by Chauncey Ray, Jonathan Weldon, 
Horace Starkey, Duncan j. Stewart, John Con- 
rad, S. R. Weldon, and Spencer S. Weldon. Up- 
on the organization of the parish the parishioners 
proceeded to the election of a vestry. Those 
elected were : senior warden, Horace Starkey ; 
junior warden. Cliauncey Ray; vestrymen, John 
Conrad, Duncan J. Stewart and S. R. Weldon. 

The Rev. Dudley Chase was called to be the 
5 



first rector. He accepted the call but afterward 
declined, as he preferred to accept a charge in 
Chicago, where he organized the parish of the 
Atonement on the west side, which was afterward 
merged into the cathedral of Saints Peter and 
Paul. 

November 15, 1852, the Rev. Charles Reighley, 
of Chicago, was called to the rectorship of the 
parish. With the consent of the new Bishop, 
Rt. Rev. Henry John Whitehouse, the call was 
accepted, and the first rector entered at once upon 
his work. Bishop Chase had died September 27, 
1852, and had been succeeded by Bishop White- 
house. A lot was purchased on the corner of 
North Church and North streets, for two hundred 
dollars, and a church builuing erected at a cost of 
nineteen hundred dollars. The new church was 
consecrated by Bishop \Miitehouse, August 23, 
185^, "hv the name of Emmanuel Church Rock- 
ford." 

Succeeding the Rev. Charles Reighley have 
been the following rectors in the order named : 
Revs. Anson Clark, Alichael Schofield, William 
T. Smithett, Thomas Smith, S. B. Duffield. J. E. 
Walton, S. D. Dav, C. S. Percival, F. W. Adams, 
A. ^^^ Snvder, D. C. Peabodv, ^^^•llvs Rede and 
N. B. Clinch. 

The Rev. D. C. Peabody became rector March 
I, 1 886.' During his rectorship the present rec- 
tory was purchased, and the Fairfield Memorial 
Parish House erected, at a cost of forty thousand 
dollars. The latter was the gift of one parishion- 
er, Mrs. Eleanor G. Fairfield, and was erected as 
a memorial to her husband. An additional thirty 
feet of land adjoining the church lot on the west 
was purchased at a cost of sixteen hundred dol- 
lars, and many other permanent improvements 
made in the parish. 

.\DOPTIOX OF TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. 

The constitution of 1848 provided for a county 
court, as the successor of the county commission- 
er's court, and authorized the legislature to enact 
a general law. providing for township organiza- 
tion, under which counties might organize, by a 
majority vote of the people. In the early days of 
Illinois as a state, southern ideas and institutions 
dominated the commonwealth. The commission- 
er's form of local government originated in this 
country with the Virginia planters. The sj'S- 
tem of township organization had its origin in 
New England. But the root of this form of local 
government may be traced to the districting of 
England into tithings by King Alfred, in the 
ninth century, to curb the widespread social dis- 
orders which disturbed his realm. The change 
under the second constitution of Illinois was due 
to the influence of New England settlers in the 
northern portion of the state. The Illinois town- 



66 



PAST AND l'Ki:SF.XT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



ship sv.sliiii. Imucvor. is not closely nuuklcil alUi" 
that of the New Fuisjlaiul states. 

The legislature, by two acts ai)i)n)veil I'Vbruary 
12. 1S4V. siipplenieiiteil these two constitutional 
provisions by the necessary legislation. The 
first created a county court, the judges of which 
should be elected on the Tuesday after the first 
Monday in November, 1849. and (|uadrennially 
thereafter, and assume their duties on tlie first 
Monday in December followin«j. There were 
also to be elected at the same time and places, two 
associate justices of the peace, who. with the 
judjjfe. ccjustituted the county court, which suc- 
ceeded the county commissioners" court. 

This county court was shortlived, so far as 
Winnebago covuity was concerned. The second 
statute, also approved February 12, 1840, provid- 
eil that at the next g^eneral election in Xovember. 
1841;. the voters in any county niisjht vote for or 
against township organization. Conse(|uently, at 
the same general election in Xovember. 1S49. tlic 
voters of this county elected both a county court 
to succeed the county commissioners' court ; and 
voted to adopt township organization. Section 
four of the new law provided that if the voters so 
elected, the township organization should be in 
force the first Tuesday in .\pril. 1850. At that 
time the associate justices ceased to be members 
of the county court, under the provision of sec- 
tion six of article seven of the new constitution. 
The associate justices, however, were elected for 
several years as justices of the peace for the 
county at large. 

It may seem, at first thought, that two such 
laws would not have been passed by the legisla- 
ture, as the second might nullify the first. lUit it 
will be observed that the township organization 
system did not become operative unless the peo- 
ple so voted ; hence there was a possibility that 
tliey would not conflict. 

I'rom 1849 to 1855 the clerk of tne county 
court was also clerk of the board of supervisors, 
under section eight of article sixteen of the town- 
shij) organization law. ]\\ virtue of an act of 
I'ebruary 9, 1855. tlie clerk of the county court of 
Winnebago county ceased to be ex-oflficio clerk of 
the Ixiard of supervisors after the first Monday of 
the following .\pril. Under this law Duncan 
Fergus(}n was appointed : and a separate clerk 
of the l)oard was thereafter biennially appointed, 
until the law was repealed. 

SECOND CONGREG.\TIO.V,\L CHURCH. 

The Seconrl Congregational church was orga- 
nized in the autumn f)f 1849. ^^'^h forty-seven 
members. Nearly all ha<l taken letters from the 
first church imder ilate of October i8th. 

The first meeting ])reliminary to organization 
was held October 30. 1849. at the schoolhouse 



in West Rockfonl. This building was standing 
on South Maon street until about two years ago. 
.\ committee of three was chosen to present at a 
future meeting, the articles of faith, covenant and 
rules of the government for the ])roiX)sed church, 
iienjamin .\. Rose. Dexter G. Clark and Thomas 
D. Kolx-rtson constituted this committee. It was 
resolved that the public organization of the 
church should take place November 14th; and 
Samuel J. Russell, Worcester .A.. Dickerman and 
Robert Clow were chosen to make the necessary 
arrangements. 

An adjourned meeting was held November 7th. 
.\ resolution was adopted, by which the following 
named ])ersons who were present organized the 
church : Robert Clow, I'urton P. Franklin, 
David D. .\lliiig, Rebecca Ailing, Alexander Pat- 
terson, Helen I'atterson, Ellen Patterson, Jane 
Gordon. 'J'honias D. Robertson, Goodyear A. 
.Sanfonl. Elizabeth H. .Sanford. Worcester A. 
Dickerman, Caroline M. Dickcrmati. Michael 
I'.urns, Deborrah Burns, Samuel I. Russell, Lucy 
Russell, Dexter G. Clark, Benjamin .\. Rose, 
.\ntionettc \\'. Rose. Eliza Han ford, Rebecca 
Spurr. Hariette W. Piatt, Rial K. Town, Clarissa 
Town, Mary ISond. Emily G. .Sanford, Susan G. 
l'"uller, Elizabeth 1!. l-'ield. Hilary .\. Frink. Lcmi- 
ra L. Meyers. Lucy C. Hyde. Sarah D. Hyde, 
Esther Ann Hyde. Henry C. Hyde. (Sershom C. 
Hyde. Alonzo Gorham, Hannah L. (^orham. Mer- 
cv .-\. (jorham, .Ann Levings, Mrs. Elizabeth C. 
Porter, .Vnor Woodruff. Mrs. Eliza Woodruff, 
James lAirter. F^benezer Hyde. Mrs. Barbara Por- 
ter. 

Thomas D. Robertson, from the committee ap- 
pointed at the former meeting, presented a report 
of articles of faith, covenant and rules of govern- 
ment. This rejiort was accepted and adopted. 
The articles of faith were thoroughly orthodox, 
according to the standard of the time. 

This preliminary organization was completed 
bv tlie election of officers. Rial K. Town and 
.Monzo Gorham were chosen deacons ; Thomas 
D. Robertson, clerk ami treasurer; I'lcnjamin A. 
Rose and .Sanniel J. Russell, jirudential commit- 
tee : Goodyear A. Sanford. Worcester .\. Dick- 
erman and Dexter G. Clark, assessment commit- 
tee. 

The jniblic organization of this clnirch oc- 
curred Wednesday. Xovember 14. 1849. Pre- 
vious to these formal exercises Mrs. Sarah J. 
Clark, Mrs. E. W. Spalding and Jane C. Hough- 
ton, who bad been included in the original letter 
of dismission from the first church, but were not 
jiresent at the first meeting, were received ; also 
Mrs. Mary Haskell and Miss Eliza Holmes. 

The congregational council was composed of 
the following gentlemen : Rev. Hutchins Taylor, 
m<i(lerator: Rev. Dexter Clary. Beloit : Rev. 
Lewis Benedict, Rockton : Rev. R. M. Pearson, 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



67 



Grand DeTour ; Rev. Lansing Porter, Rockford ; 
Horace Hobart, delegate from Beloit. Rev. R. M. 
Pearson was chosen scribe of the council ; prayer 
was offered by Rev. H. Taylor ; and Rev. L. Ben- 
edict preached the sermon. The covenant and 
articles of faith were read by the clerk, and pub- 
licly approved by the church. An address to the 
church and deacons was delivered by Rev. Dexter 
Clary. The council then formally declared the 
Second Congregational church of Rockford to 
be duly and orderly organized. 

Since the mother church had vacated its first 
house of worship on the corner of Church and 
Green streets for the new brick structure on the 
east side, the fomier had been unoccupied. The 
Second church now returned to the house which 
many of its members had abandoned less than 
four years previous. Messrs. Kent and Brink- 
erhoff had failed in business, and the old edifice 
was sold by their assignee to the Second church. 
It was placed on a rock foundation and refitted 
for worship. 

The first pastor of the new church was Rev. 
Lansing Porter. This gentleman had served the 
First church as its pastor a little more than two 
years. The records of the Second church do not 
show that any formal call was extended to Rev. 
Porter. But he assumed this position as soon as 
the organization had been effected November 7, 
1849, ^""i served four years. 

Mr. Porter pursued two years of his college 
course at Hamilton and two years at Wesleyan 
college, and was graduated from the latter in the 
class of 1839. He then took the full three years' 
course in Yale Theological seminary, and a year 
of post-graduate work at Auburn Theological 
seminary. Mr. Porter went to Chicago in 1843, 
and from there he caine to Rockford, when he 
was less than thirty years of age. Mr. Porter's 
first pastorate was that of the First Congrega- 
tional church, Rockford. He is now living at 
Hamburg, New York. 

In 1851 the church was found to be too small, 
and its capacity was increased by the addition of 
forty feet to its length. 

December 31, 1853, Rev. Porter severed his 
pastoral relation. At a meeting held December 
1 6th of the same year, it was voted to extend a 
call to Rev. Joseph Emerson. This call was ac- 
cepted. May 21, 1854, a congregational council 
convened in the church for the transaction of 
business incident to the settlement of the pastor. 
The installation services occurred on the follow- 
ing day. 

Rev. Emerson was a son of Rev. Daniel Emer- 
son ; a cousin of Ralph Emerson, of Rockford, and 
a second cousin of the famous Ralph Waldo Em- 
erson. Joseph Emerson was born in Dartmouth, 
Massachusetts, in 1806, and died at Andover, 
Massachusetts, in 1885. JNIr. Emerson was grad- 



uated from Yale college in 1830, and from An- 
dover Theological seminary, in 1835. He re- 
ceived his ordination in 1836. His pastorate in 
Rockford was eminently successful. He built the 
house on North Church street, where Ralph Em- 
erson now resides. 

The pastorate of Rev. Emerson was signalized 
bv the erection of the second house of w'orship on 
South Church street. July 19, 1855, the society 
voted that it was expedient to take action toward 
building a new church. A committee, consisting 
of D. G. Clark, G. A. Sanford, T. D. Robertson, 
John Edwards and John S. Coleman was ap- 
pointed to carry out the same. In 1856 subscrip- 
tion papers were circulated. A building com- 
mittee was composed of John Edwards, D. G. 
Clark, J. G. jNIanlove, G. A. Sanford, Ralph Em- 
erson and T. D. Robertson. A correspondence 
was opened with Renwick & Auchmuty, a firm 
of architects in New York, and from them was 
received in the summer of 1856 plans and speci- 
fications for the structure. The committee in- 
vited proposals. The most favorable response 
was received from David and James Keyt, of 
Piqua, Ohio. The committee, before letting so 
large a contract, desired to obtain definite infor- 
mation concerning the character and standing of 
the bidders. John Edwards was sent to Piqua to 
make an inquiry. The result of his mission was 
so satisfactory that the contract was let to the 
Messrs. Keyt for the sum of twenty-three thou- 
sand four hundred and seventy-eight dollars and 
seventy-eight cents. 

Work was begun on the building May 17. 1857, 
and was completed in the autumn of 1858. The 
plans provided for a stone porch in front, and a 
lecture room in the rear. Upon signing the con- 
tract, the rear extension was omitted, because the 
committee could not depend upon obtaining 
money to pay for the same ; and still later the 
porch was also abandoned, which reduced the ex- 
pense about fourteen hundred dollars. The 
building committee met great difiiculty in prose- 
cuting "the work, and during its progress the fi- 
nancial panic of 1857 came upon the country. 
It was one of the most severe strains in the money 
market in the history of the country. October 
13th, of that year, the New York banks suspend- 
ed specie payment. The committee had fortu- 
natelv negotiated a loan for six thousand dollars, 
with a gentleman in New Jersey, on the first of 
October. This loan was made, as were nearly all 
the loans on the personal notes of the building 
committee. The loan of four thousand dollars 
was also secured bv a mortgage given by G. A. 
Sanford, T. D. Robertson and W. A. Dickerman, 
on their individual property. The document was 
preserved for many years as a memorial of the 
courage of the builders. 

Farewell services were held in the old church 



68 



PAST AXD PRESEXT OF \VL\XK1!AG() O JUXTV. 



on Sunday, Xovcnibr 28tli. Alter this little 
sanctuary had outlived its usefulness in a grow- 
inj^ city, it was donated to the peo])le in Owen 
townshii), where it was again used as a house of 
worship. 

The new church was dedicated Thursday, De- 
cember 2. 1858. The dedicatory sermon was 
preached by the pastor. This churcii continued 
to be the house of worship for nearly thirty-four 
years, until the spring of 1892. It has been said 
that 1'. r. liliss, the famous gospel singer and 
composer, wrote his best known song, "Mold the 
Fort," in this church. Among the distinguished 
persons who have entertained Rockford au- 
diences from this pul])it are Rev. Lyman .Vbbott, 
D. D., and Mrs. Julia Ward Howe. 

July 30. 1859, Rev. Emerson tendered Iiis res- 
ignation ; and on August 23d an ecclesiastical 
council convened at the church, and dissolved the 
pastoral relation. The church did not long re- 
main without an un(ler-she])herd. At a regular 
meeting of the church December 7, 1859, a call 
was extended to Rev. Jeremiah E. Walton. This 
call was accepted, although there is no record of 
his installation. This pastorate continued until 
December, 1863. 

Mr. Walton graduated from Williams college 
in 1853, and from Hartford seminary in 1856. 
He came to Rockford from Troy, Xew York, 
wlien a young man. full of hojie and enthusiasm. 
Mr. Walton entertained religious views similar 
to those held by the late Horace Bushnell, and 
especially those concerning Christian nurture. 
After his removal from Rockford Rev. Walton 
took orders as a priest in the Episcojjal church. 
He subsequently returned to Rockford, antl be- 
came the rector of Emmanuel church. 

The pipe organ was constructed in 1863. at a 
cost of about two thousand five hundred dollars. 
Rev. M. P. Kinney was called to the pastorate 
August 10, 1864; and an ecclesiastical council 
was convened November 29th. Rev. Frank B. 
Woodbury, D. D., was called Xovember 23, 1870. 
He was succeeded in 1888 by the late Rev. W'al- 
ter Maiming Barrows, D. D. His successors 
have been Rev. W'eslev P. Haskell and Rev. Peter 
M. Sny<ler. 

A magnificent new temple of worship on North 
Church street was dedicated May 8, 1892. 
I'ebruary 20, 1894, this church was destroyed by 
fire. Only the bare walls remained. There were 
valiant Xehemiahs ready to build a second tem- 
ple, which was dedicated December 2, 1895. 

The longest ])astorate was that of the Rev. 
Frank P. Woodbury, who served eighteen years, 
from 1870 to 1888. Only two resident charter 
members are now living; Mrs. Caroline M. Dick- 
erman and Mrs. Emily G. Sanford-Dodd. 

The church property is valued at $100,000. Its 
membership is about 730. 



I.\C()KI'OR.\TIO.N Ol" KOCKl-OKD AS A CITY. 

Three nearly contemporary events contributed 
ti) the progress of Ruckford from the simple vil- 
lage to its more commanding position as a city. 
The advent of the railroad, the first in importance, 
has already been noted. The organization of the 
new water-power coiupany is reserved for later 
paragrai^hs. The third factor was the incorpora- 
tion of Rockford as a city. 

.\s early as 185 1 the citizens realized llial the 
local government was no longer a(le(|uate to meet 
the needs of the rapidly increasing |)opulation. 
In the autunui of that year steps were taken for 
the organization of a city government. In pur- 
suance of a call, signed by Jason Marsh, G. A. 
.Sanford, Willard Wheeler, Isaiah Lynon, George 
W'yatt, Xewton Crawford, C. I. Horsman, W'. A. 
Dickernian. W'. P. Dennis. Jesse Bliim and Wil- 
liam 1 lulin, a meeting was held at the court house 
Xovember 29th. It was deemed advisable at this 
conference to submit the (|uestion of city organi- 
zation io a vote of the citizens. The trustees of 
the town thereupon ordered an election for this 
jjurpose to be held Jaiuiary 3, 1852. There was 
no excitement to call out the voters, as the pros- 
pective change was generally accepted as a matter 
of course. One hundred and nine votes were 
cast for organizing under the general law of 
iS4(). The city government of S])ringfield, Illi- 
nois, was adopted as a basis of organization. 

ihe first election under the new order was held 
April 19, 1852. The candidates for mayor were 
W'illard Wheeler and E. M. Potter. The election 
resulted in the choice of Mr. Wheeler. The 
aldermen elected were : Sumner Damon, First 
ward; E. H. Potter, Second ward; H. N. Spald- 
ing, Third ward ; C. N. Andrews. Fourth ward. 
The first meeting of the city council was held on 
Monday, April 26th, at the counting room of 
Eleazer H. Potter. William Lathrop was ap- 
pointed city clerk. An ordinance was passed 
creating the following city officers : Clerk of the 
council, attorney, treasurer, marshal, assessor, 
collector, engineer and two street commissioners. 
These officers were to be appointed annually by 
the city council at its first regular meeting after 
the annual municipal election. At the second 
session of the council, held May ist. the follow- 
ing city officers were appointed : W'illiam Lath- 
ro]), attorney; Hiram R. Maynard, treasurer; 
Dimcan iHTguson, assessor; K. H. Millikcn, col- 
lector; Duncan Ferguson, city engineer; 
Thatcher I'lake and William McKcnney. street 
commissioners. 

An act of the legislature of June 18, 1852, 
authorized the city of Rockford to borrow money, 
not exceeding ten tliousand dollars, for the pur- 
|)ose of constructing a bridge. Bonds were to be 
issuetl. in the sum of one hundred dollars each, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



69 



bearing- interest not exceeding ten per cent., and 
were to be redeemed within twenty years from 
issue. The sum was evidently insufficient for the 
purpose : and an act of the legislature of Febru- 
ary 3, 1853, authorized the city to borrow a max- 
imum sum of fifteen thousand dollars. Bonds 
were to be issued in sums not exceeding one 
thousand dollars each, payable within twenty 
years, and to draw interest not exceeding ten per 
cent. The act of 1852 was repealed. There is 
a tradition that Jason Marsh was sent east to ne- 
gotiate the sale of the bonds, for which he 
charged a commission of ten per cent. This fee 
was very reluctantly paid. To-day Rockford can 
borrow money at a very low rate of interest, and 
command a liberal premium on her lx)nds. The 
second or covered bridge was built in 1854, with 
the funds derived from the sale of bonds the pre- 
ceding year. This bridge stood imtil December, 

1871, when it was torn down and succeeded by 
the first iron bridge. 

There was some technical irregularity in the 
incorporation of the city : and an act of the legis- 
lature approved February 8, 1853, legalized the 
previous official acts of the mayor and covmcil. 
Section two of this law provided : "That all 
official acts of the council and of the mayor or 
either of them, of said city, done or performed 
since their election as such, and prior to the period 
this act shall take eiifect, and which would have 
been valid in case the original incorporation as a 
city had been legal, be and the same is liereby le- 
gahzed." 

A special charter was granted to the city by the 
legislature March 4, 1854. By this act the gen- 
eral law of 1849 was declared to be no longer in 
force, so far as Rockford was concerned, except 
for the purpose of supplementing proceedings 
had or commenced, so as not to impair the legal 
consequences of any past transaction. This 
charter was amended February 4, 1855, April 26, 
1859, and February 22, 1861. "An act to re- 
duce the charter of the city of Rockford. and the 
several acts amendatory thereof into one act and 
to revise and amend the same" was approved 
February 15, 1865. Rockford was governed by 
this charter until the city was reorganized under 
the general law. This general law. enacted in 

1872, repealed the general law of 1849, and 
abolished the system of special charters. Between 
these dates there appear to have been two meth- 
ods for the incorporation of cities in force at the 
same time ; by a general law, and by a special 
charter. It may be presumed that a city generally 
obtained greater powers under a special 
charter than by a general law : and the former 
method of incorporation was more generally 
adopted by the cities of the State. 

In 1855 steps were taken for the organization 
of a fire department. Its need had daily become 



apparent. A committee, appointed by the city 
council, purchased four small engines, named 
Constantine, Alexander, Sevastopol and Nicho- 
las. The Sevastopol was received in the latter 
part of October, and February 21, 1856, a public 
trial was made of the engines, all of which had 
arrived. The result was not altogether satisfac- 
tory, and the "machines" with Russian names 
were discarded. In May and June, Winnebago 
Engine Company Number One, and Washing- 
ton Number Two were organized, and nearly a 
year later the efficient engines bearing those 
names were received. Subsequently Union En- 
gine Company Number Three was formed, and 
an engine procured. These three engines con- 
stituted the fire apparatus of the city as late as 
1869. The first six chief engineers were Ed- 
ward F. W. Ellis. Samuel I. Church. M. A. Bart- 
lett, Howard D. Frost, A. G. Springsteen, Gard- 
ner S. Allen. The first four assistant engineers 
were Gardner S. .Mien, James E. L. Southgate, 
Charles T. Jellerson, Hiram H. Waldo. 

The tax levies for the first few years under the 
new regime were as follows : 1854, seven and 
one-half mills on each dollar of taxable property, 
both real and personal : 1855, ten mills on each 
dollar; 1856, one and three-quarters per cent, on 
each dollar ; 1857, one and one-half per cent. ; 
1858, one and five-eighths per cent. ; 1859, two 
and one-half per cent. ; i860, two per cent. ; 1861, 
two per cent. It will be observed that the rate 
increased each year up to 1859. 

ELKCTIO.X'S OF 1 852-53. 

In the presidential election of 1852 Winneba- 
go county maintained its position as a whig 
stronghold. The presidential electors received 
1,023 votes; the Democratic electors, 820; Free 
Soil electors. 725. 

Under the apportionment of August 22, 1852, 
the legislature divided the state into nine congres- 
sional districts. The first district comprised the 
counties of Fake, McHenry, Boone. Winnebago, 
Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll and Ogle. 

The campaign of 1852 was signalized by the 
election of E. B. Washburne as a member of con- 
gress from the First district. Mr. Washburne 
received 1.102 votes in W^innebago county; 
Thompson Campbell, his democratic opponent, 
851 ; and Newman Campbell, 610 votes. 

Abraham I. Enoch was elected a member of the 
legislature from the Forty-seventh senatorial dis- 
trict. His vote in Winnebago county was 
1,063; Lyman F. Warner, democrat, 840; Ezra 
S. Cable, 659. Mr. Enoch was born in Dayton, 
Ohio. July 24, 1819. He came to this county 
with his father's family in 1835, and settled in 
Guilford township. Mr. EnocK was honored by 
several public offices, and in 1866 he was again 



I'AST AM) 1'K1-:S1':.\T Uh" WIXXEnAGO COUXTV. 



elected a moinlKT of tlic legislature. Mr. Enoch 
reniovetl to Rock ford in 1S67, and bejjan the 
inaiui fact lire of plows. He died ni 1883. 

William I'.rown was elected state's attorney 
for tile I'ourteentli judicial circuit. Mis majori- 
ties in the several counties were: \\'iiinel)ag;o, 
650: Stephenson. 480: Jo Daviess, ^j ; total. 
1.217. Hi* opponents were I'rancis Ihirnap. 
John C. Kean and Francis S. W. Bradley. 

Charles H. Sjiafford was elected circuit clerk 
by an even one thousand votes; Kinp H. Milli- 
ken was elected sherilT: .\lfred A. ChamlxTlaiii, 
coroner. 

At the county election in 1853 the entire \\\u'^ 
ticket was successful. Sehien M. Church was 
elected county judije : .\sher ISeach and .\lfred 
E. Hale, associate justices : William Hiilin, 
county clerk: C. .\. Huntington, school commis- 
sioner ; Duncan I'eriruson, county treasurer ; 
Duncan Ferguson, surveyor. 

KAKl.V n.WS ON TIM-: W.VTKR I'OWKH. 

July 15, 1851. many of the leading ])uhlic- 
spirited citizens of the town associated them- 
selves together under the name of the Rockford 
Water Power Company. These gentlemen were : 
Thomas D. Robertson. John .\. Holland, R. P. 
Lane. (i. .\. Sanford. \V. .\. Dickerman. .S. M. 
Church. ( )rlando Clark. C. I. Horsman. John 
ICdwards, John S. Cok-man, John l'"isher. Wil- 
liam Hulin. Isaiah Lyon, Melancthoii Starr, 
C. H. Spafford, Lucius Clark, J. J. Town, Henry 
Potwin. H. R. .Maynard, James H. Rogers, 15. 
McKennv. John Piatt. Albert Sanford. Chas. C. 

Hope. H. i\ Kimball. Robert Clow. 

\'anduzer and McCoy. This organi- 
zation was effected in pursuance of the general 
law enacted by the legislature in 1849. for the im- 
provement of Rock river and the production of 
liydraulic power. In Sei)tembcr. 1831, the 
owners of the water and land under the old com- 
pany entered into an agreement with the new 
company, whereby the two interests were con- 
soliclated, and stejis were immediately taken for 
the construction of a |)ermanent rlam on the rock 
Ixittom of the old ford, from which the city de- 
rives its name. In the s])ring of 1853 the dam 
and race were ci>m|)leted and accepted by the 
coni|)any. The length of the dam is between 
seven hundred and eight hundred feet. The 
water power is divided into twenty thousand 
parts, and is held and sold in this projiortion. 

The first great impetus given to the manufac- 
turing interests of Rockford was the advent of 
John H. Manny, in 1853, to whom further ref- 
erence is made in later paragra])hs. There were 
however, other firms doing a general manufac- 
turing business in the city. 

.\bout 1848 James B. Skinner began business, 
which developed into the firm of Skinner. Briggs 



& luioch. He was a son of Deacon Ste])hen 
.Skinner, who had a blacksmith shop on Xorth 
.Main street, about where Louck's restaurant now 
stands. James B. worked with his father some 
\ears in the sho]). and then began business for 
himself. In 1850 he erected a larger building 
and o|)erated eleven forges. This l)lacksmith 
shop was said to be the largest in the west at that 
time. To this business he later added the man- 
ufacture of wagons. Mr. Skinner was the in- 
ventor of the first riding cultivator, rolling coul- 
ter, single riding i)low and gang plow. In 1867 
a Mr. .Mead and C. C. Briggs were taken in as 
partners. In January. i8f)8. Mr. Mead retired 
and was succeeded by .\. I. luioch. under the firm 
name of Skinner. Briggs & Enoch. Plows and 
cultivators formed a large i)art of their output. 
The company outgrew its limited ])lant and re- 
moved to the water-])ower. .Mr. .Skinner died 
in 187J. and C. C. I'-riggs and .\. I. Enoch pur- 
chased the interest of the Skinner estate. 

W. D. Trahern came to Rockford in 1848, and 
soon after began the manufaclure of threshing 
machines and horse-powers, under the firm name 
of Trahern & Stuart. Mr. Stuart retired in 1856, 
and was succeeded by William Dales. He 
with<lrew from the firm in i8f)2. and from that 
time .Mr. Trahern conducted the business alone 
until his death in 1883. In later vears Mr. Tra- 
lieni devoted his exclusive attention to the man- 
ufacture of iron pumps. Mr. Dales subsequently 
engaged in the manufacture of the wood portions 
of grain separators, and did general job work in 
hard wood and sheet metal. 

In 1851 ( )rlando Clark began the erection of 
a foun(lry on the water-jiower. He came to 
Rockford in 1847. and established a foundry on 
the west side race, where he remained until the 
old dam went out in 1831. He was one of the 
incorporators of the new water-power company 
a few months later. 

In 1832 Isaac I'tter came fn>ni Warsaw. 
X. v.. and formed a i)artnership with Mr. Clark, 
under the firm name of t lark & I'tter. In the 
spring of 1833 this firm manufactured one hun- 
dred and fifty combined rea|)ers and mowers for 
John H. Mannv. In xHCv) the firm manufactured 
one thousand ( iorham seeders. Their output also 
included sugar mills, evaporators and steam en- 
gines. 

D. Forbes & Son established an iron foundry 
in 1834, and in ^iV^ the iinlleable iron works 
were added to the busimss. 

X. C. Thompson came to Rockford in 1837. and 
built u]) one of the largest jilants on the waier- 
|)<)wer. which at one time covered several acres. 
A capital of a (|uarter of a million dollars was re- 
i|uired to carry on the business. The John P. 
.Slannv reaper and mower was manufactured ex- 
clusively by .Mr. Thom|)son. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



71 



Frederick H. Manny came to Rockford in 
1859 and built a large plant. He manufactured 
the John H. Alanny combined reaper and mower, 
and the Rockford broadcast seed sower and cul- 
tivators combined. 

Flouring mills were an important factor in 
Rockford industries. Moses Bartlett built a 
stone mill on the east side in 1854, with four 
stories. Joseph Rodd came to Rockford from 
Canada in the autumn of 1853, and a few years 
later he embarked in the milling business on the 
east side of the river. The Troxell mill was 
built on the east side in 1853, and was purchased 
by ]\Ir. Bartlett in 1865. ^^Ir. Bartlett also 
owned a large mill on the west side. E. Derwent 
completed a mill on the east side in 1863. T. Der- 
went & Sons began milling business in Rockford 
in 1859. This plant is now owned bv A. L. Bart- 
lett & Co. 

There were also several ])laning mills. La- 
pointe & Derwent began business on the water- 
power in 1866. In the same year J. F. Lander 
erected a three-story structure, which was subse- 
quently occupied by Blakeman & Dobson as a 
sash and blind factory, and now owned by the 
Rockford Bolt Works'. 

Nelson & Co. began business in 1865. Camp- 
bell & Wood commenced business in 1866 in a 
building which partially covered a large founda- 
tion for a planing mill, laid by Thomas Garrison, 
at the west end of the dam, but never completed. 
George Bradley & Co. opened the first steam 
planing mill in 1868, in a building now occupied 
by C. J. Weldon as a carriage shop. 

Among the other manufacturers were Bertrand 
& Sames. who began business in the middle fif- 
ties ; Graham cotton mill, 1865; Rhoades, Utter 
& Co., paper mill, 1865 : Rockford \\'oolen ]\Iills, 
J. & W. Dyson, 1865 ; Northwestern Bolt Works, 
G. Sunsaul & Co., 1866. 

FA.Mors m.vnxv-m'corjiick .suit. 

This story has often been told, but it will never 
cease to be of interest to Rockford readers. The 
interest is more than local. John H. .Manny, the 
defendant in the suit, was the inventive genius 
whose patents laid the foundations for the great 
Emerson manufacturing plant on the water- 
power. Cyrus H. McCormick, the plaintifif, was 
the inventor of the reaper, and the founder of the 
theological seminary in Chicago which bears his 
name. It was during the progress of this suit 
that .A-braham Lincoln made his only visit to 
Rockford. Several of the leading attorneys of 
the countr>' were retained. Among them were 
Reverdy Johnson, Peter H. Watson, George 
Harding and Edward M. Stanton. The outcome 
of the decision involved many millions of dollars, 
and vitallv affected Rockford as a manufacturing 



center. The suit was one of the most notable 
chapters in the industrial development of the 
country. 

John H. Atanny was born in Amsterdam, New 
York, November 28, 1825. His father. Pells 
Manny, settled at \\'addams Grove, in Stephen- 
son county. The younger iManny's attention 
was called to the need of a reaper by his father's 
purchase of a heading machine, which proved un- 
satisfactory. The father and son thereupon so 
constructed the header as to practically make a 
new machine. They obtained a patent on the 
header, and began its manufacture on a small 
scale. It proved to be too expensive and was 
abandoned. iMr. IManny then directed his atten- 
tion toward a reaper, and after many vicissitudes, 
which brou.ght him to serious financial embar- 
rassment, his inventive genius and indomitable 
energy were crowned with success. ?i[r. Alanny 
built eighty-four machines in 1852. 

In July, 1852, a reaper trial was held in Ge- 
neva, New York, in which Mr. Manny's reaper 
came into competition with eleven others. The 
excellence of Mr. iManny's machine was estab- 
lished. 

In the spring of 1853 Mr. iManny was urged 
to come to Rockford by Orlando Clark. The 
preceding year Isaac Utter came from the east 
and formed a partnership with Mr. Clark, under 
the firm name of Clark & Utter. In the spring 
of 1853 there were manufactured one hundred 
and fifty of Mr. Manny's combined reapers and 
mowers in Clark & Utter's factory. It is also 
said that John A. Holland told Blinn & Emer- 
son, who were then in the hardware business, 
that it would be desirable to have Mr. Manny 
come to Rockford for two reasons : First, there 
was better water-power : second, the firm was ex- 
tendin.o- liberal credit to Mr. Manny for stock. 

The popularity of the Manny reaper demanded 
larger capital. In the spring of 1834 Wait and 
Sylvester Talcott became associated with IMr. 
Manny as partners, under the firm name of J. H. 
Mannv & Co., and during the year eleven hun- 
dred machines were made. In the autumn of 
1854 Jesse Blinn and Ralph Emerson were added 
to the firm and the name was changed to 
IManny & Company. In 1855 the famous trials 
of the IMannv reaper were made in Europe, 
which gave to his invention a reputation abroad. 
'Sir. Mannv continued to improve his reaper, and 
obtained twenty-three patents upon new devices. 

In September. 1855, Cyrus H. McCormick, of 
Chicago, began suit in the federal court to en- 
join the Manny company from using a certain de- 
vice upon the grounds of infringement of pat- 
ent. The case was heard before Justice McLean 
and Judge Drummond at Cincinnati, although 
the court records were kept in Chicago, which 
belonared to the same circuit. Attorneys of na- 



72 



PAST AND ri>JESEXT OF W I. WE I '.AGO COrXTY 



tioiuil rcpulatiiiii were retained. Mr. AlcCor- 
mick's counsel were Reverdy Johnson and E. 
X. Dickinson. Peter H. W'atson, who had ob- 
tained Mr. Manny's patents, was g'iven entire 
change of tlie defendants' case. 

Peter II. W'atson was an early resident of 
Rockford. He and his l)rothcr William were 
])niprietors of the first frnnidry and machine sho]), 
which stood on the site of Jeremiah Davis' resi- 
dence on Xorth Second street. Mr. Watson 
continued his interest in the foundry until .Au- 
gust. 1845. .\fter leavingf Rockford \\x. Watson 
became one of the best known attorneys of the 
country. lie was assistant secretary of war un- 
der Edwin M. Stanton ; was later jiresident of 
the Erie railway, and one of the organizers of 
what is now the Standard Oil Company. 

Mr. Watson employed George Harding, Ed- 
win M. Stanton and Abraham Lincoln. It is said 
E. I'.. Washburnc had recommended Mr. Lin- 
cnln to Mr. Manny. When all the ])arties had 
arrived at Cincinnati .Mr. Lincoln was informed 
bv Mr. Watson that .Mr. Stanton would close the 
case for the defendants. This was a great humil- 
iation to Mr. Lincoln. Although he had prepared 
his argument Mr. Lincoln did not argue the case. 

Mr. Lincoln first met Mr. Stanton at Cincinnati. 
Mr. Stanton treated him with great discourtesy 
during the trial and referred to him as a rail 
sjilitter from the wild west. Xot withstanding 
these indignities Mr. Lincoln was imi)ressed with 
Mr. Stanton's force of character ; and when six 
years later a man of iron was needed. President 
Lincoln made Stanton his secretary of war. No 
other incident in the life of Mr. Lincoln better 
illustrates his moral greatness. 

The trial resulted in a victory for the Mannv 
Conipany. The decision was announced January 
16, 1856. The defendants' expenses of the suit 
were sixty thousand dollars, and this large sum 
was paid from the business in a short time. Mr. 
McCormick appealed the case to the Cnited 
States supreme court, of which Roger Pi. Taney, 
who rendered the famous Dred Scott decision, 
was chief justice. The decision of the lower court 
was affirmed, and Mr. Manny's rights as an in- 
ventor were fully sustained. 

Icla M. Tarbell's Life of Lincoln, republished 
from her serial in McClurc's Magazine, gives 
an incident of this trial, which the author obtained 
from Rali)h Emerson, who says : 

".Mr. Stanton closed his speech in a flight of 
imi)assioned elofjuence. Tiien the court ad- 
journed for the day, and Mr. Lincoln invited me 
to take a long walk with him. For block after 
block he walked rapidly forward, not saving a 
word, evidently deeply dejected. 

".\t last he turned suddenly to me, exclaiming, 
'Emerson, I am going home.' \ pause. 'I ain 
going hfinie to study law.' 



" "W hy. I exclaimed, '.Mr. Lincoln, you stand 
at the head of the bar in Illinois now ! What are 
you talking about ?' 

■■ 'Ah, yes,' he said, 'I do occu])y a good posi- 
tion there, and I think that I can get along with 
the way things are done there now. Put these 
college trained men. who have devoted their 
whole lives to study, arc coming west, don't you 
see? And they study their cases as we never do. 
Thev have got as far as Cincinnati now. They 
will soon be in Illinois." Another long pause; 
then sto])ping and turning toward me, his coun- 
tenance suddenly assuming that look of strong 
determination which those who knew him best 
sometimes saw upon his face, he exclaimed, 'I 
am going home to study law ! I am as good as 
anv of them, and when they get out to Illinois I 
will be ready for them.' " 

Mr. Lincoln's only visit to Rockford was on 
a hot summer afternoon. He came on profes- 
sional busines.s' in connection with his suit. Mr. 
Lincoln and one of the clients sat on an old log 
on the bank of the river and discussed the matter. 
Mr. Lincoln wore a long linen coat, and presented 
that ])icture of ungainliness with which the world 
is familiar. Mr. Lincoln was a guest at Mr. 
Manny's home, which was a small frame build- 
ing that .stood on the site of the Mihvaukee depot. 
The company paid Mr. Lincoln a fee of one thou- 
sand dollars, which was the largest retainer he 
had received up to that time. 

The prolonged mental strain incident to per- 
fecting his inventions and the trial of the suit un- 
dermined Mr. Manny's health. He fell a prey to 
consumption, and January 37. 1856, he passed 
away, in his little modest home on South Main 
street, when he had just ])asscd his thirtieth birth- 
day. He never realized the w^eallh which his in- 
ventions would bring to others, nor the prestige 
which they would give to the Reaper City, nor the 
great name which he had made for himself, 

Mrs. Manny received a royalty of twenty-five 
dollars on every machine manufactured. This 
amount was subsequently reduced. Financial re- 
verses overtook the comjiany in 1857. but it 
weathered the storm and built an extensive plant. 

During the summer of 1903 the Milwaukee 
Sentinel jniblished a notable article, written by a 
special Washington correspondent, which pur- 
])orted to he an expose of the "Inside story of the 
great fraud perpetrated on Cyrus Hall McCor- 
mick, which robbed him of his |)atent rights and 
barred his face from I'ncle Sam's currency." The 
article professetl to reveal the manner by which 
Colonel William Wood purchased every McCor- 
mick reaper known to exist in the country, one 
of which was examined by a patent commissioner, 
and subsc(|uently so tampered with and changed 
by Colonel Wood as to deceive the I'nited States 
supreme court into renilering a decision against 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WLXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



73 



Mr. McCormick. Col. Wood died in 1903. He 
was superintendent of the old Capitol and Carrol 
prisons during- the war and was at the head of 
the United States secret service during the re- 
construction period. 

Mr. McCormick had other troubles. In 1895 
an efifort was made to have the portrait of Mr. 
]McCormick placed on the silver certificates of the 
government currency. But there had been a pro- 
longed controversy between the rival claims of 
'Sir. ]\IcCormick and Obed Hussey as to who was 
the real inventor of the reaper. j\lr. McCormick's 
old rivals and enemies came forward with such 
vigorous protests and so clouded his title to an 
invention that the government abandoned the 
idea of placing his name upon its currency. 

There are several small volumes in the Rock- 
ford public library bearing upon the various 
phases of this historic controversy. 

EMERPOX. LOWELL AND GREELEY \-ISIT ROCKFORD. 

There has been one movement in the history 
of the American mind which gave to literature a 
g-roup of writers entitled to the name of a school. 
This was the great humanitarian movement, or 
series of movements, in New England, which be- 
gan with the elder Channing. ran through its 
later phase in transcendentalism, and spent its 
force in the anti-slavery agitation and the enthusi- 
asms of the civil war. This intellectual and moral 
awakening found its expression in the lecture 
platform. The daily newspaper had not assumed 
its present blanket-sheet proportions : and the 
leaders of these various phases of new thought 
carried their message to the people in person. 

In the autumn of 1853 the Young i\Ien's Asso- 
ciation was organized, for the purpose of bring- 
ing to Rockford the most popular lecturers of the 
dav. Among its members were Rev. H. M. 
Goodwin, C. H. Spafford. H. H. Waldo, H. P. 
Holland, E. W. Blaisdell, J. E. L. Southgate, 
William Lathrop, R. A. Sanford, E. H. Baker, 
Rev. J. Murray, E. C. Daugherty, A. S. Miller. 

The first course was provided for the winter 
of 1853-54. It began with two lectures, Novem- 
ber 29th and 30th. by E. P. Whipple, in the First 
Baptist church. It is almost incredible that one 
of the local newspapers should not have even 
given the subject of his lecture. From the other, 
however, it is learned that ]\Ir. Whipple's theme 
for the first lecture was "Heroic Character," and 
that he "delineated graphically and beautifully, 
the hero-soldier, led on by his love of glory ; the 
hero-patriot, actuated by his love of country ; the 
hero-reformer, moved by his love of humanity ; 
and the hero-saint, animated by his love of God." 
The subject of his second lecture was "Eccentric 
Character." The Forum's criticism was not very 
appreciative. 



The third lecture was given December loth, at 
the Baptist church, by Horace Mann. His sub- 
ject was "Young Alen." The Democrat, in "re- 
porting" the lecture, took this flattering unction 
to its soul ; "As we looked around over the large 
assemblage of youth, beauty, intellect and fashion, 
and noted with what anxiety the sea of heads 
were turned toward the speaker, as if to catch 
the words ere they left his lips, we experienced 
a deep feeling of pride, and thought to ourselves, 
few places in any land, of equal age, population, 
etc., can boast of a more highly refined intellect- 
ual community than is to be found in our own 
little embryo city." 

The fourth lecture was given in the City Hall, 
by George \MlHam Curtis, December 12th. His 
subject was "Young America,'" and for an hour 
and a half the speaker entranced his audience 
with his noble thought and pure diction. 

Horace Greeley followed Mr. Curtis. His 
theme was "The Reforms of the Age." He spoke 
of the abolition and temperance movements, 
woman's rights, and the abolition of the death 
penalty. ]\Ir. Greeley wrote his impressions of the 
Rock River valley at some length for the New 
York Tribune, from which his characteristic 
paragraph is taken: "I have traversed the Ro- 
man Campagna ( which is only a great wet prairie 
surcharged with malaria and ruins), glanced at 
the great pastures of Belgium, and ridden across 
the prairies of central and northern Indiana by 
daylight, lamplight and moonlight ; but still I was 
nowhere in a discussion of the value and attract- 
iveness of prairies — for I had never been on Rock 
river. But now, gentlemen ! I give you fair 
warning that I take a back seat no longer when 
the felicities of western life and the genial fer- 
tility and Eden-like character of the prairies is 
under discussion, for I have been on Rock river ! 
. . I should like more springs, more running 
streams, and less lime in the water ; but then Par- 
adise is beyond Jordan, or some other stream, 
and is not wisely sought even on Rock river." 

The next speaker was Prof. Joseph Emerson, 
of Beloit, who spoke of Greek civilization. W. 
H. Channing was announced for January 27th, 
but no reference to the lecture is found. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered the seventh 
lecture in the course February 3, 1854, in War- 
ner's Hall. "Emerson's lecture," says H. H. 
Waldo, "was not without its comical features. 
His subject was 'History.' I believe it was the 
same as his essay with that title. One scintilla- 
tion was this : 'Time vanishes to shining ether the 
solid angularity of facts. Carthage was, but is 
not.' This was only saying there was nothing 
permanent. He gave this thought in a matter-of- 
fact style. The hall was packed, but half the au- 
dience was sleepy. The lecture was pronounced 
bv some to be a failure." 



PAST AXl) I'RKSICXT OF \\l\.\l-:i!A(i( ) CorXTY. 



Lectures were jjiveii (luriiijj^ the season by 
Bisliop T'otter. Chancellor Lalliro]), .liidsje Doo- 
little. of Wisconsin, on "The Cliaracler of Wash- 
ington ;" Uayanl Taylor, two lectures, on "The 
Arabs," and "Japan and the Jai)anesc." March 
27tb. 1854. ( )le r.ull and Patti" were in Rockford. 

The course for 1854- 1853 included Rev. E. H. 
Chapin. Josiali Ouincy. John C,. Saxe. John Pier- 
pont. James Russell i.owell. and Itayard Taylor. 
Dr. Chapin spoke on ".Modern Chivalry;" Mr. 
Saxe gave a poem-lecture on "Yankee Land ;" 
John I'ierpont's theme was "The Golden Calf;' 
Lowell spoke on "English Ballads." and Taxlor 
on "India." 

The course of 1853-56 was opened by Henry 
Ward lieecher. who spoke on "I'atriotism." He 
was followed by Wendell Phillips. T. Sarr King 
and Dr. Chapin were engaged for Ibis course. 

During the next few years Rockford was fa- 
vored with P. .\. Shillabcr, Parke E. Godwin, 
John 15. Gough and Prof. Youmans. 

.\ FR.\G.\IKNT OK POl-irilAI. HISTORY. 

Rockffird has claimed the honor of the ])irth- 
|)lace of the Republican |)arty, so far as a congres- 
sional nomination under the name is concerned. 
"Seven cities tought for Homer dead ;'' likewise 
many places have contended for the honor of the 
first party organization. Rockford's claim to 
the first congressional nomination is certainly 
not unreasonable ; and even if it can not be sus- 
tained, it will at least call attention to a notable 
])o1itical event. 

When the Kansas-Xebraska bill was passed 
by congress in May, 1854, there was a general 
feeling in the old whig and democratic parties 
that the enroachments of the slave-power de- 
manded more vigorous resistance. With this end 
in view, a call was issued .\ugust 8th. to the vot- 
ers of the first congressional district, for a 
mass meeting to be held in Rockford on the 30th 
instant. This call was signed by forty-six citizens 
of Rockford. only two of whom are now known. 
The meeting was called to order in the court- 
house, and from there adjourned to the grove 
west of the Ilaptist church, between Court and 
Winnebago streets. E. I!. Washburiie had been 
elected a member of congress as a whig two vears 
before, and was of course a candidate for re-elec- 
tion. There were other Richmonds in the field: 
Turner and .Sweet, of I'reej^irt : Loop, of Rock- 
ford, and Hulbut of P.elvitlere. Xone of these 
were f)penly avowerl candidates : but each was 
anxious for the jirize. A committee on resolu- 
tions of one from each county was nominated. 
There was ambition mixed with patriotism. It 
was a time >>{ breaking u]) of old parties, and the 
future was uncertain. Mow far would it be safe 
to declare against the action of congress? 



This was a serious f[uestion. The leaders were 
against Washburne, but the ijeojile were with him. 
There is a tradition that the committee on res- 
olutions was directed somewhat by the suggest- 
ions of Ste])hen .\. Hurlbut. in preparing anti- 
slavery resolutions so radical that Mr. W'ash- 
buriie, it was thought, could not accept a nomina- 
tion u])on them. I'.ut Mr. Washburne was equal 
to the occasion, lie ileclared that the resolutions 
met his most hearty approval ; whereu])on James 
Loo]) remarked, in language more emijhatic than 
l)ious. that Washburne would swallow anything. 
.Mr. Washburne was thereupon nominated as a 
Re])ublicaii by this mass convention. 

The regular whig convention for the district 
was held Se])tember Cith. and Mr. Washliurne was 
also made the nominee. His nomination was op- 
])ose(l by .Mr. ilurlbut. who on the d.ay of the con- 
vention is reported to have said : "When you say 
that E. D. Washburne is a good man, I agree with 
you. But when you say that he is a wise man and 
a statesman, there is a chance for an argument. 
It has been said .Mr. Washburne is a man of learn- 
ing, l)ut I say that as a man of learning, E. B. 
Washburne. of Fever river. Galena, possesses 
frightful limitations." Mr. Hurlbut was a con- 
summate master of sarcasm, which he often used 
without mercy. But it has been said that while 
Hurlbut could make the better speech. Wash- 
l)urne won the votes ; and on the whole, he was 
the more successful ])olii!cian. 

In the evening .Mr. Waslil)urne entertained his 
friends at a bancpiet at the City Hotel. Some- 
time after this whig convention. Mr. Hurlbut 
met II. 11. Waldo, who had supported Mr. 
Washburne, and complimented him on his splen- 
did fi,ght, and said that, considering the material 
at hand, he had done well. 

Thus was made one of the first, if not the very 
first, republican nomination for member of con- 
gress. The strong anti-slavery sentiment of both 
]jarties had been intensified by the repeal of the 
Missouri compromise, under the leadership of 
.Stephen .\. Douglas, and the passage of the Il- 
linois lilack Laws, through the influence of John 
.A. Logan. Like Saul of Tarsus before he saw a 
great light. Logan was dominated by prejuflice; 
ami. like I'aul after his change, he bravely de- 
fended those he formerly oppressed. General 
Logan always had the courage of his convictions ; 
and his jwlitical change was sincere. 

ROCKFORO SKTTI.ICRS 1 85 1 -54. 

Seeley Perry was born at .Stockbridgc, Massa- 
chusetts, .\ugust 22. i8jj, and was graduated 
from L'niitn College at Schenectady in 1845. Mr. 
Perry came to Rockton in 1840, and in 1851 he 
settled in Rockford. .\fter teaching one year he 
engagefl in the lumber trade, in which he contin- 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



75 



ued for nearly half a century. Mr. Perry was 
elected mayor of Rockford in 1858, and served 
one term. He also served the city as alderman, 
member of the hoard of education, and a director 
of the public library. Mr. Perry died in 1900. 

Jesse Blinn was born in 1809 in \'ermont, and 
from there he removed to Conneaut, Ohio. He 
came to Rockton in 1838 ; in 1850 he settled in 
Rockford. and his family a 3'ear later. He 
opened the first exclusive hardware store in the 
city. He subsequently became a manufacturer 
on the water-power, to which reference has been 
made. Mr. Blinn died in iS/ij. ]\lrs. Blinn died 
in 1905. 

Ralph Emerson was the son of Rev. Ralph Em- 
erson, a Congregational clergyman, and a profes- 
sor in Andover theological seminary, the oldest 
Congregational divinity school in the country. 
Another son was Professor Joseph Emerson, of 
Beloit. ^Ir. Emerson was born in Andover, 
Massachusetts, in 1831. He came to Rockford 
in 1852. and was later a partner with Jesse Blinn 
in the hardware business until they became inter- 
ested in the water-power. The Emerson Com- 
pany has proved one of the most successful man- 
ufacturers in the west. This result may be at- 
tributed to 2\lr. Emerson's unusual executive 
ability. He has made a generous use of his large 
wealth in contributions to various religious en- 
terprises. Mr. Emerson married Adaline Talcott, 
a daughter of Hon. Wait Talcott. 

Hon. Wait Talcott was a son of William Tal- 
cott, and was born at Hebron, Connecticut, Octo- 
ber 17, 1807. He came to Rockton in the autumn 
of 1838. He was one of the incorporators of Be- 
loit college and Rockford seminary. In 1854 he 
came to Rockford and began his career as a man- 
ufacturer on the water-power with his brother 
Sylvester. In 1854 he was elected state senator 
from the district, comprising Winnebago, Carroll, 
Boone and Ogle counties. Upon the passage of 
the internal revenue act. President Linconi ap- 
pointed ]\Ir. Talcott commissioner of internal 
revenue for the Second congressional district. 
This appointment was dated August 27, 1862, 
and Mr. Talcott served five years. Mr. Talcott 
preserved files of Chicago and Rockford news- 
papers, and upon his death, which occurred No- 
vember 7, 1890. his son. William A. Talcott. pre- 
sented them in excellent bound condition to the 
Rockford public library. 

John S. Coleman was a native of Delaware 
county. New York. In 185 1 he removed with his 
family to Rockford and became a member of the 
banking firm of Robertson, Coleman & Company. 
He built the stone house on North >\lain street, 
now owned by \\'iliam Nelson. Air. Coleman 
was a trustee of Rockford seminary and treasurer 
of the board, and a member of the city council. 
He died April 6, 1864, in his fifty-eighth year. 



James L. Loo]i was Ijorn in Steuben county, 
New York, in 1815. He settled in Belvidere in 
1838, and some years later he formed a partner- 
shi]5 with his brother-in-law, Stephen A. Hurlbut, 
in the practice of law. He was prosecuting attor- 
ney for the northern district of Illinois in 1843-5. 
From 1846 to 1850 Mr. Loop was secretary of the 
Illinois and ^Michigan canal, which office he re- 
signed. In 1852 ]\Ir. Loop removed to Rockford 
and formed law partnership with William Lath- 
rop. In 1856 tie was elected mayor of Rockford, 
and served one term. Mr. Loop's death occurred 
February 8, 1865, when he was fifty years of age. 
The remains were taken to Belvidere for burial. 
By the common consent of the Rockford bar, 
James L. Loop possessed the finest legal ability 
of any man who ever practiced in this city. His 
intellect was strong and his resources were at his 
instant command. His grasp of legal principles 
was due to his acute, intuitive sense of what was 
right between man and man, which was a gift 
from nature. Mr. Loop was always the genial 
gentleman. Like so many other gifted men. he 
was his own worst enemy, and his sad. imtimely 
death was an impressive object lesson that strong 
drink is no respecter of persons. 

\\'illiam Lathrop is a native of Genesee county, 
New York. He came to Rockford in January, 
1 85 1. He was partner with James L. Loop from 
1853 to 1857. In 1856 Mr. Lathrop was elected 
a member of the legislature, and served one term. 
In 1876 he succeeded Stephen A. Hurlbut as 
member of congress from the Fourth district, 
and served one term. During his long residence 
in Rockford Mr. Lathrop has enjoyed a large and 
lucrative legal practice. The author takes pleas- 
ure in acknowledging his obligations to Mr. Lath- 
rop for the free use of his library and for infor- 
mation personally given. 

Lion. John Early was born in Middlesex 
county, Canada West, A larch 17, 1828. In 1846 
he removed with his parents to Boone county, 
and in 1852 he settled in Rockford. He served 
three terms as assessor of Rockford. In 1869 he 
was appointed one of the first board of trustees 
of the reform school at Pontiac. In 1870 ilr. 
Early was elected state senator from the Twenty- 
third district, composed of Winnebago, Boone, 
AlcHenry and Lake counties. His senatorial 
colleague was General Allen C. Fuller, of Bel- 
videre. After the state haa been re-districted he 
was elected senator in 1872, from the Ninth dis- 
trict, which included Winnebago and Boone coun- 
ties, and again in 1874, for the full term of four 
years. By the election of Governor Oglesby to 
the United States senate, and Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor Beveridge becoming governor, Mr. Early 
became acting lieutenant-governor of the state. 
Mr.- Early died September 2. 1877. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Edward F. W. Ellis was 



I'\ST Wn I'KFSRXT OF \\ I XXFlJALiU CUL'XTV. 



born in Milton, Maine. Ajjfil 15, i8iy. lie came 
to Rockfonl in 1S54 and became a member of 
tlie bankin.ij firm of Spaffonl. Clark &• Ellis. 
L'i)on the outbreak of the civil war Colonel Ellis 
raised a company for the Fifteenth regiment, 
called the Ellis Rifles. He was chosen lieutenant- 
colonel, but was acting colonel at the time of his 
death. At the battle of Shiloh he was in command 
of the I'ilteentn. which belonged to General Hurl- 
hut's division. On Monday morning his regiment 
was exposed to a terrible fire and Colonel Ellis 
was struck in the breast by a ball, and instantly 
expired. Col. l^llis' home was the historic home- 
stead lately owned by Dr. W. H. Fitch, on ^Vest 
State street. In 1S56 the property was trans- 
ferred to Colonel Ellis, and there he lived with his 
wife and children. 

Henry P. Kimball was a native of Xew Hamp- 
shire, and was graduated from Rochester univer- 
sity. Mr. Kimball came to Rockford in 1852. 
and taught school for some time. He had a local 
re]>utatitin as a horticulturist. As secretary of the 
-Agricultural Society, Mr. Kimball achieved a 
uni(|ue distinction as a successful fair advertiser. 
l'l)on his invitation many of the most distin- 
guished men of the la.st generation visited Rock- 
ford and made addresses. Mr. Kimball died Mav 
10, 1889. 

John Xelson was a native of West Gothland, 
Sweden, born April 5, 1830. He came to Rock- 
ford in 1852. ilis life was uneventful until a 
short time before liis death, when he i)erfected 
the Xelson knitting machine, which revolution- 
ized the knitting of liosiery. After (icneral Grant 
had returned from liis tour around the world, he 
visited Mr. Xelson's factory, and declared that 
he had never seen such perfect machinerv for this 
purpose. Mr. Xelson died April 15. 1883. The 
Hotel Xelson is named in his honor. 

.\. E. Goodwin, M. D., was Ixirn August 11. 
1827. at Chelsea. \'ermont. He was graduated 
from P.erk.shire medical college at Pittsficld. 
Massachusetts. Dr. Goodwin came to Rockford 
in 1854. During the civil war lie was a surgeon 
in the Eleveiitli Illinois Infantry and in the One 
Hundred and F:ighth. He was wounded at Mcks- 
burg. Dr. Goodwin was a member of tlie citv 
1)oard of education, and of the public library 
board. He died May 14, 1889. 

Chester C. Rriggs was a native of \''ermont. 
He was liorn in Dover, Se])tember 6, 181 7. He 
was graduated from Dartmoutli college, and in 
1833 he came to Rockford and became the sen- 
ior nieml)er of the banking firm of Hriggs, Spaf- 
ford & Penfield. He was subsequently financial 
manager of the Kenosha Railroad Coiiipain. In 
}H()H he became associated with the firm of 
'•riggs. Mead & Skinner, in the manufacture of 
agricultural implements. The firm n.imc w.-i^; 



later changed to P.riggs & Enoch. .Mr. Priggs 
died January 24, i8<j2. 

James (;. .Manlove was a native of Dover, Del- 
aware, where he was born December 15, 181 2. 
He was admitted to the bar in Wisconsin, and set- 
tled in Rockford in 185 1, and began the practice 
of law. He held the offices of police magis- 
trate, justice of the peace, town clerk and alder- 
man, and the confidence which the peojjle rc])osed 
in him is attested by his re])eated elections as 
town clerk and justice of the peace. ]\fr. Man- 
love died Xovember 6, i8(p. 

Robert P. Lane, M. D.. was torn in Ho|)cwell, 
I'edford county, Penns\lvania, in 1818. He came 
to Rockford in 1 851. He was a leader in the or- 
ganization of the water-power company, and gave 
his ])ersonal attention to the construction of the 
dam. He was a member of the banking firm of 
Lane, Sanford & Com])anv : one of the organizers 
of the Second Xational liank, and continuously 
served as its president from 1864 to 1881, when 
he resigned to accept the ])residency of the Rock- 
ford Insurance Company. He served as a mem- 
ber of the library board, and was senior warden 
of the Episcopal church for forty \ears. Dr. 
Lane died March 7, 1891. 

.\ntliony Haines was a native of Marietta, 
Pennsylvania, born April 21, 1829. He came to 
Rockford in 1854. and formed a partncr.ship with 
I'^lisha .A. Kirk for buying and shipping grain 
over the Kencxsha railroad. In 1880 he. witli other 
gentlemen, organized the Rockford Street Rail- 
way Company, of which he was elected president 
and general nianager. Mr. Haines, at the time 
of his death in 1898, was vice-president of the 
Manufacturers' National Bank. 

Charles O. L^pton was born in North Reading, 
Massachusetts, in T832, and came to Rockford 
in 1854. ;\rr. l'()ton has been prominent in the 
banking business of the city. He was a director 
of the Second Xational Pank twenty years, and 
the last two years was its vice-president. In 1889 
he led in the organization of the Manufacturers' 
Xational Bank and was its president ten years. 
Mr. L'pton has served the jwblic in the city coun- 
cil, on the county board, and as treasurer of Rock- 
ford one term. 

Carlton W. Slielildu is a native of Xew York, 
born in \'ictor. March 14. 1828. He came to 
Rockford in 1852, entered the law office of Ja- 
son Marsh, and was admitted to the bar in the au- 
tumn of the same year. In 1869 lie entered the 
em|)loy of the Rockford Insurance Company as 
adjuster and remained five years, and in 1874 he 
was elected secretary of the Forest Cit\ Insurance 
Company, and lield this iiosition five years, when 
he resunie<l the practice of law. 

Isaac Utter was a native of Xew York. He 
came to Rockford in 1852. and formed a partner- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



77 



ship with Orlando Clark, on the water-power. 
For twenty-one years he was associated with Levi 
Rhoades. in the manufacture of paper. He was a 
man of energy, and good judgement in business 
affairs. Mr. Utter died May 7, 1888. 

Alexander D. Forbes was born in Perthshire, 
Scotland, December 13. 1S31. He came to Rock- 
ford in 1854, and in partnership with his father, 
Duncan Forbes, began business on the water- 
power. In 1864 they established the first malle- 
able iron works west of Cincinnati. The father 
died in 1871. Mr. Forbes died ]\Iarch 30, 1902. 

Major Elias Cosper was born in Wooster, Ohio, 
in 1824. He came to Rockford in 1854, and en- 
tered the banking house of Robertson, 
Coleman & Company, as teller, and in 
1857 he became its cashier. Upon the 
outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Cosper sold his 
interest in the bank and entered the service with 
Company E, Seventy-fourth Regiment. After 
the battle of Chickamauga he was promoted to 
the rank of major and paymaster of the army. 
Upon his return to civil life. Air. Cosper, in com- 
pany with T. D. Robertson, Alelancthon Starr, 
and John P. Jilanny. organized the John P. 
Manny Reaper Company and was its manager. 
From 1874 Mr. Cosper was connected with the 
Rockford Tack Company, and was its secretary 
and treasurer. He died in 1900. 

John G. Penfield is a native of \'ermont and 
settled in Rockford in 1854. Since that time he 
has been continuously in business as a broker and 
dealer in real estate and insurance. ]\Irs. Pen- 
field gave the lot to the First Congregational 
church on which the parsonage now stands. 

William A. Knowlton was a native of Chautau- 
qua county. New York, and removed to the west 
when a young man. He came to Rockford in 1853 
from Freeport, Illinois. After the death of J. H. 
Alanny. Mr. Knowlton became business agent for 
I\Irs. Alanny. He retained this position for sev- 
eral years, and was eminently successful. Mr. 
Knowlton was subsequently engaged in various 
manufacturing enterprises. He sustained finan- 
cial reverses, and in the autumn of 1891 he re- 
moved to Chicago, where he died September 17th 
of the following year. 

John P. ]\Ianny was born in Amsterdam, New 
York, March 8, 1823. He settled at \\'addam's 
Grove, Stephenson county, in 1842. He came to 
Rockford in 1852, and for several years he man- 
ufactured knife sections for J. H. Manny's ma- 
chines. Early in the sixties he perfected several 
inventions, which were handled by N. C. Thomp- 
son. After the war Mr. Manny became interested 
with the John P. Manny Compan}-. in wliich he 
was associated with Elias Cosper, T. D. Robert- 
son and Melancthon Starr. This company and 
j\lr. Thompson paid him royalities upon his in- 
ventions, and the JNIississippi river was the divid- 



ing line between their respective territories. 
Mr. Alanny's income from this source was at 
one time forty thousand dollars a year. He pur- 
chased the John S. Coleman estate on North Main 
street, which was his home for many years. This 
property is now owned by William Nelson. JNIr. 
Manny died November 16, 1897. 

Among other well-known citizens who came to 
Rockford during this period were : Horace 
Brown, T. J. L. Remington, 1850; J. AI. South- 
gate, Andrew G. Lowry, Horace Buker, 1852 ; 
Jacob Hazlett, D. A. Barnard, Samuel Ferguson, 
1853: Henry Fisher, Melancthon Smith, T. W. 
Carrico, ^^'illiam and George R. Forbes, 1854. 

THE FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

The agitation for a public library began in 1852. 
Several years elapsed, however, before a library 
was established, and informatiot: concerning 
these early efforts are very meagre. 

The Sinissippi Division No. 134 of the Sons 
of Temperance of Rockford surrendered its char- 
ter to the grand division April 15. 1852. Its for- 
mer members resolved to reorganize under the 
name of the Rockford Library Association. All 
members of the division who had paid their quar- 
terly dues to the close of the preceding quarter, 
were to be equal sharers in the library. A request 
was made in the Forum of April 21st, for the re- 
turn of all books belonging to the library. Thus, 
so far as known, the first circulating library was 
the small number of books owned by the Sons of 
Temperance. The Forum of October 27th pub- 
lished a call for a meeting of the trustees of the 
Library Association for October 30th, and for 
the annual meeting of the stockholders on the 
first Saturday of November. No other refer- 
ence to the library is found immediately there- 
after. 

At the annual meeting of the Young Men's As- 
sociation, September 11, 1855, it was proposed 
to extend its sphere of usefulness by providing 
a library and reading-room. A committee of three 
was appointed to confer with the old Library As- 
sociation with a view of obtaining its books. As 
far as can be learned, this effort to establish a li- 
brary and reading-room was not successful. 

It was not until March, 1857, that the first suc- 
cessful effort to establish a library was made. In 
that month a subscription paper was circulated, 
with the following statement of its object: 

"We, the undersigned, agree to take the num- 
ber of shares set opposite our names, in an associ- 
ation to be incorporated under the general law 
of this state, for the purpose of the establish- 
ment of a public library in the city of Rockford. 
Said library to be under the management and 
control of a board of trustees, to be elected by the 
stockholders. 



7S 



PAST AND TRESEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



Shares to lie fifty dollars each. Ten dollars 
per share payable iii)oii the foundation of the as- 
sociation, and ten dollars per share per anninii 
thereafter, in such amounts and at such times 
as shall lio tletermined by the said board of trus- 
tees. Shares subject to forfeiture by the trustees, 
for non-payment of installments." 

The first four names u])on the list jjledsjcd 
twelve hundred dollars, and by the autunui i>f 
1858 six thousand dollars had been pledged. Wil- 
liam L. Rowland collected a considerable portion 
of this amount, and a schedule of cash payments 
was preserved by him. which is still in existence. 
The library was duly organized October 14, 1858. 
Rooms were secured on the third floor of Robert- 
son. Coleman & Company's bank. James M. 
Wight, .^celey Perry. Selden M. Church. Pllias 
Cospor. and Thomas D. Robertson constituted 
the first board of trustees ; Elias Cospcr was chair- 
man : Spencer Rising, treasurer ; F. H. Bradley, 
librarian. The original board was composed of 
gentlemen of exceptional literary equipment. 
Others rentlered efficient aid in the selection of 
books. .Among them was William L. Rowland, 
who was subsquently ai)|)ointeil librarian of the 
l)ublic library. The books, although few in nmn- 
ber. possessed very high merit. 

The number of volumes at this time was about 
one thousand : number of magazines and news- 
papers, tliirty-eight. During the next few years 
the li])rary steadily received accessions. Accord- 
ing to the annual rejiort of the stockholders, made 
October 11, i860, there were 1,134 volumes. 
There had lieen drawn during the year ending 
October 4th. 1 .669 volumes. This was an in- 
crease of 396 over the preceding year. Several 
gentlemen acted as librarian for short tcmis. and 
received a nominal com])ensation. .Aiuong those 
who rendered this service were John F. Squier 
and Hosmer P. Holland. 

The library served its jiurposc several years 
but during the war popular interest began to de- 
cline. The library was finally closed, anil 1867 the 
books were sold at public auction in a building 
on Xorth Alain .street, directly north of Air. A.sh- 
ton's block. .Some of these books are now in the 
puljlic lil)rary. and (|uite a number, in excellent 
condition, are in the private library of Rolx^rt II. 
Tinker. 

WKSLKY.X.N' SK.M I X Ain'. 

In the summer of 1856 a movement was begun 
for the founding of a co-educational seminary 
in Rockford. under the control of the Alcthodist 
Episcopal church. February 14, 1837, an act of 
the legislature was approved to incoqioratc the 
Rockford Weslevan seminarv. The incorjjor- 
ators were E. F. \V. Ellis. T. D. Robertson. D. 
W. Ticknor, and \^^ F. Stewart. There were 
to ]}i- twelve trustees, appointed by the stock- 



holders, eight of whom should he members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. .\ board of 
three visitors was to be a])i)ointed by the annual 
Rock River conference. The company was to 
have a capital stock of one hundred thousand 
dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dol- 
lars each. 

.\ farm of about two lumdred and sixteen 
acres was purchased of William AI. Rowland. 
It adjoined Judge Church's farm on the west 
and extended north to the State road. The pur- 
chase price and accrued interest amounted to 
nearly twenty thousand dollars. A large portion 
of this tract was platted into town lots, and it 
was proposed to build a college su1)urban town. 
The sale of lots occurred .\pril 21). 1857. The 
subscribers to stock |)urchased lots. Rev. W. 
V. Stewart had been transferred from the Ohio 
to the Rock River conference, and had been 
assigned to the Second or Court Street church. 
Rev, Stewart was made purchasing agent for the 
seminary by the annual conference. 

-August 31, 1857, the ceremony of breaking 
ground for the seiuinary building took place 
imder the direction of Rev. T. AI. Eddy, who 
was in attendance upon Rock River conference, 
which was then in session in Rockford. Several 
hundred people were in attendance. An address 
was made by Rev. J. C. Stoughton. agent of 
Clark seminary : and Rev. W. F. Stewart gave a 
brief history of the origin of the seminary 
movement. 

When the groimd was broken, fiftv-seven 
thousand dollars had been subscribed. The en- 
terprise, however, was unsuccessful. Quite a 
number of houses were built, but in time several 
of them migrated into town on rollers, and the 
land reverted to farming purposes. 

In October, 1857, Rev. .Stewart began the 
l)ublication of the Rockford Weslyan Seminary 
Reporter, in the interest of the seminary. Only 
four numbers were ])ublished. Both Rev. 
Stewart and Rev. Stoughton have died within 
the past few years. 

n.WAKI) TAVI.ok's TRinUTE. 

Bayard Taylor, in a letter to the Tribune, 
l)ublishe(l the spring of 1855, paid Rockford this 
generous tribute: "I last wrote to you from 
Rockford, the most beautiful town in northern 
Illinois. It has the advantage of an admirable 
water-power, furnished by Rock river ; of a rich, 
rolling prairie, which is fast being settled and 
farmed on all sides, of a fine building material 
in its quarries, of soft yellow limestone, re- 
sembling the Roman travertine: and of an mi- 
usually enterprising and intelligent population. 
Knowing all these advantages, I was not sur- 
])rised at the evidence of growth since my first 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



79 



visit a year ago. People are flocking in faster 
than room can be furnished, and the foundations 
of two new hotels, on a large scale, show the 
equipments of the place. I was pleased to note 
that taste keeps pace with prosperity here, as 
elsewhere in the northwest. The new Unitarian 
church is a simple but very neat Gothic edifice, 
and the residences, of i\Ir. Holland and Air. Starr 
are very fine specimens of home architecture. 
The grounds of the former are admirably laid 
out ; there is nothing better of the kind on the 
Hudson." 

FIRST FR-\TERX.\L ORDERS. 

The charter of Winnebago Lodge, No. 31, In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, was issued by 
Geo. W. Woodward, grandmaster of Illinois, in 
1847, to the following named charter members : 
Selden AI. Bronson. Ansel Kenfield, Dewitt Clin- 
ton Briggs, Frederick H. Maxwell, and Rev. 
Nathaniel P. Heath. The lodge was instituted 
August II, 1847. Tlie place of meeting was 
Horsman's block, on the West side. 

Rockford Lodge, No. 102, Alasons, was or- 
ganized February 13, 1851, under a dispensation 
from C. G. Y. Taylor, the grand master. The 
following named citizens constituted its first 
membership : Alfred E. Ames, William Lyman, 
Henry Carpenter, C. H. Spafford, William Hulin, 
E. H. Baker, Ansel Kenfield, John Fraley, James 
P. Burns, W. F. Ward, Jesse Bliiui. and Buel 
G. Wheeler. E. H. Baker was the last survivor 
of this original membership. 

Social Lodge. No. 140, Odd Fellows, was in- 
stituted February 6, 1854. 

Winnebago Chapter, No. 24, Masons, was or- 
ganized December 12, 1854, under a dispensation 
from Louis Watson, grand high priest. The fol- 
lowing constituted its first membership : A. Clark, 
Chauncv Rav. \\'. F. Parish. H. Aliltimore. John 
A. Holland,' L. P. Pettibone, R. H. Cotton, 
Abriam Alorgan, G. D. Palmer, and Ansel Ken- 
field. This chapter was constituted under 
another charter in December, 1855. 

Star in the East Lodge, No. 166, Masons, was 
organized Feljruary 12, 1855, under a dispen- 
sation from James L. Anderson, grand master. 
The charter members were : E. F. W. Ellis. R. 
H. Cotton, W. AI. Bowdoin, William Hulin, S. 
G. Chellis, Jos. K. Smith, Joseph Burns, C. I. 
Horsman, B. G. Wheeler, G. W. Re\molds, John 
A. Holland, C. H. Richings, D. G. Clark. Adam 
AlcClure, Holder Brownell. 

The dispensation for Rockford Encampment, 
No. 44, Odd Fellows, was granted August 5, 
1857, to the following patriarchs as charter mem- 
bers : James Fleming, J. H. Clark, Hugh Strick- 
land, Enos C. Clark. G. A. Stiles, Joseph 
Schloss, and Robert Smith. The encampment 
was instituted by Deputy Grand Patriarch A. E. 
Jenner, August 26, 1857. 



The Rockford Burns Club was organized No- 
vember 5, 1858. It is an association of Scottish- 
Americans, who meet annually on the birthday of 
Robert Burns. 

DE.\TH OF JOHN .\. IIOLLAXD. 

The death of John A. Holland occurred Sep- 
tember 29, 1855, at Alount Vernon, Ohio, while 
he was on a visit to his father-in-law, who re- 
sided there, in company with his family. The 
remains were brought to Rockford for burial. 
Resolutions of respect were adopted by the 
Alasonic bodies and by the bar of the city. The 
funeral was held at the Unitarian church on 
Sunday. John A. Holland was born in what 
is now West Virginia. He came to Rockford in 
1845, from Wooster, Ohio, where he had prac- 
ticed law. He formed a partnership with T. D. 
Robertson in the practice of his profession. He 
was the attorney for the Galena & Chicago L'nion 
Railroad, and assisted the Illinois Central in se- 
curing the right of way from Chicago to Cairo. 
yiv. FfoUand was an attendant at the Unitarian 
church, but was not a member. He was a man 
of comprehensive mind, great energy and sa- 
gacity, and always operated upon a large scale. 
He was a leading spirit in every public enter- 
prise. The Holland House was named in his 
nonor. Mr. Holland was father of Hosmer P. 
Holland. His second wife was a daughter of 
Dr. J. C. Goodhue. 

irURDER OF SHERIFF T.WLOR. 

Tuesday, November 11. 1856, John F. Tavlor, 
sheriff of Winnebago coimty, was instantly 
killed by Alfred Countrxman. On that day 
Alfred and John Countryman came to Rockford 
from Ogle county with some cattle, which they 
offered for sale at such low prices as to arouse 
suspicion. The cattle were sold for a sum below 
their market value. The purchasers delayed pay- 
ment until notice had been given the sherifT, and 
papers made out for the apprehension of the 
brothers which occurred about nine o'clock in the 
morning. They were then arrested on suspicion ; 
and before they were taken to jail Sheriff Taylor 
searched them for concealed weapons. He found 
pistol balls in Alfred's pockets, and upon inquir- 
ing for his revolver the prisoner replied that he 
had none. Sheriff Taylor, assisted by Constable 
Thompson, then started with the prisoners for 
the jail. Just as they reached the steps Alfred 
Countryman broke away from the sheriff, leaped 
over the fence on Elm street, and ran down that 
street, with the sheriff" in pursuit. At the next 
corner, near the livery stable of Hall & Reynolds, 
the sheriff' had nearly overtaken Countryman, 
and was about to seize him, when the latter drew 
a pistol which he had concealed, and fired. The 



8o 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COL'XTV. 



shcritt staggered a few i)aces and fell. His only 
wonls were: "rni shot: catch him." 

Coinitrvnian ran to the woods north of Kent's 
creek, with Innidreds of infuriated citizens in pur- 
suit. John I'latt was the first to overtake him. 
He took his pistol from him. and, with assistance, 
secured his arrest. .Amid threats of lynching, 
the prisoner was placed in jail and securely 
ironed. Samuel 1. Cluirch. the sheriff-elect, 
hriefly addressed the crowd and assmed them 
that the prisoner was secure. 

Sheriff Taylor was thirty-one years of age, 
anil left a wife, and a son a year and a half old. 
He was an excellent officer, and was held in high 
respect by the community. The funeral was held 
TInirsdav' on the public square adjoining the 
jail, imder tlie charge of the .Masonic fraternity. 
The board of supervisors were in attendance in 
a body. The discourse was preachcil by Rev. 
W. F.' Stewart. 

EXECUTION 01- COfNTKV.M.XN. 

t. (Hint ry man was indicted and tried for the 
murder of Sheriff Taylor at the February term 
of the circuit court in 1857. The prosecution was 
conducted by U. D. Meacham, the state's attorney, 
assisted by William Hrown. The counsel for 
the defense was Orrin Miller and T. J. Turner. 
The following gentlemen constituted the jury: 
Levi Tunks, Philo C. ^^'atson. Anthonv M. 
Felmly, Silas G. Tyler, Jacob B. Place, G. R. 
Ames, Allen Rice, Charles \\'orks, J. W. Jenks, 
Edward Peppers, J. W. Knapp, S. P. CoUer. The 
trial began on Monday, February 23d. The case 
was given to the jury on Thursday, and Friday 
morning they returned a verdict of guilty. Judge 
Sheldon pronounced the sentence of death upon 
CountrxTnan. One of his counsel, Mr. Miller, 
tried to obtain a stay of proceedings, so as to 
bring the case Ijeforc the supreme court. But 
Judge Caton refused to grant a writ of error. 

On Friday. March 27th. Countryman was 
executed on the farm of Sheriff Church, a short 
distance from the city. The execution was 
witnessed by eight thousand people. In the ab- 
sence of a military company, the two fire com- 
panies, armed with sabres and carbines, formed 
a hollow square at the jail, into the center of 
which the carriages which were to form the pro- 
cession, were driven, and as the procession moved 
to tlie place of execution the fire companies 
formed a strong guard. Upon arriving at the 
scaffold. Rev. Hooper Crews offered an earnest 
prayer. The prisoner made a short speech and 
professed repentence and forgiveness for his 
crime. At seventeen minutes past two the bolt 
was withdrawn, and Countryman was swung 
into eternity. His father, sister and one brother 
witnessed the execution. Before the body was 



taken down, Sheriff Church addressed the crowd 
as follows: "These ])ainful i)roceedings being 
now concluded, and the sword of justice about to 
be returned to its sheath, I hope never again to 
be drawn into so much severity. I would thank 
you all for the good order you have maintained. 
Your conduct does credit to the city, and I hope 
you will observe the same decorum in retiring." 

KE.XOSIIA .\M) UOCKFORD R.MLRO.VD. 

In 1856 was projected a railroad to connect 
Kenosha on Lake Michigan with Rockford. It 
was a ])art of the original plan that this line 
should extend from Rockford to Rock Island. 
January 20, 1857, a charter was granted John M. 
Cai)ron. Egbert Ayer, Thomas Paul, John Cor- 
nell. W. 1!. ( )gden, John Bradley, Jason Marsh, 
George Haskell, David S. Penfielil. Robert P. 
Lane, C. C. Briggs, C. H. Spafford, A. S. Mil- 
ler, Jesse Blinn, and Seely Perry. The com- 
])any was to have a capital stock of eight hun- 
jlred thousand dollars, to be divided into shares 
of one hundred dollars each, and was authorized 
to construct a road from a point near the state 
line in McHcnry county to Rockford. This road 
was built as a means of relieving Rockford from 
burdens imposed by the high freight and pas- 
senger rates of the Galena & Chicago L'nion. 

Books for subscriptions to the stock of the 
road were opened early in November, 1856, and 
on the 25th of the same month the company was 
organized by the election of the following of- 
ficers: President, C. H. Spafford: vice-presi- 
dent, R. P. Lane : secretary, E. H. Baker ; 
treasurer. A. C. Spaft'ord : executive committee, 
J. P.ond, J. M. Capron, R. P. Lane, D. S. Pen- 
field and Seely Perry. The subscriptions were 
made largely by farmers along the line, who 
gave mortgages on their real estate to secure their 
|)ayments. 'The company negotiated these mort- 
gages in ])aymcnt for iron, labor and other ex- 
jienses in the building of the road. \\'hen these 
obligations matured man\- of the subscribers 
could not redeem them, and the holders of the 
mortgages foreclosed them. 

The contract for the construction of the road 
to Harvard was made in March, 1857, and the 
work was begun shortly afterwards. The east- 
ern division of the road was under the control of 
another comjiany, organized under a charter from 
the Wisconsin legislature. The progress of con- 
struction was impeded by financial embarrass- 
ments, arising from the great depression which 
spread over the country in 1857, and the enter- 
prise languished. In .\ugnst, 1858, the company 
a]iplied to the council of Rockford for a loan of 
the city credit to the amoinit of $50,000 to aid 
in the completion of the road. An election was 
held September 2, and the measure was carried by 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



8i 



a majority of more than five hundred. This is 
the only instance in the history of Rockford of 
the loan of the credit of the corporation to a 
railroad. 

November 21, 1859, the road was completed 
between Rockford and Harvard, and the event 
w^as celebrated by a banquet at the Holland 
House the same evening. In 1864 the Galena & 
Chicago Union Railroad Company was absorbed 
by the Chicago & Northwestern, and the 
Kenosha & Rockford road, as a matter of course, 
soon came under the same control. 

AN EARLY ROCKFORD MANSION. 

The most beautiful home in early Rockford 
was that of Mrs. J. H. Manny, on South Main 
street. The "Manny mansion" was built in 1854, 
by John A. Holland. The grounds had a front- 
age of three hundred and twenty-five feet, and 
e.xtended from the northern limit of G. N. Saf- 
ford & Company's lumber yard to a point below 
Kent's creek, and were fronted by a stone fence. 
The beauty of these grounds was due, in large 
measure, to John Blair, a Scottish landscape 
gardener who came from Canada at Mr. Hol- 
land's solicitation. He laid out the grounds, and 
set the standard for landscape gardening in 
Rockford, and in this way he left his impress on 
the city. Mr. Blair subsequently laid out the 
grounds of the Elgin insane asylum. After the 
death of Mr. Holland, in 1855, financial reverses 
overtook his family, and about i860 this splendid 
estate passed into the ownership of Mrs. J. H. 
Manny. 

WINNEB.\GO SUPPORTS FREMONT. 

At the presidential election in November, 1856, 
Winnebago county gave John C. Fremont a mag- 
nificent vote. Every town in the county was 
carried for the Pathfinder. The total vote of 
the county was 4,154. The county gave a ma- 
jority of 3,179 for Fremont over Buchanan. The 
First Congressional district gave majorities for 
Fremont and Washburne of more than twelve 
thousand. William Lathrop was elected repre- 
sentative : Samuel I. Church, sheriff ; H. T. Mes- 
ler, coroner; Morris B. Derwent, circuit clerk. 
Mr. Church was a brother of Jvidge Church, and 
came to Rockford in 1848. He purchased a 
quarter of the school section ; later he made it his 
home, where he died in 1886. 

ROCKFORD CITY GREYS. 

In 1856 a military company was organized, 
under the name of the Rockford City Greys, 
which enkindled the enthusiasm of a large num- 
ber of the young men of the city. In the sum- 
mer of 1858 Colonel E. E. Ellsworth was en- 
6 



gaged as drillmaster, and under his instruction 
the company attained a high degree of proficiency. 
In September, 1858, an encampment was held on 
the fairgrounds, which continued four days. 
Companies from Freeport, Elgin and Chicago 
were in attendance. This company continued in 
e.xcellent condition until the outbreak of the Civil 
war. when under the name of Rockford Zouaves, 
man\- of the company volunteered in the three 
months' service, under the call of the president 
for seventy-five thousand men ; and as a part of 
the Eleventh Illinois Volunteers, were detailed to 
garrison duty at Cairo and at Bird's Point. 

IN HONOR OF .\TLANTIC CABLE. 

August 17, 1858, the completion of the Atlantic 
cable was celebrated by the citizens of Rockford 
with great demonstrations of enthusiasm. On 
that day the queen of England and the president 
of the United States exchanged messages. The 
event was celebrated in Rockford by a salute of 
fifty guns, fired by the City Greys, and the church 
bells were rung. Public exercises were held in 
the evening at the courthouse. Addresses were 
made by James L. Loop, Judge Miller, E. W. 
Blaisdell, Judge Church, William Hulin, and 
Dr. L\Tnan. The speech of Mr. Loop was ex- 
ceptionally brilliant, and replete with noble 
thought. One paragraph from this address is 
quoted : "Great Britain and the United States — 
the two great maritime nations of the globe, have 
met in mortal combat upon that briny deep ; they 
have fought for the sea's supremacy, they have 
maintained on either side with all their prowess 
and power their respective country's glory, and 
well and gloriously have their names resounded 
through the world — but no victory ever won by 
either upon the ocean can compare with this joint 
victory we have met to celebrate." 

CENSUS OF i860. 

In i860 the census of the city of Rockford, 
taken by Thos. Boyd, showed a population of 
7,046, and 8,117 in the township. In 1836 there 
were 350 white inhabitants in the county, which 
included Boone, and the eastern half of Stephen- 
son. In June, 1837, after Winnebago had been 
reduced to its present size, the county had a 
population of 1,086. In 1839 the village of Rock- 
ford had 235 inhabitants, and in December, 1845, 
there were 1,278. In 1840 there were 2,563 in 
Rockford township, and in 1855 there were 
6,620. 

TRIAL OF GOVERNOR BEEB. 

On Tuesday evening. May 19, 1857, a chari- 
vari resulted in the instant death of one of the 
party. Hon. William Bebb, Ex-Governor of 



8_' 



PAST AXn PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COL'XTV. 



Ohio, was resiclinij in Seward township. His 
son, M. S. T'fbl). liad just rcturiifd from the east 
with iiis bride. Twelve yonni; men of the neisjh- 
borluHid iiropo.sed to eharivari the liridal ])arty. 
They as.senibled at the jjovernor's liousc about 
eleven o'clock at iiisht. and began their ]}erforni- 
ance with cowl)ells, tin pans, three guns, and 
other articles which could contribute to the 
hideous din. The governor at length appeared 
wiih a shot-gun and ordered them to retire. Thev 
l)aid no heed and Mr. Fiebb fired one barrel, 
which took effect in the face of William Hogan. 
The ])arty then ai)i)roached nearer the house, as 
for an assault, wlien the governor discharged 
the second liarrel at the leader. Lemuel Clemens, 
and instantly killed him. The crowd then speed- 
ily dis])ersed. 

The trial of (iovernor I'.ebb. for manslaughter, 
began February 4. 1858. in the circuit court. 
Judge Sheldon jiresiding. The pro.secution was 
conducted by V. D. Aleacham. the state's at- 
torney, who was assisted by T. J. Turner. The 
counsel for the defense was the famous Tom 
Corwin. of Ohio, assisted by Judge William John- 
son, James L. Looj), and Judge ,\nson S. Miller. 
The trial began in the courthouse, and in order to 
secure more room, an adjourniiieiit was taken to 
Metro])olitan Hall. 

The greatest interest was manifested in the 
trial by reason of the reputation of the defend- 
ant and the celebrity of Mr. Corwiu. .\ large 
number of ladies were daily in attendance. The 
jury consi.sted of the following named gentle- 
men : John Spaff<ird, Putnam Pcrlev, ^^'^i^iam 
A. Pheijis, Joel \\'. Thompson, Horace Hitch- 
cock, L. D. Waldo, P.altus Heagle. Pienjaniiii F. 
Long, John Morse, .^. M. Preston, B. K. Town. 
Isaac Manes. 

I'lOth sides of the case were argued with great 
ability. The central figure was, of course, Mr. 
Corwin. The Register, in reporting his address 
to the jury, said: "It was just such a speech as 
Tom Corwin akme can make, and was listened 
to with breathless attention. It lasted some four 
hours, during which time he went over every 
particular of the case, applying the law to each 
point, and showing under what circumstances a 
man may kill another, and also detailing in great 
beauty of language the manner in which the 
people had become possessed of the inalienable 
right to enjoy their homes in peace, and un- 
disturbed." 

The case was given to the jury at five o'clock 
Monday afternoon, and at nine o'clock they re- 
turned with a verdict of not guilty. The Register 
concluded ([uite a full report of the trial with 
a commendation of the jury for their righteous 
decision. 

M. S. liebb, whose marriage was the occasion 
of this di>turbance, became a well known citi- 



zen of Rockford. He had quite an extended 
re]iutation in the scientific world, and was recog- 
nized as the highest authority u])on some species 
of the willow. .Mr. I'.ebb was for some years 
a member of the public library board. 

Till-: i.i.\(()i..\-:)(iiGi..\s i>i:ii.\Ti:. 

riu' famous Lincoln-Douglas debate was an 
event of local interest as well as national sig- 
nificance. In A])ril, 1S58. the Illinois State 
Democratic convention endorsed Stephen A. 
Douglas for the L'nited .States senate, .\braham 
Lincoln was nominated by the republican party 
at S])ringfield, June 17th. July 24th .Mr. Lincoln 
sent a challenge to Judge Douglas to discuss the 
political issues of the day in a series of joint de- 
bates. The latter accepted a challenge, and 
named one city in each congressional district, 
excei)t the second and sixth, where they had al- 
ready spoken. Ottawa. Freeport. Galesburg, 
Quincy. .\lton. Joiu-sboro and Charleston were 
the points chosen for these discussions. 

The second and most famous debate was held 
at Freei)ort. August 27th. It was the greatest 
political event ever hekl in this congressional dis- 
trict. Thousands were in attendance from the 
northern counties, and the excitement was in- 
tense. .\ special train was made up at Marengo, 
and run over the (lalena & Chicago L^nion road. 
It consisted of eighteen coaches, eight of which 
were filled with Rockford citizens. 

It was at this debate that Mr. Lincoln pro- 
pounded the four celebrated questions to Judge 
Douglas, the answers to which swept away his 
last chance for .securing the jiresidency in i860. 
Previous to this debate, a conference was held at 
the r.rewster House, at which E. P>. Washburne 
and Joseph Medill urged Mr. Lincoln to refrain 
trom such interrog-ations. But Lincoln was in- 
sistent. He said that if Judge Douglas answered 
them one way he would lose his prestige with 
the south : and if he answered them the other 
way, he could not retain the leadership of the 
northern wing of his party. 

The result justified Mr. Lincoln's prophecy. 
"Of that answer at Freeport,'' as Mr. Herndon 
puts it, Douglas "instantly died. The red- 
gleaming southern tomahawk flashed high and 
keen. Douglas was removed out of Lincoln's 
wav. The wind was taken out of Seward's 
sails ( bv the house-divided speech), and Lincoln 
stooil out ])rominent." 

The election occurred on the 2d of Novem- 
ber. Mr. Lincoln received a majority of over 
four thousand of the popular vote, yet the re- 
turns from the legislative districts foreshadowed 
his defeat. .-Kt the senatorial election in the legis- 
lature. Judge Douglas received fifty-four votes, 
and Mr. Lincoln forty-six — one of the results of 
the unfair a])()ortioiiment law then in o|)eration. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



83 



ROCKFORD SETTLERS IX 1855-59. 

Charles ^^'illiams was a native of Massachu- 
setts. He came to Rockford in 1855, and with 
his son Lewis, was engaged in the hardware 
business. ]\Ir. Williams was the war mayor of 
Rockford, serving from 1859 to 1864. His home 
was the residence now owned by John Barnes. 
^Ir. \\'illiams died in 1876. 

^^'illiam M. Rowland came to Rockford in 

1855. He was a native of Connecticut, and when 
a young man he removed to Augusta. Georgia, 
where he was interested in the Iron Steamboat 
Company. Soon after the repeal of the Missouri 
compromise, Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, mem- 
ber of congress, informally received the promi- 
nent citizens of Augusta. Mr. Rowland is said 
to have been the only gentlenian present who 
did not offer congratulations to Mr. Stephens 
upon the repeal 01 that law, but assured him that 
it would prove a calamity to the south. 

William L. Rowland was graduated from Yale 
college in the class of 1852, and removed to Rock- 
ford with his father's family in 1855. \Mien the 
public library was founded in 1872, Mr. Row- 
land was appointed librarian, and he retained this 
position until his death in 1900. 

Benjamin Blakeman was a native of Strat- 
ford, Connecticut. He came to Rockford in 

1856, and carried on the lumber business, first 
on South Court, and later on South Main street. 
About 1 87 1 he formed a partnership with Wil- 
liam Dobson, in manufacturing. Mr. Blakeman 
is now retired from business. 

Colonel Garret Nevius, a native of New York, 
came to Rockford in 1858. He was a member 
of the Rockford City Greys, and in 1861 he en- 
listed with the Eleventh Illinois ^"olunteers, and 
arose to the rank of colonel. He was killed in 
the charge of Ransom's brigade on the enemy's 
works at Mcksburg, Mav 22, 1863. Memorial 
services were held on the courthouse square, in 
Rockford, where the remains lay in state, and an 
address was delivered by Dr, Kerr. His body 
was then sent to New York for burial. Colonel 
Nevius was only twenty-six years of age. 
Nevius Post, G. A. R., was named in his honor. 

Robert H. Tinker was born at Honolulu, 
Sandwich Islands, in 1837, where his father. Rev. 
Reuben Tinker, was a missionary, sent out by the 
Presbyterian church. IMr. Tinker came to Rock- 
ford in 1856. He built the Swiss cottage on 
Kent creek, the most picturesque home in the 
city. The plan of his unique library, on two 
floors, with winding stairway, was suggested to 
Mr. Tinker by his" visit to' Sir Walter Scott's 
library, more than forty years ago. He was 
elected Mayor of Rockford in 1875, and served 
one term. Mr. Tinker has been interested in 
various manufacturing enterprises. 



John H. Hall came to Rockford in 1855, and 
engaged in the grocery trade. He served the 
city as alderman, and as a member of the school 
board. The Hall school is named in his honor. 
His death occurred in 1882. 

Lucius ]\I. West was born at Vernon Centre, 
New York, June 19, 1820. He was united in 
marriage to Miss Sarah A. Sturtevant, of his 
native county. In 1858 Mr. and Mrs. West and 
their three sons came to Rockford. In 1862 Mr. 
west built the store now occupied by Peer's 
jewelry store, where he carried on trade in rub- 
ber goods and boots and shoes. About 1874 he 
engaged in the manufacture and jobbing of 
enamel carriage top dressing, which has attained 
a world-wide re]5utation. Mr. West was actively 
identified with the religious interests of the city. 
In 1875 '''£ appointed a religious service for 
Woodruff's Addition, and for three years and a 
half conducted a mission school there, and fur- 
nished the building at his own expense. He died 
.\ugust 20, 1893. 

Charles L. Williams was born in Sherburne, 
Qienango county. New York, October 20, 1828. 
He was graduated from Hamilton college in 
1847. and in 1 85 1 he received the degree of M. 
A. from his alma mater. 'Mr. Williams came to 
Rockford in 1859 and engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness. He married a daughter of Mayor Charles 
Williams and subsequently purchased his father- 
in-law's house on North Main street, which in- 
cluded the lots now belonging to John Barnes 
and Mrs. Julia P. Warren. Air. Williams took 
an active interest in organizing the public 
library, and from 1872 to 1878 he was a member 
of the board of directors. 

Daniel N. Hood was born in Salem, Massa- 
chusetts, September 25, 1834, and came to Rock- 
ford in 1858. Prof. Hood was for many years at 
the head of the nuisical department of Rockford 
seminarv, and for more than ten years of this 
period he w-as organist of the Second Presby- 
terian church in Chicago. Prof. Hood now re- 
sides in Boston. 

Gilbert Woodruff' was born near Watertown, 
New York, November 20, 1817. He came to 
Rockford in 1857, and soon after he purchased 
and platted a farm which is now known as 
Woodruff's Addition, Easy terms of payment 
were given purchasers of lots. Mr. Woodruff 
was therefore in a real sense one of the builders 
of Rockford. He had been president of the 
Rockford National Bank since its organization ; 
president of the Forest City Insurance Company 
since its organization in 1873 ; and president of 
the Forest City Furniture Factory since 1875. 
Air. Woodruff was mayor of Rockford from 
1873 to 1873. He died in Rockford in October, 
1903. 

Horace \\". Tavlor was born in Granby, Mas- 

V 



84 



PAST AND l'RF,SEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



sacluisetts. February i, 1823. He was gradu- 
ated from Amherst in 1848. In 1857 he came 
to Rockford and was admitted to the bar in the 
autumn of the same year. For forty years Mr. 
Taylor was a well known member of the legal 
profession of this city. In 1866 he began his 
work as master-in-chancery under appointment 
of Judge Sheldon. This position he held until 
his death, e-xcept an interim from 1872 to 1876. 
Mr. Taylor was elected a member of the legis- 
lature in 1878, and served one term. His death 
occurred at a sanitarium at Kenosha, August 
29. 1898. 

Marquis L. Gorham was a native of Vermont, 
and came to Rockford in 1857. He obtained a 
patent for a seeder manufactured by Clark & 
I'tter. and for a corn cultivator made by N. C. 
Thompson. He was also the inventor of the 
\ first twine binder, the patent for which was sold 
L to C. H. McCormick. Mr. Gorham died at Phila- 
delphia in 1876. while attending the Centennial 
exposition, when he was only about forty-five 
years of age. 

Norman Cornelius Thompson was born in 
Knoxville, Georgia, May 25, 1828. He came to 
Rockford in 1857. He built one of the largest 
manufacturing plants on the water-power, and 
his immense output contributed in no small de- 
gree to the prestige of Rockford as a manufactur- 
ing city. Mr. Thompson was a public-spirited 
citizen, and a generous sup])orter of the First 
Presbyterian church. Financial reverses over- 
took him in 1884, which resulted in the suspen- 
sion of his bank in East Rockford, and his re- 
tirement from his manufacturing industry. Mr. 
Thompson died July 4, 1898. 

Thomas Butterworth was born in Manchester, 
England, September 6. 1827. In his twentieth 
year he came to America, and landed at New 
Orleans. On account of yellow fever, he im- 
mediately went to Cincinnati. He entered the 
employ of Stacy & Company, the proprietors of 
the Cincinnati gas works, and in their interest 
he was sent to repair the works in Rockford 
about 1856. The latter plant was then owned by 
Lane, Sanford & Co. He remained in Rockford 
and assumed the management of the works. He 
also continued the business of contractor, and 
built Brown's Hall, the old People's Bank Build- 
ing on State street, and other buildings. He 
subsequently sold his contracting business, and 
in time became the sole owner of the gas plant. 
In 1878 Mr. Butterworth was elected a member 
of the legislature, as a democrat, and served one 
term. His death occurred at Ashville, North 
Carolina. .April 5, 1885. 

William H. Townsend came to Rockford in 
1857, from Springfield, Pennsylvania. He was 
in artluent circumstances. I lis home was on 



.South Third street, well known in later years as 
the residence of Dr. D. S. Clark. Mr. Townsend 
was a stockholder and director of the Rock 
River Mutual F'irc Insurance Company, and the 
later reverses of the company were a source of 
such an.xiety to him that he became deranged, 
June 2, 1869. his body was found in Rock river, 
about four and a half miles south of the city. ^Ir. 
Townsend was about si.xty years of age, and had 
been a member of the board of education. He 
was held in high esteem, and his death was a 
great shock to the community. 

F. H. Manny came to Rockford in 1859. He 
was a cousin of John P. and John H. Manny. 
For some years he was engaged in manufactur- 
ing on the water-power. His home was the resi- 
dence owned later by W. F. Iludler. on the South 
side. He met willi reverses in 1875, went to 
W'aukegan, and from there to Chicago. Mr. 
Manny died in Chicago, .\pril 15, 1899, at the 
age of eighty-two years. The remains were 
brought to Rockford for interment. 

.\niong other well known citizens who came 
to Rockford during this period are the follow- 
ing: George frufant, George H. Dennett. Wm. 
McKinlev, 1855: .A. C. Burpee, 1856: David 
Kevt. S.'F. Penfield. D. S. Hough, H. B. Hale, 
W.'H. Smith, C. .\. Shaw. 1857: John R. Porter, 
1859. 

Other citizens engaged in active business dur- 
ing the fifties were: L. H. Todd, dealer in boots 
and shoes ; Thomas Ennett, contractor : D. Miller, 
boots and shoes ; J. W. Seccomb. books ; C. T. 
Sackett, painter; W. G. Johnson, painter; Rob- 
ert Smith, hatter ; J. B. Agard, grain buyer ; 
Joseph Burns, dry goods ; \\'m. Lyman, physi- 
cian ; John Fraley, druggist ; Israel Sovereign, 
hardware dealer. 

Several early settlers should have been men- 
tioned in their proper chronological order. 
.\mong these was Levi Rhoades, born at Hins- 
dale, New York, June 23, 1830. In 1847 he came 
to Rockford. He learned the cooper's trade, and 
during the war he laid the foundation of a large 
estate in supplying the demand for barrels. He 
continued in this business until 1884. Mr. 
Rhoades was interested in many manufacturing 
cnterjirises. and was a man of great force and 
executive ability. He was elected mayor of Rock- 
ford in 187^). and served one year. His death oc- 
curred November 19. 1891. 

W. D. Trahcrn was born in Loudoun county, 
N'irginia, March 24, 1824. In 1848 he came to 
Rockford. and the following year he began the 
manufacture of threshing-machines. In 1862 
Mr. Trahern engaged in the manufacture of iron 
l)umps. Mr. Trahern was successful in business, 
a considerate employer, and was highly esteemed. 
He died No /ember' 2, 1883. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



OMINOUS WAR CLOUDS. 

The presidential election of i860 marked an 
epoch in American history. The nation had come 
to the parting of the ways. Mr. Lincoln's 
prophecy that the g-overnment could not per- 
manently endure half slave and half free, was 
about to be demonstrated before the world. Mr. 
Lincoln, by reason of his profound insight into 
the political situation, which he had shown in his 
debates with Jndge Douglas, was the logical can- 
didate of his party. 

The nomination of Mr. Lincoln was received 
with great enthusiasm by the citizens of Rock- 
ford. In August the Rockford Wide Awake 
Club was organized. Its object was co-operation 
for the success of republican principles and the 
election of Mr. Lincoln. 

Saturday, September ist, was a republican 
rally day. The Wide Awake Clubs from neigh- 
boring towns were present. The special attrac- 
tion was Cassius M. Clay, the celebrated orator 
of Kentucky. The exercises were held on the 
courthouse square, and it was estimated that 
fully twelve thousand people were in attendance. 
The first speech was made by Hon. James H. 
Baker, secretary of state of Minnesota. Mr. 
Clay was introduced by Judge S. M. Church. 
"His oratory," said the Register, "is not of the 
fervid kind, but he is a calm, cool, deliberate 
speaker, laying out his ideas into square blocks 
of solid argument and building up an edifice sup- 
ported b}- facts and figures which it is absolutely 
impossible to undermine or batter down." 

During September and October, a series of 
joint discussions was held by Judge Allen C. 
Fuller, of Belvidere, and John A. Rawlins, of 
Galena, on the political issues of the day. One 
joint debate was held in each county of the First 
congressional district. Judge Fuller was the re- 
publican candidate for presidential elector, and 
Mr. Rawlins was the candidate of the Douglas 
democracv. One discussion was held in Rock- 
ford, September 29th. These debates have a 
historic interest by reason of the subsequent 
prominence of the participants. Judge Fuller be- 
came the war adjutant of the state, and in this 
capacity he displayed great executive ability, and 
was the able supporter of Governor Yates, in the 
organization of the military forces of the state. 
Judge Fuller died in Belvidere in December, 
1901. Upon the outbreak of the war in 1861, 
Mr. Rawlins came promptly to the support of 
the union cause ; he was the confidential friend 
and adviser of General Grant during his cam- 
paigns, and in i86g he became his secretary of 
war. 

Among other gentlemen who made addresses 
in Rockford during the campaign were Judge 
Lyman Trumbull, Stephen A. Hurlbut, Governor 



Bebb, Melancthon Smith, Colonel Ellis, James 
L. Loop and Judge Church. Richard Yates and 
Owen Lovejoy made speeches at Belvidere, Oc- 
tober 9th. 

The presidential election was held November 
6th. Winnebago county cast 3,985 votes for 
Aljraham Lincoln and 817 for Judge Douglas; 
Richard Yates received 3,986 votes for governor, 
and Mr. Allen 826. 

The election of Mr. Lincoln was perhaps the 
most notable event in the life of the nation. 
The shouts of victory had scarcely died away 
when one southern state after another openly 
revolted from the authority of the union. The 
election of Mr. Lincoln brought the sword, rather 
than peace. But the sword was drawn in a holy 
cause. For two hundred and fifty years the 
irrepressible conflict between freedom and slavery 
had continued. The "land of the free" had made 
iniquity her law. Alillions of bondsmen wet the 
soil with their tears and blood. Cause and effect, 
the chancellors of God, had come to enforce the 
truth that there were rights that states must keep 
or they shall suffer for their sins. Victor Hugo 
says of Napoleon at Waterloo: "For Bonaparte 
to be conqueror at Waterloo was not in the law 
of the nineteenth century. * * * When earth 
is suffering from a surcharge there are mysterious 
moanings from the deeps that the heavens hear. 
Napoleon had been impeached before the Infinite 
and his fall was decreed. He vexed God. Wa- 
terloo is not a battle ; it is the change of front of 
the universe." So the slave-power had overleaped 
itself, and could no longer resist the advance of 
a more enlightened Christian civilization. 

Abraham Lincoln was the divinely appointed 
man for the hour. There seem to be certain 
superhuman adjustments that philosophy does 
not explain, that work out righteous results. Hu- 
man wisdom does not foresee them : they do not 
destro\- human freedom, but they do achieve 
their results with infallible certainty. The lead- 
ers of such events are like Aeneas in the fable : 
they are often covered with a cloud woven by 
divine fingers, and men do not see them. But 
when they are needed the cloud breaks away, 
and they stand before the world prepared to do 
their work. Such a man was Abraham Lincoln. 
He was called to lead in a war made holy by the 
quickened moral conscience of the nation. Poets, 
and reformers and statesmen had cast up the 
highwav for the King, who should visit the na- 
tion with chastening. This judgment day was 
at hand, because Phillips and Garrison and Sum- 
ner had come : because Whittier and Lowell and 
Harriet Beecher Stowe had come ; because Lin- 
coln and Seward and Chase had come : because 
Grant and Sherman and Sheridan had come ; 
because the great and terrible day of the Lord 
had come. 



86 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



THE STORY (IF THIC CIVIL WAR. 

As soon as the ek-clion of Abraham I.iiicohi 
was definitely ascertained, the legislature of South 
Carolina smnmoned a sovereiiji) convention of 
the people of that state, which met December 17, 
i860. Three days later this convention adopted 
an ordinance of secession, which declared the state 
no longer a member of the union. Mississippi 
seceded January (). 1861 : I'^Iorida, January 10; 
Alabama, January 11; Cleorg^ia. January 19; 
Louisiana. January 26; Texas. I-'ebruary i. The 
forts, arsenals and other federal jiropcrty within 
the limits of these states were seized by the au- 
thorities thereof, with the exceptions of Forts 
Moultrie and Sumter. 

Deleg-atcs from the seceding' states met at 
Montgomery, .\labama. February 4, 1861, and 
proceeded at once to organize a new rejjublic. with 
the name of the Confederate States of America. 
F'ebruary 8th a provisional government was de- 
clared, with Jefferson Davis as president. April 
8th Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, was 
notified b\- the general government of its inten- 
tion to relieve Fort Sumter at all hazards. 
Governor Pickens at once informed General 
lleauregard of this official notification, and the 
news was sent by him to the Confederate gcvem- 
mcnl at .Montgomery. Its secretary of war there- 
upon ordered (ieneral Beauregard to demand the 
immediate surrender of Fort Sumter. 

On Friday morning, .April 12th, the Confederate 
batteries opened fire upon the fort. The bom- 
bardment lasted thirty-two hours. Late in the 
afternoon of the 13th Major .\nders()n. in com- 
mand of the fort, agreed to capitulate, and the 
firing ceased. On the morning of Sundav. .Viiril 
I4.th, Fort Sumter was surrendered to the Con- 
federate forces, and Major Anderson and his gar- 
rison sailed at once for New York. Treason had 
struck the decisive blow ; war was inevitable. 

Tin-; FIRST WAR SERMON. 

To the late Dr. Tliomas Kerr belongs the honor 
of preaching the first war sermon in Rockford. 
He was then pastor of the First na])tist church. 
Sunday morning, .\pril I4tli. the startling news 
was received that .Sumter had fallen. It was one 
of the critical moments in the nation's life. Under 
its solemn inspiration Dr. Kerr preached an im- 
pressive, patriotic discourse Sunday afternoon in 
the liaptist church. l"or the first time in the 
history of Rockford, the .American flag graced 
the sanctuary of the God of battles. It was a 
symbol of the true union of church and state. 
But it was then an innovatii>n. Public worship 
was then of the "churchly" sort. Questions of 
the ilay had not been discussefl in the ])ulpit. The 
Civil war made the services of the church more 



practical and less theological. The pendulum has 
never swung back. 

.'Sunday afternoon. .April 28, 1861. Dr. Kerr 
preached aiinther stirring war semion in the 
Ba])tist church. The auditorium was crowded 
and the pastor preached a semion of great power. 
Several times during its delivery his noble senti- 
ments were greeted with outbursts of applause. 
None of Dr. Kerr's local contemporaries in the 
ministry are now living. The hearts moved by 
the elocjuence of that hour have ceased to beat. 
The aged preacher himself was almost the last 
survivor of that historic day. 

Dr. Kerr was asked to rei)eat this discourse to 
a larger audience. He responded in Metropolitan 
Hall Sunday evening. May 5. 

Monday morning. .April 15th, President Lin- 
coln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 
volunteers to "subdue combinations too powerful 
to be supi)ressed by the ordinary course of judi- 
cial proceedings, and to cause the laws to be duly 
executed." On the same day a dispatch was re- 
ceived at .'^pringfield. stating that the quota of 
Illinois under the president's call was six regi- 
ments of militia. (Governor Yates therefore issued 
a proclamation, convening the legislature in 
special session, .Ajiril 23(1, for the ]nir])ose of 
putting the state upon a more effective war foot- 
ing. 

The attack upon Sumter obliterated all party 
lines in Winnebago county, and friends and oppo- 
nents of the administration sprang to arms to de- 
fend the government from the assaults of traitors. 
It is said that when Cadnnis of old needed men 
he sowed dragons' teeth, and forthwith from the 
ground came warriors armed for battle. So when 
Treason threw down the gauntlet, loyal legions 
of freedom acce|)ted the gage of battle. 

Tin: ROCK FORD ZOUAVES. 

The war record of Winnebago countv has 
never been fidly written, and no com])lete history 
can be assured in the future. Owing to failures 
to make ])roi)er retiuMis at Springfield, even the 
adjutant-general's reports are only apiiroximate- 
ly correct. The late General Fuller did much to 
com|)lete the records, but he could not achieve 
the impossible. S(ime enlisted in regiments or- 
ganized in other states, and in many instances 
credit was not ])ro|)erly given. The scope of this 
work does not admit a full treatment of even the 
available sources of information, but the brief 
outline is believed to be correct. 

Ten days after the fall of Sumter the first 
com|)any (^f Rockford volunteers marcherl to the 
front to the "wild, grand music of war." They 
bore the name of the Rockford Zouaves. The 
story of their origin may be briefly noted. Dur- 
ing the Lincoln campaign a "Wide-Awake" 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



87 



niarcliinij;- club was organized, in command of 
Captain Garrett L. Xevius. When the presiden- 
tial campaign was over they were reluctant to 
abandon the organization, and when Captain Nev- 
ius proposed a military company, it met w"ith gen- 
eral favor. A meeting was held December 26, 
i860, at the photograph gallery of Barnes, Nevius 
& Company, when preliminary steps were taken, 
and January 3, 1861. the Rockford Zouaves were 
formally organized. The\' had. of course, no idea 
of the future before them. 

Garrett L. Nevius was chosen captain ; R. A. 
Bird, first lieutenant : \\'. D, E. Andrus, second 
lieutenant : R. S. Norman, ensign : F. F. Peats, 
orderly sergeant ; H. H. Dean, second sergeant ; 
J. H. Manny, third sergeant; C. B. Hull, fourth 
sergeant ; Randolph D. Hobart, first corporal : E. 
Lugrin, second corporal : Thomas Anvon, third 
corporal : O. C. Towne. fourth corporal ; I. S. 
Hyatt, secretary, and C. T. Jellerson, treasurer. 

Aleetings for drill were held during the winter. 
January 17, 186 1, resolutions were adopted to 
the effect that they should hold themselves in 
readiness to respond to any possible call for 
troops. 

At a meeting held February 2d the South 
Rockford band was admitted to membership. 
This band consisted of F. A[. Xeedham and J. A. 
Hobart, drummers, and C. H. Alarsh. fifer. They 
entered with the imderstanding that they w^ere to 
have no more privileges than any of the other 
members. Xeedham and Hobart entered the 
service as drummers, and Needham is now drum- 
ming for Nevius post. 

April 13th there was an impressive meeting of 
the Zouaves. Captain Xevius made a stirrijig 
speech. The last meeting noted in the record 
book was held April i6th. By that time the com- 
pany had received orders to report at Springfield. 
A subscription paper had been circulated to raise 
money to furnish uniforms for the Zouaves, and 
by .A.pril 20th $1,200 had been pledged, with the 
promise of more if it should be needed. Men. 
women and children bent their efforts toward get- 
ting the Zouaves in shape for service. The wom- 
en sent their sewing machines up to concert hall, 
and gathered there to make the uniforms out of 
bolts of blue flannel secured as donations from 
the merchants and with money subscribed by the 
men. Those were busy days in concert hall. 
Women worked as they had never worked before, 
willingly, yet reluctantly ; tearfully, and yet cheer- 
fully, as each tried to encourage the other and 
remove the fears that they were preparing for a 
final parting from their loved ones. There was 
much to do, and a discussion arose on the subject 
of working on Sunday. Ajjril 21st. The citizens 
were a Sunday-keeping people then, perhaps more 
so than now, but it was resolved that the work 



ju.stified it, and the women labored all that bright 
and beautiful day in early spring. 

Wednesday, April 24, 1861, the Rockford Zou- 
aves left Rockford for the capital of the state. 
Business was g-enerally stispended, and between 
four and five thousand people were at the train 
to bid them farewell. 

The Zouaves first enlisted for three months' 
service, and became Company D, of the Eleventh 
Illinois Infantry, of which W. H. L. Wallace was 
colonel. 

This compan\-. with two recruits in the follow- 
ing June, and one member of the noncommis- 
sioned regimental staff, numbered exactly one 
hundred inen. They were the vanguard of the 
amiy furnished b)' Winnebago county. They 
belong to the first roll of honor, and for this rea- 
son their names are given in full as follows : 

Captain, Garrett L, X^evius ; first lieutenant, 
Rhenodyne A. Bird ; second lieutenant, William 
D. E. Andrus ; first sergeant, Henry H. Dean ; 
sergeants, Randolph D. Hobart, James H, Man- 
ny, Charles B, Hull ; corporals, Edward F, Lu- 
grin, Thomas Anyon, C)rin C, Towne, Frederick 
Brown : musicians, John A. Hobart, Mills F. 
X'eedham : privates, Charles E. .\rnold, William 
.\tkins, Lcander Bander, Alfred Barker, Thomas 
J. Bryan. David O. Butolph, Henry L. Brown, 
John Beatson, Alpheus D. Brown, Alpheus M. 
Blakesley, George C, Brown. Benjamin Bentson. 
Thomas Beddoes, Thomas W. Cole, Orin W. 
Cram, Andrew Clark, Bradford A. Champlain, 
Henry W. Cooling. Ervin E. Clark. William W. 
Clark. Richard A. Compton, Philip Crooker, 
Charles D. Clark, George \\'. Darling. George E. 
Dol])hin. Elislia S. Daggett. Charles L. Dunham, 
John L, Davis. Alexander X. Davis. Charles B. 
Eaton, Jud .A.. Ellison. John E. Elliott, Peter En- 
galls, William D. Frost, Almond Gifford, Har- 
vey Hemenwa}-, Derastus Holmes, Simon Hos- 
mer, Charles Hawkinson, lereon R. Hest, Freder- 
ick I. Horsman, George J. Hitchcock, Herring- 
ton Love, Daniel E. Lee, Xeri R. Mosher, George 
W. Maguire, John McGuire, Edward E. Magee, 
J. George Manlove, George H. Manchester, Wil- 
liam L. Mesick, Charles Pittinger, Charles N. 
Price, Levi Pitney. Frederick L. Posson, Luman 
G. Pierce, Floyd B. Penoyer. Rudolph W. Peake, 
William M. Putman, Charles X. Roberts. Walter 
Reckard. Shepard P. Strunk, Louis Schlunt, Jo- 
seph R. Shields, Erastus T. Stevens. William H. 
Skeed, Henry P. Strong. .-Vmbrose Stearns. J. 
Murray Southgate, Christopher C. Shank, James 
M, Stevens, Thomas A. Stevens, Edward S. 
Smith, Edwin Swift, Edward P, Thomas, Riley 
\'an Patten, John Wagner, Rufus L, Whitney, 
Jolm W. Warfield, John W^ Warner, William 
\\'inter, George \\'irkin, William G. D. Weed, 
Francis B. Wakeman : recruits, Marion E, De- 
lanv, Louis Houston. 



88 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



Twenty members of the Zouaves were subse- 
(|iiently sent home from Siiriiitrfield, under an 
army re.trulution tliat companies nnist not exceed 
ninctv-seven men. inchuhng' officers. Some of 
these promptly enHsted in other companies. 

The first soldier from Rockford to die for his 
country in the Civil war was Xeri R. Mosher, 
one of the first Zouave volunteers. He died June 
5th of tyi>hoi(l fever, at Camp Hardin, near Villa 
Ridf^e. Illinois, and his remains were sent to 
Rockford for interment. 

.Vu.sfust 8th. after three months of service, the 
Zouaves returned to Rockford. Many of them 
promptly re-cnlisted, and eig:ht days later, .Au- 
STust 1 6th. they again went to the front. Captain 
W. D. E. Andrus was detailed as recruiting offi- 
cer, and it was not until Xovembcr 13th that the 
ranks were filled, when the recruits joined the 
coiupany at Bird's Point. The Rockford Cit\' 
band entered service with the Zouaves and be- 
came a part of the Eleventh regiment. The fol- 
lowing named musicians constituted the regi- 
mental band : 

Leader, M. H. P.aldwin : musicians, Robert .\1- 
chin, Rufus B. Artz, Prolia .A.rtz, Charles B. 
Eaton ( Xo. 1), Charles B. Eaton (No. 2), James 
Eaton, Augtistus Dedrickson, Thomas Gray, 
Giarles W. Halcum, Charles P. Henrick, Daniel 
Kipp. Isaac Larue, Horace Nettleton, John P. 
Xettleton, Henry C. Sullivan. 

The total number of men enrolled in Company 

D, of the Eleventh Regiment, including recruits 
for the three years, was one hundred and four. 
With the field and staff, non-commissioned staff, 
musicians and nine unassigned recruits in Com- 
pany K. the total enlistments for this county in 
the Elcvcntli Regiment were one hundred and 
thirty-three. 

THF. Fir<ST WAR MF.F.TI.N'G. 

In following the early history of the Zouaves, 
the reader has been taken out of the strict chron- 
ological order of events. The narrative mav now 
be resumed at another point. 

.\n im])romptu meeting of citizens was called 
in Rockford, ancl a committee appointed to pre- 
pare and issue a call for a mass meeting. This 
committee consisted of E. F. W. Ellis, Selden 
M. Church and L. F. Warner. 

Pursuant to a call issued by the committee, a 
mass meeting was held at the courtliouse 
Wednesday afternoon, .\pril 24th, for the pur- 
pose of considering the state of the country. 
Judge Church was called to the chair. Messrs. 

E. F. W. Ellis, Hall. Dr. William Lyman. D. J. 
Stewart and Dr. R. P. Lane were appointed a 
committee on resolutions, which were unanimous- 
ly adopted, with great enthusiasm. .Speeches were 
made liv Dr. William Lvman, E. F. W. Ellis, 



JaiTies L. Loop, E. W. Blaisdell, L. F. Warner, 
."^eely Perry, John .Abrahamson, T. .'\. C. Beard, 
Jason Marsh and B. .McKenney. 

TIIF F.LLIS RIFLES. 

E. F. W. Ellis was one of the first citizens to 
l>ecome inspired with an ardent military spirit, 
which found its expression in the organization of 
a cnm])any, the Ellis Rifles, which he tendered 
to the governor. The enrollment began Wednes- 
day. .April 24th, and the ranks were filled in less 
than one week. Mr. Ellis was chosen captain ; 
Holder Brownell. first lieutenant : Cyrenius C. 
Clark, second lieutenant. On Saturday, May 11, 
the Rifles went into camp at Freeport, and were 
subsequently known as Company C, of the Fif- 
teenth Infantry, under command of Colonel 
Thomas J. Turner. The total enrollment of Com- 
pany C, including veterans and recruits, was 
ninety-three men. A'olunteers from Winnebago 
enlisted in other companies of the Fifteenth. The 
total enrollment of this regiment from Winne- 
bago county, including field and staff, non-com- 
missioned staff, privates, veterans, recruits and 
unclassified recruits, was one hundred and twen- 
ty-five men. The adjutant's report also gives 
the names of fifteen volunteers from this county 
in the reorganized Fifteenth Regiment. 

( APTAIX KKTCHESON'.S COMPAXV. 

Daniel (X Ketchcson was also among the first 
to respond to the call of his country. He organ- 
ized a companv called the Rockford Rifles. By 
reason of some confusion and embarrassment, 
limvever. at Springfield, he failed to get into the 
service of his own state, and the company at 
once disbanded. A new muster roll was imme- 
diately o|)ened and another company fonued. It 
went into camp at the fair grounds, where it took 
a full course of drill. Friday. May 31, Captain 
Kctcheson's company left Rockford for St. Louis, 
where it was accepted as Company I. of the Sixth 
Missouri Regiment, under command of Frank 
Blair. Captain Ketchcson died in Rockford .April 
28, 1864. He fought bravely at Corinth. \'icks- 
burg. Champion Hills, .Arkansas Post, Mission 
Ridge and Chattanooga. .At \'icksburg and Ar- 
kansas Post Captain Ketchcson led charges and 
cneered his men to the very muzzles of the guns 
of the enemy. 

DF.ATII OF COr.OXF.L F.LI.S WORTH. 

Colonel Ephraini Elmer Ellsworth is one of 
the most historic figures of the early war period. 
He was a national character, yet there were rea- 
sons why local interest attaches to his meinory, 
and to the older residents wlio had known him 
he still seems as one of their own heroic bovs. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



89 



Colonel Ellsworth was born in Mechanicsville, 
New York, April 23, 1837. After a brief mer- 
cantile career in Tro}- and New York, he removed 
to Chica,a;o at an early age. where he became a 
solicitor of patents. 

In 1858 Colonel Ellsworth was engaged as 
drillmaster for the old Rockford City Greys, an 
independent military company, which had been 
organized two years before. Under his instruc- 
tions the company attained a high degree of pro- 
ficiency. In September, 1858, an encampment 
was held on the fair grounds, which continued 
four days. 

The Rockford Register of June i, 1861, in edi- 
torially commenting upon his death, said of this 
brilliant military^ leader : "Although young, he 
had proven himself to be surpassed by no man in 
the land as a teacher of military rules and drill, 
and, in fact, was the father of the Zouave drill 
in this country. No one has forgotten his splen- 
did tour through the northern states last sum- 
mer, stopping for drill in every large city of the 
north, received with acclamations of joy at every 
point, and taking his command through that try- 
ing military ordeal, crowned with honors, and 
the reputation of being the best drilled corps of 
men in the United States.'' 

Colonel Ellsworth was a splendid type of young 
manhood. He was received as a social lion by 
the young people of Rockford. He was frequent- 
ly a guest at the home of Charles H. Spafford, 
and at the time of his death he was betrothed to 
his elder daughter, now Mrs. Carrie S. Brett. 

In i860 Colonel Ellsworth organized a com- 
panv of Zouaves in Chicago, and the following 
year he accompanied President Lincoln to Wash- 
ington. May 24, 1 861, upon seeing a Confeder- 
ate flag floating from a hotel in Alexandria, Vir- 
ginia, he rushed to the roof and tore it down. On 
his return from the roof he was met and shot 
dead by Jackson, the owner, who, in turn, was 
killed by one of Ellsworth's men, Frank E. 
Browneli. Colonel Ellsworth's blood was the 
first shed in the civil conflict. 

The nation mourned his loss as of the fairest 
of the flower of her chivalrv. The New York 
World paid him this noble tribute : "He was a 
hero in the fairest and most captivating sense of 
the word. He was as handsome as Murat and 
as brave as Ney. He possessed to a degree that 
winning power over men by which, through all 
historv. great captains and leaders have been dis- 
tinguished. He was a commander by the im- 
perial right of birth. Quick, alert, exclusive, in- 
tuitive in his perception of tne qualities of men ; 
rigorous in discipline, yet submitting himself to 
the rigors which he imposed." 

Colonel Ellsworth's funeral was held in the 
east room of the White House. Among the 
mourners was General \^'infield Scott, dressed in 



the full uniform of his high position. Before 
him lay the dead body of one, almost a boy in 
vcars, who had died in the service of his country, 
and around him were gathered the great ones of 
the land. There were President Lincoln, Simon 
Cameron, William H. Seward, Commander 
Paulding, of the Navy, Nathaniel P. Banks, and 
other men high in the councils of the nation. 

Sunday afternoon, June 2d, Rev. H. M. Good- 
win preached a memorial service on the death of 
Colonel Ellsworth in the Second Congregational 
church. The day and hour were the same that 
similar services were held in Chicago. 

DE.\TH OF .STEPHEN .\. DOUGLAS. 

Stephen A. Douglas died at the old Tremont 
House, in Chicago, June 3, 1861, at the age of 
fortv-eight vears. With the single exception of 
Abraham Lincoln, no personality in the history of 
Illinois possesses more elements of intense in- 
terest than that of Senator Douglas. His life was 
a notable example of the perils and possibilities of 
genius. Douglas was ambition's child and king. 
With the single exception of Henry Clay, he was 
the greatest parliamentary leader in American 
history. 

Rockford shared the nation's grief in the death 
of Senator Douglas. Memorial services were 
held on the courthouse square, Saturday after- 
noon, June 7th. Three thousand people were in 
attendance. The orator of the day was the Rev. 
John P. Donelan, priest of St. James' Roman 
"Catholic church. Flags were at half mast, public 
buildings were draped in emblems of mourning, 
and from two o'clock until five business was en- 
tirely suspended. 

On the following Sunday a second memorial 
service was held. Rev. M. Schofield, rector of 
Emmanuel Episcopal church, preached in the Sec- 
ond Congregational church, and by request of 
citizens his discourse was published in the city 
papers. 

WAR SERMON.S P,Y r.TSHOP SIMPSON. 

Bishop Simpson was one of the greatest Amer- 
ican preachers. His war sermons in Rockford 
are, therefore, a matter of historic interest. Sun- 
dav. June 30, 1861, the three Methodist churches 
of the city united in a service in Metroplitan 
Hall. Tlie bishop's sermon was of great power. 

In the afternoon a union Methodist meeting 
was held in the Second church, later known as 
the Court Street church, when Bishop Simpson 
addressed the children. In the evening, upon the 
request of citizens, he preached an eloquent dis- 
course in the Second Congregational church, on 
"The Present Crisis." 



90 



PAST AND TRESEXT OF WINXEBAGO COUNTY. 



KKV. A. II. Cd.V.WT I'.KCO.MICS CIlAl'l-Al \ . 

In July. i8<')i. Rev. .A. H. Conant. pastor of 
tlif L'liitarian cluircli. rcsijjiu'd, and a feus weeks 
later lie enlisted as a chaplain in the .Xineteeiith 
Illinois Infantry. ( )nly one other citizen o{ Win- 
nehapi county is known to have entered the ser\'- 
ice with this resiuit'nt — Colonel Thomas C. Law- 
der. r.oth these names, however, in the adjutant- 
.t^eneral's report, arc credited to Chica,e;o. Chap- 
lain Conant died at Xashville. February 8. 1863. 
His death was due to exposure and exertion at 
the battle of Murfrcesboro. 

Till'. KOCKFOKD RlFLli.S. 

In .\us:ust Melc-uicthon Smith issued a stirring 
api)eal for vohniteers. quoting the last words of 
( "icneral I, yon. "Come on. brave men!" Mr. 
.^mith had oidy a few months before received the 
appointment of jmstmaster of Rockford, and it 
reeiuired not a little patriotism to leave this posi- 
tion for the hard.ships of war. Mr. Smith had 
been a member of the old Rockford City Greys, 
which had been drilled by Colonel Ellsw-orth, 
and he was thus not entirely without military ex- 
perience. 

September 17th. after the ranks had been filled, 
an election of officers was held, with the follow- 
ing result : 

Captain. Melancthon Smith : first lieutenant. 
Robert P. Sealy : second lieutenant. D. W. Grip- 
pen. 

September 22(\ the company left Rockford for 
Cam|i W'ashburne. at (ialena. They were mus- 
tered into the service as Company G, of the For- 
ty-fifth Regiment, known as the W'ashburne 
Lead-.Mine Regiment, in command of Colonel 
John E. Smith. The total number of enlistments 
in Company G from Wimiebago county, includ- 
ing veterans, recruits and drafted and substitute 
recruits, was one hundred and twenty-four. There 
were on tlie field and staff and in other companies 
eightv-seven volunteers, making the total num- 
ber of enlistments in the Forty-fifth Regiment 
from Winnebago county two hundred and thirty- 
one. 

John Travis, a member of the Rifles, was the 
first solflier from Winnebago county killed in 
battle. Me lost his life at the battle of Fort Don- 
el.son. in February. 1862. There were four com- 
panies from this connty on that field of carnage 
—the Rockford Rifles and the Cherry X'alley 
com|)any. in the I'orty-fifth : the Zouaves, in the 
Eleventh, and Captain P.oyd's company, in the 
Fifty-second. 

W.VSIIlll'RNK Riri.ES. 

In September Rhenodyne .\. Piird organized a 
comi)any with a1)OUt eighty members, and .Sep- 



tember i;tli they left lor camp at Chicago, where 
they became a ])art of the Douglas brigade. The 
Rifles were known as Company C. of the Fifty- 
fifth Illinois N'olunteers. The total niunber of 
enlistments in this com])any from Winnebago 
coimty. including veterans and recruits, was one 
hundred and seven. There was one volunteer in 
Coni])any D. 

WI N NF.lt .\r.O .SH.\RPSIIOnTF.RS. 

In September. i8r>i. Wesley Pioyd organized a 
company. calKd the Winnebago Shar|)shooters, 
(if which he became ca])tain. In October the com- 
pany went into cam]) at Camp Geneva, and be- 
came Company E. of the Fifty-second Infantry. 
The total number of enlistments in this company 
from this county, including veterans and recruits, 
was ninety-eight. There was oidy one volunteer 
in Company F. The regiment was organized at 
Geneva. Kane county, by the Hon. Isaac G. Wil- 
son, who was for many years a judge upon the 
circuit bench. 

CAVALRY COMPANY. 

.\ s])len(li(l cavalry cimiiiany was organized in 
September. John Austin, of Riickford. was cho- 
sen captain; A. j. .Martin, first lieutenant; John 
.\uslin. of Ogle county, second lieutenant. It 
was known as Company M. of the Eighth Illinois 
cavalry. 

Winnebago county contributed to this com- 
pany, during the entire war period, one hundred 
and thirteen volunteers. Enlistments in other 
companies of this regiment, with unassigned re- 
cruits, brought the total number of enlistments in 
this coimty to two hundred and thirteen. 

September lAth the company went into camp 
at St. Cliarles. The regiment was organized by 
the Hon. John V. Farnsworth. who represented 
the Rockford di>trict in congress from 186^ to 

T. T. Ilobart raised a companv in August, which 
bi'came Company G. of the Fortv-fourth Infan- 
tr\. known as the X'orthwestern Rifles regiment. 
TJie number of enlistments in this companv from 
Winnebago coimty for the entire war period, in- 
cluding recruits, was one hundred and twenty- 
four. There were also in this regiment, on its 
field and stafT, non-commissioned staff, and re- 
cruits in Com|)any F. ten volunteers from this 
countv. This regiment was mustered into the 
service in Sejjtember. 

(HIIFR VOI.fNTKKRS OF 'fil. 

In response to apjieals made at war meetings. 
nianv attem])ts were made, more or less success- 
ful, to raise com|>anies in the various townshijis 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



91 



of the county. Captain S. Whitmeyer organized 
the Diirand Guards, and a company was enrolled 
in Cherry Valley, which, for some reason, was 
not accepted. These volunteers found their way 
into the service as members of other companies. 

Recruiting officers also secured volunteers in 
the interest of various regiments. Among these 
were Lieutenants E. H. Brown and D. H. Gile, 
of Chicago, who were in Rockford in the interest 
of Company A, of the Yates Phalanx. 

soldiers' aid society. 

The Soldiers' Aid Society was organized Au- 
gust 27, 1861. It represented the different re- 
ligious organizations in the city, united on the 
broad ground of Christian patriotism, to labor 
with one mind and heart for those who had en- 
listed in the service of their country. The offi- 
cers were: Mrs. Thomas Kerr, president; Airs. 
Jane Smith, vice-president; Miss Juliette Wheat, 
secretary; Miss Melissa Aloffat, treasurer; Miss 
Anna P. Sill, corresponding secretary. A state- 
ment published January 4, 1862, showed that a 
great work had been done during the first year 
of the war. 

COUNTY W.\R .\PPR0PRIATIONS. 

January 4, 1862, H. R. Enoch, the county 
treasurer, made a public statement of county 
money expended for the relief of the families of 
volunteers. The total sum for the preceding 
eight months, from Alay to December, inclusive, 
was $4,259. 

THE FIFTEENTH .\T THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 

The Fifteenth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry was raised under the "ten regiment act," 
in the First congressional district. Company A 
was from McHenry county ; Company B, Boone 
county ; Company C, W'innebago county ; Com- 
pany D, McHenry county ; Company G, Stephen- 
son county ; Company H, Ogle county ; Company 
I, Lake county, and Company K, from Carroll 
county. The regiment was organized at Free- 
port, Illinois, and mustered into the LInited States 
service on the 24th day of May, 1861, being one 
of the first regiments from the state sworn into 
the Lmited States service, for the three years' 
service. After electing officers, organizing and 
drilling for some time, the regiment proceeded 
to Alton, Illinois, remaining there six weeks for 
instruction. In July the regiment left .\lton by 
steamboat for St. Charles, Missouri, thence by 
rail to Mexico, Missouri, where it remained for 
a time in company with the Twenty-first Illinois 
Infantry, commanded by Colonel L'. S. Grant. A 
part of the regiment marched from Mexico to 



Fulton, and thence to the Missouri river, and 
thence by steamer to Jefferson Barracks ; the 
other part of the regiment marched to Hannibal, 
Alissonri, and thence by steamer to Jefferson 
1 Sarracks. The regiment then moved by rail to 
Rolla, Missouri, where it arrived in time to cover 
General Sigel's retreat from Wilson's Creek. 
After building one or two forts, the regiment was 
ordered to Tipton, Missouri, and thence became 
attached to General Fremont's army, and marched 
under General Hunter to Springfield, Missouri ; 
after remaining there a short time the regiment 
returned to Tipton, then went to Sedalia. It as- 
sisted in the capture of 1,300 rebels a few miles 
from the latter place. The regiment then marched 
to Otterville, Missouri, and went into winter 
quarters December 26, 1861. The winter was 
cold and the snow deep, and the first winter's ex- 
perience in tents was a very severe one. 

February i, 1861, the regiment marched to 
Jefferson Citv, thence by rail to St. Louis, where 
it embarked on transports for Fort Donelson. and 
arrived to take part in the surrender. The regi- 
ment was then assigned to General S. A. Hurl- 
but's "Fighting Fourth Division," and marched 
to Fort Henry, then went by boat to Pittsburg 
Landing, it being one of the first regiments that 
landed on that historic battle-ground. At the bat- 
tle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April, the regiment 
was in the first line of battle, formed by Hurl- 
but's division, and was in the brigade commanded 
by General C. Veach. Hardly had the brigade 
taken position, when a Confederate column, 
massed three lines deep, deployed from the woods 
on the left front, and with rebel yell that ech- 
oed through the surrounding forest, charged on 
in double-(|uick. The Fifteenth was flanked by 
the Fifty-third Ohio, on the right. At the first 
fire of the enemy the Buckeyes broke and ran, and 
the enemv were not only in front of the Fifteenth 
Regiment, but on both flanks in a very short time. 
For more than one hour the regiment held its po- 
sition, and fought as gallantly as any troops could 
fight in the terrible struggle, called by the Con- 
federates the "Hornet's Nest." and disputed inch 
by inch the advance and the incessant attacks of 
the best troops in the Confederate service. Owing 
to the want of support, the regiment was com- 
pelled to withdraw and take up a new position. 
In five minutes after the regiment formed its first 
line, the field officers, Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. 
W. Ellis and Major William R. Goddard, Cap- 
tains Holden Brownell and Harley Wayne and 
Lieutenant John W. Peterbaugh, were killed, and 
Captain Adam Nase lost a leg and was taken 
prisoner. Captain Thomas J. Turner was ab- 
sent, and the command of the regiment devolved 
upon Captain L. D. Kelly and George C. Rogers, 
assisted by Adjutant Charles F. Barber. As soon 
as a new line was formed (the Fourteenth Illi- 



92 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



nois on the left of the Fifteenth), wlien the ene- 
my had approached sufficiently near, these two 
regiments, actintj as one man, rose and delivered 
a rapid, well aimed and awfully destructive fire 
full into the massed ranks of the enemy. The 
enemy was soon convinced that this was not the 
way to the landing:. .\t the second attack these 
two regfiments received the first shock, and for 
three hours were in that awful gap, without giv- 
ing ground, where the Confederates sacrificed 
more than two thousand as brave men as ever trod 
the battle-field, in the unavailing efi'nrt ti> drive 
them from their position. This bajjtism of blood 
cemented the two regiments, and they were al- 
ways afterward ijrigaded and served together 
during the remainder of the war, and discharged 
at the same time and place. The Fifteenth Regi- 
ment was in the hottest of the fight both days of 
the bloody battle, and not a man faltered in his 
duty or failed to perform all that was re(|uircd of 
him. The two regiments that were in the final 
charge on the 7th, led by General Grant in per- 
son, were the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Illinois; 
the Fourteenth commanded by Colonel Cyrus 
Hall, and the [""ifteenth by Captain George C. 
Rogers. This detachment moved forward, and 
when within range delivered their fire, and with 
fi.xed bayonets charged at double-quick. The rak- 
ing fire, however, had done its work. The Con- 
federate army had fled. The Fifteenth Regiment 
lost in this engagement two hundred and fifty 
men killed and wounde<l, and there are more of 
the '"known dead" of this regiment buried in the 
national cemetery at I'ittsburg Landing than of 
any other regiment, and many died of wounds 
in ho.spitals at home. 

i-i'.\"i:r.\l of colonel lllis. 

Rock ford's sorrow over the death of Colonel 
Rllis was ex|)ressed in an imposing demonstra- 
tion. His remains were brought to the city on 
Sunday. .April 20th. on a si)ecial train. On Mon- 
day they lay in state at the court house. The 
room was draped in the national colors, and un- 
derneath lay all that was mortal of the patriot 
hero, inclosed in a metallic burial case, upon which 
was placed his sword and belt. 

Tlie funeral was held on Tuesday in the .Sec- 
ontl Congregational church, the largest auditori- 
um then in the city. Two thousand peo|5le were 
in attendance. Rev. J. H. \'incent. jiastor of the 
Court Street church, now Bishop Vincent, 
preached the funeral sermon. His text was 
Zachariah, XIII : 8-9: ".And it shall come to pass 
that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts 
therein shall be cut off and die ; but the third 
shall be left therein. .Xnrl I will bring the third 
part through the fire, an<l I will refine them as 
silver is refined, and will try them as gold is 



tried : they shall call on my name, and I will hear 
liieiii; I will say. It is my people; and they shall 
say, the Lord is my God." Masonic services at 
the grave were in charge of L. F. Warner, mas- 
ter of Star in the East lodge. 

Winnebago county had six companies in the 
battle of .^hiloh. Companv C lost, besides Colonel 
Kllis, Captain H. Brownell, W. H. Brown, Wil- 
liam Caughey, J. E. \'ance and Asabel Douglas; 
Company D, of the Eleventh, lost Charles Haw- 
kinson and Dennis Manchester. Those killed in 
Company G, of the Forty-fifth, were Corporal 
Mc.Veilage, James Watterson, Conrad La Grange, 
(ieorge 1 lcnr\-. The killed in Company E, of the 
Fifty-second, were Patrick Cunningham and 
Charles P. Roch. The company was in six en- 
gagements during the first day's fight. Com- 
pany C, of the Fifty-fifth, lost Lieutenant Theo. 
Hodges, Corporal Daniel Sullivan. Sergeant Mi- 
ron Ganoung, Bragella Crowell. Nathan Knapp 
and O. Helgerson. .\11 of these companies suf- 
fered losses in wounded. J. C. Manlove. Jr.. and 
.\ndrcw Clark, who had entered Waterhouse's 
Battery, after three months' service with the Zou- 
aves, were both wounded in the shoulder. 

\oi.i-\tei-;rs roR tiirke iroxxHs' service. 

in June. 1862, in res])onse to calls for volun- 
teers for three months, two additional companies 
were organized and immediately entered the 
service at Camp Douglas in guarding Confeder- 
ate prisoners. One of these companies, the Win- 
nebago County Guards, was largely composed of 
volunteers from the country towns, of which H. 
R. Enoch was chosen caj^tain. and James B. Kerr 
first lieutenant. There were one hundred and 
four volunteers in this company, including re- 
cruits, of whom eighty-three were from \\'inne- 
bago county. They were known as Company C, 
of the Si.xty-seventh Infantry. 

The Rockford City Guards entered this .serv- 
ice, with Charles B. Mull as captain. The Guards 
were known as Company .A. of the Sixty-seventh 
Regiment. They are credited with exactly one 
hundred men, of whom sixty-three were from this 
county. There were four soldiers from Winne- 
bago on the field and staff, and the non-commis- 
sioned staff, and one jirivate each in Companies B 
and H. Winnebago county contributed to this 
regiment in the two companies a total of one 
hundred and fifty-three meiL 

These accessions made nine full companies 
which W'innebago county had sent mto the serv- 
ice, besides many enlisted in other companies and 
batteries. 

C.\MP FULLER. 

July 16, 1862. .-Xdjutant-General Fuller issued 
an order establishing cam])s for temporary ren- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY." 



93 



dezvous in several cities of the state. In the lat- 
ter part of the month General Fuller visited 
Rockford and personally selected a site north of 
the city. Jason Marsh was placed in command, 
who named the camp in honor of the man who 
did more than any other citizen in making a 
glorious military record for the commonwealth 
of Illinois. General Fuller was the central fig- 
ure of the war power of Illinois ; the forger of 
her thunderbolts, the splendid defender of her 
sons. General John C. Black once said to the 
writer that General Fuller was a greater man 
than Edwin M. Stanton, President Lincoln's great 
war secretary ; that he had Stanton's executive 
ability without his brutality. 

Camp Fuller was a camp of rendezvous for 
Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, Ogle, Car- 
roll, Stephenson and Jo Daviess counties. Four 
regiments were in camp at Camp Fuller — the Sev- 
enty-fourth, Ninety-second, Ninety-fifth and 
Ninet3--sixth. The activity at this camp was 
short-lived. All the regiments soon entered the 
service, and January 31, 1863, the barracks were 
sold at auction. 

THE SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 

In July, 1862, President Lincoln issued a call 
for 300,000 volunteers. In response to war meet- 
ings held in every township in Winnebago county 
the military spirit became the ruling passion of 
the people. July 31st the board of supervisors 
met in special session and offered a bounty of $60 
to each volunteer enlisting before the 25th of Au- 
gust, and $40 for all subsequent enlistments pre- 
vious to September 15th, next following. 

Winnebago county again promptly did her 
duty, and raised eight of the ten companies of the 
Seventy-fourth Regiment. Company G was or- 
ganized in Ogle county, and Company I in Ste- 
phenson county. The regiment was mustered 
into the service September 4th. 

The first field otificers were: Jason Alarsh. of 
Rockford, colonel : James B. Kerr, of Roscoe, 
lieutenant-colonel, and Edward F. Dutcher, of 
Oregon, major. Anton Nieman, of Chicago, an of- 
ficer of military education, was its first adjutant. 
On September 30, 1862, the regiment reported for 
duty at Louisville, Ky., where the Army of the 
Ohio, afterward known as the Amiy of the Cum- 
berland, was then being organized under General 
Don Carlos Buell. On October i a brigade or- 
ganization was effected, and the Seventy-fourth, 
with the Seventy-fifth and Fifty-ninth Illinois, the 
Twenty-second Indiana, and the Fifth fPinney's) 
Wisconsin Battery, formed the Thirtieth Brigade, 
Ninth division. Fourteenth Corps. Colonel Philip 
Sidney Post, of the Fifty-ninth Illinois, had com- 
mand of the brigade. General O. M. Mitchell of 
the division, and General Gilbert of the corps, the 



whole comprising, with other troops, a command 
under General A. McD. McCook, designated the 
right wing. 

On October 24, 1862, the army, then at Bowl- 
ing Green, was reorganized, under General W. 
S. Rosecrans, and was afterward known as the 
Army of the Cumberland. 

The regiment participated in the following bat- 
tles : Perryville, October 8, 1862 : Stone River, 
December 31, 1862: Mission Ridge, November 
24-25, 1863; Rocky Face, May 9, 1864: Resaca, 
May 14, 1864; Calhoun, May 17, 1864; Adairs- 
ville, Alay 18, 1864: Dallas, May 25 to June 25, 
1864; Lost Mountain, June 16, 1864; Kenesaw 
Mountain, June 27, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, 
July 20, 1864; Atlanta, July 22, 1864; Jonesboro, 
September i, 1864; Lovejoy, September 2, 1864; 
Spring Hill, November 29, 1864; Franklin. No- 
vember 30, 1864: Nashville, December 15-16, 
1864. 

Winnebago county contributed 793 volunteers 
to the Seventy-fourth. This was almost exactly 
one-ciuarter of the whole mmiber of recruits 
raised by the county during the four years of the 
war. This fact made the regiment in a sense the 
special pride of the citizens. June 10, 1865, the 
Seventy-fourth, then numbering 343 officers and 
men, was mustered out of the service at Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, and arrived in Rockford June 
29. The veterans hold annual reunions, but time 
has thinned their ranks. In 1903 an excellent 
history of the Seventy-fourth Regiment was pub- 
lished by a committee consisting of John H. Sher- 
ratt. Hosmer P. Holland and Tohn \\'. Beatson. 



DEATH OF COLONEL NEVIUS. 

The Eleventh Infantry took an active part in 
the Vicksburg campaign. Garrett L. Nevius had 
entered the service as captain of Company D, but 
he rose rapidly. He was promoted major, lieu- 
tenant-colonel and finally the colonel of his regi- 
ment. 

Colonel Nevius was killed in the charge of 
Ransom's brigade on the enemy's works at Vicks- 
burg, May 22, 1863, while on foot at the head 
of his regiment, within ten rods of the line of 
entrenchments. He was in the act of waving his 
sword and urging his men forward, when the 
fatal bullet struck him in the head, crashing 
through his brain, killing him instantly. His 
dving words were: "Forward, mv brave Elev- 
enth !" 

The colonel's body was recovered and placed 
in charge of Captain W, D. E. Andrus, who, 
with a guard of ten men, immediately started to 
convey it to Rockford. The funeral guard was 
met at the Illinois Central depot in Chicago by 
a delesration from Rockford, with Mavor Wil- 



94 



PAST AXD I'RESENT OF WIX.XEBAGO COUNTY. 



liams. and escorted to tlie Galena depot. The re- 
mains arrived in Rocktord Wednesday. Jnne 3, 
1863. 

The body lay in state at the courthouse, where 
memorial services were held on Thursday. All 
business in the city was suspended. The meeting 
was called to order by the war mayor, Charles 
Williams. Dr. Thomas Kerr pronomiced an elo- 
i|uent eulogy. The remains were taken, with 
military escort, to the Northwestern depot, and 
forwarded to the home of his mother at Lodi, 
Seneca county. New York. 

.\s a military man Colonel Nevius had won an 
enviable rei)utation. He ij<issessed sujierior abil- 
ities. He was careful of his men. cool, well post- 
ed, sound in judgment, and brave almost to the 
l)oint of recklessness. He led his men where duty 
called, and they were quick to follow. Colonel 
.Nevius was naturally retiring and unassuming in 
private life, and was not thus. perha])s. so widely 
known as others of less ability for leadership. 

Those who knew him best learned to respect 
him fi>r liis high moral character and social worth 
and all who enjoyed his ac(|uaintance will remem- 
ber him with the liveliest emotions. His charac- 
ter was one which all will love tt> <lwell upon, 
and his memory will be fresh in the hearts of our 
citizens for long years to come. 

Colonel Nevius was only twenty-six years of 
age. He lived in deeds, and not in years. Nevius 
post. No. I. C,. A. R.. is named after him. 

THE MULLIG.\N GU.SRaS. 

^fajor Patrick Flynn was a representative son 
of Erin, who espoused the cause of his adopted 
country with a lover's devotion. He fought her 
battles with the characteristic ardor of his race. 
He was born in Mayo, Ireland. May 11, 1831. 
He came to Rockford in 1858. and was engaged 
in mercantile business until 1862, when President 
Lincoln issued a call for 300,(XX) volunteers. 

Major Flynn enlisted about 300 men in Win- 
nebago, Pioone and Stephenson counties. He or- 
ganized the Mulligan Guards, named in honor of 
the famoius Colonel James Mulligan, nf the Twen- 
tv-third Illinois, known as the Irish brigade. The 
late Dean Piutler, priest of St. James' Catholic 
church, of Rockford, was chaplain of Mulligan's 
brigade. Later the major's company dropped the 
name of Mulligan Guards and was designated 
as Comjiany .\. Nineteenth Illinois N'ohmteer In- 
fantry, and assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps. 
There were in this company ninety-three volun- 
teers from Winnebago county. There were also 
six enlistmeiUs froni the coimty in other compa- 
nies of the regiment. 

Many years after those stirring scenes, in No- 
veml)er, 1900. Major Flynn relatcfl his exjiericnce 
in securing enlistments in the well-known Mulli- 



gan (iuarcls. These were given in a paper read 
before a campfire of Nevius post. The major 
said : 

"On July 14. 1862, Charles L. Williams, then 
mayor of Rockford ; Rev. J. P. Donelan, pastor of 
St. James' Catholic church ; W. G. King. Judge 
Church, Hon. William Lathrop. Hon. Wait Tal- 
cott. Dr. R. ]'. Lane and Laurence McDonald 
called on me and suggested that I assist in rais- 
ing an Irish company of volunteers. Tlie idea 
was not displeasing to me. but, having a wife, 
I deemed it i)roper to first consult her in reference 
to the suggestion. She .shared my patriotic feel- 
ings, or. ratlur. I shared hers, and the result was 
that I soon entered heartily into the undertaking. 
( )nly a few remain of those young men who 
signed the muster roll at that time. They are 
.\ndrew Phinney, and Hugh McMahon, of Rur- 
ritt, who was said to be the youngest sergeant in 
the brigade. The young Irishmen of Rockford be- 
came enthusiastic in the defense of their country, 
and in the reniarkablv short period of sixteen days 
140 men enlisted. One more name which I was 
anxious to add to the list of these young heroes 
is that of Joseph P. Whalen, of .\rgyle township, 
who especially tlistinguished himself at the bat- 
tle of Missionary Ridge on November 23. 1863. 
He deserves special mention, being struck by 
rebel bullets no less than three times, and so dis- 
abled in his limbs to this day that his effort to 
move about is extremely painful. Wo exnected to 
be attached to the Twenty-third Illinois, which 
had achieved a brilliant reputation in the west and 
in \"irginia. and whose young commander was 
James .\. Mulligan. The company was named 
the Mulligan Guards in his honor. On Augfiist 
31st we were mustered into the service of the 
United States at Camp Douglas. Chicago, and 
became Companv .\. of the Ninetieth Illinois, of 
which Colonel O'Meara became the commanding 
officer. There were also volunteers which I re- 
cruited in Company T. The regiment was then 
detailed for a time to guard prisoners at Camp 
Douglas. Rumors were rife for a time that the 
Knights of the Golden Circle were planning an 
attempt to liberate the rebel prisoners under our 
care. The rumors were not without foundation, 
though the attempt was not made at that time. 
Had it been, the Ninetieth would have proven it- 
self loyal to the country that sheltered its mem- 
bers in their exile. In those days domestic ene- 
mies, which were known as co]>perhcads. were a 
source of much annoyance.'' 

In the same pajicr Major Flvim vividly de- 
scribed the battle of Missionary Ridge. His allu- 
sion to the death of Lieutenant James Conway, 
of Company A. breathes the fervor and eloquence 
of his race. Rare indeed is a soldier's death more 
impressively told than in these words : 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



95 



"The next morning the Fifteenth Corps moved 
along the valle}- under the Lookout mountain 
range toward Chattanooga. On the morning of 
the 25th it was in Hne for the desperate struggle 
that day commemorates as the battle of Mission 
Ridge. The regiment lost its colonel, the brave 
O'Meara ; its lieutenant-colonel was shot through 
the body, and Lieutenant James Conwav. of Com- 
pany A, of this city, was shot through the heart. 
WHien found after the sun went down, he was 
in a kneeling position, his sabre in his right hand, 
his revolver in his left, his face to the enemy and 
his virtuous eyes turned to heaven, as though ful- 
ly satisfied of the sacred justness of the cause for 
which he was yielding up his life, he was anxious 
to meet the benignant glance of his Creator. Im- 
pressed with a knowledge of a duty nobly done, 
this brave )'oung officer knelt at the shrine of in- 
finite mercy, and while the words of hope were 
yet warm upon his cjuivering lips, his soul went 
forth into the presence of the Almighty Father. 
There 160 out of 370 heroes were beaten down 
in the bloody rain of rebel bullets. Being rank- 
ing officer, I took command of the Nineteenth 
that day." 

Major Flynn served his company as captain 
from August, 1862, until March, 1863. when he 
was promoted to major and continued with his 
regiment until he was wounded. August 28, 1863, 
at the battle of i\Iissionary Ridge. He was mus- 
tered out of service in Jime, 1865. 

During the early part of the war there were 
also eight enlistments in the Eighth Infantry, 
twenty in the Forty-sixth, one in the consolidated 
Forty-seventh, one in the Forty-eighth, one in 
the Forty-ninth, thirteen in the Fifty-first, three 
in the Fifty-fourth, two in the Sixty-ninth, and 
eight in the Seventy-first. 

There were fifty-six volunteers in Batteries A, 
B. E, H and I of the First Regiment of light ar- 
tillery, and twenty-one in the Second artillery. 

DEATH OF COLONEL SMITH. 

In the month of February, 1863, the Forty-fifth 
Regiment moved with Grant's army on transports 
down the river from Alemphis to take part in the 
Vicksburg campaign. Stops were made at Lake 
Providence, Msta plantation and Milliken's Bend. 
At I\Iilliken"s Bend volunteers were called for to 
run the batteries with transports at Vicksburg. 
The entire regiment, officers and men, volunteered 
for this duty. Tlie matter was decided by mak- 
ing a detail of the quota assigned to the Forty- 
fifth. The detail comprised the crew which 
manned the steamer Anglo-Saxon, and took her 
safely through. loaded with a full cargo of com- 
missary stores. 

ilay I, 1863, found the Forty-fifth on the east 
bend of the ^Mississippi at Bruinsburg, below 



N'icksburg, and the same day started with Gen- 
eral (Grant's army on the famous campaign which 
ended in the capture of \'icksburg. The regi- 
ment participated in all the battles of the cam- 
paign, forming part of Logan's division. 

The position of the Forty-fifth during the siege 
of \'icksburg was immediately at the White 
House, on the Jackson road, in front of the rebel 
Fort Hill, regarded as the key to the fortress. 

The Forty-fifth took part in three charges 
against the rebel works, on the 19th and 22d"of 
May and the 25th of June. On the 22d Major 
Luther H. Cowan was instantly killed. About a 
month was occupied in running a gap and dig- 
ging a mine under Fort Hill. June 25th, the 
mine having been charged, the match was ap- 
])lied. The Forty-fifth was selected as the storm- 
ing party after the breach should be made. Im- 
mediately after the explosion the regiment rushed 
into the crater, but was met with a murderous 
fire l3\- the enemy, who was still protected by an 
embankment of about three feet in width, which 
had been thrown up by the rebels as an inner line 
in case the outer works should be demolished. 
The loss to the Forty-fifth in this charge was 
eighty-three ofificers and men killed and wounded. 
Among the number were Melancthon Smith, lieu- 
tenant-colonel ; Leander B. Fisk. major, and a 
number of non-commissioned officers and men. 
Among the wounded was Jasper A. Maltbv, col- 
onel of the regiment. It was a bloody afl'air, in- 
deed. When the city surrendered, on account of 
its conspicuous service during the siege, bv order 
of General Grant, the Forty-fifth was given the 
advance of the L'nion army when it entered that 
stronghold, and its flag was raised upon the court- 
house by Colonel William F. Strong, of General 
McPherson's stafi', to denote the possession of 
the city by the Federal army. 

June 23, 1863. Colonel Smith was mortally 
wounded at the storming of a fort at Vicksburg 
by General Logan's division. He lingered three 
days in a state of half-consciousness and died 
Sunday morning, June 28, in the thirty-sixth year 
of his age. His remains were brought to Rock- 
ford for burial. Funeral services were held June 
nth at the home of his father-in-law, John Ed- 
wards. His remains lay in state in front of the 
house. The discourse was delivered by Rev. F. 
AI. Holland, pastor of the Unitarian church, of 
which Colonel Smith was a member. 

Sunday afternoon Dr. H. M. Goodwin 
preached a memorial sermon in the Second Con- 
gregational church. Concerning Colonel Smith's 
patriotism. Dr. Goodwin said : "Before deciding 
to enter the ami}-, he made the question a subject 
of devout and earnest prayer, and the decision, 
when made, was a religious consecration to the 
service of his country, expecting never to return, 
but to die on the field of battle." 



96 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WTXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



RESUME OF RECORD OF VOLUNTEERS. 

November 14. 1863, Rolicrt Ogrilby made an 
abstract of the record uf Winiicbago county vol- 
imteers to that date. The total niunber of en- 
listments was 2,127. ^^f tli^"^*-' 47 '^•"^' ^'^'^" killed. 
160 died, 86 wounded, 24 wounded and died. 49 
wounded and discharged. 14 discharged and died, 
nuistered out and died. The total deaths to that 
date were 254. 

SUPERVISORS R.MSE WAR BOUNTY. 

At the regular session of the supervisors in 
December, 1863. the board of super\-isors raised 
the bountv to $100 for all who would enlist be- 
tween December ist and January 5th. This 
bountv was in the form of a county bond draw- 
ing seven per cent, interest and transferable at 
pleasure. 

The last year of the war drained the loyal 
states of its available militia. President Lincoln's 
call for 500,000 men in the summer of 1864 was a 
severe test of loyalty, but all demands were met 
by \\'innebago county. September 15th the 
board of super\isors passed a resolution offering 
a bounty of $300 to volunteers in the county who 
had enlisted since September 5th, or who might 
thereafter enlist. October ist it was officially an- 
nounced that \\'imiebago county was out of the 
draft, and that under the last call for volunteers, 
more than three hundred had been raised. 

Winnebago county contributed 3,187 .soldiers 
to the volunteer sen-ice of the Union during the 
Civil war. This was twenty-five more than its 
quota. 

PRISONERS OF W.\R. 

The adjutant-general's report devotes fifteen 
full pages to the list of Illinois soldiers who died in 
Andersonville prison. Among diose who sur- 
vived the horrors of that prison pen from this 
county were Captain Lewis F. Lake, a member 
of Taylor's Battery, who had l>een captured at 
the battle of Atlanta; Lieutenant Andrew Phin- 
ney and Roger Brown. The late Dr. Selwyn 
Clark and Dr. Ginton Helm were confined in 
Libby prison. H. C. Scovill, the present city 
clerk, was a prisoner ten months at Macon, Geor- 
gia. He enlisted in an Ogle county company. 
William L. Mesick, of Company E, First Illinois 
Light .\rtillery, a Rockford boy, was left on the 
field of Guntown, Mississippi, for dead, and aft- 
erward turned up at Andersonville prison. His 
funeral sermon was preached in Rockford. He 
recovered his health in a measure, and lived 
more than thirty years. 

MRS. M.\RV BRAINARD, ARMY NURSE. 

Mrs. Mar>- Brainard saw the hard side of the 
war life, and worked many a long night over 



the dying soldiers, and writing the last letters 
iiome for those who were too weak to do it for 
themselves. Mrs. Brainard left Rockford in Sep- 
temljer of 1862, going with the Seventy-fourth 
Illinois volunteers as a nurse under Colonel 
Marsh. In a short time she was made nurse and 
head matron of the hospital at Lebanon, Ken- 
tucky, where she sjient the winter, and then go- 
ing to the hos])ital at Lewisvillc as head nurse 
and matron. She spent the summer there in 
charge of the officers' hospital, but during the 
fall she was taken seriously sick with malarial 
fever and was sent north. During the time of 
her nursing she was not under sanitarj- commis- 
sion, as were most of the nurses, but was in the 
government employ. Because of her faithful 
work she was awarded a ])ension by a special act 
of congress. Mrs. Brainard died suddenly Octo- 
ber 7, 1905. 

CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. 

The late Dr. Thomas Kerr was for a time a 
member of the Christian commission, under ap- 
pointment of President Lincoln. After his re- 
turn from the field he delivered a number of lec- 
tures, the ])roceeds of which were devoted to the 
war relief fund. 

THE NAVAL SERVICE. 

'J"hc county contributed a few volunteers to the 
naval service. \'olney D. W'oodruff, John L. 
Clark. George Potter, and John A. Ferguson 
were members of the West Gulf Blockading 
squadron. John McDermaid, now a resident of 
Rockford. but who enlisted in an eastern state, 
enjoys the distinction of having been a partici- 
pant in the engagement in which the Confederate 
ram .\lbcmarle was destroyed. This unique his- 
toric event occurred October 27. 1864. on 
Roanoke river, in North Carolina, by a detail of 
twelve men, under command of Col. Cushing. 

SENT ELEVEN SONS TO WAR. 

The story of Mrs. H. B. Merchant's devotion 
to her country is probably without parallel. Her 
husband had died several years before and she 
was dependent for support upon her eleven sons. 
When the war broke out she bade the elder ones 
farewell and they went away. As the need for 
men grew greater the younger ones enlisted until 
finally all of the eleven were fighting for the stars 
and stripes. The brothers in the war and the com- 
mands in which thev enlisted were : G. W. 
Merchant, Co. C, 74th'lll. Vol. : A. L. Merchant, 
Co. C, 15th 111. Vol.; Enoch Merchant, Co. F, 
156th 111. Vol.; D. O. Merchant, Co. C, 74th 111. 
\'ol. ; S. B. Merchant, Co. G, 44th 111. Vol. ; A. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



97 



J. Merchant, Co. G, 44th 111. Vol.; L. E. Mer- 
chant, Co. G, 45th 111. Vol. ; Aaron Merchant, Co. 
G, isth Wis. Vol.; N. W. Merchant, United 
States Cavalry ; J. C. Merchant, teamster in quar- 
ter-master's department. Each of the brothers 
who sur\'ived received an honorable discharge. 

THE COST OF THE W.\R. 

January i, 1866, Adjutant-General Haynie 
issued a circular letter to the authorities of each 
county in the state, requesting- a statement of the 
amount of money paid by counties, cities and vil- 
lages. Winnebago county contributed $434, 
038.25. The several townships and the city of 
Rockford raised $65,964.13. These sums make 
a grand total of $500,002.38. This amount was 
expended for bounties, transportation, subsistence, 
general expenses, soldiers' families and interest. 

END OF WAR STORV. 

The writer is deeply conscious of the fact that 
this sketch is not an adequate history of the part 
borne bv Winnebago county in the great civil 
conflict. Such an undertaking would require a 
volume in itself. After the admission has been 
made, however, this history may still modestly 
claim to be th'e most complete that has appeared 
to date. It is hoped that in time to come some 
historian may tell the story in full as it is 
worthy to be told. 

NEVIUS POST G. A. R. 

Nevius post, G. A. R., is one of the oldest 
posts in the United States. For some years there 
was much discussion over the question of pri- 
ority of organization of the Wisconsin and the 
Illinois departments, and this honor has finally 
been decided in favor of the latter. The Rock- 
ford post was mustered into the order June i, 
1866, by General Stephen A. Hurlbut, as No. 
124, although the charter bears the date of Oc- 
tober 3d. following. All previously organized 
posts in Illinois were disbanded, so that the Rock- 
ford post succeeded to priority. The present 
membership is about four hundred, in round num- 
bers. 

Nevius post has been able to secure, during the 
thirtv-nine rears of its histon,-, some of the best 
orators in the country, for Memorial day oc- 
casions. Among these are : Gen. John A. Logan, 
Gen. John L. Beveridge, Gen. Smith D. Atkins, 
Gen. Allen C. Fuller, Gen. A. L. Chetlain, Ex- 
Secretary of War Belknap, Bishop Samuel Fal- 
lows, Col. James A. Sexton, Col. Frank A. Rid- 
dle. Col. W. P. Hepburn, Commander-in-Chief 
John R. Rea, Gov. Chamberlain of Vermont, W. 
J. Calhoun. 
7 



The post was named in honor of Colonel Gar- 
rett L. Nevius, who was killed during the siege 
of Vicksburg. Only two charter members are 
known to be living : J. G. Manlove and Evans 
Blake. The annual encampment of the Depart- 
ment of Illinois has been held four times in Rock- 
ford. The last two dates were 1894 and 1905. 

Col. Thomas G. Lawler has served the post the 
greater part of its history as commander. Be- 
ginning with July, 1868, he served five terms of 
six months each. In 1872 he was elected for the 
term of one year and has held the office thirty- 
three consecutive years. Col. Lawler was elected 
commander-in-chief of the national Grand Army 
organization in 1894. 

FAMOUS INVITATION TO JEFFERSON DAVIS. 

July I, 1875, Mr. Henry P. Kimball, the sec- 
retary of the Winnebago Count}' Agricultural 
society for seventeen years, by the authority of 
the board of directors, extended an invitation to 
Jefferson Davis to be present at the annual exhi- 
bition in September, and deliver an address. This 
invitation and its acceptance stirred up such a 
furore of excitement among the people of north- 
ern Illinois as to induce Mr. Davis to withdraw 
his acceptance. The correspondence thus neces- 
sitated became a matter of national notoriety. 

In the time of the Indian troubles through this 
section of the country Jefferson Davis, with 
others, helped subdue them. Later, however, he 
became the representative man and leader in the 
attempt to establish an independent confederacy 
out of the slave states, and, although unsuccess- 
ful, the horrors of the war that followed were not 
forgotten. 

When his promised attendance was announced, 
the memories of war times were kindled anew 
in the loyal heart, and a cry of opposition was 
raised that was soon borne to the ears of the 
Confederate chieftain, giving him to understand 
that his presence would be offensive almost be- 
yond toleration. In giving shape to this opposi- 
tion the G. L. Nevius post, G. A. R., of Rock- 
ford, was the first to move, and caused to be is- 
sued the following protest : 

"Whereas : We learn, with regret, that Jef- 
ferson Davis has been invited by the board of 
directors of the Winnebago Agricultural society 
to deliver the annual address at our county fair ; 
and whereas, we look upon it as an insult to the 
loyal citizens of Winnebago county to invite the 
arch-traitor, Jefferson Davis, to address the rela- 
tives and surviving friends of thirteen thousand 
men murdered at Andersonville alone, by his 
orders. 

"Resolved. That while as an organization we 
have nothing to do with politics, yet, as loyal 
citizens and former soldiers, we feel it our duty 



i)» 



I'AST AXn I'RESKXT OF \VIX"\i:i'..\( ,0 LOLXTV. 



to speak in behalf of the memory of our fellow- 
comrades, who arc no lonsjcr able to speak for 
tlieiiiselves. 

"Second. That we protest as^ainst the action of 
the board of directors, and jiledge onrselves that 
we will not attend the fair, nor contribute any- 
thing;- toward makinjj it a success, if tiie board 
of directors persist in bringing- forward this arch- 
traitor and cow-ard. 

'Third. That the.se resolutions be signed b\ 
the members of this post, and published in the 
county papers." 

This protest was signed by one hundred and 
twenty-six members of the post, and a jsrinted 
copy thereof forwarded to Mr. Davis, upon the 
receipt of which he atldressed to Mr. Kimball his 
letter of declination, under date of Augu.st i.sUi. 

THE FAI.I, or -niE COURTHOUSE. 

In 1S75 the board of supervisors took pre- 
liminary steps toward the erection of a new- 
courthouse. Henry L. Gay was the architect, 
and W. D. Richardson the contractor. The cor- 
ner-stone was laid June 23. 1876. May 11, 1877, 
occurred the greatest disaster in the history of the 
city, known as the "fall of the courthouse." All 
but a portion of the front pediment of the main 
central tow-er. or dome, had fallen straight 
through the middle of the building, crushing in 
its descent much of the inside work of the struc- 
ture. Seven men were killed outright, and several 
others severely wounded, two of whom died be- 
fore the coroner's jury had completed its inc|uest. 

Those who w-ere killed outright were Fred 
Hang, -A. Hollenbcck. John Warren. .\. Ilaug. 
John Pipe, George (iloss. Timothy I-'lannigan. 

The w-ounded were .\ugust Lucas. Thomas 
Hayes. William McTnnis. John Peck. George 
Smith. Hugh Eldredge. Cicero Dickerson, Hen- 
drez rieldahl. Isaac Donnelly. John Donaldson. 
I'rank Harris, and a man named Lindholm. John 
Peck and Lindholm died from their injuries. 

.\ coroner's jury made careful examination into 
the cause of the disaster. The jury w-as composed 
of Selden M. Giurch, H. W. Carpenter. George 
S. Haskell. Jolm R. Porter. G. A. Sanford. J. P.. 
Howell. Thomas lUitterw-orth. George Wilson, J. 
W. Seccomb. D. L. Emerstm. Wm. H. Smith. .\. 
G. Lowry. 

The jury found that the disaster was caused 
first by the neglect of Henry L. Gay. the archi- 
tect, to provide for the great amount of weight 
called for to com|)lete the building according to 
the plans designed by him ; second, want of care 
on the part of said architect in not giving special 
sjiccifications and ])lans for tlie parts of the gen- 
eral i)lan required to carry the extra weight, in 
proportion to their su]>erfices ; third, the board of 



supervisors failed to use due caution in exaniin- 
ing the plans and specifications, and in not em- 
])loying a competent architect. 

Work was at once resumed, and the courthouse 
was completed in 1878. at a total cost of $21 i.ocx). 

THE RIFLES AND THE GREYS. 

During the interval between the Civil and the 
Spanish wars there were tw-o local militia com- 
jianies which brought much fame to the Forest 
City. They w-ere the Rifles and the Greys. The 
former. Com])any K. was organized in 1876. and 
the latter. Company H. six years afterwards. The 
Rifles early in their career, through their pro- 
ficiency in drill and military standing, achieved a 
fame by no means confined to Illinois alone. 

One year after their organization the Rifles .saw 
their first military .service. This was during the 
Rraidw-ood riot. In 1893 with the Greys it 
served in a similar cajiacity. 

The history of Comi)any K dates from July. 
1S76, when the governor's guard of .S])ringfield 
visited Rockford. on the occasion of the laying 
of the courthouse corner-stone. So favorable 
was the impression made by the visitors that a 
call for a similar independent military organiza- 
tion w-as issued at once. The first meeting for 
organization was held July 22d. in (t. ,\. R. hall. 
John C. Garver w-as chairman. C. M. P>razee 
was elected captain : George .\. Silsby. first lieu- 
tenant : and II. X. Starr, second lieutenant. 
Thomas G. Lawler was elected drill-master and 
at the third meeting there were 114 men in line. 

In the following year the state legislature 
passed a law- jiroviding for an enlisted militia. 
The Rifles promptly enlisted, and became Com- 
])any P.. of the Third regiment, .\fter a brief 
service in the P)raidw-ood riots the comjiany de- 
cided to give attention to competitive drills, and 
in the autumn of that year defeated the .Aurora 
Light Guard. 

In 1879 the conijiany participated in the great 
military encam])ment and prize contest at St. 
Louis in the month of Octolier. On the w-ay it 
stopi)ed at Springfield and particijiatcd in a drill, 
in which it was defeated by the Moline troops, the 
decision of the judges creating dissatisfaction 
among the spectators. At St. Louis the Rifles 
secured fourth honors among sixteen entries, the 
Chickasaw (niards being first. Company P>. First 
infantrv. Chicago, second: and a St. Louis com- 
pany third. 

In the month of October the company made 
its famous southern trip to participate in the mili- 
tary encampment at .\tlanta. Its journey going 
and returning was marked by ovations. The 
Forest City band played "Dixie" and the w-arm- 
hearted southerners immediately took the Rock- 
ford bovs to their hearts. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



99 



The Gre_vs were mustered into service Decem- 
ber 28, 1882, by Major Henry N. Starr. George 
F. Adams was the original captain ; Fred C. 
Pierce, first lieutenant and Donald Tolmie, sec- 
ond lieutenant. Captain Adams resigned the fol- 
lowing year, and was succeeded bv Fred Pierce. 
He in turn was succeeded by William G. Dustin. 
William C. Wildt was elected captain in 1886. 
When the latter moved up to the major's position 
Fred N. Drake was elected captain. He resigned 
March 27, 1893, and was succeeded by First Lieu- 
tenant William C. Brogunier. 

Both companies have made history that has re- 
flected credit upon Winnebago county. 

rockford's representatives in congress. 

The several congressional districts, of which 
^^'inncbago county has successively formed a part, 
have been represented in congress by able gentle- 
men. .Several were statesmen and specialists of 
national and even international reputation. In 
order to make the record complete a paragraph 
must be devoted to the territorial organization of 
Illinois. 

Previous to 1818, when Illinois became a state, 
the territory was represented in congress suc- 
cessively by three delegates. Shadrach Bond 
served from December 3, 1812. until October 3, 
1 814. Benjamin Stephenson succeeded Bond, 
and served from November 14, 1814, until April 
29, 1 816. Nathaniel Pope entered congress De- 
cember 2, 1816, as the last territorial delegate, 
and remained until Illinois became a state in 
March, 1818. 

From 1818 until 1832, the state of Illinois con- 
stituted one congressional district. Daniel P. 
Cook was its first representative in congress, and 
served from 1818 to 1827. Joseph Duncan suc- 
ceeded and held his seat until 1833. 

The first apportionment proper was made in 
183 1. The state was divided into three districts. 
Tlie Third included the northern half of the state, 
and was represented successively by three con- 
gressmen. Joseph Duncan was elected in 1832. 
He resigned and Wm. L. May, of Springfield, was 
elected to complete the term. May was re-elected 
as a democrat in 1834 and 1836. The latter year 
was the first in which Winnebago county voted 
at a congressional election. John T. Stuart, sub- 
sequently a law partner of Abraham Lincoln, was 
elected in 1838 over Stephen A. Douglas, and was 
re-elected in 1840. Lender the apportionment of 
1843, Joseph P. Hogue. of Galena, was elected as 
a democrat for the new Rockford district, and 
re-elected in 1844, defeating Martin P. Sweet, of 
Freeport. In 1846 Thomas J. Turner, of Free- 
port, was elected and served one term as a 
democrat. By the year 1848 the whigs had again 
come into power, and the famous Colonel Ed- 
ward D. Baker was elected. 



Colonel Baker was born in London, England, 
February 24, 181 1. He came to the United 
States at the age of five years, with his father, 
who died in Philadelphia. The son removed to 
Springfield, Illinois. He rose rapidly to distinc- 
tion, and in 1844 he was elected a member of 
congress. He served his adopted country with 
signal ability in the Mexican war ; and upon his 
return to Illinois he settled at Galena. After serv- 
ing one term in congress he settled in San Fran- 
cisco, California, in 1852. Colonel Baker was a 
brilliant orator. His speech on the death of Sen- 
ator Broderick, of California, who fell in a duel 
with Judge Terry, in 1859, is one of the master- 
pieces of American oratory. For an hour the 
homage of tears was paid to Baker's genius and 
to Broderick's memory. His closing words are 
remarkable for their pathos : "The last word 
must be spoken, and the imperious mandate of 
death must be fulfilled. Thus, O brave heart ! 
we lay thee to thy rest. Thus, surrounded by tens 
of thousands, we leave thee to thy equal grave. 
As in life no other voice among us so rang its 
trumpet blast upon the ears of freeman, so in 
death its echoes will reverberate amidst our 
mountains and our valleys until truth and valor 
cease to appeal to the human heart. Good 
friend ! true hero ! hail and farewell !" 

Colonel Baker was subsequently elected L^nited 
States senator from Oregon. His debate with 
Breckenridge in the senate in 1861 attracted na- 
tional attention. "In the history of the senate," 
says Mr. Blaine, "no more thrilling speech was 
ever delivered. The striking appearance of the 
speaker, in the uniform of a soldier, his superb 
voice, his graceful manner, all united to give to 
the occasion an extraordinary interest, and at- 
traction." Colonel Baker left his seat in the 
senate and entered military service. He was killed 
while commanding a brigade at the battle of Ball's 
Bluff, October 21. 1861. 

Col. Baker was succeeded in 1850 by Thomp- 
son Campbell, of Galena, as a democrat, who 
served one term. 

Lender the apportionment of 1852 the state was 
divided into nine districts. Elihu B. Washburne 
served the entire period of ten years during which 
this apportionment continued. Mr. Washburne 
was first elected as a whig ; his subsequent elec- 
tions were as a republican. 

Elihu Benjamin Washburne was a member of 
the celebrated \\^ashburne family. He was born 
in Livermore, Elaine. September 23, 1816. In 
1839 he entered the Harvard law school. Among 
his classmates were Richard H. Dana and Wil- 
liam M. Evarts. He was admitted to the bar in 
1840, and at once settled at Galena, Illinois, and 
entered into partnership in the practice of law 
with Charles S. Hempstead, one of the incorpor- 
ators of Rockford female seminary. Mr. Wash- 



^ 



lOO 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



bume remained in congress from 1853 until 
March 6, 1869. From this long- and honorable 
serv'ice he was familiarly known as the "Father 
of the House," and in that capacity he adminis- 
tered the oath as speaker to Schuyler Colfax three 
times, and once to James G. Blaine. By reason of 
his insistence that the finances of the government 
should be administered with the strictest economy, 
Mr. Washburne was called the "Watch-dog of 
the Treasury." Mr. \\'ashburne called the at- 
tention of Governor Yates to his townsman, 
Ulysses S. Grant, who wished to enter military 
sen'ice. When the hero of the Civil war became 
president, he honored his old friend with the ap- 
pointment of secretary of state, and later made 
him minister to France. This position he held 
(luring the Franco-Prussian war. At the request 
of Bismarck, and with the permission of the 
French minister of foreign affairs. Mr. W'ash- 
burne exercised his official influence for the pro- 
tection of the Germans in Paris. When the em- 
pire was overthrown, Mr. Washburne was the 
first foreign rejiresentative to recognize the new 
republic. He remained in Paris during the siege, 
and was at his j)ost when the commune ruled the 
city. Tile emperor of Germany recognized his 
services by conferring ui)on him the Order of 
the Red Eagle. He declined this honor because 
a provision of the constitution of the United 
States prohibited it. Upon Mr. \\'ashburne's 
resignation in 1877, the emperor sent him his life- 
size portrait: and he was similarly honored by 
Bismarck, Theirs and Gambetta. Mr. W^ash- 
burne died in Chicago October 22. 1887. 

The apportionment of 1861 divided the state 
into thirteen districts. Winnebago county formed 
a part of the Second district, and General John F. 
Farnsworth represented the district during the 
full ten years. 

In 1872 the state was divided into nineteen 
districts, and Winnebago formed a part of the 
Fourth. General Steiihen .\. Hurlbut, of Belvi- 
dere, was elected, over lion. S. G. Bronson, then 
of Rockford. Gen. Hurlbut was re-elected over 
Gen. Farnsworth in 1874. 

Stephen .\. Flurlbut was born in Giarleston. 
South Carolina, in 1815. and settled in 
Belvidere in 1845. He was the son of a 
Unitarian clergyman, and a brother of Wil- 
liam Henry Hurlbut, for many years editor- 
in-chief of the New York World. He was 
commissioned a brigadier-general in 1861, com- 
manded the Fourth division at the battle of 
Shiloh, and for that service he was promoted to 
the rank of major-general, and assigned to the 
command of the department of the gulf. General 
Hurlbut was the first commander-in-chief of the 
Grand .'\rmy of the Rqiublic ; was appointed 
minister-resident to the United States of Colom- 
bia bv President Grant. In 1881 General Hurlbut 



was appointed United States minister to Peru, 
and died at Lima in the spring of the following 
year. .Abraham Lincoln once said that .^tejjhen 
.\. Ilurlinit was the ablest orator on the stump 
that Illinois had ever produced. 

Hon. William Lathrop was elected in 1876, 
and served one term. He is the only citizen of 
R(5ckford who ever held a seat in congress. 

John C. Sherwin, of .Aurora, was elected in 
1878, and re-elected in 1880. 

By the apportionment of 1882 Winnebago was 
attached to the Sixth district and Hon. Robert R. 
Hitt was its representative for ten years. In 
1893 Winnebago became a part of the Ninth dis- 
trict, and Mr. Hitt also sen-ed this district ten 
years. 

Congressman Hitt was born at Urbana, Ohio, 
January 16, 1834, and moved to Ogle county, 
Illinois, in 1837. His first public work of note 
was the stenographic report of the famous Lincoln 
and Douglas debates in 1858. He was first 
United States secretary of legation and charge d' 
affaires ad interim, at Paris, from 1874 to 1881. 
^Ir. Hitt was assistant secretary of .state of the 
United States in 1881. when James G. Blaine was 
at the head of the state department. 

Mr. Hitt's continuous service of twenty-three 
years in the house has given him a national repu- 
tation. Fie has for several years been chairman 
of the committee on foreign affairs, and is con- 
sidered one of the best authorities in this coun- 
try- on international law. In July, 1898. he was 
appointed by President McKinley. a member of 
the commission to establish a government for 
Hawaii, upon its annexation to the L'nited States. 

Edward D. Baker, E. B. Washburne, John F. 
Farnsworth. Stephen A. Hurlbut and Robert R. 
Hitt were men of national reputation who have 
served the several districts in which Rockford has 
from time to time been located. This record is 
scarcely less notable than that of the old Western 
Reser\'e district in Ohio, which was represented 
by Elisha ^^^^ittlesey. Joshua R. Giddings and 
James A. Garfield, who.se terms aggregated fifty- 
one years. 

The apportionment of 1901 made Winnebago 
county a part of the Twelfth district. Judge 
Charles E. Fuller, of Belvidere, was nominated in 
1902, without opposition, and elected. He was 
also renominated in 1904 by acclamation, and re- 
elected. 

Rockford has not been represented in congress 
by a democrat in fifty-one years, since the re- 
tirement of Thompson Campbell in 1853. 

WINXEBAGO C01;NTY I\ ST.\TE LF.GISr,.\TURE. 

A complete roster of the senators and repre- 
sentatives who have represented Winnebago 
county in the .state legislature is given herewith. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



lOI 



There have been many apportionments, and the 
county has had quite a number of poHtical neigh- 
bors. Among these since the pioneer days have 
been Ogle, Boone, McHenry and Lake. 

\Mien Germanicus Kent and Thatcher Blake 
settled in Rockford in 1834, what is now Win- 
nebago county was a part of senatorial and repre- 
sentative districts which covered a large portion 
of northern Illinois. 

Under the apportionment of 1831 the counties 
of Peoria, Jo Daviess, Putnam, La Salle and Cook 
were united in one district, and had one senator 
and one representative. Winnebago countv. hav- 
ing been organized from attached portions of La- 
Salle and Jo Daviess, was included in this ter- 
ritory. 

At the election of 1832, James M. Strode was 
elected senator, and Benjamin Mills, representa- 
tive. In 1834 James W\ Stephenson was chosen 
senator, but he resigned and James M. Strode was 
chosen his successor. John Hamlin was elected 
representative. 

Winnebago county was organized in 1836, and 
continued to l>e attached to Jo Daviess county in 
all general elections until the apportionment of 
1841. At the general election in 1836, A. G. S. 
\\"right, of Jo Daviess, was elected senator, and 
Elijah Charles and James Craig were elected rep- 
resentatives. In 1838 George W. Harrison was 
chosen senator, and served the district until a new 
apportionment was made. Germanicus Kent, of 
Winnebago, and James Craig, of Jo Daviess, were 
elected representatives. In 1840 Thomas Drum- 
mond, of Galena, and Hiram W. Thornton, of Jo 
Daviess, were elected representatives. 

The apportionment of February 26, 1841, pro- 
vided that the county of Winnebago should have 
one representative, Ogle one representative, ''and 
the two together one senator." The first election 
under this apportionment was held in 1842. 
Spooner Ruggles, of Ogle comity, was elected 
senator, and served four years. Before his term 
had expired, however, Mr. Ruggles had become 
a citizen of Winnebago county. In 1846 Anson 
S. Miller was elected senator and sen-ed two 
years. 

In 1842 Darius Adams was elected represent- 
ative from \\^innebago county, and served one 
term. In 1844 Anson S. Miller was elected, and 
served one term ; and in 1846 Robert J. Cross was 
elected and served one term. 

The constitution of 1848 divided the state into 
twenty-five senatorial districts, with one member 
each, and fifty-four representative districts, with 
a total of seventy-five members. 

L'nder this apportionment, McHenry, Boone 
and Winnebago counties constituted the Twenty- 
fourth senatorial district. At the first election 
Alfred E. Ames, of Winnebago county, was elect- 
ed senator. The senators, at their first session 



under the new constitution, were divided by lot.s 
into two classes. The seats of the first class were 
vacated at the expiration of the second year, and 
those of the second class at the expiration of the 
fourth year, so that one-half of the members were 
elected biennially. Mr. Ames drew the short term 
and served two years. In 1850 Thomas B. Tal- 
cott was elected senator, and served four years. 

LTnder this constitutional apportionment, Win- 
nebago county constituted the Forty-seventh rep- 
resentative district, with one member. Wilson H. 
Crandall was elected in 1848, and served one- 
term. Horace ^filler was elected in 1850, and 
served one term. In 1852 Abraham I. Enoch was 
elected and served two years. 

The act of February 27, 1854, apportioned the 
representation in the general assembly at twenty- 
five senators and seventy-five members of the 
house, with fifty-eight representative districts. 
Boone, Winnebago, Ogle and Carroll comprised 
the Third senatorial district. 

At the election in November, 1854, Wait Tal- 
cott, of Winnebago, was elected senator for the 
Third district, and served the full term of four 
years. In 1858 Zenas Applington, of Ogle, was 
elected, and served four years. 

The apportionment of 1854 made Winnebago 
county the Fifty-third representative district, with 
one member. In November of that year Wil- 
liam Lyman, of Rockford. was elected, and served 
two years. In 1856 William Lathrop was elected 
and served one term. Elijah W. Blaisdell, Jr., 
was elected in 1858, the year of the famous Lin- 
coln and Douglas debate. Mr. Blaisdell voted for 
.\braham Lincoln for L'nited States senator. In 
i860 Alfred A. Hale was elected and served one 
term. 

By the act of January 31, 1861, the repre- 
sentation was fixed at twenty-five senators and 
eighty-five members. The state was divided into 
twenty-five senatorial and si.xty-one represent- 
ative districts. Winnebago, Boone, McHenry and 
Lake constituted the Twentv-third senatorial dis- 
trict. 

At the first election on this basis, in 1862, 
Cornelius Lansing, of McHenry, was elected 
senator, and served three years. Senator Lansing 
died August 26, 1865. In 1866 General Allen C. 
Fuller, of Belvidere, was elected senator, and was 
re-elected in 1870. 

LTnder the apportionment of 1861, Winnebago 
county was made the Fifty-fifth representative 
district, with one member. In 1862 Selden M. 
Church, of Rockford, was elected, and served one 
term. In 1864 William Brown, of Rockford, was 
elected, and served one term. Abraham I. Enoch 
was elected in 1866, and served one term. 
Ephraim Sumner was elected in 1868. 

The representation in the Twenty-seventh 
general assembly, which convened January 4, 



I02 



PAST A\D PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



1871. was the first under the constitution of 1870, 
and was apportioneil by the governor and sec- 
retary of state. There were fifty senators and 
177 representatives. The state was divided into 
twenty-five senatorial districts, and ninety-seven 
representative districts. Winnebago, lloone, Mc- 
Henry and Lake comities constituted the Twenty- 
third senatorial district. At the election of 1870 
General .Mien C. Fuller, of lielvitlere. and John 
Early, of Rock ford, were elected senators. 

Winnebago county was made the Ninety-first 
re])resentative district, and at the election of 1S70 
James M. Wight and D. Emmons .\danis were 
elected members of the house. 

By the act of March i, 1872. the state was 
divided into fifty-one senatorial districts, as pro- 
vided by the constitution. Ivich district was en- 
titled to one senator. Winnebago and Boone 
counties comj^rised the .Xiiith senatorial district. 
At the general election in 1872 John ILirly, of 
Rockford. was elected senator for the Ninth dis- 
trict. Tlie constitution of 1870 provided that 
senators elected in 1872 .should vacate their of- 
fices at the expiration of two years. Mr. Early 
was re-elected in 1874 for the full tenn of four 
years, but died while in office, in Se])t ember. 1877. 

In 1878 Charles E. I'"uller. of lielviilere, was 
elected senator, after a notable triangular contest. 

Under the new constitution senatorial and rep- 
resentative districts became identical for the first 
time in the history of the state. Each district 
was entitled to three rej^resentatives. 

In 1872 Robert J. Cross and Duncan J. .Stew- 
art, of Winnebago county, and Jesse .^. Ilildruii. 
of Boone county, were elected rejjrescntatives for 
the Ninth senatorial district. Mr. Cross died in 
office. February 15, 1873. and Richard F. Craw- 
ford was chosen to complete his term. In 1874 
-Andrew .\shton and Ricliard F. Crawford, of 
Winnebago, and Myron K. .\very. of lloone, were 
electeft. George H. Hollister. John Budlong. and 
Andrew Ashton, all of Winnebago countv, were 
elected in 1876. In 1878 Omar H. Wright, of 
Boone, and Thomas Rutterworth and Horace W. 
Taylor, of Winnebago, were electetl. In i88o 
Edward B. .Sumner, of W'innebago. and Omar II. 
Wright, of Belvidcrc, were elected as rei)ublicans. 
and Laurence McDonald, of Winnebago, was the 
democratic minority representative. 

By the apportionment act of May. 18S2. Win- 
nebago and Ogle counties were united in the 
Tentli senatorial district. 

The first election under this apportioniuent was 
held in 1882. Lsaac Rice, of Ogle county, the hold- 
over senator from the old Twelfth district, had 
two years to serve, as it is a iirinciple of our 
present constitutional law that no man can be 
legislated oiu of office. There was therefore no 
election of senator until 18S4. when Edward B. 
Sumner was elected for the full term of four 



years. Benjaiuin F. Sheets, of Ogle county, suc- 
ceeded Mr. i^iunner in 1888, and served four 
years. In 1892 David Hunter, of W'innebago, 
was elected and served four years. 

In 1882 Albert F. Brown and John Seyster, of 
Ogle, and Edward B. Sumner, of Winnebago, 
were elected representatives for the Tenth district. 
Albert F. Brown, republican, of Ogle, David 
Hunter. repul)Iican, of Winnebago, and Edward 
M. Winslow, democrat, of Ogle, were elected in 
1884. In 1886 David Hunter, of Winnebago. 
James Lamont. of Winiiel)ago, prohibitionist, and 
James P. Wilson, republican, of Ogle, were 
elected representatives. From 1888 to 1890 David 
Hunter and Robert Simpson, of Winnebago, and 
\Vm. H. Co.K, of Ogle, represented the district. In 
1890 James P. Wilson and Prescott Talbot, of 
Ogle, and David Hunter, of W'innebago, were 
elected. In i8y2 James P. Wilson and Prescott 
H. Talbot, of Ogle county, and Lars M. Noling. 
of W'innebago, were elected representatives. 

By the apportionment act of June 15, 1893, 
W^innebago and Ogle counties were continued as 
the Tenth district. 

The first election for senator under this ap- 
portionment was held in 1896. when Delos ^^^ 
Baxter, of Roclielle. was elected senator for the 
full term. In 1900 Henry Andrus. of Winne- 
bago, was elected senator, and his term expired 
January i. 1905. 

The first election for representatives under this 
apportionment was in 1894. when Lars M. Noling 
and C. Harry Woolsey, of Winnebago, and X'iclor 
H. Bovey. f)f Ogle, were elected for this district. 
In 1896 Lars M. Noling and Henry Andrus. of 
Winnebago, and ^'ictor H. Piovey. of Ogle, all 
rei)ublicans, were elected. In 1898 Henry .Andrus 
and I'rank S. Regan, of Winnebago, and James 

A. Countryman, of Ogle, were elected. In 1900 
James .\. Countryman and James P. Wilson, of 
Ogle, and David Hunter, of Winnebago, were 
elected. 

l>y the act of May 10, npr. Winnelxigo and 
Ogle counties were for a third time made the 
Tenth senatorial district. 

.\t the election in 1902 Frederick Haines, rc- 
])ublican. of W^innebago. Johnson Lawrence, re- 
])ublican, of Ogle, and James P. Wilson, demo- 
crat, of Ogle, were elected representatives. 

B. McHenry, of Ogle, were elected representa- 
tives. 

At the general election in November. 1904. .A. 
J. .Anderson was elected senator, and Frederick 
Haines and C. E. Martin, of Winnebago, and W. 
P.. McHenry. of Ogle, were elected represent- 
atives. 

jrouiAi. iiisroRV — circuit rencii. 

The first circuit court held in Winnebago 
county convened ( )ctober Ct. 1837. at the house of 



PAST AND TRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



103 



Daniel S. Haight. This was the frame huilding 
which stood on the northeast corner of Madison 
and State streets, a part of which is now on the 
northeast corner of Second and Wahiut streets. 
Hon. Daniel Stone, of Galena, was the presiding 
judge. Seth B. Farwell was appointed state's 
attorney pro tern ; and James Mitchell, then of 
Jo Daviess county, was made clerk. 

Under the first constitution of Illinois, the 
justices of the supreme court and the judges of 
the inferior courts were elected by joint ballot of 
the legislature. This made the courts in a sense, 
the creatures of the legislature, rather than a co- 
ordinate branch of the government. The legisla- 
ture is always governed more or less by partisan 
expediency, and the reflex action u]ion the judi- 
ciary compromised its independence. 

The first judicial apportionment which afifected 
Winnebago county was the act of the legislature 
of January 17. 1835, by which the state was 
divided into six judicial circuits. 

Under this first apportionment, what is now 
Winnebago county formed a part of the Sixth 
circuit. Thomas Ford was commissioned Janu- 
ary ly, 1835, but he never presided over a court 
within the present limits of Winnebago county. 
Judge Ford resigned in March. 1837, and was 
elected governor in 1842. He was the author of 
Ford's History of Illinois, an historical classic. 
Judge Ford was succeeded by Judge Stone, who 
was commissioned March 4, 1837. 

Judge Stone, a native of \'ermont, became a 
member of the Springfield bar in 1833. Upon his 
elevation to the bench, he was assigned to the 
northwestern part of the state, and removed to 
Galena. Judge Stone was legislated out of office 
in 1 84 1. He removed a few years later from the 
state, and died in New Jersey. 

The Seventh judicial circuit was created Feb- 
ruar\- 4. 1837, and February 23, 1839, the Eighth 
and Ninth circuits were created. Judges were 
appointed for these additional circuits. 

The judiciarv of the state was reorganized in 
1841 by a statute which repealed all former laws 
authorizing the election of circuit judges, who 
were legislated out of office. The state was 
divided into nine circuits. Additional justices of 
the supreme court were appointed, who were re- 
quired to do circuit duty. The judiciary, as thus 
organized, was continued until the entire system 
of an appointive judiciary was swept away by the 
new constitution of 1848. 

Under this new system the first judge assigned 
to circuit duty in Rockford was Hon. Thomas 
C. Browne, who presided at the first term of court 
in the courthouse completed in 1844. James 
Mitchell was clerk, and G. A. Sanford. sheriff^. 
Judge Browne was a native of Kentucky, and 
came to Illinois before its organization as a state. 
Upon the adoption of the first constitution, he 



was elevated to the supreme bench, and served 
continuously thirty years, until the reorganiza- 
tion of the judiciary under the constitution of 
1848. An attempt was made before the legisla- 
ture in 1843 to impeach his ability as a judge. 
Nearly every attorney of the Winnebago county 
bar signed a petition for his removal, but the at- 
tempt resulted in failure. Judge Browne died in 
San Francisco, California, about 1857. 

Hon. Jesse B. Thomas succeeded Judge 
Browne in 1847 ^^ presiding judge of Winne- 
bago county, and served until the judiciary sys- 
tem was changed in 1848. Judge Thomas first 
held the position of circuit judge from 1837 to 
1839. In 1843 he became associate judge of the 
supreme court by appointment of the governor, 
as successor to Stephen A. Douglas, and was sub- 
sequently elected by the legislature to the same 
office. He died in Chicago February 21, 1850. 

Hon. Hugh T. Dickey was the first judge to 
preside in Rockford after the adoption of the 
second constitution. Hugh Thompson Dickey 
came to Illinois from New York in 1840. and set- 
tled in Chicago. In September, 1848, he was 
elected judge of the Seventh judicial circuit. He 
died in New York, his native city, June 2, 1892. 

Hon. Hugh Henderson, of Joliet, succeeded 
Judge Dickey, and presided in 1848 and 1849. 
He died soon afterward, and little is known of 
him. 

Judge Benjamin R. Sheldon succeeded Judge 
Henderson. Judge Sheldon was a native of jMas- 
sachusetts. He came to Illinois at an early day, 
and resided first at Hennepin, and later at Galena. 
He was elected in 1848 judge of the Sixth circuit, 
which was afterward divided, and he was as- 
signed to the Fourteenth circuit. He remained 
on the circuit bench until 1870. when he was elect- 
ed a justice of the supreme bench, presiding as 
chief justice in 1877. He was re-elected in 1879, 
and retired in 1888. Judge Sheldon then became 
a resident of Rockford, where he died April 13, 
1897. He left an estate valued at $2,000,000. 
He bequeathed $10,000 to the Young Men's 
Christian Association of Rockford. and $10,000 
to Rockford College, 

Hon. William Brown was the first citizen of 
Rockford to be elected to the circuit bench. Judge 
Brown was a native of England, born in Cum- 
berland, June I, 1819. His father's family came 
to America in 1827, and settled in New York. 
The son read law in Rome, and, after being ad- 
mitted to the bar, came to Rockford in 1846. In 
1852 Mr. Brown was elected by a large majority 
state's attorney for the Fourteenth judicial cir- 
cuit, comprising Winnebago, Stephenson and Jo 
Daviess counties, serving for four years. Mr. 
Brown was elected mayor of Rockford in 1857, 
and in 1864 he was chosen member of the legis- 
lature. In 1870 ^Ir. Brown was elected a judge 



I04 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



of the circuit court, to fill the vacancy occasioned 
by the promotion of Judge Sheldon to the su- 
preme bench. Under the judicial apportionment 
of March 28. 1873. Jo Daviess. Stephenson and 
Winnelxiijo counties formed the First circuit. In 
the following June Judge I'.rown was elected for 
the full tenii of six years. He was subsequently 
elected for two full terms, making a total period 
of over t^venty years on the bench. Judge I'.rown 
died January 15, 1891. 

By the apportionment of 1873 the legislature, 
in accordance with the provisions of the constitu- 
tion of 1870. divided tlie state, exclusive of Cook 
county, into twenty-six judicial circuits. In 1877 
the legislature, in order to increase the number of 
circuit judges, and to provide for the organiza- 
tion of appellate courts, divided the state, outside 
of Cook county, into thirteen districts, and pro- 
vided for the election of one additional judge in 
each district. In August, 1877, one additional 
judge for each circuit was elected for two years, 
making three judges in each district. 

I'nder this act, in force July i, 1877. the First 
judicial circuit, of which Winnebago county 
formed a part, was consolidated with the Third 
circuit, and made the Thirteenth. By this ap- 
portionment Judge Hcaton. formerly of the Third 
circuit, and Judge Bailey became judges of the 
circuit court of \\'innebago county, in addition to 
Judge Brown. 

Hon. William W. Heaton was a native of New 
York, and settled at Dixon, Illinois, in 1840. In 
1861 he was elected judge of the Twenty-second 
circuit, and occupied a seat upon the liench, 
through repeated re-elections, until his death. De- 
ceml)er 26. 1877, while ser\-ing as a member of 
the ajipellate court for the First district. 

Judge Joseph M. Bailey, a native of New York, 
settled in Freeport, Illinois, in 1856, and began 
the practice of law. His first election to the 
bench in 1877 was for two years, l)ut he was re- 
elected in 1879 and 1885. He was several times 
assigned to duty on the ajipellate bench, and in 
1888 he was elected to the Ix^nch of the supreme 
court. Judge Bailev died in office October 16. 
1895. 

Hon. John V. Eustace came to Illinois in 1842 
from Philadelphia, his native city. He settled in 
Dixon, where he resided until his death. He was 
first elected circuit judge in 1857. and served one 
term. In March. 1878, he was again elevated to 
the bench to succeed Judge Heaton. He was re- 
elected in 1879. and again in 1885. Judge Eus- 
tace died in Dixon in 1888. 

Judge John D. Crabtree was a native of Eng- 
land, and emigrated to .America in the early ■40s. 
He went from Chicago to Pecatonica. where he 
worked on a farm for the late Ephraim Sumner. 
He then made his home in Lee count v, where hi« 
entire subsequent life was spent. He was state 



senator for the Nineteenth district in the thirty- 
fifth general assembly, where he was a colleague 
of Hon. E. B. Sumner. June 4. 1888, he was 
elected judge of the Thirteenth circuit, to suc- 
ceed Judge Bailey. June i, 1891, he was re- 
elected for the full term. Judge Crabtree died 
suddenly at Ottawa, May 22, 1902, while attend- 
ing a session of the appellate court. 

Judge James H. Cartwright is a son of Rev. 
Peter Cartwright, the famous pioneer Methodist 
preacher. He began the practice of law at Ore- 
gon, in Ogle county, in 1870. In 1888 he was 
elected circuit judge to succeed Judge Eustace, 
and in 1891 he was assigned to appellate duty. In 
1895 he was elected justice of the supreme court 
to succeed Judge Bailey, and re-elected in 1897. 

Hon. James Shaw is a native of Ireland. His 
career as an attorney began at Mount Carroll. Il- 
linois. He served eight years in the Illinois house 
of representatives, and was speaker of that body 
in 1877. In 1 89 1 he was elected judge for the 
Thirteenth circuit, and in 1897 he was re-elected 
for the Fifteenth circuit, under the last appor- 
tionment. 

John C. Garver was a native of Winnebago 
county. He was born on a farm near Pecatonica. 
He took a full collegiate course at Wittcnburg 
College, Springfield. Ohio, and studied law under 
the tutorshiji of General Keifer, at one time speak- 
er of the lower house of congress. In 1871 Mr. 
Garver was admitted to the bar, and began the 
practice of his profession in Rockford. In 1872 
he was elected state's attorney of Winnebago 
county, and re-elected in 1876. In 1896 Mr. Gar- 
ver was elected to the circuit bench, to succeed 
Judge James Cartwright, upon the elevation of 
the latter to the supreme bench. Judge Girver 
was elected judge of the Seventeenth circuit, un- 
der the apportionment of 1897. Judge Garver 
died November 27. 1901. 

Under the apportioimient of 1897. McHenry, 
Boone, Lake and Winnebago counties constituted 
the Seventeenth circuit. In June of that year Hon. 
Giarles IT. Donnelly, of Waukcgan. and Hon. 
Charles E. Ftdler were elected with Judge Gar- 
ver, already noted. 

Hon. Giarles E. Fuller is a native of Boone 
county, where his entire life has been spent. He 
was born in Flora township in 1849. After his 
admission to the bar in 1870 his rise to political 
prominence was very rapid. Ilis first office was 
that of citv attorney of Belvidere. In 1876 he 
was elected state's attorney of Boone county. Two 
vears later he was elected state senator after a 
bitter contest that has Ix^come historic. Judge 
Fullers' legislative experience covers eight years 
in the state senate, and six in the house. In the 
memorable struggle over the I'nited State sen- 
atorship in 1885, Mr. Fuller was the recognized 
leader of the "Famous 103." which stood to- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



105 



gether until the re-election of General John A. 
Logan was accomplished, after a contest of four 
months. In 1897 Mr. Fuller was elected judge 
of the Seventeenth circuit for the full term of six 
years. In 1902 Judge Fuller was nominated 
member of congress for the Twelfth district with- 
out opposition, and in 1904 he was renominated 
with the same unique distinction. While Judge 
Fuller's temper is pre-eminently that of a parlia- 
mentary leader, yet he achieved the reputation as 
one of the fairest judges upon the local bench. 

Upon the death of Judge Garver. Hon. A. H. 
Frost was elected in 1902 to fill the unexpired 
term. Judge Frost was born in A'ermont, May 
12, 1856. In 1861 he came to Rockford, where 
he has since resided. Judge Frost read law in the 
office of the late Major N. C. Warner, and was 
admitted to the bar January 19, 1879. For some 
years thereafter he served Rockford as police 
magistrate. He was elected state's attorney of 
Winnebago county in 1892, and re-elected in i8g6 
and 1900. This office he resigned February 24, 
1902. 

The election of Judge Fuller as member of 
congress involved his retirement from the bench, 
and at the judicial election held in June, 1903, 
Hon. A. H. Frost, Charles H. Donnelly and Hon. 
Robert W. Wright were elected judges of the 
Seventeenth circuit for the full term of six years. 

Judge Wright is the youngest judge who ever 
sat upon the circuit bench in Rockford. He is 
the elder son of the late Hon. O. H. Wright, of 
Belvidere, who once represented Rockford district 
in the state legislature. Judge Wright was born 
July I, 1862. He read law in his father's office, 
and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty- 
one. In 1884 he was elected state's attorney of 
Boone county, and was re-elected in 1888. 1892 
and 1896, serving sixteen years. 

Judge Charles H. Donnelly is a native of 
Woodstock, Illinois, where he was born August 
22, 1835. He received his collegiate education at 
Notre Dame University, and was admitted to the 
bar in January, 1877. From 1883 to 1891 he was 
city attorney of Woodstock. In 1886 he was 
elected captain of Company G, Third Regiment. 
Illinois National Guard, which position he held 
until 1892. In i8go he was elected county judge, 
and served until June, 1897, when he resigned 
and was elected a judge of the Seventeenth cir- 
cuit. Judge Donnelly was re-elected in 1903. In 
July, 1902, Judge Donnelly heard the arguments 
in the locally famous library site case, in cham- 
bers at Woodstock. 

PROB,\TE AND COUNTY JUDGES. 

Previous to 1837 a judge of probate was ap- 
pointed for each county by the legislature. In 
1837 the office was made elective, with the title 
of probate justice of the peace, to be filled by a 



vote of the people. The constitution of 1848 
brought this court to an end, and transferred its 
powers to the judge of the county court. 

Milton Kilburn was the first judge of probate, 
and served from 1836 to 1837. Mr. Kilburn was 
a settler of 1835. 

Charles I. Horsman was the second judge of 
probate, and held the office from 1837 to 1838. 
Mr. Horsman came to Rockford in 1836, with 
his bride, the only daughter of Abiram Morgan. 
Mr. Horsman was one of the best known citi- 
zens of Winnebago county. 

Anson Barnum was the third probate judge, 
and held the office from 1838 to 1841. He was a 
son of Ezra Barnum, the first shoemaker of the 
village. The family settled in Rockford in 1835. 

John W. Taylor held the office from 1841 to 
1843. He was a prominent citizen of early Rock- 
ford. and a brother-in-law of the late T. D. Rob- 
ertson. 

Bela Shaw was probate justice of the peace 
from 1843 to 1849. Judge .Shaw came to Rock- 
ford in the later '30s. He died suddenlv. Alav 
31, 1865. 

Selden M. Church was the first county judge 
under the constitution of 1848, and held the of- 
fice froiu 1849 to 1837. Judge Church was a 
member of the constitutional convention of 1847, 
and later was a member of the legislature. 

Anson S. Miller succeeded Judge Church, and 
served from 1857 to 1863. Judge ililler also 
served at various times as senator, representative 
and postmaster. He was a brother of Cyrus F. 
and Asher Miller. 

Abram S. Van Dyke, of Pecatonica, was elected 
in 1863, and served until 1873, when he resigned, 
just before the expiration of his term. 

Judge R. C. Bailey was first chosen in 1873 to 
fill the unexpired term of Judge Van Dyke. At 
the county election in that year he was elected, 
and has held the office thirty-two years. This 
long service on the bench is without parallel in 
the history of Winnebago county, and, so far as 
known to the writer, is without precedent in Illi- 
nois. Judge Bailey was born in Auburn, Maine, 
July 28. 1833, and was graduated from the scien- 
tific department of Amherst College, Massachu-' 
setts, in 1833. He came to Rockford and entered 
the profession of civil engineer, which he fol- 
lowed until 1838, when he took up the study of 
law, and was admitted to the bar August 18. i860. 
He practiced in this citv until he was elected to 
his present position. His pleasant bearing and 
judicial fairness have made him .'in 'deal official, 
and the honor bestowed upon him is a partial 
demonstration of the esteem in whxh he is held. 

RO.STER OF COUNTY CLERKS. 

Under the first constitution this officer was 
clerk of the countv commissioners' court. From 



io(i 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



1841^ t(i 1835 1k' was till' ck-rk of the (.-niiiiix court 
and of the btiard of supervisors. In tlie latter 
year a separate clerk was apiiointed by the board, 
under a special act of the legislature. These offi- 
cers were subsequently united. The following 
n.iined citizens have served as county clerk: 

Don .\loiizo Si)auldiiig. 1836 to 1837: Nathan- 
iel Looniis, 1837 to 1838: .\nsi>n lianiuni. 1838 Id 
1840: Sehlen M. Church. 1840 to 1847; Benja- 
min .\. Rose. 1847 '" 1849: \Vniiani Hulin, 1844 
to .\i)ril 2. iSs5 ; Duncan Ferguson. 1855 to 1856; 
E. S. Gaylord. 1856 to 1867: I. S. Hyatt. 1867 
to 1869; T. I. Laniont, 1869 to 1873; !>. F. Lee. 
1873 to 1877; Thomas Bell. 1877 to 1886; Mar- 
cus .\. .Norton, to date, a period of nineteen years. 

BOOKS WRITTEN IIV ROCKFORl) PEOPLE. 

Rock ford has never assumed the role of polit- 
ical dictator outside of its own area of local inter- 
ests. Perhaps, however, there are comjiensations 
and balances in communal as well as individual 
life. Certain it is that our city lias jiroduced a 
goodly number of what the late Senator Zach 
Chandler called "literary fellers." The general 
reader will doubtless be surprised to learn that 
not less than eighty books have been written by 
persons who have been, for a greater or lesser 
|)eriod. actual residents of Rockford. Only .i 
small number, however, have been written while 
the aiuhors claimed Rockford as their home. The 
majority attained this distinctinn after removal 
to other fields. It is. therefore, in no invidious 
sense that it may be said that Rockford is a good 
])lace from which to emigrate. It is the ])ur])osc 
of this chapter to present as comjilete a list as 
Ijossible of these authors. 

David (;. Croly and his famous wife. "Jennie 
June." edited the Rockford Daily .News from 
I-'ebruary 1859, to April, i860. Mr. Croly subse- 
(|Uently became city etlitor of the New York 
World, and later its managing editor. He wrote 
"Lives of Seymour and Blair." "A History of Re- 
construction." and ".\ Primer of Positivism." 

"Jennie June" is best known to the world as the 
editor of Demorest's .Magazine. .Mrs. Croly's ])en 
name uf "Jennie June" was derived from a little 
^)oem written by Benjamin F. Taylor, sent to her 
when she was about twelve years old, by her pas- 
tor, with the name underlined, because, he said. 
"You are the Juniest little girl I know." Mrs. 
Croly's books are : "Talks on Women's Toi^ics." 
"T'or lietter or Worse." "Thrown l'])on her Own 
Resources." "Knitters and Crochet." "Letters and 
.Monograms." "Cookery l!ook for Young Begin- 
ners." "History of the Woman's Club Move- 
ment." 

Itishop John H. N'incent. who has achieved 
world-wide fame as the founder of the ChaiUau(|ua 
Literary and Scientific Circle, was [lastor of the 



Court Street .M. F. church from 1861 to 1864. 
During this pastorate he took a trip to Europe in 
company with Hon. R. H. Tinker. Bishop \'in- 
cent's published works arc : "The Modern Sun- 
day School." "Studies in Young Life." "Little 
l-'ootjirints in Bible Lands," "The Church. School 
.'ind Sundav School Institutes." "ICarthly I'oot- 
prints of the Man of (ialilee." "Better .Not," "The 
Chautauqua Movement." "To Old Piethlehem." 
"Outline Histories of England. Greece and 
Rome," "Our Own Qiurch." 

Rev. E. C. .Mitchell, the first jiastor of the State 
Street Baptist church, was subset|uently profes- 
sor of Piiblical literature at Shurtleff College, pro- 
fessor of Hebrew in Regent's I 'ark College. Lon- 
don, and hekl similar positions at .Nashville, New 
Orleans and Paris, France. Mr. Mitchell revised 
and edited Davies' Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon. 
With this he issued "The Principles of Hebrew 
Grammar." In 1880 he issued a new translation 
of (jesenius' Hebrew Grammar. 

Dr. Henry M. Goodwin, for twenty-one years 
]iastor of the h'irst Congregatit)nal church, was a 
gentleman of scholarly tastes. In 1875 he i)ub- 
lished his work. "Christ and Humanity." which 
was dedicated "To Horace Bushnell. my revered 
friend and teacher, whose profound and sancti- 
fied genius has made the world his debtor, and 
whose eminent services to Christianity in the re- 
conciliation of faith and reason awail thr \-t,'rdiot 
of the future ages." 

In 1864 Rev. Mead Holmes ])ublished a memoir 
of his only son. Mead Holmes. Jr.. with the title. 
■'.\ Soldier of the Cumberland." This young .sol- 
dier fell at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. .Ajiril 12. 
iSCfi,. at the age of twentv-one vears. 

Mary F. Holmes. Ph. 'D.. i)ublishe(l in 1887 
"The Morphology of the Carinae l'i)on the Septa 
of Rugose Corals. " The book, finely illustrated, 
bears the imprint of a Boston publishing lu)use. 
The work was presented as a thesis for the de- 
gree of Doctor of Philosophy, in the L^niversity 
of Michigan, and is signed by Professor . Alexan- 
der \\"inchell. the well-known scientist and author 
of "Preadaiuites." 

Mrs. S. M. I. Henry was one of the first wom- 
en to devote her life to gospel temperance work- 
in a public maiuicr. Her writings arc: ".\fter 
the Truth Series," "X'ictoria,'' "Pledge and 
Cross," "\'oice of the Home," "Mabel's Work," 
"One More Chance," "P>eforehand." "Marble 
Cross." "L'nanswered Prayer." "Frances Ray- 
mond's Investment." 

The late l''liiah W. Blaisdill was a man of 
versatile talents, .\bout twenty-five years ago he 
wrote "The Hidden Record," a novel, the scene 
of whicli was laid in the war of 181 2. The book 
was ])ublished by the Lippincotts, of Philadel- 
phia. .\ short tiiuc before his death Mr. Blais- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



107 



dell completed "The Rajah," a political burlescjue, 
and "Eva, the General's Daughter," foimded on 
incidents of the Black Hawk war. 

Rev. Henry C. Mabie, D. D., formerly pastor 
of the State Street Baptist church, was in 1890 
chosen home secretary of the American Baptist 
Missionary Union. Previous to entering upon his 
duties, he made a tour of the mission fields, which 
were to come under his supervision. His obser- 
vations were published under the title "In Bright- 
est Asia." 

The late Mrs. Mary Braiiiard, an old resident 
of Rockford, was a hospital nurse during the 
Civil war. She published three volumes of verse : 
"Esther Gray and ( )ther Poems," "Memorial 
Pictures of War and Peace," "Heart Offerings." 
Robert P. Porter, superintendent of the elev- 
enth census, and widely known as a writer on 
economic subjects, began his newspaper career 
as city editor of the Rockford Gazette. His books 
are : "The West in 1880," "Life of William Mc- 
Kinlev," "Municipal Ownership at Home and 
Abroad," "Industrial Cuba." 

The later Frederick C. Pierce, another city edi- 
tor of the Gazette, made a specialty of compiling 
genealogies. His last achievement was a "Gene- 
alogy of the Field Family," for Marshall Field, 
the merchant prince of Chicago. This work is in 
two large volumes, and a copy has been presented 
to the public library. While in Rockford Mr. 
Pierce published "Picturesque and Descriptive 
History of the City of Rockford," and "The Life 
of Hon. Robert M. A. Hawk." member of con- 
gress. 

Professor J. D. S. Riggs, late of Ottawa Uni- 
versity, Kansas, spent many years of his early life 
in Rockford. His father was a charter member 
of the State Street Baptist church. Professor 
Riggs has published "In Latinuni," a Latin text- 
book founded on Caesar, which was formerly 
used in the Rockford high school. 

Professor Henry Freeman published in 1873 
a book entitled "Wonders of the \\'orld." It is 
a work both of compilation and original work. 
It bears the imprint of a Boston publisher. 
.^ Dr. George W. Brown's "Researches in Ori- 
■'''ental History" has had four editions. It is an in- 
quirv into the origin of Judai.sm, Zoroasticism 
and Christianity. "Or. Brown founded the first 
free state paper in Kansas. It was called the 
Herald of Freedom, published at Lawrence. The 
doctor has bound files of this paper in his office. 
Dr. Brown clainis the distinction of furnishing a 
truthful statement of the alleged adoption of the 
Lecompton constitution to Stephen A. Douglas, 
upon which the senator repudiated that measure 
and broke with the Buchanan wing of the de- 
mocracy. 

Rev.' Frank P. Woodbury published in 1883 
"Luther and the Annals of the Reformation," 



as the outcome of a series of historical sermons 
delivered in the Second Congregational church. 
Rev. R. !•'. V. Pierce was the third pastor of 
the State Street Baptist church to enter the field 
of book-writing. During his Rockford pastorate 
he wrote and published "Pictured Truth." 

Mrs. Ralph Emerson published in 1891 the life 
and letters of her son, Ralph Emerson, Jr., who 
was killed in August, 1889. It is a beautiful 
tribute to a worthy son, wdio gave promise of 
great usefulness in later years. Mrs. Emerson 
has also published a volume of verse, "Love- 
Bound, and Other Poems," which is dedicated to 
her husband and children. 

The late John H. Thurston made a valuable 
contribution to local history in his "Reminis- 
cences," published in 1891. In this little volume 
the author graphically portrayed that pioneer so- 
cial life in which he moved. 

Airs. Harriott \\'ight Sherratt published in 
1899 a delightful volume of travel, with the title, 
"^Mexican Vistas." The local demand for this 
book has been great, and the sale in the general 
trade has been most gratifying. 

Harrv M. Johnson is the author of a small vol- 
ume, entitled "Edith: A Story of Chinatown,' 
the scene of which is laid in the Chinese district 
in Los Angeles, California. 

Rev. J. B. Robinson, D. D., formerly pastor of 
Grace M. E. church, has written a volume of 
verse, "The New Woman, and Other Poems." 

Alexander McCleneghan, formerly a well- 
known local newspaper writer, has written "Six 
Years in Heaven," founded upon the strange ca- 
reer of George Jacob Schweinfurth. 

;\Irs. H. Houghton Chapel, JNI. D., published a 
small volume of poems in 1901. She now resides 
in Palmetto, Florida. 

Eugene Brown and Ford Rowe, formerly con- 
nected with the Register-Gazette, compiled a 
work, "Industrial and Picturesque Rockford." 

Charles Eugene Banks, formerly city editor of 
the Register-Gazette, has Dublished a volume of 
verse, "Sword and Cross, and Other Poems." Mr. 
Banks was also associated with George Cram 
Cook in writing "In Hampton Roads," a drama- 
tic romance, which was once quite popular with 
local readers. Mr. Banks most popular work is 
"The Child of the Sun," a beautifully illustrated 
work of juvenile fiction. 

Mrs. C. C. Jones' book, "Humanities," is an 
interesting series of meditations upon life, duty 
and manners. She presents her father as the 
highest ideal of the manly virtues. The book 
was dedicated to the late Dr. Thomas Kerr. 

Mrs. Carrie Grout's volume, "By the Way," is 
a collection of sketches, written in popular news- 
paper style. 

Mrs. Eliza Roe Shannon, who recently died in 
the west, a music teacher of Rockford in the 



io8 



PAST AND TRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



earlv '60s, wrote the life of her father, the ven- 
erable Charles Hill Roe. for fifteen years pastor 
of the First Baptist church of Belvidcre. Dr. Roe 
perfonned a unique service to his country, simi- 
lar to that of Henry Ward Bceclier. in delivering 
addresses in Eng^land and creatintj northern sen- 
timent durins: the Civil war. 

Daniel Fish, formerly a student in the Rockford 
schools, has compiled the most complete Lincoln 
bibliography. 

Charles A. Church's "History of Rockford" 
was issued in 1900. This is believed to be the 
largest volume of exclusively original work un- 
dertaken by a Rockford writer. Mr. Church has 
also written the life of Ccneral .Mien C. Fuller, 
the war adjutant of Illinois. He has also edited 
several pamphlets. 

The autobiography of Elder Jacob Knapp was 
published in 1867. It is an interesting volume, 
revealing the inner life and notable exjieriences 
of one of the remarkable men of his time. 

\\'i]liam Hulin edited a work on school law, 
with forms, which was of value to teachers. 

Miss Julia Gulliver, president of Rockford Col- 
lege, collaborated with Edward Bradford Titch- 
ener, sage professor of psychology- in Cornell 
University, in translating the first volume of 
"Facts of the Moral Life." This is a work in 
three volumes, by William W'undt, professor of 
philosophy in the I'niversity of Leii)zig. The 
translation was published in 1897 in New York 
and London. The second and third volumes were 
translated by Margaret Floy Washburn, profes- 
sor of psycholog}- and ethics in Wells College. 

Giarles J. Woodbury, a half-brother of Rev. 
Frank P. Woodbury, formerly pastor of the Sec- 
ond Congregational church. pul)lislu'<l a volume 
in 1890 entitled "Talks With Ralph Waldo Em- 
erson." 

.•\lfrcd H. Henry has written a story of Mor- 
mon life in Utah, "By Order of the Prophet." 
Mr. Henry is a son of the late Mrs. S. M. I. 
Henry, and lived in Rockford when a boy. 

"Annals of a Quiet Country Town" is a vol- 
ume of sketches written by Mrs. Julia Katherine 
Barnes, and illustrated by E. Warde Blaisdeli. 
It is a series of local character sketches. Among 
the portraits are those of the late Dr. Thomas 
Kerr and H. H. Waldo. 

Fay Lewis has edited and compiled a small 
volume. "The City Jail." It is a plea for more 
enlightened views and humane practices toward 
those who have been guilty of offenses against 
good order. .-\ number of local writers contrib- 
uted to the symposium. 

General A. L. Gietlain's "Recollections of Sev- 
enty Years" is an interesting volume of reminis- 
cences, and contains valuable information con- 
cerning men and events in northern Illinois. 

"Rockford Today" is an attractive volume is- 
sued in 1904 by the Rockford Morning Star Com- 



l)any. It is historical, descriptive and biograph- 
ical. It is printed on calendered paper, and the 
illustrations arc most excellent. 



ROCKFORD FURNITURE IXDU.STRY. 

Rockford ranks third among the cities of the 
L'nited States in the manufacturing of furniture. 
It is surpassed only in this respect by Qiicago and 
Grand Rapids. This industry has been entirely 
developed since the Civil war. There were, how- 
ever, individuals who made furniture in a small 
way at a much earlier ])eriod. 

Thomas Johnson, an English cabinet-maker, 
came to Rockford in 1837. He is the first man 
of whom there is any record who depended en- 
tirely for a livelihood on the manufacture of fur- 
niture in this city. He occupied a basement room 
in the old Rockford House, which was kept by 
Henrv Thurston. Mr. Johnson had no machin- 
erv. -Ml his work was done by hand, and his s]jc- 
cialties were ottomans, chairs and tables. He 
later removed from the city. 

From that time there was no regular manufac- 
turer of furniture in Rockford until 1853. In that 
year the first factory for this purpose was erected 
between Sixth and Seventh streets, near Fourth 
avciuie, bv William Silsbe and Abraham Deyo. 
The liuilding was called a factory, although it 
had very little machinery. It was a two-story 
structure, located in a section then known as "the 
woods." The timber used in making the furni- 
ture was obtained by hewing down large native 
trees which surrounded it. The firm had an of- 
fice and salesroom on South First street, between 
State and Walnut, in the frame structure now oc- 
curred by E. J. Welch as a livery stable, .\bout a 
dozen men were emi)loyed. The enterprise was 
not very successful, and the firm dissolved. 

Charles Burpee, a brother of the late A. C. 
Burpee, who lived in a building called the "Pep- 
perbox" on South First street, made a small 
amount of furniture in the office rooms of Silsbe 
& Deyo, after the dissolution of that firm. 

A. C. Burpee was one of the pioneer furniture 
men of Rockford, although he was not a manu- 
facturer. He came to Rockford in 1853, and was 
for a time a salesman in Silsbe & Deyo's store. 
He opened a furniture store in a frame building 
which stood on or near the site of Harry B. P.ur- 
pee's store on West State street. In 1857 Wil- 
liam Werner became a partner, and the finn con- 
tinued until about i860, when the firm name was 
changed to Burpee & Groneman. Mr. Grone- 
Tuan retired in 1871, and the business has since 
been conducted by the Burpee family. 

In 1854 Peter Marshall made walnut tables in 
his cariHMiter's shop on the northwest comer of 
State and Wyman streets, where he was in busi- 
ness for manv vears. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



109 



R. Cook & Co., the predecessors of J. B. 
]\Iarsh & Co., in 1854 began on a small scale the 
manufacture of tables, mattresses and upholstered 
goods. The firm occupied the second floor of a 
building which stood on the site of F. J. Leon- 
ard's block on East State street. All the goods 
were sold in the city, and the firm is reported to 
have succeeded fairly well. 

John Nelson, a native of Sweden, came to 
Rockford in 1852. He was an inventive genius, 
and in early life had paid especial attention to 
designing and model-making. He worked for a 
time for William Ghent, who had a shop on the 
water-power. In 1865 he formed a partnership 
with -\ndrew C. Johnson and Gust Hollem in the 
manufacturing of sash, doors and blinds. IVIr. 
Johnson learned the cabinet-maker's trade in 
Rockford, and after Mr. Nelson and Mr. Hollem 
had retired from the firm in 1869, he conducted 
the business as sole proprietor on the water-power 
and began in a small way the manufacture of fur- 
niture. In 1872 he formed a partnership with J. 
P. Anderson. It was during the existence of this 
firm that the late Jonas Peters, then a traveling 
salesman, induced the firm to extend its business 
by the manufacture of new lines of goods, and to 
Mr. Peters is due in no small degree the honor of 
first promoting the fu niture industry outside of 
the local market. Mr. Peters had been engaged 
in the retail furniture trade in Belvidere before 
coming to Rockford. 

In 1873 L. D. Upson was admitted as a third 
member of the firm, and a factory on the site of 
the Central furniture plant was erected. Mr. 
Johnson retired, and E. L. Herrick became a 
member of the firm, which was known as Upson 
& Herrick. The factory of Upson & Herrick 
was destroyed by fire January 21. 1877. William 
N. Upson, a watchman, and a brother of the 
senior member of the firm, lost his life. 

Ellsworth & Parker began the manufacture of 
furniture on a small scale in Bartlett's stone feed 
house on the water-power in 1873. The firm had 
some machinery, but the enterprise did not last 
more than a year or two. when the firm went to 
Chicago. 

A. C. Johnson, upon leaving the water-power, 
in company with J. P. Anderson, established an 
independent business in a building at the comer 
of Railroad avenue and Seventh street. In 1874 
the late Gilbert Woodruff became interested in 
this industry, and in that year the Forest City 
Furniture Company was organized. It is, there- 
fore, the real pioneer in the manufacture of furni- 
ture on a large scale in Rockford. A four-story 
brick building was erected on Railroad avenue. 
Gilbert A\'oodruff was president of the company ; 
Charles H. Keith, secretary and treasurer, and A, 
C. Johnson, superintendent. Mr. Keith died in 
December, 1877, and was succeeded as secretary 
by Lvon P. Ross. He invented the Ross folding 



bed, Ross perfection desk and the Ross combina- 
tion wash-stand, wdiich proved good sellers. His 
close attention to business affairs weakened his 
nervous system and hastened his death. While 
attending a national convention of furniture man- 
ufacturers in Grand Radips, February 16, 1889, 
he was taken suddenly ill, and in one week from 
that time passed away. Mr. Ross w-as succeeded 
by R. W. Emerson. W. F. Woodruff" succeeded 
his father, Gilbert Woodruff', as president ; V. D. 
Woodruff is vice-president ; C. A. Clark, secre- 
tary and treasurer. J. P. Anderson died a short 
time ago in Beatrice, Nebraska. 

The success of the Forest City quickened the 
ambition of other practical men. The Union Fur- 
niture company was organized in 1876. The pro- 
moters were Jonas Peters, John Erlander, John 
Pehrson and James Sundquist. P. A. Peterson, 
who was then about to graduate from a local busi- 
ness college, was chosen secretary. This was the 
beginning of the business career of one of the 
most remarkable men who ever resided in this 
city, and who is to-day the great organizing genius 
of the furniture industry in Rockford. The 
Union factory was situated where the Emerson 
company's blacksmith shop now stands. In 1889 
this building was destroyed bv fire. A new plant 
was erected on Eighteenth avenue. 

The Central Furniture company was organized 
in January, 1879. The promoters were S. A. 
Johnson. L. M. Noling, August Peterson, August 
P. Floberg, A. G. Johnson, Peter Parson, H. F. 
Peterson, A. N. Noling. J. R. Anderson, P. J. 
Friberg and Samuel Lundin. The original capi- 
tal stock w-as $22,500. The company purchased 
the stone structure on the water-power owned by 
Upson & Herrick. 

The Rockford Co-Operative Furniture com- 
pany was organized in July, 1880. Its original 
capital stock was $25,000, divided into shares of 
$100 each. The company was prosperous until the 
great financial depression of 1893, and for some 
years thereafter the plant was practically closed. 
Qiarles J. Lundberg subsequently purchased the 
interest of the company, and again placed it on a 
money-making basis. 

The Rockford Chair and Furniture company 
was organized in 1880. Its officers are: C. A. 
Newman, president : Andrew Shelgren, vice-presi- 
dent : Robert C. Lind, secretary and treasurer. 
The company really operates two establishments, 
known as plant A and plant B. These are sepa- 
rated by a distance of about two miles. The floor 
space occupied by plant A is about 125.000 square 
feet. Plant B has a floor area of 150,000 square 
feet. The firm does an annual business of half a 
million dollars, and its territory includes the en- 
tire United States, Canada and Mexico. 

The Mechanics' Furniture company was organ- 
ized in 1890. L. M. Noling is president; Emil 
Engberg, vice-president ; A. P. Floberg, treas- 



1 lO 



PAST A\n TRESEXT OF WI.WEBAGO COUNTY. 



urer ; J. August Johnson, secretary. The com- 
pany's plant covers two acres of ground, at the 
corner of Seminary and Keith streets. The for- 
eign trade takes a fair jiroportion of its annual 
output. Tlic sales reach about S180.000 annually. 

The Standard Furniture company was organ- 
ized in 1887. The officers are: P. .\. Peterson, 
president; F. E. Lundgren. vice-jjresident ; J. E. 
Swanson, secretary and treasurer, and (Jscar 
Warner, superintendent. The plant has a floor 
space of over ioo,ocx:> square feet. 

The West End Furniture company was organ- 
ized July 7, i8t>o. with a cajiital stock of $50,000. 
C. R. Slower is jiresident ; (^scar Day. vice-presi- 
dent; J. H. Eynn, secretary and treasurer. Mr. 
Lynn is also manager, and gives his entire at- 
tention to the supervision of the plant. The an- 
nual output is about $225,000. The line of man- 
ufacture includes both medium and fine grades of 
desks, buffets, bookcases, folding beds and tables. 

The Rockford Mantel company was organized 
in i(p2. P. .\. Peterson is president : (). I>. Huey, 
vice-president ; C. .\. Hult, secretary and treas- 
urer ; F. O. Lind, superintendent. The factory is 
a four-story brick building, with basement, and 
has a floor space of 57,000 square feet. The firm 
employs about one hundred operators, and manu- 
factures wood mantels and furniture of various 
designs. A market is found in the L'nited States, 
Mexico and Canada. 

Other furniture companies now doing business 
are : 

Rockford Palace Furniture company. 

Rockford Frame and Fixture company. 

East Rockford Mantel company. 

Royal Mantel company. 

.^kandia Furniture company. 

Rockford Desk company. 

These make a total of sixteen plants now in 
oi)eration in the city. 

Of this list the Skandia has the largest single 
plant, but the Rockford Giair and Furniture 
company, with its two separate plants, is probably 
able to put out more than any other one concern 
in the city. 

Several other factories have been built from 
time to time that are not now in operation. The 
Excelsior, Phoenix. Rockford Cabinet and Dia- 
mond were burned and never rebuilt. The Amer- 
ican Star and Palace Folding P.ed com])any failed 
and did not resume. The financial panic of i8<)3 
was a terrible disaster to the Rockford industry, 
but the larger number of them finally weathered 
the storm. 

In the sixteen factories now in operation, near- 
ly tour thousand men earn their daily bread. 
Xearly one-fourth of Rockford's great colony of 
workingmen find their cm])loyment within these 
sixteen plants. This fact gives to some extent 
an idea of the great value of the industry to the 
citv. 



The payroll is .something enormous. From 
one million to one million five hundred thousand 
dollars is paid annually to these workmen, the 
amount depending largely u])on the extent of 
business during the season. 

To run these sixteen plants almut $3,275,000 of 
Rockford capital is utilized. Practically every 
cent of this amount was furnished by the humble 
workinginan, who, by his frugality and good busi- 
ness sense, has been enabled to lay by enough to 
purchase a few shares of stix-k, and at the pres- 
ent time he is enjoying the full benefits of his in- 
vestments. 

Xo out-of-town capitalist holds sway over this 
industry ; no trust has the reins to close or open 
the factories at its will ; but all is done by Rock- 
ford men, who have demonstrated that they can 
coi)c with the world when it comes to finding a 
market for the goods that they produce. 

Closely allied to the furniture business of the 
city are a number of concerns only organized 
within the past few years. 

There are the Xational Mirror Plate works, 
and the Rockford Glass P.ending works, both 
owned by men who are backing the furniture 
plants, and which concerns supjily much of the 
mirrors and glass used in them. The Rockford 
-\rt Glass company also bears a close relation to 
the furniture industry. 

The Union Furniture company was the first to 
organize on the co-o])eralive plan. The employes 
were urged to save their earnings and invest in 
the company. Other factories adopted this plan, 
but it was not altogether successful, and it has to 
a large extent been abandoned. The capital has 
become more centralized, but it has never passed 
from the control of the Rockford men. This vast 
industry is capitalized and operated almost en- 
tirely by Swedish-.Vmerican citizens. 

THE PT.VXO INDrSTRV. 

During the Civil w.ir Julm Wigell. father of O. 
J. Wigell. and Charles Marske conducted a melo- 
deon factory on East .State street in a frame build- 
ing across the allev from the Schmauss meat mar- 
ket. May 30, 1865, this building and contents 
were destroyed by fire. Mr. Wigell, however, 
resumed business, and from 1865 to 1871 he man- 
ufactured over 200 melodeons and reed instru- 
ments. Quite a number of these old instruments 
are still in the city, and three of the number are 
now owned by the son. Mr. Wigell also com- 
pleted two pianos to show that he could accom- 
plish this work. In 1871 Mr. Wigell completed 
a contract with \\'alter Trumbull for the erection 
of a i^iano factory. These plans were abandoned 
by the death of Mr. Wigell. which occurred in 
the autumn of 1871. 

Tn 1880 John Loven. residing on First avenue, 
opposite the Henry Freeman school, made two 
pianos, which he sold at large ])rices. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



III. 



In 1891 Peter Nelson came to Rockford from 
Qiicago and organized the Rockford Piano com- 
panv. Its plant was in what was then known as 
the Union Shoe company s iDuilding, now occu- 
pied bv the Union Dairy company. 1 he firm was 
short-lived, and failed in less than a year. 

In the autumn of 1 891 John Anderson, of Erie, 
Pennsylvania, came to Rockford and organized 
the Anderson Piano company, which occupied a 
part of the Cream City mirror plate building. The 
companv failed in 1892, and H, N. Starr was 
appointed assignee. He removed the finished in- 
struments to the Hale building, on Walnut street, 
where they were sold. The Anderson piano was 
subsequently manufactured at ^linneapolis. 

The Haddorft' Piano company was organized 
in IQOI by P. A. Peterson. It is capitalized at 
$500,000, and is entirely financed by Rockford 
citizens. The instrument is named in honor of 
C. A. Haddorfif, a native of Sweden. He is an 
expert in this line of business, and is now the 
general superintendent of the factory. The com- 
panv emplovs about 300 men, and the average 
dailv output is from fifteen to twenty instruments. 

In 1899 the Smith & Barnes Piano company, 
of Chicago, purchased the plant of the Illinois 
Chair company in the north end, which was after- 
ward sold to George K. Barnes, of Rockford, 
who established the Barnes & Son Piano com- 
panv in 1901, and manufactured pianos under that 
name until February, 1904, when he sold the plant 
to the Schumann Piano company, which removed 
its manufacturing interests to Rockford, retain- 
ing a Chicago office at the Republic building. The 
Schumann Piano company is incorporated for 
$300,000, and has a daily output of six pianos. 
Its officers are: W. N. Van Matre, president; 
C, S. Hockett, vice-president ; J. W. Van Matre. 
treasurer : C. S. ]\Iarsh, secretary, E. K. Barnes, 
mechanical superintendent. 

The Kurtz-Seeburg company is one of the late 
accessions to the manufacturers of Rockford. 
Fred K. Kurtz, a native of New York city, came 
to Rockford in 1903, and October 15th of that 
year he began the manufacture of piano actions 
in the Union Shoe company lauilding at Sixth 
street and Eleventh avenue. The business was 
small at first, but it steadily grew, until a stock 
companv was organized, with P. A. Peterson as 
president ; Fred K. Kurtz, vice-president and su- 
perintendent ; John Anderson, secretary and treas- 
urer. In April, 1905, the company purchased a 
plat of ground on Eighteenth avenue and erected 
a commodious factory. 

The latest local finn to contribute in any way 
to the manufacture of pianos is the Billings com- 
pany, on the water-power. This firm came to 
Rockford in 1905, and manufactures a metal 
flange. 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 

ROCKFORD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN. 

As early as 1843 there was sorie discussion of 
the need of a college for the upper Rock River 
valley. A general convention of the churches of 
the northwest was held at Cleveland, Ohio, in 
June, 1844, at which education received much at- 
tention. It was decided that a college and a fe- 
male seminary should be founded in southern 
Wisconsin and northern Illinois, respectively, A 
resolution was adopted that the "exigencies of 
Wisconsin and northern Illinois require that those 
sections should unite in establishing a college and 
a female seminary of the highest order — one in 
Wisconsin, near to Illinois, and the other in Illi- 
nois, near to Wisconsin." The delegates, upon 
their return, called a convention at Beloit in Au- 
gust, 1844. Three subsequent conventions were 
held at Beloit, because it was believed from the 
first that the college should be located at that 
place. The resolution of the first convention, 
affirming the need of both college and seminary, 
was reaffirmed in these subsequent conventions, 
representing especially the Presbyterian and Con- 
gregational ministry and churches in all the re- 
gion. The union of these two churches in this 
movement may be attributed to the fact that each 
was weak as it stood alone, and only in union was 
there strength. At the fourth convention, held at 
Beloit in October, 1845, Beloit was selected as 
the seat of the college, and a board of triistees 
was elected, to whom was committed the devel- 
opment of both institutions. The first meeting of 
the trustees was held the same month. Upon the 
original board were Rev. Aratus Kent and Hon. 
Wait Talcott. The charter for Beloit College was 
approved by the governor of the territory of Wis- 
consin. February 2, 1846. Middle College, the 
first building, was begun in the autumn of that 
year. 

Then began the discussion of a site for the 
seminary. Rockford and Rockton were rivals. 
But Beloit had been selected for the college : and 
from the Puritanical point of view of those days, 
Rockton was considered not a desirable distance 
for a college for young ladies. Thus Rockford 
was given the preference. The Rockford Forum 
of October 29. 1845, published a call for a meet- 
ing at the Methodist church on Monday evening, 
November 3d, to consider the location of the 
seminary. This call was signed by thirty-four 
citizens, led by T. D. Robertson. At this meet- 
ing it was resolved to attempt to raise the sum 
prescribed bv the Beloit trustees as necessary, 
about $3,500. A committee was appointed to so- 
licit subscriptions, consisting of Jason Marsh, 
George Haskell, Willard Wheeler, Asa Crosby, 



1 1. 



PAST AND I'RliSEXT OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Anson S. Miller, P. B. Johnson and Horace 
Foote. The Forum of Novemhcr 5. 1845, con- 
tains a full report of this meeting, also a lengthy 
editorial. Citizens pledged the required amount. 
The Forum of December 3d mentions, in a sketch 
of the city, that the trustees of Beloit College have 
located the seminary at Rockford. A charter was 
granted February 25, 1847, to the following gen- 
tlemen as incorporators : Aratus Kent. D. Clary, 
S. Peet, F. Bascom, C. Waterburv, S. D. Stevens. 
A. L. Chapin, R. M. Pearson. G. \V. Wilcox, A. 
Ra\niiond. C. M. Qoodsell, E. U. Potter. L. G. 
Fisher. Wait Talcott, Oiarles S. Hempstead and 
Samuel Hinman. These same gentlemen were 
the incorporators of Beloit College. The board of 
trustees was to consist of sixteen members, with 
power to increase the number to twenty-four. 
But disasters affecting the business interests of 
the village prevented the fulfillment of the pledges 
which had been made, and delayed the enterprise 
for a time ; but it was never abandoned. 

Meanwhile. June 11, 1849, Miss Anna P. Sill 
began a preparatory school, under the name of 
the Rockford Female Seminary. The recitations 
were held in the old courthouse building on Xorth 
First street. Miss Sill came to Rockford from 
the east, with the expectation that her school 
would develop into the seminary which had been 
planned by the trustees of Beloit. This prepara- 
tory school was not the seminary proper, but 
rather its forerunner, and entirely under local 
management. Miss .Sill was assisted by Misses 
Hannah and Eliza Richards. The number of 
pupils the first term was seventy, most of whom 
were under ten years of age. The opening of 
this school apparently gave an impetus to the 
consummation of the former plans for a semi- 
nary. The trustees were Rev. L. H. Loss. Jason 
Marsh. Anson S. Miller, C. A. Huntington. S. 
M. Church, Rev. J. C. Parks, Bela Shaw. T. D. 
Robertson, E. H. Potter. Dr. George Haskell, 
Asa Crosby. The academic year was divided into 
four tenns of eleven weeks each. 

In 1850 the citizens again made pledges ag- 
gregating more than five tliousand dollars, for 
buildings, and the ladies pledged one thousand 
dollars for the beautiful grounds. This original 
subscrij>tion list is still in existence, though eaten 
away in places. It was found among the papers 
of the late Charles H. .SpafFord. The word origi- 
nal is here used Ijecause the subscriptions of 1845- 
46 were apparently never redeemed. The list is 
probably the only one in existence. Thus by Sep- 
tember 18. 1850. the seminary proper was as- 
sured as a permanent institution of R(5ckford, for 
the higher education of young women. 

During the first two years of Miss Sill's resi- 
dence in Rockford she continued independently 
her preparatory school. But in 185 1 the school 
was formally recognized by the board of trustees 



of Beloit college as the preparatory department 
of Rockford female seminary, under the charter 
which they had already obtained. Full prepara- 
tory and collegiate courses of study were defined, 
and, upon examination, fifteen were admitted to 
the first collegiate class in September of that year. 
The year 1851 is thus regarded as the date of the 
founding of the seminary, according to the origi- 
nal design. The recitations were conducted in 
the old courthouse building already noted. The 
seminary had been granted full collegiate powers 
by its charter, but it was called a seminary, as 
was customary for such institutions at that time. 
Seven of this first class of 1851 graduated in 
1854. Only one. Mrs. William Lathrop, is now 
a resident of the city. The course then covered 
three years, and was later changed to four years. 

The present college grounds were purchased 
from Buell G. Wheeler. The land originally ex- 
tended to the river, but a portion was taken by 
the Giicago & Iowa railroad. The property was 
not condemned, as the trustees preferred to sell 
rather than enter into any controversy. The 
grounds never extended farther east or north. 
They were never enlarged, and were reduced only 
on the west. The deed to this property was also 
found among Mr. Spafford's jwpers, and appar- 
ently had never left his possession. The reason 
therefor may be explained. Mr. SpafFord was 
county recorder at the time ; he was also a trustee 
of the seminary and the treasurer of the board. 
The document would thus naturally remain in 
his possession. Tliis deed and the original sub- 
scri])tion list, previously noted, were presented 
to the college at the last commencement season 
by Mr. Spafford's family, and are now among 
its permanent records. The city of Rockford 
owes a debt of gratitude to three of its early citi- 
zens for the very existence of this institution. At 
a critical moment in the formative period. Charles 
H. .SpafFord. Eleazer H. Potter and Dr. Lucius 
Clark mortgaged their homes and raised several 
thousand dollars to insure the success of the sem- 
inar}-. This self-sacrifice bv these gentlemen, who 
had faith in the future of Rockford, and who ap- 
preciated the value of higher education, has never 
been properly recognized, for the apparent reason 
that their course has not been generally known. 

.\fter the purchase of the grounds Mr. Wheeler 
said they were sold for nnich less than their real 
value. Airs. Wheeler was deeply interested in the 
success of the seminary, and thus the property 
was obtained at a low price. Mr. SpaflFord also 
preserved a transcript of an itemized estimate of 
the cost of the first building, made by John Beat- 
tie. This document called for an outlay of seven 
thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven dollars 
and thirty-five cents. 

July 15, 1852, the corner-stone of the first 
building was laid by Rev. Aratus Kent, president 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



"3 



of tlie board of trustees. He spoke from the 
words : "That our daughters may be as corner- 
stones, poHshed after the similitude of a palace." 

After the acceptance by the board of trustees 
of the financial pledges of the citizens of Rock- 
ford in 1850, it was deemed best that each insti- 
tution should manage its own affairs. A provi- 
sional local board appears to have been created at 
this time, and in 1S52 the seminary passed into 
the control of a separate board of trustees. The 
principle of co-operation, however, continued to 
prevail, and certain gentlemen were on the official 
boards of the college and the seminary. In the 
lapse of years this number gradually diminished. 
The first formal appointment to the permanent 
faculty of the seminary was made in July, 1852, 
when Miss Sill was elected principal. In July, 
1854, the collegiate course was divided into four 
departments : ]\Iental and moral philosophy, 
mathematics and natural science, history^ and Eng- 
lish literature, ancient languages. The depart- 
ment of mental and moral philosophy was as- 
signed to the principal. Aliss Mary \Miite was 
chosen teacher in mathematics and natural sci- 
ence. 

In 1854 work was begun on Linden hall, the 
western wing. It received its name from the resi- 
dence of one of its New England friends. From 
this place and from New York the larger part of 
the fund was obtained for its construction. In 
the 50s Miss Sill raised a large sum of money 
among- her eastern friends, especially in Boston, 
for the seminary, apparently to raise a deficit. Up 
to September 8, 1854. Miss Sill had secured in 
subscriptions the sum of three thousand six hun- 
dred and fifty-nine dollars and sixty-seven cents. 
This fact appears from a financial statement made 
by Charles H. Spafford. According to the Rock- 
ford Democrat of August I, 1854. Mr. Milwain 
was the architect of Linden hall, and the plans 
and specifications called for an addition forty-one 
by sixty-four feet, and four stories. Linden hall 
was first separate from Middle hall, and then con- 
nected by a frame passageway. 

In 1866 a second addition. Chapel hall, w'ith its 
connecting corridors, was begun, and completed 
two years later. In 1871 Linden hall and Middle 
hall were connected by a corridor. 

Of the first collegiate class admitted in 185 1, 
seven were graduated in 1854, eight in 1855, six- 
teen in 1856. ten in 1857, eleven in 1858. ten in 
1859. eleven in i860, and nine in 1861, a total of 
eighty-two in eight years. There were then three 
departments — collegiate, normal and academic. 
During that time there were eighty-five others 
who entered the seminary, but did not complete 
the course. Forty-one were in the junior class 
in 1861. The whole number who shared in the 
instruction of the collegiate course during the 
first ten years was two hundred and six. One 
hundred and eightv-three had received instruc- 
8 



tion in the normal course, and the whole number 
of pupils for a longer or shorter time connected 
with the institution, including the preparatory 
courses, from the beginning in 1849 to July, 1861, 
was fifteen hundred and thirty. During this time 
there was contributed to the seminary from all 
sources the sum of thirty-nine thousand two hun- 
dred and twenty-eight dollars. 

In the winter of 1886 Sill hall was completed. 
This building, erected at a cost of $15,000, with 
funds almost entirely provided by the citizens of 
Rockford, contains the gjinnasium on the second 
floor and the music rooms on the first floor. 

This completes the number of edifices erected 
during Miss Sill's lifetime. For the sake of clear- 
ness and completeness in this connection, it is to 
be noted that in the fall of 1892 Adams hall was 
opened. This is a fine, modern edifice, costing 
about $35,000. Of this sum Mr. J. L. Adams, of 
Chicago, contributed a large portion, and the re- 
mainder was chiefly given by the citizens of Rock- 
ford. It contains all the laboratories and a num- 
ber of large, well-lighted recitation rooms. The 
upper floor is occupied by the studio. 

In 1891 Memorial hall, a residence for stu- 
dents, was given as a memorial to Ralph Emer- 
son, Jr. This completes the list of structures used 
for the institution. 

Having become the first principal of the semi- 
nary in 1849, Miss Sill filled that position until 
the summer of 1884, when she resigned, but as 
principal emerita she retained her connection with 
the school, when she died under the roof that her 
own strength and devotion had reared. 

JMiss Sill was followed by ^liss Alartha Hillard 
(now Mrs. Martha Hillard MacLeish), who was 
principal of Rockford seminary from 1884 to 
1888. Her genial personality did much to increase 
the social power 01 the school, both at home and 
abroad, and the regret felt when her marriage 
caused her resignation was universal and very 
sincere. 

Miss Anna Gelston was the next in the suc- 
cession, 1888-1890; but her fragile health com- 
pelled her to relinquish the task in two years. 

Miss Sarah F. Anderson (now Mrs. Sarah An- 
derson Ainsworth) became acting principal in 
1890. and principal in 1 89 1, a position she con- 
tinued to occupy until 1896. Miss Anderson 
graduated from the normal department of the 
seminary in 1869, and for many years acted as 
financial secretary before she became principal, 
and her wise financial management forms one of 
the striking features of her administration. The 
whole body of alumnae knew her well, and were 
deeply attached to her. Through her efforts and 
those of Miss Jane Addams, who accompanied 
her in a trip abroad, an unusually fine collection 
of photographs was secured for the art depart- 
ment. 

When Miss Anderson resigned to be married in 



114 



PAST A\l) I'Kl'.SEXT OF WIXXKliAllO COl'XTY. 



1896, Miss Phebc T. Siitliff was made president 
of Rockford collejje, ami coiitiinied in that office 
until 1901. Miss Siitliff bent all her energies to- 
ward raising the standard of scholarship, and. as 
a result of her efforts, the whole tone of the insti- 
tution changed for the better in this reS])ect. 

For some time jirevious to Miss Sutliff's ad- 
ministration, the trustees had been working stead- 
ily to make Rockford a woman's college of the 
first rank. In 1882 a collegiate course of study 
was added to the seminary curriculum, and since 
then all students who have done the requisite 
amount of work have received the degree of A. i>. 
In June. t8<)I. the board of trustees clecideil to 
discontinue the seminary course, and in June. 
1892, the name of the institution was legally 
changed from Rockford semin;uy to Rockford 
college, in order that the title might represent the 
work done. The last seminary graduates belong 
to the class of 1895. Begining with the class of 
1896. all graduates have been college graduates. 
On Miss Sutliff's resignation in igoi. Miss 
Emily K. Reynolds was elected president. Un- 
fortunately. Miss Reynold's health broke down 
before she had scarcely begun her work, and she 
was obliged to leave Rockford after only two or 
three months of residence. Even during this 
short space of time, however, she made her influ- 
ence felt in establishing a system of self-govern- 
ment at the college and in helping to beautify the 
college home. On Miss Reynold's resignation, in 
1902. Miss Julia Gulliver was elected president, 
and she now holds that position. 

In 1903-4 there were 155 students and a facul- 
ty of twenty. The number of the faculty in pro- 
portion to the number of students is so unusually 
large that it will at once attract attention as guar- 
anteeing an amount of personal care for the indi- 
vidual students that is impossible, savi' un<ler just 
these conditions. The heads of the different de- 
partments arc all trained specialists, and in gen- 
eral the instructors have done advanced work 
above their college degrees. It may be added 
that the relation of genial and sympathetic com- 
panionship between the faculty and students is 
one of Rock ford's distinguished characteristics. 

All through its history Rockford college has 
been blessed in its trustees. Thev have been 
broad-minded men and women, who have counted 
not life itself dear unto them in their devoted la- 
Ixirs for the best interests of the institution. Pro- 
gressive, clear-sighterl. courageous, they have 
laid its foundation in heroic self-sacrifice; they 
have reared its walls in honor. The present board 
worthily represents a long line of illustrious pred- 
ecessors. Whatever can be contributed in the 
wav of money, time, professional knowledge, 
business sagacity and vital interest is given freely. 
The marked musical iire-cminence of the city 
also had its origin and ins])iration in tlie musical 



department of the college, notably during the 
years when Professor D. X. Hood had it in 
charge ( 1 858- 1 895 ) . 

The commencement of 1904 marked the fiftieth 
anniversary of the class of 1854. the first graduat- 
ing class. There were seven of them, and all 
were living, and all were present to celebrate the 
occasion. An almost uni^recedented event in the 
annals of any college this — that a graduating class 
should reach the half-century mark with its num- 
ber unbroken, and for all those connected with 
Rockford college the conunencement of 1904 will 
always be hallowed by the presence of these noble 
souls who had for man\- years fought the good 
fight and kept the faith. 

line uocKroKo fuicic rrMi.ic library. 

The Rockforil jjublic library is believed to be 
the first one established in the state, outside of 
Chicago, under the present library law. In May, 
1872. a petition was presented to the city council, 
signed bv jirominent citizens of Rockford. repre- 
senting all classes of its inhabitants. ])raying for 
the organization of a free public library and read- 
ing room. The council promptly passed an ordi- 
nance, which was approved June 17. 1872. It 
provided, however, that "no indebtedness or lia- 
l)ility shall be allowed, or contracted against the 
said city, or the "library fund' of said city, for 
anv of the contingent or running expenses of said 
librarv and reading room, until after the first dav 
of March. A. D. 1873." 

On the very day the library ordinance was ap- 
proved. Mayor Seymour G. Bronson appointed 
the following named gentlemen, the first hoard of 
directors of the public librarv: Melancthon 
Starr. Elias Cosper. S. C. \\' ithrow. D. S. Clark. 
Rev. F. P. Woodbury. Rev. H. C. Mahie. \. C. 
Thom])son. J. ( J. Knapji and Charles L. Wil- 
liams. The board was organized with the elec- 
tion of X. C. Thompson as president and Major 
Cosper as secretary. Of this original board only 
Mr. Withrow and Mr. Williams are now resi- 
dents of the city. Dr. Mabic resides in Bo.ston, 
and Dr. \\'oodbnrv has headquarters in \^cw 
York. 

tender the restrictions of the ordinance there 
were no iniblic funds available for the founding 
and maintenance of the library. Its immediate 
support nuist therefore come from individual sub- 
scrijitions. The board of directors issued a gen- 
eral invitation for a imblic reception to be held 
Tulv 30th. Its i)ur|)ose was to afford the directors 
an o])pf>rtunity to make a report of what had 
alreadv been done, and to consult with reference 
to future action. At that meeting it was resolved 
to raise by private subscription a fund of $5,000, 
to supplement the limited sum to be raised by the 
tax lew. which woulrl not be available for some 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



"5 



time. Subscriptions exceeding $2,000 were made. 
Among the most liberal contributors were : 
Thomas D. Robertson, $500 ; Emerson & Tal- 
cott, $500 ; Melancthon Starr, $200 ; Elias Gos- 
per, $40 ; N. C. Thompson, $200 : Selden AL 
Church, $50 ; S. C. Withrow, $50 ; Wm. Lathrop, 
$100. 

The outlook was not promising, but the citi- 
zens were determined to have a librar_v, and ac- 
cording to their faith, so it was given unto them. 
Dr. Woodbury and Melancthon Starr had been 
appointed a committee to prepare an address to 
the citizens. It is no disparagement of the work 
of others to say that the most zealous supporter 
of the project was the late Major Elias Cosper. 
He solicited funds and books, and many of the 
valuable works of reference in the early library 
came from his private collection. Major Cospe'" 
earned the distinction of "Father of the library," 
a title given hmi by the late W. L. Rowland. 
Alajor Cosper served on the board twenty years. 
The official records of June 27, 1892, show a reso- 
lution of thanks, introduced by A. D. Farlv. for 
his long and distinguished service. 

Three rooms were leased on the second floor of 
the \\^allach block, which stood on the site of the 
present Ashton block. The annual rental was 
$350. July 30 Miss Mary E. Rankin was en- 
gaged temporarily as librarian. The reading 
rooms were open to the public August i. 1872, 
with a goodly number of daih" and weekly news- 
papers, magazines and reviews. 

September 2d, Thomas M. Martin was ten- 
dered the appointment of permanent librarian. A 
few days later Mr. Martin reported that he could 
not accept the position, and September 17, 1872. 
the board engaged William L. Rowland to fill 
the place. 

On the first day of February, 1873, the library 
was open to the public for the issue of books for 
home use. The first catalogue of eighty-six pages 
was printed a few months later. 

Miss Frank I. Edson entered the library as an 
assistant in March, 1873. In September follow- 
ing she was succeeded by Miss Elizabeth J. Wil- 
liamson, who remained eighteen years, until the 
autumn of 1891. Aliss Nellie Rose was then ap- 
pointed assistant librarian, and served several 
years. 

The first annual report of the board of direct- 
ors, made June I, 1873, showed that $1,773.11 
had been received on private subscriptions up to 
that date, with $2,160.50 still unpaid: making a 
total of $3,933.61. There were on that date 
2,815 volumes in the library. Of this number 
1,603 were donations. There were ninety-one 
periodicals in the reading room. 

The lil)rarian"s report showed that for the first 
four months, ending May 31, 1,252 cards had 
been issued to borrowers. The total circulation 
for the same period was 8,777. 



The first tax levy for library purposes was ap- 
proved September 16, 1872, and was fixed at one 
mill on the dollar, which was the statutory 
maximum. This tax yielded a library fund of 
only $2,164, a sum quite inadequate to the needs 
of the institution. The second tax levy, approved 
November 3, 1873, was only three-tenths of a 
mill on the dollar. The modest sum of $2,849.79 
was realized. The lew for 1874 was $3,500 ; and 
for 1875, $3,411.33. 

The library remained in the Wallach block until 
June, 1876, when the books were removed to a 
part of the second floor of the block just com- 
pleted by Church, Robertson & Emerson. This 
lilock is now occupied in part by the Register- 
( iazette company. The rental was $500 per 
annum. 

In 1890 it was decided that it would be wise 
to open the reading room three hours Sunday 
afternoon, for the accommodation of those who 
were without homes, or who were unable to visit 
the library during the week. The first response 
was not very general, but time has vindicated the 
wisdom of such action. 

In 1892 Mayor Starr made an innovation by 
the appointment of three ladies on the board of 
directors. These were Mrs. Marie T. Perry, Mrs. 
Clara G. Sanford, and Miss Sarah Anderson, 
then president of Rockford College. 

For twenty-seven years the library remained in 
these quarters. Its growth and educational im- 
portance kept pace with the rapid advance of the 
city in population and commercial importance. 
In 1896 the library board leased the entire second 
story of the building, which nearly doubled the 
floor area. 

The card catalogue for public use was placed 
in the delivery room in September, 1897. In it 
were entered all books received since the publi- 
cation of the printed supplement to the catalogue 
in 1894. This was superseded in 1902 by a com- 
plete directory catalogue of the entire contents of 
the librarv. 

During the autumn of 1898 the library board 
voted to spend a portion of the annual appropri- 
ation in the purchase of books to be placed in 
certain schools of the city. The Rockford library 
was one of the first in Illinois to place libraries 
in the public schools. The inauguration of this 
plan of reaching the youth of the city came from 
an address by j\Irs. Marie T. Perry, then a mem- 
ber of the board of directors, before the Rockford 
Federation of W^omen's clubs. Mrs. Perry's ad- 
dress so well incorporated the salient features of 
the proposed work that from her ideas a resolu- 
tion was drafted and presented to the board by 
Henry S. Whipple. A committee was appointed 
composed of Airs. Perry, Librarian Rowland, H. 
S. Whipple and Prof. O. F. P)arbour, who were 
authorized to select a suitable list of books. 
January 5, 1899, libraries were placed in nine- 



no 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



teen school rooms, and himiary lylli four more 
schools were siipi)lied. The total circulation of 
these lx)oks for the four and one-half months 
of the fiscal year ending May 31, 1899, was 
9.808. The report of the librarian for the year 
ending May 31, 1903, showed that forty-four 
school libraries had been in use during the year, 
witii a total of 1.726 volumes, and a circulation 
of 25.398. On account of delay in placing the 
books in that year, occasioned by removal to the 
new Carnegie building, the circulation for 1903 
was only 16.929. 

Another effort to reach the youth of the city 
was the publication in June. 1899, of a catalogue 
of juvenile literature. Copies were distributed to 
the scholars in grades four to eight. They were 
also given to other children over ten years of age. 
This carefully .selected list largely increased the 
use of books by children. 

In August. 1900. by the death of Andrew M. 
Potter, of Philadelphia, a native of Rockford. and 
a veteran of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, 
the library was enriched by the accession of 446 
vt>lunies of history pertaining to the Civil war. 
The Rockford library now has one of the most 
complete collections of works in Illinois on the 
Civil war, outside of Chicago. 

.September 27. 1900, Mr. Rowland jiassed away 
after a brief illness. I-'or twenty-eight years he 
had been the efficient librarian and his death was 
mourned as a great loss to the i)ublic. 

In January. 1901. the board of directors ad- 
vanced Miss Jane P. Hubbell to the position of 
librarian. She had been first assistant for several 
years. 

One of the notable events of the years 1901-02 
was the reorganization of the library according 
to more modern methods. September 16. 1901. 
Miss Mary E. Gale, an experienced cataloguer, 
Ijcgan the work of reclassifying and cataloguing 
the books, according to the decimal classification. 
Miss Gale completed her work in November, 
1902, after fourteen months of the most exacting 
labor. 

For many years the friends of the public 
library recognized that a commodious, fire-proof 
building was an urgent necessity. The city, how- 
ever, could not build it, for it had been for many 
years up to the statutory limit of its lx)nded in- 
debtedness. When it became known that Mr. 
Andrew Carnegie proposed to distribute a por- 
tion of his wealth in public library buildings, an 
effort was made to enlist his interest in Rock- 
ford. Correspondence Ix-gan in 1899. In March. 
1901. Mr. Carnegie made a gift of $60,000. The 
text of his letter is given in full : 

"March 6, 1901. 
"O. F. Barbour, Ksq., Rockford, 111. 

"Dear Sir: If the city of Rockford will 
furnish a suitable site and agree to maintain the 
) 



library at a cost of not less than $8,000 a year, 
Mr. Carnegie will be glad to give $60,000 for a 
free library building. 

"Respectfully yours, 
"James P. Bertram, Secretary.'' 

The prolonged controversy over a site is 
familiar recent history, and no further mention 
need be made of it. A desirable site was finally 
selected. The ])roperty was owned by the Rock- 
ford Gas Light and Coke company, and was 
valued at $1 1,000, of which a gift of $2,000 was 
made by the company. The balance was paid by 
citizens. The plans submitted by Bradley & Car- 
IH'ntcr were approved, and the contract for the 
structure was made with W. H. Cook. 

In the spring of 1903, when funds were greatly 
reduced. .Mayor .Amasa Ilutchius asked Mr. 
Carnegie for an addition to his gift, and he 
I)romptly received $10,000. .\ portion of this 
sum was expended in the completion of the build- 
ing, and the balance was used in the furnishings. 
The work of beautifying the grounds was in 
charge of Hon. Robert H. Tinker. 

The comi)leted Carnegie library building was 
opened to the public November 21. 1903. The 
total value of the property, including building, 
furnishings and grounds, is conser\-ativcly placed 
at $90,000. This does not include the books nor 
the museum. The opening of the new library im- 
mediately resulted in an increase of twenty-five 
])cr cent, in circulation. 

In 1895 the library was made a depository for 
government publications. .\ large room has been 
set ajjart for them, and when the work of cata- 
loguing is complete, they will be official sources 
of information of great value. 

One of the most interesting features of the 
library is the children's room in the basement, in 
charge of Miss Mabel Snyder. During a busy 
season of the year nearly one hundred little ones 
have been seen there at one time. 

In 1904 the Misses Anna and Mary Beattie 
and brothers Edward W. and Geo. D., presented 
to the city of Rockford a rare museum of natural 
history. conservativel\ valued at $9,000. The 
collection was the life-work of Dr. Velie, and he 
personally supervised its installation. The gift 
is a memorial to the parents of the donors of the 
gift, Mr. and Mrs. John Beattie, early residents 
and highly esteemed citizens of Rockford. 

The city authorities referred the acceptance of 
the gift to the library board, who gave it a place 
on the second floor of the Carnegie building. 

In January. iiX)4. the city council made an ap- 
propriation of $2,000 for the purpose of es- 
tablishing a branch library on Seventh street. The 
furniture was generously furnished by the fac- 
tories in which P. .\. Peterson has large interests. 
The library, in charge of Miss Blanche Oaks, 
was opened in June, with about 2,000 volumes. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



117 



Tlie following- is a complete roster of directors 
from the beginning: Melancthon Starr, Elias 
Cosper, S. C. Withrow, Dr. D. S. Clark, Rev. F. 
P. Woodbury, Rev. H. C. Mabie, X. C. Thomp- 
son, J. G. Knapp, Charles L. Williams, Dr. A. L. 
McArthiir, Dr. A. E. Goodwin, R. F. Crawford, 
W. A. Talcott, H. P. Holland, I Herva Jones, 
Prof. O. F. Barbour, Rev. Wilder Smith, Dr. R. 
P. Lane, Geo. S. Haskell, Rev. T. J. Butler, D. S. 
Doig, John H. Sherratt, Prof. M". S. Bebb, W. 
W. Bennett, James Lamont, Rev. J. J. Flahert)', 
Hon. E. H. Baker, Hon. Seely Perry, August 
Lind, Mrs. Marie T. Perry, Mrs. Clara Goodall 
Sanford, Miss Sarah Anderson, Hon. C. A. 
Works, P. O. N. Wall, ]Mrs. Harriott Wight 
Sherratt, Robert Rew, A. D. Earlv, H. S. Whip- 
ple, J. V. Riley, A. P. Floberg, C. L. Miller, Fred 
Haines, A. G. Larson, J. E. Goembel, T. E. Swan- 
son, J. L. Clark, J. A. Alden, W. A.'Brolin. Of 
this number Prof. Barbour is the senior member, 
in length of service. He was first appointed in 
1876 by Mayor Levi Rhoades, to succeed H. P. 
Holland, resigned. With the exception of a brief 
interim in 1878, during the administration of 
Mayor Watson, he has served twenty-nine years. 

The present library staff is as follows : Jane P. 
Hubbell, librarian; Mrs. Anna C. Vincent, as- 
sistant librarian ; assistants, Eliza A. Kave, Mary 
E. Lowry, Lelia P. King, Mabel L. Snyder: 
evening assistant, Charles A. Church : Saturday 
assistant, Katherine E. Dickerman : substitute, 
Edith 1\L Hess. In continuous service Mr. 
Church out-ranks any other person on the present 
library staff, having served eighteen years. 

^liss Blanche Oaks is librarian of the Seventh 
street branch, with Miss Alma Freeberg as as- 
sistant. 

May 31, 1Q05, the number of volumes in the 
main library was 41,320, and 2,063 volumes in 
the branch. The total circulation for home use 
for the fiscal year ending on that date, at the 
main library, was 86,946 ; circulation at the branch, 
18,360: school libraries. 13,828: reference works 
in main library, 15,403: total circulation of main 
library and branch, 134,537. 

In .\pril, 1905, the tenth annual meeting of the 
Illinois Librarv association was held in Rock- 
ford. 

E.\RLY ROCKFORD SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Winnebago county was 
taught by Miss Eunice Brown, who afterward 
became Mrs. J. G. Lyon. This school was on the 
site of no South Second street, in the rear of 
what is known as the John Earlv residence, and 
taught in a log house. This was about July, 1837. 
In the spring of 1838 Miss Brown taught on the 
west side, in a building on what is now the court 
house square. Mrs. Lvon died at her home in 
Rockton, December 7, i\ 



In 1837 Miss Frances Bradford taught school 
in a log cabin which belonged to William E. 
Dunbar. In 1869 the late Mrs. John H. Thurs- 
ton prepared a list of early Rockford schools and 
teachers, which, with some amplification, is sub- 
stantially reproduced. Israel Morrill and Miss 
.Sarah E. Danforth taught in 1838 on the west 
side ; Miss Wood in 1839, on the west side : James 
M. Wight, in the winter of 1838-39, in the build- 
ing on the corner of Madison and Market streets, 
on the site of the American house ; Miss Hyde, 
in 1839, in the same place; Andrus Corbin, in 
1839, in a house owned by himself on the west 
side; Mr. Jackson, in the winter of 1839-40, in 
the house on the corner of Madison and Market 
streets ; Miss Hepsabeth Hutchinson and Miss 
Maria Baker, in 1840, on the east side; Mrs. Mary 
Jackson, in 1838-39, on the west side; Miss 
Wealthy Bradford, in 1841-42, on the west side; 
Lewis S. Sweezy, in 1841-42, in the brick school 
house on the southeast corner of the public 
square, east side; Miss Harriet Barnum, in 1841, 
in a private house, east side ; Miss Minerva C. 
Fletcher, in 1842, in a log- house that stood op- 
posite the First Congregational church, east side ; 
Elijah Holt, in 1841-42, in the brick schoolhouse, 
east side; John Paul, in 1841, in the first house 
south of the railroad. Main street, west side ; 
Lewis B. Gregory, in the brick schoolhouse, east 
side, 1843-44 ; Miss Fronia Foote and George 
Waterman, in 1843-44; Miss Julia Barnum, in 
1844, in private house, east side ; Miss Adeline 
Warren, private house, east side ; Miss Augusta 
Kemfield in 1845, ^^^^ side; C. A. Huntington, 
1845 to 1849, in the old courthouse on North 
First street, and on the west side ; Miss Elizabeth 
Weldon was assistant to Mr. Huntington ; H. H. 
Waldo, in 1848, in Baptist church, west side; D. 
W. Ticknor, from 1846 to 1849, in the brick 
schoolhouse, east side ; assisted in turn by Miss 
Elizabeth Weldon, Anson Barnum, John W. 
Andrews, and D. Dubois ; H. H. Waldo, in 1849- 
50, Miss Hannah Morrill. 1848, east side ; Robert 
A. Sanford, 1848, west side. 

In 1850 Mr. Bowles taught in the brick school- 
house on the east side; Mrs. Squires, in 1850, on 
what is now in South Madison street, east side, 
and afterward on west side ; Mrs. King H. Mil- 
liken, in 1850, east side ; Miss Mary Dow, Miss 
Delia Hyde and George E. Kimball, 1850-53, in 
the basement of the present First Baptist church 
building, west side ; Miss Sarah A. Stewart and 
Aliss Mary Joslin, in 1850, in a building where 
the Masonic temple now stands ; Seely Perry, in 
the basement of the First Methodist church, on 
Second street ; B. Rush Catlin, in 1852, in base- 
ment of First Methodist church ; Misses Char- 
lotte and Harriet Leonard, in 1851-52; Miss 
Stowell and T. J. L. Remington, in 185 1, in the 
lirick schoolhouse, west side ; Rev. C. Reighley, 



118 



PAST AXn PRESEXT OF WIWEI'.AGO COLXTV 



in 1852. on the cast side; Miss Fanny Avery, in 

1852. on tlie east side: Mr. Stevens, in 1833, in 
tiie brick schoolhousc. east side; Miss Lizzie 
Fern, in 1853, on the cast side; .Mrs. Carpenter, in 

1853. west 'side; Rev. L. Porter, 1852; Mr. 
Stowell. in 1853; Rev. .\ddison P>ro\vn and Miss 
Frances .\. I'.rown on the west side; Miss I'lia 
Galloway, in 1854. in the lobby of the First Con- 
STcsational church, east side ; Darwin Dubois, in 

1854. in the First Methodist church; Mrs. Julia 
and .Miss Chapman, in 1854, on the west side; 
Miss l!elle l!uri)cc and Miss Ethalinda Thomp- 
son, in 1855. on the east side; Hal.sey C. Clark, 
in 1855, in old courthouse, east side, with Miss 
Lizzie 'Ciffen as assistant ; Miss Emma Brown, 
in 1857, east side; \. W. Freeman, in the base- 
ment of First Baptist church, west side : Wesley 
Sovcrei.qrn. in First Methodist church, cast side; 
Mrs. Jiines. on west side; Miss Elizabeth I'isher, 
west side; Miss Gunsolus, east side; Mr. Johnson 
and Mr. Clifford, west side. 

.Xearly all these schools were private. The 
teachers were paid mainly by the parents. The 
teacher made out his own bills and collected them. 
There was then no resfnlar state or local ta.x, 
and the only ])ublic school money was derived 
from the interest on the several state school funds, 
and the township fund obtained from the sale of 
the sixteenth section. Private teachers, who con- 
formed to certain requirements of the law, re- 
ceived some comi)cnsation from tlie jniblic money, 
in |)roportion to the number of jnipils under their 
instruction. 

The earlv public school records of Rockford 
township have been lost. It is therefore im- 
possible to obtain exact information. There ap- 
pears, however, to have been a school district, with 
a schoolhouse, on each side of the river. The 
cast side public school was in the brick building 
on the southeast corner of the public s(|uare. This 
schoolhouse was erected at an early date, by 
private subscription. L. P>. Gregory taught there 
soon after his arrival in Rockford. His examina- 
tion for certificate was c|uite brief, and was held 
in E. H. Potter's store. The directors were E. 
H. Potter, William E. Dunbar, Willard Wheeler 
and Dr. A. M. Catlin. Mr. Gregory was asked 
to spell baker. ITe rei)lied that he could not; 
but the certificate was granted. 

In the classical institute, in the basement of 
the First I'.a|)tist church, from 1855 to 1856, of 
which H. P. Kimball was principal, one class 
pursued the regidar studies of the freshman year 
in college, and entered one year in advance. .-\ 
score of students left this institution and entered 
eastern colleges. Two years' study was con- 
sidered sufficient to advance scholars through a 
full ])reparatory course of mathematics and the 
usual bofjks in Latin and Greek, giving them a 
sufficient preparation. 



Seely Perry taught a preparatory school for 
young men about a year and a half, in the First 
.Methodist church. .\t this school quite a num- 
ber of students prepared for college. .Vmong 
these were the late Dr. Selwyn Clark ; .\lexander 
Kerr, who became professor of Greek in the 
Cniversity of Wisconsin ; Rev. John Edwards, 
brother of Mrs. Clemens. On account of ill health, 
Mr. Perrv turned over the school to a brother of 
Dr. E. P.' Catlin. 

ISesides the houses used for schools on the east 
side already noted, were : one on Kishwaukee 
street, near bridge ; one on lot in rear of engine 
house on South First street ; one on South .Madi- 
son street. Xot less than eight buildings were 
used for school puqDOses on the cast side. .\ sum 
of money was once raised to build a second 
public school house on the east side ; but it was 
never erected. The money was finally paid into 
the nninicipal treasury, upon the order of the city 
Council. 

John .\. Holland and others built a school 
house for private pupils on South West street. 
It w^as occupied exclusively by the children of 
those who erected it. It was therefore not a 
large school, but somewhat exclusive. The con- 
tract was made with Seely Perry for furnishing 
building material. 

.\n old schoolhouse stood on South Main 
street, and later used as a blacksmith shop, near 
Mrs. Brett's block. The Second Congregational 
church was organized in this building. There 
was also a small schoolhouse on the south side 
of Green street, between Church and Court. It 
was a white frame building, .\bbie Parker, a 
sister of the late G. W. Parker, tau.ghl there at 
one time. 

IKi:i-: ITltLIC SCHOOL svsrii.M. 

The development of the public school system 
is an excellent illustration of the growth of ]>a- 
tcrnalism ; first, on the part of the general govern- 
ment ; and second, in the gradual advance of the 
state toward the present standard. 

The free jjublic school system of Illinois dates 
from 1855. In December. 1853. a large common 
school convention met at Jerscyville. composed of 
delegates from many adjoining counties, and one 
at Bloomington, for the whole state. These 
movements ])ro<luced results. The general as- 
sembly, which met the following February, sepa- 
rated the office of state su|ierintendent of public 
instruction from that of secretary of state, and 
made it a distinct department of the state gov- 
ernment. The state superintendent was required 
to draft a bill emlnxlying a system of free edu- 
cation for all the children of the state, and report 
to the next general assembly. March 15. 1854, 
Governor Slattcson appointed Hon. Xinian 



PAST AXD PRESEXT 



OF WIXNEBAGO COUXTY. 



119 



Edwards as state superintendent. In the fol- 
lowino; January Mr. Edwards presented a bill 
which became a law February 15. 1855. Fo'' 
state purposes the school tax was fixed at two 
mills on the one hundred dollars. To this was 
added the interest from the permanent school 
fund. A free school was required to be main- 
tained for at least six months in each year, and it 
was made imperative upon the directors of every 
school district to levy the necessary tax. Thus 
the free school system of Illinois began when the 
taxing;' power of the state was invoked in its 
behalf. 

The school law was bitterly opposed, and nar- 
rowlv escaped repeal. Sir William Berkeley, the 
royal governor of \'irginia, said in 1670: "T 
thank God there are no free schools nor printing 
presses in Mrginia and I hope we shall not have 
these hundred years." The spirit of this pious 
wish prevailed in southern Illinois : and there was 
a repetition of the old conflict between the two 
distinct classes of people in the two portions of 
the state. The southern portion was poor, while 
the northern portion was well-to-do ; and it was 
only as it was made to appear to the southern 
part that it was receiving more from the state 
school fund than it was contributing, that the 
people acquiesced in the law. 

The charter of 1854 had conferred upon the 
city council of Rockford full power over its 
schools. Ji'iie 20, 1855, the council passed its 
first school ordinance under the new school law. 
The city was divided into school districts ; East 
side, number one ; West side, number two. A 
board of school inspectors was appointed, con- 
sisting of George Haskell, A. S. JNIiller and Jason 
Marsh. In December the board voted to pur- 
chase of A. W. Freeman his lease of the base- 
ment of the First Baptist church for a school in 
district number two. IMr. Freeman was em- 
ployed to teach at $800 per year. .\t the same 
time Henry Sabin was engaged for the First 
district, and the old courthouse on the east 
side was leased. Mr. Sabin is a brother of 
Charles Sabin, of X'^orth Giurch street. He is a 
graduate of Amherst College, and has made a 
record for distinguished service. He has been 
superintendent of schools at Clinton, Iowa, and 
has served several terms as state superintendent 
of that state. He now lives at Des Moines. 

The council had provided by ordinance for a 
school agent for each district, whose acts were to 
be approved by the council. July 27, 1855, the 
agent for the First district was authorized to 
purchase from Solomon Wheeler, the tract on 
which the Henry Freeman school now stands. 
September loth a contract was made for the con- 
struction of the building. April 28, 1856, a con- 
tract was made for a schoolhouse in the Second 
district, on the site of the Lincoln school ; the 



contractors 



were E. X. House. M. H. Regan 
and James B. Howell. The progress of the build- 
mgs was delayed by unfavorable weather, and the 
late arrival of school furniture. 

August 14, 1857, in the afternoon and evenino- 
occnrred the formal dedication of the two uniOT 
school buildings. Previous to this time Rock- 
ford as a city had no schoolhouse of its own. 

The First district school had three principals 
from 1857 to 1884. The first was Orlando C. 
Blackmer. who was appointed March 10, i8s7 
His assistant was S. F. Penfield. iMr. Blackmer 
remamed but a short time, when he began the 
iniblication of school records in Chicago. Mr. 
Blackmer is a brother of Mrs. X. C. Thompson.' 
He is now living at Oak Park. 

Prof. Henry Freeman, Mr. Blackmer's suc- 
cessor, was a native of Massachusetts, born within 
twenty miles of Plymouth Rock. He was gradu- 
ated from Teacher's Seminarv. Andover," Mas- 
sachusetts, in 1839, and taught for one vear in 
the preparatory department. " Prof. Freeman be- 
gan his life-work as principal of the high school 
at Bridgeton, Xew York, in 1840. In" 1845 he 
was offered the principalship of Salem academv, 
at Salem, X^'ew Jersey, where he remained five 
>ears until he was elected principal of \\'allkill 
Academy, at Middleton, Xew York. In 1855 he 
was called to the position of principal of the high 
school and superintendent of schools at Freepo'rt. 
Illinois. In 1859 the board of school inspectors in- 
vited Prof. Freeman to take the position of prin- 
cipal and superintendent of schools of East Rock- 
ford at a salary of one thousand dollars a vear. 
This position he filled twenty-one vears. imtil he 
resigned in 1880. During tliis long service hun- 
dreds of pupils came under the influence of the 
principal. Prof. Preeman had high ideals of life, 
and his strong character was a potent factor in 
promoting that which was for the best interest 
of the pupils. His conscientious efforts were 
appreciated, and occasionally his former pupils 
gathered informally at his' home and recalled 
reminiscences of those formative vears. 

The third and last principal was Prof. .\. W. 
McPherson, who remained until 1884. 

George G. Lyon was chosen principal of the 
Second school district March 10, 1857. April 
22, 1904, the old pupils of Prof. Lyon had the 
pleasure of honoring his memory bv planting the 
Lyon elm on the Lincoln school grounds. 

Prof. Lyon was succeeded bv E. M. Fernal, 
E. X. sillier. James H. Blodgett and W. W. 
Stetson. Prof. Blodgett became principal of the 
^^'est side school in September, 1865, and held this 
position fifteen years. He had served his country 
in the Civil war as captain of Companv E, 
Seventy-fifth Illinois \'olunteer Infantrv. Prof. 
Blodgett has for many years been an official in 
the interior department at Washington. 



I20 



I'AST AXD PRESF.XT OF WIXXKHAGO COUXTY. 



Prof. W. W. Stetson, the last principal of the 
West side high school before the consolidation, 
is now state superintendent of Maine. 

By 1857 a small frame strncture had been 
erected in South Rock ford as a schoolhouse. 
This was soon enlargfed and was later superseded 
by a stone structure, now known as Kent school. 
Thomas Sherratt and a Mr. Munson were early 
principals. Mr. Sweet, another early principal, 
went to California and there died. 

Prof. O. F. Barbour succeeded Mr. Sweet in 
September. 1866, and has retained this position 
thirtv-nine consecutive years. Prof. Barbour's 
continuous service in the same school is without 
a parallel in the state of lUinnis. "To his in- 
spiration."' says Prof. James II. Blodgett. "is 
largely due the unusual prominence of boys 
among the graduates of the West high school. 
At a time when girl graduates monopolized the 
diplomas in many schools, one-third of the gradu- 
ates of \\'est Rockford high school were boys, 
and occasionally a graduating class had more 
boys than .girls, and .^outh Rockford furnished a 
conspicuous share." 

October 21. i86i. the number of school in- 
spectors was increased from three to five. 

In 1884 the public school sy.stem was thor- 
oughly reorganized, and the city was made one 
school district, with one high school, in ])ursu- 
ance of an ordinance drawn Ijy Hon. .\lfrcd Tag- 
gart. Prof. P. R. Walker was made general 
superintendent of all the city schools, and he has 
held this position twenty-one years. Prof. Walker 
did service during the Civil war with the Xinety- 
second Illinois \'oluntcers. He graduated from 
tlie Illinois State Xormal School and was for 
many years a teacher. Pie came to Rockford from 
Rochelle. 

.\ central high school was created. Temporary 
(|uarters were secured in the second story of a 
building on West State street. The first prin- 
ciiial was Prof. A. W. McPherson, who served 
one year. The second principal was Prof. 
Charles A. Smith, a graduate of .\inhcrst. The 
present high school Iniilding was erected in 1885, 
and an addition was completed in 1900. Prof. 
Smith was succeeded by Walter A. Edwards, a 
son of Prof. Edwards, at one time superintendent 
of public instruction of Illinois. Mr. Edwards 
resigned in 1805. and was succeeded by Prof. B. 
D. I'arker. who remained nine years. The jircs- 
ent i)rinci|)al is Ellis U. Graff, who began his 
duties in Sei)teml)er. 1904. 

Previous to the reorganization of the Rockford 
schools in 1884. the schoolhouses were simply 
designated by the wards in which the}' were 
.severally located. Prof. Walker, as he became 
acquainted with the history of the city, advised 
the naming of the several schools, and. with three 
exceptions, they were named in honor of Rock- 
ford citizens. 



The West side high school, built in 1857. was 
called the Lincoln school, in honor of .\braham 
Lincoln. It was rebuilt in 1892 at a cost of 
$35,000. 

The East Rockford high school, also built in 

1857, was named .Adams, in honor of President 
Jolm .\dams. In 1893 the old stone structure 
was razed to the ground and a two-story brick 
building erected, at a cost of $40,000. In 1904 
about $5,000 was expended in a steam heating 
plant and a system of fan-ventilation. This build- 
ing has been re-christened the Henry Freeman 
school, in honor of Prof. Freeman, who taught 
twenty-one years in the old East side high school. 

The South Rockford school building, erected in 

1858, was named the Kent, in honor of Ger- 
manicus Kent, the first settler of Rockford, who 
came here in 1834. 

The Hall .school, built in 1866, and rebuilt in 
1892. was named in honor of John Hall, an early 
member of the board of education. 

The Ellis school, built in 186S. hears the name 
of Col. E. F. ^^'. Ellis, an early banker of Rock- 
fcMil, who was killed in the battle of Shiloh in 
.\pril, 1S62. 

The Blake school, erected in an early day, and 
rebuilt in 1899, received its name from Thatcher 
Blake, who came to Rockford with Germanicus 
Kent, in 1S34. 

The Marsh school, built in 1872. bears the 
name of Col. Jason Marsh, a pioneer of 1839. 
and a representative lawyer and public-spirited 
citizen. 

The Xelson school, built in 1881. is named for 
John Xelson, the famous Rockford inventor of 
the knitting machine. The Hotel X'^elson also 
hears his name. 

The Haskell school was built in 1874. and 
perpetuates the memory of Dr. George Haskell, 
who came to Rockford in 1838. He has been 
immortalized by the poet Whittier in Snow- 
boiuid. 

The Montague school was built in 1883. and 
enlarged in i8()2. It bears the name of Richard 
Montagut-. a pioneer of 1835. 

The Wight school, built in 1889, is named in 
honor of James AI. Wight, a prominent barri.ster, 
member of the constitutional convention of 1870, 
and a representative in the legislature. 

The Brown school, erected in 1892, derives its 
name from Judge William Brown, who held 
many offices of ])ublic trust and was for twenty 
years judge of the circuit court. 

The Garrison school, built in 1887. and en- 
largcfl in i8<)2, is named for Thomas Garrison, 
who came to Rockford from New Jersey in 1853, 
and purchased a large tract of land north of the 
city. Mr. Garrison died October 6, 1871. .\n 
addition has been made to the school building 
during the present year. 
The Cliurch school was built in 1894, and per- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



121 



petuates the memory of Judge Seklen M. Church, 
an early settler, postmaster, member of the legis- 
lature, and judge of the county court. 

The Kishwaukee school was built in 1896. and 
derives its name from the street on which it 
stands, which, in turn, is derived from Kish- 
waukee river. Kishwaukee is an Indian name. 

The Turner school was built in 1898, and de- 
rives its name from J. M. Turner, a supervisor 
and alderman. Mr. Turner, in recognition of this 
honor, gave the school a bell. 

A site at the corner of Summit and Crosby 
streets, consisting of one-half of a block, was 
purchased in 1904, and a ten-room building 
erected. It is called the Jackson school, in honor 
of Charles E. Jackson, the present mayor. It is 
pleasing to know that the idea of more extensive 
school grounds has at last been adopted, and that 
this new building is heated by steam, and well 
ventilated with a fan to drive the pure, warm or 
cold air through the building. The plans pro- 
vide large rooms, well lighted, and large halls 
that are easily accessible, with stairs easy to 
ascend and descend. The light comes in at the 
left and rear of the pupils in each room. The site 
is on an elevation well drained and supplied with 
ample sewerage, a very important item in the 
location of a school building. 

With the completion of the Jackson school, the 
entire school property of Rockford, including 
buildings, grounds and furnishings is not less 
than half a million dollars. 

The following table indicates the cost of the 
completed buildings as they now stand : 

High School, 1885-1900 $ 92,145.97 

Lincoln, 1892 35,000.00 

Henry Freeman, 1893 45,000.00 

Hall, 1892 30,000.00 

Wight. 1889 20.000.00 

Brown, 1892 18,000.00 

Kent, 1858 20,000.00 

Montague, 1883-1892 20,700.00 

Garrison, 1887-1892 18,000.00 

Church, 1894 20.000.00 

Kishwaukee. 1896 30,000.00 

Nelson, 1881 4.000.00 

Marsh, 1872 5,000.00 

Blake, 1899 28.385.49 

Haskell, 1874 6,000.00 

Ellis, 1868 4,000.00 

Turner, 1898 25,588.74 

Jackson, 1904 35.000.00 



Total $456,820.20 

Tne following is the total enrollment of the 
citv schools bv vears, since 1884: 

1884 '. ^.^.-JJi 1894 4.723 

1885 2,818 1895 4.781 

1886 2,875 1896 4.945 

1887 2,950 1897 5,138 



1888. 
1889. 
1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
1893. 



• 3,206 
•3.306 
•3.563 
•3.851 
•4.195 
•4.531 



1898 5,193 

1899 5.645 

1900 5,877 

1901 6.01 1 

1902 6,116 

1903 6,251 

Opening day, September 5, 1904 5.627 

Enrollment for September, 1905 6.441 

The work of the Rockford high school is to 
a limited extent elective, and is based upon an 
election of subjects rather than of courses. The 
unit of the plan is a "credit," which means five 
hours of work per week for a period of thirty- 
nine weeks. Sixteen such credits are necessary 
for graduation, of which seven and a half are re- 
quired, and the remainder elective. The plan 
may be seen by reference to the course of study. 
Below is a report of the number in the enter- 
ing classes, and the number graduated since 1886: 

WHEN WHEN 

GRADUATED. NO. 

1890 32 

1891 37 

1892 28 

1893 49 

1894 52 

1895 48 

1896 67 

1897 88 

1898 58 

1899 55 

1900 68 

1901 48 

1902 ^6 

1903 64 

1904 77 

1905 87 

education consists of Dr. 

, E. D. Revnolds. L. M. 
Biller. 



NO. 



ENTERED. 

1886 

1887 

r888 

1889 

1890 

189I 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

I9OI — 

The present board of 
Culhane, A. G. Everett, 
Xolina:. and JNIiss Pearl 



.109 

79 
89 

"5 

132 

,116 
138 
176 
163 
146 
154 

■152 
169 

■159 



FIRST C0NS0LID.\TED SCHOOL IN ILLINOIS. 

Seward township has the first consolidated 
school in Illinois. In the spring of 1903, on pe- 
tition to the school trustees. Districts 90, 91, 93, 
of Seward township, were consolidated. The 
electors of the consolidated district, bv a vote of 
thirty-eight for and fifteen against, bonded the 
district for $7,000, ten years' time at four per 
cent, to purchase a site and erect a union school 
building. By a vote of forty-seven for, and one 
against, the airectors were authorized to pur- 
chase a certain site for the new school grounds. 
This consists of three and six-tenths acres of some 
of the finest farming land in northern Illinois. 
The amount paid for it was $1,000. 

Prof. Blair, chief of horticulture of the Illinois 
College of Agriculture, designed the landscape 
arrangement of this ground. It provides for the 



122 



lM AM) I'RF.SF.XT OI" WIX.XEliACO COrXTV. 



tifiil fjroii|)in<js and massing of nunuTous 
varieties of shrubs anil llowcrs : a boys' athletic 
field ; a gfirls' athletic field ; little folks' play 
ground ; and experimental gardens for all the 
children. TJie new building was erected at a cost 
of about $6,000. The credit of this iimovation 
belongs to Superintendent (). J. Kern, who 
labored four years and a half to accomplish this 
result. This school promises to be the connecting 
link between the farm and the college of agri- 
culture. 

DI.^TKICT SCIIOOI. TR.WKI.I.NG LlliR.\RIES. 

The Winnebago County District School Travel- 
ing Libraries were organized in lyoi. The object 
was to supply valuable helps for school work 
and good literature in a way that would be pos- 
sible to reach every district school, every child 
and intlirectly every home in the county outside 
of the City of Rockford. This was the first at- 
tempt of its kind in Illinois. These traveling 
libraries are the property of the county, and are 
in charge of the county superintendent of schools. 

The money with which to inirchase the books 
was acquired in two ways. First, an appropria- 
tion by the county board of supervisors ; second, 
by the net jimceeds of annual township school ex- 
ercises. 

The districts over the county are grouped into 
circuits of six districts each, with two or three 
excejjtions. A box of books stays at a school one 
month and then is taken to another school in die 
circuit. The fractional township of Laona has 
exactly six school districts. The teachers of this 
circuit are over twenty miles from Rockford. Tlie 
traveling library is the only way to reach them, 
for the distance is too great for teachers to go to 
the county suj^erintendent's office and lake books 
to their schools. With the traveling libraries all 
schools are on an equal footing as far as oppor- 
tunity to u.se lxx)ks is concerned. Three boxes of 
books are placed in each circuit, with the excep- 
tion of the graded school circuit of ten schools, 
which has five lx)xes. 

The library movement is helping to create a 
new educational ideal in Winnel)ago county. It 
is no small factor in the imjirovement of the 
teaching force. .And tiie library, if rightly used 
in the .school room, can not fail to strengthen the 
work of the puiiils. Pufiils and teacliers are 
brought into contact with good books during the 
year, .^lowly, but surely, the reading habit will 
be formed, the desire to rea<l gix)d books. This is 
of great importance to the boy or girl after school 
days are over. 

DI.STRICT SClK)Or, LI1!R.\RIES. 

There has been a great increase in tlie local 
district school libraries during the past three years, 
total numIxT of admissions having Ijeen nearly 
90,000, 



These books are the property of the various dis- 
tricts, and are secured by socials. ])urchased by 
directors from school funds, etc. 

TOW.V.Smi' GR.XDUATION EXERCISES. 

This innovation l)egan in 1901. These annual 
exercises are helpful in creating a new educational 
ideal with reference to the country school. It 
gives an opportunity for all the chililren and i)ar- 
eiits of a townshij) to get together in the interests 
of better .schools. .Xo attempt is made to create a 
great display. The aim has always been to have 
the children render the i)rogram of a simple edu- 
cational character, and thus keep alive a growing 
interest. If the children are interested, the par- 
ents will be. The county superintendent attends 
every one of them. Ten cents admission is 
charged, and the net proceeds go toward the trav- 
eling lilirary fund. 

Eighth grade certificates for admission to high 
school. ])upils' reading circle diplomas and teach- 
ers' professional attainment certificates are given 
at these union township exercises. .\ subject is 
selected each year by the county superintendent, 
which is the central theme of tlu' ])rogram. The 
aim is to make the program a unit all over the 
county, and thus make the exercises trul\' educa- 
tional and at the .same time entertaining. 

The subject for 1-901 was: The History of 
\\"innebago County: 1902. Louisiana Purchase 
Fx]3osition ; 1903, Out Door Art for Home and 
School. 

KOCKFOKO CH.\UTAUOU.'\ .\SSEMIILY. 

It has fallen to the lot of few Rockford insti- 
uuions to meet with such success in a comi)ara- 
tively short time as lo the Rockford Chautau(|ua. 
now known the breadth and width oi the Chau- 
tauqua world as one of the largest and most in- 
lluential in the entire country. 

The Rockford Chautau(|ua assembly was or- 
ganized in the year i()02. The promoters felt 
tliere was a need of such an institution in this 
city and Ixdieved that their efforts would be 
strongly aided by the Rockford public. 

.\ stock company of 100 shares was organ- 
ized with a ca])ital of S5.000. and the work was 
taken up with a will. The Rockford and Inter- 
urban Comjiany erected the handsome and cajja- 
cious auditorium at Harlem Park, seating 5,000 
people, and made otlur improvements u])on the 
grounds. 

The i<)02 assembly was a record-breaker for a 
first-vear gathering. .\ jirogram such as has not 
been arranged but for few gatherings Oi the sort 
sufficed to attract thousands and the reputation of 
the assembly was established. 

The .season of 1903 broke all records in point 
of attendance for short-term Chautauquas, the 
artistic arrangement of many kinds of trees : beau- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



123 



These enormous figures were a stu"prise even 
to the management itself and other Chautauquas 
in the country saw they had a powerful rival in 
the point of popularity. These attendance figures 
have only been surpassed by the mother assembly 
at Jamestown, New York. 

The season of 1904 was as highly successful 
in every respect as that of the previous year, the 
attendance frgures being about the same. 

With a confidence born of this unprecedented 
attendance the management looks forward to the 
season of 1906 with hope, and does not hesitate 
to say that the program will be unquestionably the 
strongest ever presented by any assembly in the 
west. 

No expense has been spared in past years to 
gratify every desire of the public for pleasing, as 
well as educating, programs, and the Chautauqua 
association will continue on this same broad plan 
in the years to come. 

The officers of the association are : 

President — D. Lichty. 

\'ice President — George Stansbury. 

Secretary — Frank S. Regan. 

Treasurer — Miss Mary I. Beattie. 

Superintendent — A. C. Folsom. 

Directors — A. E. Elmore. J. B. Whitehead, 
August Peterson, H. S. Whipple, L. A. Williams, 
W.' W. Bennett, C. H. Knapi., J. FT. I-Cing, E. M. 
Breckenridge. 

ROCKFORD STREET RAILWAY AND 
INTERURBAN LINES. 

KOCKFORD STREET RAILWAY I'OMPAiW. 

The Story of the growth of the city railway and 
interurban systems of Rockford forms an inter- 
esting chapter in the commercial development of 
the city. From very humble beginnings these 
lines have become a great factor in the municipal 
life to-day. They bring thousands of people to 
the city every week, and make Rockford the busi- 
ness, educational and amusement center for the 
great Rock river valley. 

The Rockford Street Railway company was or- 
ganized in the latter part of 1880, with a capital 
of $20,000. January 21, 1881, the secretary of 
state authorized Anthony Haines, Charles O. Up- 
ton and James Ferguson, as commissioners, to 
open books for subscriptions to stock. The orig- 
inal stockholders were : Anthony Haines, H. H. 
Robinson, James Ferguson, C. O. Lfpton, C. M. 
Brazee, R. F. Crawford, Levi Rhoades, N. E. Ly- 
man, George H. Trufant, J. S. Ticknor, A. D. 
Forbes, E. L. Woodruff, John Barnes and John 
Lake. The first directorate was chosen February 
9, 1881, at the office of Holland. Ferguson & Co., 
and consisted of the following named gentlemen : 
C. M. Brazee, A. D. Forbes, Levi Rhoades, C. O. 



Upton, R. F. Crawford, A. Haines and John 
Barnes. On the following day the directors elected 
A. Haines, president ; Levi Rhoades, vice-presi- 
dent ; H. H. Robinson, secretary: G. H. Trufant, 
treasurer. 

The company was organized under the gen- 
eral corporation act of April 18, 1872, and a char- 
ter was obtained for ninety-nine years. June 27, 
i88r, a franchise was granted by the city council, 
and the promoters had no difficulty in securing 
the right of way. 

The records of the company, now ui possession 
of H. H. Robinson, contain this modest para- 
graph, tmder date of July 6, 1881 : 

"Moved by A. D. Forbes that the companv pro- 
ceed to make necessary arrangements to build a 
street railway from or near the corner of Mon- 
tague and South ^lain streets, in South Rockford, 
to a point at or near where South Fourth street 
crosses the Chicago & Northwestern railway, in 
East Rockford, Illinois. Motion seconded and 
carried." 

The original track began on I-'ourth avenue, at 
its intersection with Fourth street, running to 
Kishwaukee, thence to State, from State to South 
Main, extending on the latter to its intersection 
with Montague. 

September 26, 1881. the capital stock was raised 
to $40,000, and December 27,- 1883, the capital 
was increased to $80,000. \\'ith a large fund at 
its disposal, the conijjany extended its track to 
the north gate of the fair ground. This line, how- 
ever, was authorized by the original tranchisc. 
The east side line was also extended on Fourth 
avenue to Seventh street, thence to the Northwest- 
ern railroad crossing. The company operated a 
doulile track on State street. 

\\'hen the first line was nearly completed an 
amusing question arose whether horses or mules 
should be used to draw the cars. The directorate 
was a tie, and President Haines gave the casting 
vote in favor of the horse. The company em- 
ployed no conductors. Passengers were supposed 
to dnip their nickel or ticket in the box. Wash- 
ers, buttons and old coins also came to fill the 
coffers of the company. The latter often proved 
of value, and were sold at good prices to coin col- 
lectors. Sometimes a five-dollar gold piece would 
be dropped in by mistake. On one occasion a lady 
left her false teeth on the seat. 

The company made some money during the 
first six years. The enterprise, however, failed to 
pay when the lines were extended to the .sparsely 
settled portions of the city. In i88g H. W. Price, 
who had become a director, and one of the great- 
est of our cit\' builders, negotiated a sale whereby 
the property of the old company passed into the 
hands of a syndicate at sixty cents on the dollar. 
"Judge"' R. N. Baylies became president, and the 
name of the corporation was changed to the Rock- 



124 



PAST .WD PRF.SKXT OV WIXXEBAGO COL'XTY. 



ford City Railway company. Electricity sup- 
planted the slow, but faithful, horse, and a metro- 
politan street railway system was rapidly devel- 
oped. 

WEST KND STREET RAILW.W. 

It will be a matter of regret to the future his- 
torian of Rock ford tliat the records of the West 
End Street Railway company have been lost. F. A. 
Ticknor, the secretary and superintendent of the 
company, has kindly furnished interesting facts 
concerning the enteqirise. 

During the winter of 1890 a number of gentle- 
men became actively interested in the expansion of 
the city in what is now known as the "West End." 
It was proposed to construct a street railway, in 
the belief that it would increase the demand for 
lots and eventually build up a prosperous suburb. 

The leader in this movement was the late James 
S. Ticknor. who became president and secretary of 
the company. His son. Frank .\., was secretary 
and superintendent. 

The West End Street Railway company was 
organized in i8qo. with a capital of $50,000, 
which sum was subsequently increased. A fran- 
chise was obtained without serious opposition, al- 
though there was an animated controversy over 
the kind of rail to be used, which finally resulted 
in the choice of the girder type, which Ihe com- 
pany advocated. 

The first line was the West End loop, which 
started from the intersection of Elm and .South 
Main streets, west on Elm to Cleveland avenue, 
north on Cleveland avenue to .'School street, west 
on School to Johnson avenue, south on Johnson 
avenue to Anderson street, ea.st on .\nderson and 
Preston .streets to South .\von, and north on 
South Avon to Elm. 

The South Rockford line began on Elm street. 
running west to Church, south on Church to Ce- 
dar, west on Cedar to Winnebago, south on \V\n- 
nebago to Montague. 

The third line was begim at the intersection 
of Chestunt Wyman streets, running north on^^'y- 
man to Mulbern-. west on Mulberry to Horsman. 
north on Horsman to Locust, west on Eocust to 
Kilburn avenue, north on Kilburn avenue to 
School street. Eater the line was extended on 
Mullierrv to Avon, north on Avon to School, and 
east on School to connect with the first line termi- 
nus. 

Tn 18^)2 the east side line was built. Tt began 
at the intersection of Church and Giestnut streets, 
running east on Chestnut and Walnut .streets to 
Third, north on Third to ^Tarket. east on Market 
to Xorth Fourth, north on Xorth Fourth to Hen- 
ton, east on Picnton to Longwood. north on Long- 
wood to Rural street. 

The East side line was subsequently extended 
on Market to the intersection of Charles and East 
State, and east on Charles to Eleventh street. 



When all its lines were completed the West 
luid company had a greater mileage than the City 
Railway, but many of them were not on the main 
thoroughfares. The road was supplied with elec- 
tric power throughout. The west end loop and 
south side lines paid well. The enterprise, how- 
ever, was not successful, and lo.-t a fortune for 
its president and his family. Tl c financial strin- 
gency of 1893 was especially severe in Rockford, 
and the West End comjjany could not stem the 
adverse tide. In 1895 t'^*^ property of the com- 
pany passed into the hands of a receiver. The 
mortgage was foreclosed, and the property was 
bid in by John Parson, who represented the bond- 
holders. 

CON'SOLinATED SVSTF..\rS. 

The Rockford City Railway company was or- 
ganized in 1890. I'pon the foreclosure of the 
West End Street Railway company in 1895. the 
line was owned and operated by the Rockford 
Traction company. The Rockford Railway, 
Light and Power company was organized in 1898, 
by the consolidation of the Rockford City Rail- 
way company and the Rockford Traction com- 
pany. The Rockford S: Iklviderc Electric Rail- 
way com])any was organized in 1900. The Rock- 
ford and Tntcrurban Railway company was in- 
corporated in the fall of 1902. as ,1 consolidation 
of the Rockford & P.clvidere Electric Railway 
company and the Rockford Railway, Light and 
Power company. It is capitalized at $1,000,000, 
with the following officers: R. N. Baylies, presi- 
dent: John Parson, vice-president; G. G. Olm- 
steady. secretary : F. ^^^ W^oodruff. treasurer : T. 
^1. Ellis, general manager: F. W. Mc.\ssey. au- 
ditor: C. C. Lines, superintendent of tracks. 

There are two interurban divisions — one ex- 
tending from Rockford to Pielvidere, a distance of 
fifteen miles ; the other running to Freeport. thirty 
miles west, was completed in 1904. The latter 
line is operated bv a sejiarate organization, called 
the Rockford &: Freeport Electric Railwav com- 
pany. The territory traversed by these lines is 
one of the garden spots of Illinois, and is as fer- 
tile and prosperous a region as exists in the state. 
It is drained by the Rock. Kishwaukee and Peca- 
tonica rivers. Between this city and Belvideie 
lies Cherry valley. Between Freeport and Rock- 
ford there are three towns — Ridott. Pecatonica 
and Winnebago. The highest grade is two per 
cent, for two thousand feet. 

Cars leave for Helvidere or Freeport at 6 a. m. 
and each succeeding hour until 11 p. m. The 
schedule time to Belvidere is forty-five minutes, 
with a record run of thirty-two minutes for the 
distance. Over the Freeport line the regular time 
is one hour and twenty minutes, a special having 
made the run in forty-five minutes. 

The Rockford, Beloit & Jancsville railroad, op- 
erating lx?tween Rockford, Illinois, and Janesville, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Wisconsin, a distance of thirty-four miles, pass- 
ing- through Roscoe and Rockton, Illinois, and 
Beloit. \Msconsin, by a traffic arrangement, en- 
ters Rockford over the tracks of the Rockford & 
Interurban Railway compan}-. giving an hourly 
service to the above named points. 

The local service is very complete, a network 
of tracks intersecting the entire city and suburbs. 
Over one thousand cars pass the waiting station 
during the eighteen hours. The power used for 
interurban lines requires a 13,200-volt alternat- 
ing current, carried to the substations located at 
Winnebago, Pecatonica, Ridott and Cherry 
Valley, respectively, making them about seven 
miles apart. 

The advent of the interurban has increased the 
value of fami property in the vicinity of the 
right-of-way fully twenty per cent. Electric 
lines are projected and under way connecting va- 
rious cities and towns in this section with Rock- 
ford, and complete connection with Chicago will 
soon be realized, when Rockford will be one of 
the greatest centers of electric lines in the north- 
west. At the present time one can reach Chicago 
via electric roads, with a slight gap from Belvi- 
dere to Elgin, and a line is now being constructed 
between those cities. The prejudice existing a 
few years ago among nierchants in smaller towns 
against electric lines entering their territory has 
given way to a great enthusiasm in favor of the 
same. 

In addition to the passenger service the Rock- 
ford & Interurban Railway company has modern 
express and freight runs, and since its inaugura- 
tion, July 16. 1902, this department has been very 
successful. 

Harlem Park was purchased in 1898, and as a 
pleasure resort and Chautauqua grounds has 
proven a valuable adjunct to the interurban sys- 
tem. 

Substantial stations have been erected in all the 
small towns along the lines. These have com- 
fortable waiting rooms and a department for 
handling express business. In a separate part of 
the building are the electric transformers used in 
supplying power for the road. 

MEMORIAL HALL. 

Winnebago county began the agitation of a 
memorial hall for its soldier and sailor dead al- 
most a quarter of a century ago, but it was not 
until 1903 that a monument was dedicated. On 
June 3d of that year President Theodore Roose- 
velt unfurled the stars and stripes over the beau- 
tiful building on North Main street. The struc- 
ture is of Bedford stone. In the basement are 
kitchens and storage rooms : on the second floor 
the post rooms, memorial tablets and club rooms, 
while on the third floor is a large auditorium and 



balcony with a seating capacity of eight hundred. 

In 1885 a resolution was introduced at a meet- 
ing of the board of supen^isors, providing for an 
appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars for 
a memorial hall. There was some question about 
the legality of the appropriation, and the resolu- 
tion failed of passage. 

Again in 1898 the matter was taken up by the 
board. Attorney A. D. Early spoke before that 
body, and everything seemed bright for an appro- 
priation. But once again the plan failed because 
the state's attorney held that the board could not 
legally appropriate money fo.r this purpose. 

Repeated failures did not dampen the ardor of 
the friends of the memorial movement, and it was 
finally determined to appeal to the legislature for 
assistance. 

A. D. Early drew up a bill permitting the board 
of supervisors to appropriate the money for a 
memorial, after the matter had been passed on by 
the voters of the county at a general election. 

Hon. Henry Andrus was entrusted with the 
charge of the measure, and he succeeded in secur- 
ing its passage by both branches of the legisla- 
ture, and the governor affixed his signature there- 
to without delay. 

All that then remained to be done was the circu- 
lation of petitions to the supervisors for the sub- 
mission of the proposition to the voters at the 
November election of 1900. 

The members of Nevius post and the Woman's 
Relief Corps took charge of this feature and went 
to work with a will circulating the petitions. The 
requisite number of names were readilv secured, 
and the petition duly presented. 

The question went to the people, was heartily 
indorsed, and the last obstacle in the way of the 
desired memorial was removed. The vote of the 
county stood, 6,021 yeas, 2,757 nays. 

The board of supervisors went to work with a 
will. Bradley & Carpenter were given the con- 
tract to draw plans, and \Y. H. Cook was award- 
ed the contract for the construction of the build- 
ing. President Roosevelt's visit was made the 
occasion of great celebration. It is estimated 
that Rockford entertained twenty thousand visi- 
tors on the third day of June, and entertained 
them royally. The day was perfect, and immense 
crowds lined the sidewalks to see the nation's ex- 
ecutive. All-day exercises were held, and far into 
the night the campfires of Nevius post burned 
brightly. 

SPANISH WAR VETERANS. 

^^^^en the call for troops came to right the 
wrongs of Cuba and to punish Spain for her 
treachery and the destruction of the Maine, Win- 
nebago county responded with more than its quota 
of men. 



126 



PAST AND TRESFA'T OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Rockfonl tirsi licanl that actual liuslilitit-s had 
bcgiin on the afternoon of Tluirsdav, April 21, 
181J-. Prolonged whistles from the factories an- 
nounced the declaration of war. and all classes of 
]Ko])lc were instantly charged with the military 
sjjirit. 

President .McKinley issued a call for 100,000 
men. and congress made liberal apijropriations. 
without a dissenting vote in either house. The 
(|Uota of Illinois under this call was 6,439 "i^"''- 
Two da\ s later fompanies H and K of Rockford 
were on their way to Siiringfield. The towns 
along the way turned out to clieer them. At El- 
gin they were joined by Comi)any M. and in Chi- 
cago the Rochelle and \\'oo(lstock conijianies were 
added. .\t Joliet. Colonel P.ennitt and staff and 
tile company from that city were accessions. The 
regiinent arrived at Camp Tanner .\pril 27th. 
AJFter two weeks at Camp Tanner the boys left. 
Mav 14th, for Chattanooga. 

Rocktord was made more fully aware of the 
realitv of tlie war on the afternoon of May 27th. 
when a telegram came from Chattanooga an- 
nouncing the death of T'irst lieutenant C. E. .Al- 
mond. The remains arrived in Rockford on Me- 
morial day. and were buried with military honors. 
He was the first soldier from Winnebago county 
to die during this war. 

.\fter weeks of waiting, the Rockford boys re- 
ceived word to move from Camp Thomas in the 
latter part of Jid.v. and Sunday, July 24th, found 
them on their way to Newport News, where they 
took the transport for Porto Rico. Their record 
in the island campaign was one of which they 
have reason to be proud. 

One of the sad incidents of the war was the 
death of Lieutenant W. .\. Talcott. Jr.. which oc- 
curred at Watch Hill, Rhode Island, .\ugnst ^i.st, 
as the result of illness contracted in the service. 
He enlisted with the Seventy-first New York 
\'olunteers, and was jiromoted for bravery. Mr. 
Talcott had recently been admitted to the bar. and 
a bright future was apparently before him. 

.Another Winnebago boy who went to war and 
death was Harry Potter. He was a member of 
Company H. 

A few davs later came word of the death of 
Corporal Lillic. A comrade at the time said : 
"He was a good soldier and never shirked his 
duty." 

.Another Rockford soldier who died from dis- 
ease instead of bullets was Private Renus Nelson, 
who was a memlx-r of the First Wisconsin Regi- 
ment. He died from fever at the citv hos])ital. 

.After the hostilities had ceased, the Rockford 
sokliers were kept on the island for several weeks, 
and finally sailed for home October i6th. 

The Third Regiment reached Rockford on its 
return Friday, Novemlx'r nth. The return was 
a great event in the history of Rockford. It was 



estimated that twenty thousand persons stood in 
the cold around the Illinois Central depot and 
watched the trains bearing the soldiers. It was 
10 o'clock before they arrived. There was a big 
clis])lay of fireworks and a deafening discharge of 
artillery in welcome to the men. 

.\ few days later there was a i)ageant of peace. 
.V banquet was served the returned soldiers, and 
there was an immense parade. It was a night of 
red fire and patriotism. 

A sad touch was given the general atmosphere 
of rejoicing by the news of Jeremiah Ilooley's 
death in Chicago. 

A few days later the Rockford boys received 
their discharges and had settled down to the pur- 
suits of peace. 

The following is a list of the members of Com- 
panies H and K : 

rOMP.\NV II. 

Captain — \\'illiam H. P.rogunier. 

Finst Lieutenant — Charles E. .Almond. 

Second Lieutenant — William H. Sarver. 

First Sergeant — George Searle. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant — Harry E. Brogunier. 

Sergeants — .Axel L. Hulten. Herbert L. P>ack- 
us. Fred L. Auchter, Harry T. Potter. 

Corporals — Peter Lindberg. l-'rank E. Osljorn, 
Fritz Johnson. Ed C. Johnson, W. C. King. .An- 
ton Johnson, C. Rov Speake. Fred W. Farmiloe, 
John W. Pctrie, Henry Sanders, George H. 
riaker. Gihnore Grant. 

Musicians — William II. Stuckev, Stillman 
\'alley : Louis W. Miles. 

.Artificer — George H. Allen. 

Wagoner — Charles E. Richardson. 

Privates — Charles E. .Adamson, Roy .Archer, 
.August L. .Vpplegren. Leon M. Baldwin. Streat- 
or : James L. Basford. Frank B. Basford, Clar- 
ence C. Bover, Richar<l Boyer, Joseph Boyer, 
George L. Baxter, Louis M. Barker, Isaac W, 
Breckcnridge, London, Pa.: Swan Carlson, 
Giarles E. Carlson. .Arthur P>. Carr, Sullivan L. 
Clark, Joseph Caldwell, James Coyne. Edward E. 
Cowles, Edgar E. Campbell. Henry J. Dillon, 
Charles J. Dillon, II. J. Dickerman, Hiram R, 
Drake, Fort .Atkin.son, W'isconsin ; John Garry, 
John J. Hooley, Joseph .A. Hunter, Edward 
Houseman, Fred Johnson, Ix>uis W. Jones, John 
R. Tohnson. David F. King. .Andrew T. Lawler, 
.Mbert E. I^imb. John W.' Lindell. P.ert J. Lin- 
dell. Richard H. Limigberg. Otto Lundin. Frank 
E. Mahon. Peter J. McGrath. William F. Mur- 
phv, Richard Noreen, O.scar G. Olson, .Albert 
O'Garr. Harry E. Osgood, Frank G. Parker, 
lames W. Paxton. Rudolph L. Peterson, Rudolph 
.\. Perterson, Charles Sederstrom, Charles Sea- 
lander, Gustav Schmidtz. George H. Shepard, 
Tohn .'"^inilh. John ,\. Tavlor, I^wrence Taylor, 



PAST AXD IT-JESEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



127 



Edward Ta}-lor, Eugene Tunison. Emil \'an 
Holsbeke, Frank H. Welch. Abe L. YingHng. 
Recruits — Gustave G. Boetcher, Milwaukee : 
Mark M. Butler, Belvidere ; Joseph Bath, Thomas 
Blachford. Belvidere ; Arthur R. Davis. Joliet ; 
Albert L. Ferree, Coldwatcr, ^lich. ; Richard 
Flynn. Belvidere ; Josepn Flannerv. Belvidere ; 
Louis Gastman, Jerry F. Holey. Robert A. Hunt- 
er. Clarence Hunieston. Henry S. Hensel, Oscar 
A. Jackson. William S. Lawman. Belvidere: John 
J. AIcGrath. Andrew F. Alaloney, Belvidere ; 
Oron McConel. William Outcalt. Yerman Out- 
calt. Edward C. Osmus, Roy M. Phelps, Belvi- 
dere : John ^^'. Roderick, Belvidere ; Edward ^^^ 
Roderick, Belvidere ; John E. Randolph, Garden 
Prairie: Henry Schmitz, Peoria; Fred B. Stock- 
well. 

COMPANY K. 

Captain — Edwin E. Leonard. 

First Lieutenant — James A. Ruggles. 

Second Lieutenant — Ernest L. Hess. 

First Sergeant — Lee Lemaire. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant — Eric Swcnbcig. 

Sergeants — Edward A. Ouinn. Frank ?il, Hull. 
Frank Smith, ^^'ill AlcDermaid. 

Corporals — \\'alter 1!. Tavlor. Eric Kjellgren, 
Walter Wall, Samuel C. Hull Fred J. Corey'." Lu- 
man P.. Lillie. William M. Banner, Fred H. 
Wlieeler. George A. Trumbo, Will J. Barbour, 
John B. Chaney. 

Musicians — Charles E. Frank. Knutt O. Juh- 
Hn. 

Artificer — Richard Anderson. 

Privates — Charles E. Anderson, Fred C. Bar- 
bour. Charles G. Bowman. Joseph H. Bryden. 
Thatcher B. Bean. Frank Betts. Williams Buske. 
Oscar X. Danielson. Bert Dundon, Richard Al. 
Eylward, Edward H. Engqnist, Emil Flood. Wil- 
got Flood. Fred Fellows. Joseph Frost, Gust T. 
Gustafson. Robert K. Gustafson. Charles G. Gns- 
tafson. Harold R. Gaston. James H. Galloway, 
Charles O. Harper. Lycurgus A. Hall, Joseph B, 
Hoffman, Clinton S. Holmes, Benjamin A. Hun- 
ter. John Hagenson, Harrv Hunter. Jason B. Is- 
bell. Eric S. Johnson. Louis H. Johnson, Frank 
A. Jordan, Chicago : Elmer R. Johnson. Axel 
Kjellgren. Paul R. Klentz, \'ictor Liliydahl, Paul 
C. Loveland, Peter A. Larson, Robert S. Lane, 
^^'illianl H. Mcintosh, Israel X^. ^^futimer, George 
Matthews, Harry Nelson, Fred R. Olson. \Tctor 
C. Olson, Henry Odenahl, Ed Ostness, Edwin 
Oberg, Floyd Osmus, George Pitney, Harry M. 
Putnam, Harry A. Parson, Frank R. Ridgley, 
Matthew Ryan, Wilbur P. Raymond. Charles F. 
Strong. Linus Selin. Bruce W. Savage. Grant 
Shields, Otto Stohlgren. Carl R. Savage, Charles 
A. Thorne. George Whitmore. Recruits — Lewis 
Ahlberg, Belvidere; Charles G. Barnes, Byron; 
Frank Blank, Belvidere ; John F. Clayton, Belvi- 



dere ; Louis J. Caswell, Claus Ekstedt, Cherry 
\'nllrv : Wdiinm Fallon, Evert J. Garlock, Byron ; 
Israel J. Ferris, Robert B. Hart, Byron ; Charles 
E. Gooman, Guy Holland. Herman Huffman. 
Adolph Johnson, John E, Jones, Ernest Kilgore, 
Byron ; Otto Koch, Belvidere ; Henry C, Lane, 
Byron ; George Monroe, Belvidere ; Martin F. 
Xally, Byron : Clarence C. X'elson. George Patter- 
son, Steven Powell. Joseph H. L^nderwood. By- 
ron ; Frans A. Titus, Clarence G. Tetlow, Belvi- 
dere ; Ernest D. Wallace. 

Other Rockford boys who enlisted for the 
Spanish- American war were : 

Third Illinois Regiment — Companv A : Charles 
R. Gipe, Axel L. Kjellgren. 

Company D : Howard C. Carpenter. James 
McConnell. 

Company F : Selwyn L. Clark, Charles Jen- 
kins, Charles Sederstorm. 

Company G: Richard Anderson, Rav T. 
Barnes, Robert S. Farrar. 

Company M : Frank W. Adams. Ernest V. 
Johnson. William J. Myers. C. A. George Sahlin. 

Sixth Regiment, Infantry — Companv L: John 
M. Keefe. 

Seventh Regiment. Infantry — Companv L: 
Guy L. Harvey. 

Company M : Dennis Owens. 

Eighth Regiment. Infantry — Harry S. Mc- 
Card. 

Third Neljraska. Infantry — W^arren H. Rav. 

First L'. S. Engineers — Comjjany F : ^^^ D. 
Kewish. 

First IJ. S. \'ol. Infantrv — Company B : P. 
^^■. Doolittle. 

Fortieth Wisconsin Infantrv — Companv B ; 
William H. Fitch. 

First Regiment. Fifth Wisconsin Artillery — 
Josiah C. Forbes. 

Third Alissouri Cavalrv — Company G; George 
H. Forbes. 

Second U. S. \'. Engineers. Second Battalion — 
C. Kingley Ray. 

Fifty-first Iowa Infantry — Company B : El- 
mer G. Stockberger. 

Arthur E. Fisher went to the front with the 
Third Regiment as lieutenant-colonel. In 1899 
he was elected colonel of the Third Re.giment, 
and served the full term of five years. He was 
re-elected in 1904. and resigned in the spring of 
1905. after having rendered nineteen years of 
military service to the state. 

INSTITUTIONS OF PHILANTHROPY. 

ROCKFORD HCSPITALS. 

During the year 1883 the subject of organizing 
a hospital for the city of Rockford became an 
object of much interest, both to the medical pro- 



128 



PAST AXD TRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



fession and to the comiminity at large, .\inoiig 
the physicians especially interested in the move- 
ment were the late T. (i. Vincent, W. 
H. Fitch and F. H. Kimhall. The sub- 
ject elicited much attention at the meet- 
ings of the medical society of the coun- 
ty, and in the autumn of 1883 resulted in the ap- 
pointment of a committee to secure a corporate 
e.xistcnce under the laws of the state. The com- 
mittee so appointed made application and received 
from the secretary of state a certificate of organ- 
ization, under date of December 15, 1883. The 
incorporators were Drs. A. E. Goodwin, Silas A. 
Austin. Frank H. Kimball, Frank K. Hill. Lem- 
uel Tibbcts. Thomas G. Vincent. 

It was the desire of the promoters to secure the 
co-operation of the churches, and the selection of 
trustees was made with this end in view. The 
original board consisted of the following citizens: 
William A. Talcott, William Lathrop, Norman 
C. Thompson, William Brown, Jeremiah Davis, 
H. W. Carpenter. John Z. Rydberg, Thour 
Munthe, R. P. Lane. R. F. Whipple. Thomas 
Butterworth. Frances I. Price, ;\Iary H. Penfield, 
Jane G. Wilkins, Adeline E. Emerson. 

Upon the completion of the organization the 
physicians, by choice, were no longer officially 
identified with the hospital association. A num- 
ber of the original board have been called by 
death, and in several instances their sons have 
been chosen to succeed them. 

.At a meeting held January 29, 1884, a tempo- 
rary organization was effected by the election of 
William Brown as chairman and William .\. Tal- 
cott as secretary of the board of trustees. .Vt a 
meeting held April 8, 1884, a constitution and 
by-laws were adopted. A permanent organiza- 
tion was effected by the election of the following 
officers : President, William Brown ; vice-presi- 
dent, Mrs. Jane G. Wilkins ; secretary and treas- 
urer. William A. Talcott. 

Shares were placed at $10 each, and were taken 
by a large number of the citizens. Selden M. 
Cliurch took thirty shares : Dr. Fitch, thirty 
shares; Dr. R. P. Lane, fifty .shares; Emerson, 
Talcott & Co., fifty shares ; Thomas D. Robertson, 
fifty shares ; Horatio Stone, fifty shares. 

June 21, 1884, the board of trustees met to con- 
sider the question of the selection and purchase 
of suitable hospital grounds. At this meeting 
several propositions for location were canvassed, 
.^niong these was the proposition of Dr. W. H. 
Fitch for the sale to the association of his prop- 
erty, consisting of a plat of about 125 feet front- 
age on South Court street by 156 feet deep, and 
having a south and east exposure, at the price of 
$6,800 — $300 payable in certificates of member- 
ship. The trustees, as a body, examined the prop- 
erty, and thereafter passed the following resolu- 
tion, viz. : 



"Resolved. That we deem it wise that the asso- 
ciation shall at once take necessary steps to pro- 
cure hospital grounds." 

The following resolution was unanimously 
adopted : 

"Resolved, That the president and secretary be 
and hereby are authorized to accept the proposi- 
tion of Dr. W. H. Fitch for the sale of his proper- 
ty of 125 front on Court street. West Rockford, 
for the use of the association, and make the nec- 
essary papers therefor, unless more favorable 
terms can be obtained." 

By subsequent arrangement with Dr. Fitch, the 
association purchased the property, paying there- 
for $6,200 cash and $300 in certificates of mem- 
bership. The property was fully paid for, and 
the deed made and delivered on July i. 1885, at 
which time the association received possession. 

When the property was paid for and the title 
obtained, the association immediately proceeded 
to make such repairs and changes as were re- 
quired to adapt the building, as far as practicable, 
to hospital uses. The hospital opened October i, 
1885. Dr. S. A. Austin and Dr. F. H. Kimball 
were the first attending physician and surgeon, 
respectively. Drs. R. P. Lane and D. S. Clark 
were the first consulting ])hysicians. and Drs. W. 
II. Fitch and Henry Richings the first consulting 
.surgeons. The first patient was received Octo- 
ber loth. 

Mrs. Martha J. Smith, more familiarly known 
as ".'Vunt Jane," was the first matron. She as- 
sumed this responsibility October i, 1885, and 
faithfully administered its duties nearly fifteen 
years, until .\pril, 1900. Miss Lizzie C. Glenn 
was appointed matron March 28, igoo. She re- 
signed April 6, 1901. and Miss Flora B. Patch 
(now Mrs. A. D. Early) was appointed. Miss 
Patch resigned November i, 1902. and Miss Alma 
M. Barter received the aiapointment. which posi- 
tion she now holds. Miss Loring is assistant. 

Hospital Sunday was established in the 
churches October 10. 1885, by a resolution of the 
hospital trustees, which has since been maintained 
with a very liberal spirit. 

In 1888 steps were taken to provide a perma- 
nent fund for the maintenance of the hospital. 
The ammmt of this finul in round numbers is 
about fifty thousand dollars. 

In 1887 a new hospital building was erected, 
fronting on Chestnut street. In 1901 Mrs. Ade- 
line E. Emerson, in memory of her deceased son, 
Ralph Emerson, Jr., contributed the funds for 
an addition to the hospital for an operating room 
and office. In 1904 a s)ilendid addition was erect- 
ed on the site of the first hospital building, at a 
cost of alxiut fifty thousand dollars. 

William Brown served as president from 1884 
to 1886. William Lathrop from 1886 to 1887. Ho- 
ratio Stone from 1887 to January 29, 1896. when 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



129 



his death occurred. Wilham Lathrop was elected 
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. 
Stone, which office he has since continuously held. 

W. A. Talcott served as secretary and treasurer 
of the hospital from its inception to the time of 
his death, which occurred in Palestine, December 
19, 1900. The success of the institution is in 
large measure due to his liberality and untiring 
effort. His son. Wait Talcott, was elected to the 
position so ably filled by his father, April 6, 1901, 
which position he now holds. 

The largest gift to the hospital fund was from 
the estate of Horatio Stone, which was $27,000; 
the next largest is from W. A. Talcott and fam- 
ily, $12,000, and A. D. Forbes and family, $10,- 
500. Several others have contributed from $2,400 
to $5,000. 

During the fiscal year ending April i, 1904, 
482 patients were received for treatment. 

The present board of trustees are John Barnes, 
H. H. Robinson, Mrs. E. P. Lathrop, Walter A. 
Forbes. P. A. Peterson, L. L. Morrison, William 
C. Butterworth, Wait Talcott, B. F. Whipple, 
Katherine M. Keeler. Frank R. Brown. Antes S. 
Ruhl, John H. Sherratt, William Lathrop, Kate 
F. O'Connor. 

ST. ANTHONY H0SPIT.\L. 

Although but six years old, St. .\nthony hos- 
pital has become one of the substantial institutions 
of our progressive city. 

Some seven or eight years ago about a half 
dozen physicians associated themselves together 
with the object in view of establishing a hospital 
for East Rockford — "A hospital," said one of the 
staff, "whose advantages might be enjoyed by any 
phvsician or surgeon entitled to practice his art 
in the state of Illinois." The maintenance of this 
liberal policy in the conduct of its aft'airs has been 
one of the most potent features in the success of 
the hospital. Early in its history the late William 
Crotty became interested in the project, and gave 
of his time, money and strength to raise means to 
purchase a site. 

The Sisters of St. Francis, whose headquarters 
are at Peoria, were invited to visit Rockford and 
select a location. They accepted the invitation 
and selected the present site at 1401 East State 
street. The purchasing price of this property was 
$12,000, one-half of which was furnished by the 
Sisters. Three thousand dollars was the personal 
contribution of physicians who are members of 
the staff. The remaining three thousand dollars 
necessary for the purchasing price was given by 
friends of Rockford and Winnebago county. 

The property, title and entire management of 
the hospital is vested in the Sisters' society — a 
plan desired even by those most intimately asso- 
ciated in its origin, as it made it possible for all 
9 



physicians to pursue their work there upon an 
even footing. 

The large brick residence which stood upon the 
property was fitted up by the Sisters, and in Au- 
gust, 1899, the hospital was opened for the re- 
ception of patients. The patronage given was so 
liberal that within two years accommodations 
could not be afforded all the patients seeking ad- 
mission. To provide for this, an addition was 
erected at the cost of $60,000. The corner-stone 
was laid May 22, 1902, and in March, 1903, the 
new building was formally opened. This im- 
provement enables the hospital to accommodate 
sixty patients. 

This order of Sisters maintains seven other 
hospitals in various cities of Illinois, Iowa and 
Michigan, and they must be accorded great praise 
for their tact, thrift and industry, which have 
made the success of these enterprises possible. On 
the other hand, the Sisters are keenly appreciative 
of the help and sympathy given their work from 
the city and county and from the many kind 
friends everywhere. 

St. Anthony hospital is thoroughly equipped 
for scientific work, and with its new building and 
beautiful, spacious grounds, is one of the most 
attractive spots in Rockford. 

The following physicians are members of the 
hospital staff : 

Attending surgeons, Drs, I. E. Allaben, P. L. 
:\Iarkley. Frank ""K. Hill. 

Consulting surgeons, Drs. J. ]\Iurphy. Weller 
Van Hook, T. J. Watkins, all of Chicago. 

Attending physicians, Drs. S. C. Andrus. A. J. 
]\Iarkley, Belvidere. 

Oculists, Drs. L. Tibbets, Grant Hatch. 

WINNEB.\GO COUNTY HOi[E FOR THE .AGED. 

For many years observant people had recog- 
nized the need of a comfortable home in which 
the aged poor could receive proper care. No 
existing organization fully met this demand. In 
recognition of this fact, and in response to a 
public call, a number of citizens of Rockford and 
vicinity convened at the Nelson House, July 7, 
1904, to discuss the project of establishing a home 
for the aged of Winnebago county. Among those 
present at this first meeting were Mesdames B. 
R. Waldo. Chandler Starr,*" M. B. St. John. M. 
R. Harned, J. M. Fraley. Hervey, of Dubuque : 
Misses Kate F. O'Connor, Ama Taylor, Rev. R. 
C. Brvant. Messrs. Charles Sabin, G. Nordstrom 
and B. R. Waldo. 

Mt. Nordstrom started a fund with a gift of 
$500. A temporary organization was effected, 
with Rev. R. C. Bryant as chairman and Miss 
Kate F. O'Connor secretary. A committee of 
five on constitution and by-laws was appointed by 
the chair. An adjourned session was held July 



I30 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



14th, at which time the conimittee on constitution 
and by-laws submitted its report, which, after 
a few sli.irht amenilnients, was adopted. Tlie fol- 
lowing names were subscribed, which form the 
cliarter membership of the association : G. Xord- 
strom, Charles Sabin, Ama Taylor, Kate F. 
O'Connor, Susan H. Rogers, P. M. Snvdcr, F. H. 
Rodman, B. R. Waldo, Mary M. Burchfield, Fan- 
nie B. Waldo. Stella R. Ricker. Annetta G. Mari- 
ner. Blanche Ellis Starr. Ellen M. St. John. Mrs. 
11. II. Robinson. Mrs. (ieorjje Manny. Mrs. M. 
H. Lane and Mrs. L. A. Weylnirn. 

Charles Sabin became a life member by sub- 
scribing' $100. A committee on nominations w-as 
ap])ointcd, which reported at an adjourned meet- 
ing, held Jiily 2 1 St. On that date a full board of 
managers were elected, as follows : For one year, 
.Mesdames Jeanette C. Robinson, Adeline E. 
Thom])son. .-Mice Shoults. Messrs. Charles F. 
Jackson, (J. Xordstrom. George W. Collins ; for 
two years. Mesdames .\niia R. Page, M. R. Har- 
ned. Kate F. O'Connor, Messrs. Robert C. Lind, 

D. B. Redington. A. S. T. Ogilby : for three years. 
Mesdames IJlanche Ellis Starr, May Brow-n 
Buckbee. Byron Graham, Fannie B. Waldo, H. 
Helena Weyburn, S. .A. Johnson. The following 
officers for the year were elected : H. Helena 
Weyburn. president: Mrs. Fannie Pi. Waldo, vice- 
president ; Kate F. O'Connor, secretary : Robert 
C. Lind. treasurer. The lioard was instructed to 
incorporate under the laws of Illinois. .\t a sub- 
sequent meeting rules for the matron and gov- 
ernment of the home and a set of a])i)lication 
blanks were adoi)ted. The officers were consti- 
tuted a conimittee to select a site. This commit- 
tee recommended the leasing of the Crawford 
homestead. 408 Xorth Horsman street, at a rental 
of $25 per month. This ])roposition met the ap- 
proval of the board, and the committee was in- 
structed to close negotiations for the same. Ma- 
ria G. Hobart w-as elected matron for one year 
from October i, 1904- 

The home was formally opened October 2. 
ir>04. It ])roved a veritable shower day. Furni- 
ture, provisions, clothing, checks and cash were 
received, and the tables were laden with gifts 
from the generous people of Rockford and vicin- 
ity. The home is now filled. There have been 
thirteen inmates, two of whom have died. These 
were Mrs. Caroline Wyman and Xancy Holdcn 
Brown. 

Through the efforts of Mrs. Chandler .Starr 
and Mrs. M. R. Harned, of the ways and means 
committee, the board of supervisors made an ap- 
propriatif)n of $500 for the home. 

Mrs. May Brown Buckbee and Mrs. .Xdeline 

E. Thompson have resigned from the board, and 
Mrs. E. P. Catlin and Miss .\nna Beattie have 
l)cen chosen to succee<! them. 



At a meeting held in July. 1905, the board 
voted to invest in a pemianent home. The pres- 
ent home known as the Crawford jiropcrty seemed 
most available and reasonable, and it was there- 
fore selected, at a consideration of $6,500. As 
the society had $5.cxx) on hand, a loan was nego- 
tiated at a bank for the balance, and the amount 
of the purchase price was paid in full. 

R0STI:K Ol" ROCK FORD MAYORS. 

Rockford was incorporated as a city in 1852. 
I'nder its original charter, the mayor was elected 
annually. 

Willard Wheeler was the first mayor of Rock- 
ford. He came from St. Thomas, L^pper Canada, 
in September, 1839. He was the second tinner in 
the town. Mr. \Vheeler was a brother of the late 
Solomon Wheeler. 

The second mayor was Hiram R. Maynard. 
Pie came to Rockf(jrd in 1837 with his brother- 
in-law. Benjamin Kilburn. Mr. Maynard con- 
ducted a general store in a one-story frame build- 
ing on the Masonic temple site. It was subse- 
quently used by the late C. A. Huntington as an 
academy. The Second Congregational church 
was organi7.cd in this building. A daughter of 
Mr. Ma\nard is a local .Salvation .Army worker. 

I'lysscs M. Warner was the third mayor, elect- 
ed in 1854. He carried on a general store on 
West State street with Hiram R. Maynard. and 
later was in business alone. Mr. Warner built 
the C. F. Henry block, and Warner's hall was the 
jiopular lecture and concert hall for many years. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson and other celebrities lec- 
tured there. H. S. and the late Charles F. 
Warner were sons. 

Edward \'aughn was elected in 1855, and 
served one term. He was in partnership with his 
brother-in-law. Charles F. Lewis, father of Fay, 
Harry \\'. and C. Herbert Lewis. They con- 
ducted a general store on the site of .Vrmstrong's 
clothing store. 

James L. Loop was elected in 1856. Especial 
mention has been made of Mr. Loop in another 
part of this history. Further reference is made 
to him in the article on The Bench and Bar. 

William Brown was elected in 1857. Mr. 
Brown is mentioned more fully in the article on 
The liench and Bar. 

.Seely Perry was elected in 1858. He was a 
prominent lumber merchant of Rockford for more 
than half a century. He was a native of Stock- 
bridge, Massachusetts, where he was bom in 1822. 
He was graduated from I'nion College and came 
to Rockford in 1851. Mr. PerrA- also ser\ed the 
city as alderman, member of the board of educa- 
tion and a director of the public library. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



131 



Charles Williams was elected in 1859, and 
served five years. He is known as the '"war 
mavor," and has the distinction of having been 
elected more consecutive terms than any other cit- 
izen who has held that office. He would have 
been chosen again, but positively declined. Mr. 
\\^illiams was a native of Massachusetts and came 
to Rockford in 1855. He died in 1876. Miss 
Elizabeth Williams is a daughter. 

Albert Fowler was elected in 1864, and served 
two years. He possessed a competence when he 
came to the city, and lived a retired life. He sub- 
sequentlv suffered some reverses. He was fath- 
er-in-law of E. H. Griggs, at one time editor of 
the Rockford Register. 

Edward H. Baker was elected in 1866. Fur- 
ther mention is made of him in the chapter on 
The Bench and Bar. 

Mr. Fowler was elected for a second term in 
1867, and Mr. Baker again succeeded Mr. Fow- 
ler in 1868. 

Sevniour G. Bronson was elected in 1869, and 
served four 3'ears. In 1872 Mr. Bronson was the 
democratic nominee for member of congress, and 
was defeated by General Stephen A. Hurlbut. of 
Belvidere. Mrs. Calista J. Smith, of Rockford, 
is a sister of Mr. Bronson. 

Gilbert Woodrufif was elected in 1873, and 
served two years. He came to Rockford in 1857, 
and soon after he purchased and platted a farm, 
which is now known as Woodruff's addition. He 
was therefore one of the real builders of Rock- 
ford. Mr. Woodrufif died in October, 1903. He 
was president of the Rockford National bank 
from its organization to his death, president of 
the Forest City Furniture company from 1875, 
and president of the Forest City Insurance com- 
pany from its organization in 1873. 

Robert H. Tinker was elected in 1875. He 
was born in Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, where 
his father. Rev. Reuben Tinker, was a mission- 
ary, sent out by the Presbyterian church. Mr. 
Tinker came to Rockford in 1856, ami built the 
Swiss cottage, the most picturesque home in the 
city. In 1870 he married the widow of John H. 
Manny. She died in 1901. In 1904 he married 
Mrs. Jessie Dorr Hurd. Mr. Tinker has been 
interested in various manufacturing enterprises 
on the water-power. 

Levi Rhoades was elected in 1876. Few citi- 
zens of Rockford have been identified with as 
many interests as Mr. Rhoades. He was a large 
stockholder in the Rockford paper mills, presi- 
dent of the Rockford W'atch company, and one 
of the original promoters of the old city railway. 
He also had investments in other enterprises. 

Duncan Ferguson was mayor from 1877 to 
1878. He was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, 
came to America in 1837. and settled in Rockford 
two years later. In 1862 he was appointed as- 



sessor of internal revenue, and retained this office 
eight years. He also held the positions of city 
engineer, assessor and county treasurer. 

William Watson was elected in 1878. He was 
the founder of the Rockford Insurance company 
and was its secretary up to the time of his death. 

Sylvester B. Wilkins succeeded Mr. Watson 
in 1879, and served two years. He is a native of 
New York, and came to Rockford in 1870. He 
was president of the Rockford bolt works, and 
later of the Wilkins Knitting company. 

Samuel P. Crawford was elected in 1881, and 
served two years. It was during his term that 
important steps were taken toward establishing a 
waterworks system. Upon the failure of the N. 
C. Thompson Manufacturing company, Mr, 
Crawford was appointed assignee, and adminis- 
tered the affairs very successfully. 

Alfred Taggart was elected in 1883, and served- 
four years. The distinctive feature of his admin- 
istration was the reorganization of the public 
schools of the city. The city council was a tie on 
the selection of a high school site, and it was Mr. 
Taggart's casting vote that decided the contro- 
versy in favor of the east side. 

H. C. Scovill has served the city in more im- 
portant official capacities than any other citizen. 
Mr. Scovill came to Rockford in 1865 and en- 
gaged in the lumber business. He was a member 
of the board of supervisors five years, and alder- 
man in the city council eight years, from 1878 to 
1886. In 1887 he was elected mayor, and served 
one term. In 1897 he was elected city clerk, and 
still holds the office. 

John H. Sherratt was chosen mayor in 1889, 
and served one term. He is a native of Winne- 
bago county. In 18(12 he enlisted as a private in 
the Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantrv, and was 
mustered out with the rank of captain. For manv 
years after the war he was associated with the 
Rockford Insurance company, and subsequently 
became secretary of the Forest City Insurance 
company. Mr. Sherratt succeeded the late A. C. 
Spafford as president of the Third National bank. 

Henry N. Starr was elected mayor in 189T, and 
served two years. Mayor Starr was the first to 
appoint ladies on the board of education and the 
public librarv board. Mr. .Starr was for some 
years proprietor of the old Holland House. 

Amasa Hutchins was elected in 1893. He was 
born in Guilford, Winnebago county, in 1843. 
He enlisted in the Union army and served through 
the Civil war. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of 
Winnebago county, and served six years. He has 
been engaged in the monument business, and is 
one of the owners of the steamer Illinois. 

Edward W. Brown has the honor of holding 
the office of mayor longer than any other one 
citizen. He was elected in 1895, and re-elected in 
1897 and 1899, serving six years. He was born 



13^ 



PAST AND l'Rr-:SEXT OF WINXEBAGO COUNTY. 



in Rockford in 1857, and is a son of the late 
Judge Brown, one of the early mayors. It is the 
only instance in Rockford history where father 
and son liavc held the office of mayor. In 1884 
Mr. Brown was appointed the first local agent of 
the Illinois L'cnlral Railroad company, which po- 
sition he still holds. In 1885 he was elected al- 
derman from the old Second ward, and served 
seven years. During his administration as mayor, 
many of the most notable public improvements 
were made. 

In 1901 .\masa Hutcliins was again elected 
mayor, and served one term. 

Charles E. Jackson is the last, as well as the 
voungest, mayor of Rockford. He was elected in 
1903. Mr. Jackson is a native of Boone county, 
born Xovcmber 30, 1867. In 1891 he established 
a wholesale portrait and frame business, which 
he has conducted most successfully, extending his 
sales into every state in the Union and into for- 
eign countries. Mayor Jackson's administration 
has been efficient, and meets the approval of the 
people. 

ROCKl'OKD U.\.\KS .\ND D.VXKERS. 

The first bank in Rockford was opened in 1848 
by the late Thomas D. Robertson and John A. 
Holland. Their place of business was a low frame 
building adjoining the European hotel site on 
West State street. In 1851 J. S. Coleman re- 
moved from New York to Rockford, and became 
a member of the firm, the name of which was 
changed to Robertson, Coleman & Co. Mr. Cole- 
man built the stone inansion on North Main street, 
now the home of Colonel William Nelson. The 
firm continued in business in its small quarters 
until 1855. when the present Winnebago National 
bank block was completed. Until the death of 
Mr. Holland in 1835, Melancthon Starr was ad- 
mitted to the firm, and after Mr. Coleman's death 
in 1864 the firm name was changed to Robertson 
& Starr, which continued until the organization 
of the Winnebago Nalion.il bank in 1865. 

In October. 1852, the Bank of Rockford was 
organized under the general banking law of the 
state. Charles I. Horsman was president and 
Charles C. Wilcox was cashier. .\ sworn state- 
ment of its condition on the first Monday in July, 
1853, reported a circulation of $49,995. The late 
Levi Moulthroj) began his business career as a 
clerk in this bank, when he was twelve years of 
age, and remained five years. The bank sus- 
pended in 1857. 

The banking house of SpafFord, Clark & Ellis 
was founded in November, 1854. The firm con- 
sisted of C. H. SpafFord. Dr. D. G. Clark and E. 
F. W. Ellis. Dr. Clark came to Rockford in 
1848. Two years later he went to California, 
and returned in 1853. Dr. Clark died October 
4, 1861. SpafFord, Clark & Ellis did business 
in the old stone building on the alley on the south 



side of State, between Main and Qiurch. This 
building has been torn down and replaced by a 
modern structure by Hon. E. B. Sumner. This 
bank went into liquidation, and Mr. Spafford is 
said to have paid its obligations in full. 

In 1854 was also established the banking house 
of Briggs. Spafford & Penfuld. in East Rock- 
ford, which became the Third National bank. 
The members of the firm were C. C. Briggs, A. C. 
Spafford and David Penfield. 

January , 1855, the banking firm of Dickerman, 
Wheeler & Co. began business on West State 
street. The firm consisted of W. A. Dickerman, 
Bucl G. Wheeler, G. .\. Sanford and R. P. Lane. 
This house became the Second National bank. 

Fuller & Tomkins began banking business in 
the W'orthington block. East Rockford, in 1853. 
The firm consisted of Allen C. and E. L. Fuller 
and Enos and N. C. Tomkins, all of Belvidere. 
The firm was later called E. L. Fuller & Co. 

E. H. Potter & Co. and Edward N. Kitchel 
were also in the banking business on the liast 
side. 

These banks complete the list for Rockford to 
1861. It was a day of unstable currency, when 
"wildcat" money was abundant, but worthless. 
This fact made banking a precarious business, as 
compared with the splendid system of today. 

Tlie private bank of N. C. Thompson was 
opened aliout i8fio in the Iniilding now occupied 
by the Manufacturers' National l)ank. It is said 
Mr. Thompson had $150,000 on deposit in Chi- 
cago banks at the time of the great fire in 1871. 
This bank closed its doors in 1884. 

The First National bank of Rockford began 
business June 15, 1864, with Alonzo Wood as 
president, and E. H. Griggs, cashier. It occupied 
the .second floor of the C. F. Hcnr\- block. Mr. 
Wood conducted a large general store, approach- 
ing the modern department store, and had the 
four stores now occupied by C. F. Henry and A. 
C. Deming. The First National was popularly 
called •A\^ood's bank." His son, W. W. Wood, 
succeeded to the management, with George Strat- 
ton as cashier. The bank and the store tumbled 
into a common ruin. The first currency issued in 
Rockford under the national banking law was put 
in circulation bv the First National bank, August 
5, 1864. 

The Second National bank was organized in 
1865 as the successor of the banking firm of Lane. 
.Sanford & Co. The principal stockholders were 
Dr. R. r. Lane. G. A. Sanford and \\'. .\. Dick- 
erman. In its prime it was the largest banking 
house in the city, but reverses came, and the in- 
stitution finally closed its doors. H. H. Waldo 
was appointed receiver. 

.\ bank started on Seventh street by John Bud- 
long in the early nineties completes the list of 
lionses which have |)asse<l out of business. This 
bank succumbed to the financial crash of 1893. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



133 



The Winnebago National bank is the oldest in 
the city, representing an unbroken line since 1848, 
when Robertson & Holland began business in a 
small and primitive way. The Winnebago opened 
its doors April 3. 1855, with T. D. Robertson, 
president ; Melancthon Starr, vice-president ; 
Spencer Rising, cashier. 

The Third National bank was organized in 
1864, to succeed the banking firm of Briggs, 
Spafford & Penfield. A. C. Spafford was presi- 
dent until his death in 1897. '^^- T. Wallis was 
the first cashier. His succesosrs have been L. A. 
Trowbridge and George C. Spafford. Captain 
John H. Sherratt succeeded .\. C. Spafiford as 
president. 

The People's bank was incorporated in 1869, 
under a special act of the general assembly of Illi- 
nois. The presidents have been N. E. Lyman, 
A. D. Forbes and Harry F. Forbes. The bank is 
capitalized at $125,000. 

The Rockford National bank began business in 
May, 1871. Gilbert Woodruff was president un- 
til his death in 1O03. Horace Brown is the 
present incumbent. The capital stock is $100,- 
000. 

The Manufacturers' National bank began busi- 
ness January 2, 1889. and its growth has been 
phenomenal. Its presidents have been Qiarles O. 
Upton. W. F. Barnes and Norman F. Thompson. 

The Forest City is the youngest bank in the 
city and opened its doors June 7, 1890. John D. 
Waterman has been president from the first, and 
Paul F. Schuster was its cashier fifteen years. 
The bank has a capital of $100,000. 

Three of these banks increased their capi- 
tal stock in 1904. The Winnebago now has a cap- 
ital stock of $250,000. The Manufacturers' in- 
creased from $125,000 to $200,000: while the 
Third National increased from $100,000 to 
$250,000. 

The total capitalization of the Rockford banks 
is now $1,025,000. 

NEWSP.APERS OF ROCKFORD. 

One of the greatest institutions in this day of 
great things is the daily newspaper. Its evolution 
has been most rapid. Even Horace Greeley, the 
Nestor of American journalism, if he were per- 
mitted to come back to earth, would be ill at ease 
in his old profession. The fast presses, printing 
many thousands an hour, the linotype and other 
inventions that work almost with the precision of 
the human mind, have produced results far beyond 
the wildest dreams of half a century ago. Jules 
Verne's fantastic stories are scarcely more won- 
derful. Indeed. \'erne was something of a pro- 
phet, for in other lines of progress some of his 
fancies have been realized in fact. 

The scope of the daily newspaper has become 
greatly enlarged. By the constantly increased use 



of illustrations, and the introduction of "fea- 
tures." the newspaper has encroached upon the 
domain of the magazine. The religious journal 
has also felt the growing prestige of the daily. As 
in ancient Rome, the Pantheon was dedicated to 
the worship of all the gods, so the newspaper of 
today meets the needs of all the people. Interur- 
ban lines of railway and the rural route have 
brought the morning and evening news to the 
door of the farmer. The special correspondent 
has traversed all parts of the globe, and is now 
sighing for other worlds to conquer. 

It was said in the olden time. "Despise not the 
day of small things." The story of the news- 
papers of Rockford. daily, weekly and monthly, 
is replete with interest, and will now be told in 
full. 

The first newspaper published in Winnebago 
county was the Rock River Express. Its publi- 
cation began in Rockford May 5. 1840, by B. J. 
Gray. In politics it was whig of the most radical 
type. In a village of perhaps three hundred in- 
habitants there was very little of a local nature 
that could be published. The primary purpose of 
the paper's existence seems to have been to pro- 
mote the election of William Henry Harrison to 
the presidency. Its ambition was satisfied, but 
after it had been published one year the press and 
]-irinting material were sold and removed from 
the village. A file of this paper, nearly complete, 
has been preserved in the public library. 

The Rockford Star was founded in the autumn 
of 1840, as a democratic paper. The printing ma- 
terial was owned by Daniel S. Haight, Daniel 
Howell and Adam Keith. The office was located 
on the southeast corner of IVIadison and Market 
streets, in the building erected by Mr. Haight for 
religious, court, and other purposes. This old 
building still shelters one of the craft, William G. 
Conick. on North First street. The editor. Phil- 
ander Knappen. was simply a tenant. J. H. 
Thurston was the "devil" in the office, a role 
which, according to his own statement, he was 
eminently qualified to fill. He also became quite 
an expert compositor. Air. Thurston subsequent- 
ly obtained employment on John Wentworth's 
paper, the Chicago Democrat, on the strength of 
a letter of Mr. Knappen. to the effect that he was 
a rapid compositor, could set a clean proof, and 
could sometimes make sense from Knappen's own 
manuscript. 

April 28, 1841. the editor of the Star was mar- 
ried to Miss Eliza Simons, of Harlem. Mr. 
Knappen sent a special invitation to "Long John" 
Wentworth. of Chicago. Mr. Wentworth had 
already started on one of his frequent trips to 
Rockford. and he expressed his congratulations 
by following the bride and groom all the evening 
with a tallow dip in his extended hand, which 
reached nearly to the ceiling. 



'34 



TAST A\'D PRESF.XT OF WIXXF.P.AGO COUXTV. 



Mr. Knappen had been in Rockford but a short 
time when the Driscoll tragedy occurred as a 
chmax to the career of the "bandits of the prairie" 
in northern Ilhnois. Mr. Knappen did not un- 
derstand tiie temper of the people : and his strongs 
denunciation of the summary execution (if the 
outlaws aroused intense indii^nation. Tlie citizens 
proposed to punish the editor. Soon after the 
issue of the paper, the office of the Star was en- 
tered in the nijjht and the type reduced to pi. 
When the editor beheld this "wreck of matter" 
he stirred the pi with a stove shovel, and mixed 
the fonts of type in every case in the office. Mr. 
KnajJiK'n turned over the subscri]nion list to Mr. 
Howell, of the Rockford House, wliere the office 
force boarded, and abandoned journalism in this 
una])preciative villajje. Mr. Howell did not real- 
ize anything: from the assets placed in his hands. 
Thirty years later Mr. Thurston divul.sjcd the 
fact that D. S. Haigflit. Charles Latimer and 
Adam Keith were the i)eri)etrators of the mis- 
chief. The democratic huninary had been side- 
tracked in its orbit. 

The Rockford Pilot be.cjan its brief career July 
22, 1841. Mr. Thurston .says he helped distril)ute 
the Star pi, and with this material assisted in is- 
suing the first four numbers of its successor. The 
Pilot was published as a democratic paper until 
October, 1842. It could no longer steer clear of 
the rocks. The editor. John A. P>rown. had been 
defeated for representative ; the democrats had 
sustained a local defeat of their entire ticket, and 
on the 30th of October the last number of the 
Pilot was issued. 

The Better Covenant, a I'niversalist ])apor. was 
printed at the Pilot office during a i)ortion of tliis 
period. Its editor was William Rounsevilie. 

Februan- 17. 1843. J. .\mbrose W^ight bc.gan 
the publication of the Winnebago Forum, a whig 
paper, with material which had been used in 
printing the Rockford Star. Mr. Wight was a 
graduate of Williams college, and first came to 
Winnebago county in 1836. He was a brother of 
Jaiues M. W'iglit. with whom he read law for a 
time. Mr. Wi.ght retired from the Forum .\u- 
gust 18. 1843. when he sold the jiaper to .\ustin 
^I. Colton. The terms were easv. Mr. Wight 
said: "He asked me my price. I told him if he 
would take it off my hands, we would be square." 
Mr. Colton was more. successful than anv of his 
])redecessors in the local newspai)er field, and his 
])lace in local history is that of the best known 
"country editor" of the old school. Mr. Colton 
continued the paper under the old name until the 
close of the first volume, in Fcbruarv, 1844, when 
it was rechristened the Rockford Forum. .After 
Mr. Colton had "written for glory and printed 
on trust" for ten years, he .sold the paper to E. 
W. niaisdell. Jr., who came to Rockford in the 
latter part of 1853. In January of 1854 the new 



proprietor changed the name of the Forum to 
the Reiniblican, and took his brother, Richard P. 
Blaisdell. into partncrshi]). The Republican was 
])ublished until 1862, when it was purchased by 
Klias C. Daugherty, and merged into the Rock- 
ford Re.gister, of which he was proprietor. 

In Se|)tember, 184S. Henry W. De Puy estab- 
lished the Rockford Free Press, as a Free Soil 
or Barnburner organ. It was published until 
February, 1850, when it was discontinued for 
want of patronage. 

The Rock River Democrat was founded in 
June. 1852. as a democratic paper, by Benjamin 
Holt. David T. Dickson afterward [nirchased 
an interest. In 1855 Rhenodyne A. Bird became 
Mr. Holt's successor. The paper was published 
by Dickson & Bird until May 1, 1864. It was 
then purchased by Isaiah S. Hyatt, who contin- 
ued its publication until June 12, 1865. when the 
plant was sold to the Register company. 

The Rockford Register was founded by E. C. 
Daugherty in l\-bruary, 1855. There were al- 
ready two weekly papers in the field, the Repub- 
lican and the Democrat. But Mr. Daugherty was 
confident there was always room at the top. In 
his prospectus Mr. Daugherty said he had "se- 
lected the flourishing and beautiful city of Rock- 
ford as his future home, believing the field ample 
for a new aspirant to ])ublic favor.' 

-Mr. Daugherty had in him the elements of the 
reformer, and he founded the Register as a strong" 
opi)onent of the extension of slavery. He made 
a declaration of his principles in the following 
paragraph of his prospectus : 

"In the present confused state of political ])ar- 
ties and issues we need not promise further as to 
the ])olitical course of the Register than that, 
while our sympathies are, as ever, with the cardi- 
nal doctrines and faith of the whig party, we shall 
also earnestly lend our humble efforts and influ- 
ence to check the aggressive encroachments of 
southern dictation and overthrow the monopoly of 
slave ])ower — endeavoring by all honorable means 
to advance the interests and sustain the true issues 
of freedom. We are not among those, however, 
who believe all the honesty and intelligence be- 
long to either of the great political parties, and 
shall be as free to commend a political o])]ionent 
when right as to condemn one of our faith when 
wrong — according the right of free opinion to 
all. We may also say lure, the Re.gister will be 
the organ of no cli(|ue or club, but will he inde- 
pendently its own exi>onent." 

Concerning the business side of the enterprise, 
the prospectus continued : 

"The paper will be styled the 'Rockford Regis- 
ter' and will be |)rinted weekly, upon new type 
and good quality of paper, seven columns to the 
page, at $1.50 per annum in advance, or $2,00 at 
the end of the vear. Citv subscribers, whose 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



135 



papers are delivered by the carrier, will be 
charged fifty cents additional." 

Commencing with a limited capital, and con- 
tending against strong opposition. Air. Daugh- 
erty lived to see both the original rival papers, 
and others, merged into the Register, which be- 
came a strong and intluential paper. The Regis- 
ter absorbed other papers representing an almost 
unbroken line since 1840. June i, 1859, Air. 
Daugherty began the publication of the Dailv 
Register ; but it was discontinued at the end of 
three months. In June, 1865, the Rock River 
Democrat was merged with the Register, which 
passed into the hands of a joint stock company. 
The impaired health of Mr. Daugherty compelled 
him to retire from active business life. I. S. 
Hyatt, who had at two previous periods been 
connected with the paper, as assistant editor, and 
later the proprietor of the Rock River Demo- 
crat, became, under the new management, the 
principal editor with E. H. Griggs as associate. 

By reason of breaks in the files, the record of 
changes in the management of the Register may 
not be absolutely complete. The possible 
omissions, however, do not cover more than one 
or two years. 

June 30, 1866, Air. Hyatt resigned his posi- 
tion as editor, and was succeeded by E. C. Daugh- 
erty, who retained the editorial charge of the 
pajjer until February 23, 1867, when the condi- 
tion of his health forced him to retire. Abraham 
E. and William E. Smith, former proprietors of 
the Indianapolis Gazette, became associated with 
E. H. Griggs in the management of the Register. 
These gentlemen retired June 29, 1867. Air. 
Griggs became editor and manager, with J. E. 
Fox as associate. This management continued 
until October 7, 1871, when the name of S. M. 
Daugherty, widow of the founder of the paper, 
appeared as proprietor. Tlie following week the 
Register announced that P. S. Alartin was busi- 
ness manager. 

January 6, 1873, Geo. E. Wright & Co. began 
the publication of the Daily Register. It was a 
morning paper, with no Sunday edition. Alarch 
13, 1873, Cliarles J. Woodbury & Co. assumed 
the management. Air. Woodbury was a half- 
brother of Rev. Frank P. Woodbury. D. D.. 
pastor of the Second Congregational church. Dr. 
Woodbury had the editorial instinct, and rendered 
some assistance in an editorial way. November 
8, 1873, the Register was changed from a morn- 
ing to an evening paper. But the time had not 
come for the success of such a venture, and on 
February 10, 1874, the daily was discontinued. 

Aoril 16, 1875, the names of N. D. \\'right and 
Al. CoUaton appear as members of the Register 
company. In January of the following year Mr. 
Wright was editor-in-chief. 

July 2-j. 1877. the Register was issued under 



the management of N. D. Wright and C. L. Mil- 
ler. The latter had come to Rockford from 
Rochelle, where he had been connected with a 
weekly paper, 

October i, 1877, the Rockford Daily Register 
was started upon a permanent basis by Messrs, 
Wright and Aliller, with E. C. Chandler as city 
editor. A few months later E. M. Botsford ac- 
cepted a reportorial position, and in 1881 he pur- 
chased an interest. \\'. P. Lamb subsequently be- 
came a third partner. 

The firm of Miller, Botsford & Co., continued 
in the management until January I, 1891, when 
Edgar E. Bartlett, W. L. Eaton and Eugene Mc- 
Sweeney, all of Kalamazoo, Alichigan, purchased 
the good will of the Daily Register and Daily 
Gazette, and consolidated them under the firm 
name of the Register-Gazette. 

In 1898 Mr. Bartlett purchased the interest of 
Air. AlcSweeney, and in 1901 he purchased Mr. 
Eaton's interest. In the autumn of that year Mr. 
Bartlett sold a part interest to Archibald S. 
Leckie, of Chicago, who became managing editor. 

Two years later, in October, 1903, Fred E. 
Sterling purchased Air. Leckie's interest, and be- 
came manager of the editorial department. 

The Rockford Wesleyan Seminary Reporter 
was begun as a monthly publication in October, 
1857. Only four numbers were issued. It was 
published by Rev. W. F. Stewart in the interest 
of the proposed Wesleyan seminary. 

The first number of the Cudgel was issued 
January 17, 1857. It bore this legend on its title- 
page: "Published somewhere, circulates every- 
where, edited nowhere." It was published semi- 
monthly, but only seven numbers were printed. 

Dr. George Haskell began the publication of 
the Spirit' Advocate April 15. 1854. It was an 
able propagandist of spiritualism. Twenty-three 
numbers were published when it was consolidated 
with the Orient, with headquarters at Waukegan. 
The last number of the Advocate appeared Alarch 
15. 1856. A complete file of this paper has been 
preserved in the Rockford public library. 

The Democratic Standard was founded October 
30, 1858, by Springsteen & Parks, as a democratic 
organ. After about a month, the Standard was 
published by Parks alone, until February 5, 1859, 
when David G. Croly became proprietor. On the 
1 8th of Alay following the proprietorship was 
changed to D. G. Croly & Co. The company was 
John H. Grove. On the suspension of the News 
April 30, i860, and the retirement of Mr. Croly 
the publication of the Standard was continued by 
John H. Grove and James S. Ticknor for a few 
months. The paper was then sold to James E. 
and Joseph H. Fox, who established the Daily 
News. It was a republican paper, and the first 
number was issued in December, i860. A few 
weeks later they began the publication of the 



136 



PAST A\n PRKSKN'T OF \VI\XF.P.\r,0 COUNTY. 



Weekly N'ews. which was continued until Sep- 
tember 21. 1861. The plant was then sold to E. 
C. Daugfherty, and its publication was discon- 
tinued. 

.\ii earlier pa])er, also called the Daily Xews. 
was established by David G. Croly, February 8, 
1859. The paper was neutral in politics. Its 
])nl)lication was continued until .\pril 30, i860, 
when it was suspended for want of patronaije. 

Mr. and Mrs. Croly won national re]>utation in 
journalism and letters after their departure from 
Rockford. Mr. Croly became city editor of the 
New York World and later was its managing 
editor. He was the author of biographies of 
Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Pdair, a History 
of Reconstruction and a Primer of Positivism. 
He died in 1889. 

The Crescent Age was founded in 1859. Its 
editors were Dr. George Haskell and H. P. Kim- 
ball. It was a .Spiritualist ])ublication. and lived 
only a short time. 

The Rock River Mirror was established Sep- 
tember 6, 1859, by Allen Gib.son. It was neutral 
in ]>olitics and was printed at the Register office. 
Later the name of X. C. Thompson appeared as 
associate editor, and still later the proprietors were 
-Allen Gibson and E. D. Marsh. 

The People's Press was established July 2~,. 
1865. by W. P. Furey, who published it until 
May. 1866. when a joint stock company was or- 
ganized, which continued its publication until 
September i, 1866, when it was suspended from 
lack of patronage. 

\\'ords for Jesus, a monthly religious ])ublica- 
tion, was started in October. 1867, by Thomas J. 
and Hugh Lamont. 

Leaves from Forest Hill, a monthly, was ]nil)- 
lishcd for some time during the school year, by 
the yoimg ladies of Rockford Seminary. 

The Rockford Gazette was founded November 
22, 1866, by I. S. Hyatt, as a small advertising 
sheet. It prospered to such an extent that in the 
following .'\pril it was greatly enlarged, .\pril 
25, 1867, the name of Benjamin I'oltz appeared 
as editor, .\ugust 29, 1867, the Gazette was 
issued with the names of Abraham F. and Wil- 
liam E. Smith as proprietors. This partnership 
continued for some years. In 1878 the publishers 
began a semi-weekly edition, and .\ugust 4, 1879, 
the Gazette was issued as a daily, and became 
valuable newspaper property. In 1882 Mr. 
Smith admitted Col. F. .\. Eastman, of Chicago, 
as a ])artner. This partnership was dissfilved the 
following year, and Mr. .Smith continued as sole 
])roprietor until January, i8(;i, when the iiajjcr 
was merged into the Register-Gazette. 

The Winnebago Chief was started X'ovcmber 
21, 1866, by J. P. Irvine as editor and proprietor. 
July 3, 1867, Hiram R. Enoch was admitted as 
a partner, and the name of the pajier was changed 



to the Winnebago County Chief. Mr. Irvine sub- 
.setjuently retired, and Mr. Enoch remained sole 
proprietor until December, 1882, when the journal 
jiassed into the hands of Foote & Kimball. In 
March, 1883, the paper was sold to D. Miller & 
Co., who published it three years. In March, 
1886, a Mr. Gardner, from the southern part of 
the state, purchased a half interest. This part- 
nershij) was dissolved, Mr. Gardner taking the 
jf)l) department, and D. Miller & Co. retaining 
the subscription list and business of the paper. 
In -Vugust. 1887, the journal was .sold to Hon. 
J. Stanley Browne, by whom its publication was 
continued until the good will and subscrijition list 
became the property of the Rockford Morning 
Star company. 

The Golden Censer was founded Alay i, 1868. 
by John Lcnile\'. It was an undenominational 
religious and family paper. It was first issued 
semi-monthly, and subse(|uently changed to a 
week!\. X'^ovember i, 1877, the pa]xT passed into 
the hands of a .stock company. The principal 
stockholders were O. R. Brouse. Rev. C. E. 
.Mandevillc, and X'. E. Lyman, who was then 
l)resident of the People's bank. The Censer, 
under this management, attained a circulation of 
eighteen thousand, the largest ever reached bv a 
Rockford ])aper. In time, however, the circu- 
lation was greatly reduced, until .August. 1896, 
when the Censer, with barely two thousand sub- 
scribers, was indefinitelv suspendcil. In March, 
i8(;7, the Calvert Brothers purchased the good 
will and material and resumed publication, with 
Charles A. Church as editor. The policy of the 
Censer was greatly changed, and an able corps 
of local contributors was secured. In less than 
one year the circulation advanced to six thousand. 
P>ut this number did not make the paper self- 
sustaining. In .April, 1898, Charles .\. Church 
became sole proprietor. June ist of the same 
year the good will of the paper was sold to the 
Ram's Horn of Chicago. 

The Christian ( lleaner. a monthly, was pub- 
lished at the Censer office for some years. It was 
made up of selections from the Censer, and con- 
tained very little original matter. The subscrip- 
tion list was absorbed by the Censer about i8(>i. 

The Rockford Daily Journal was started in 
.\ugust, 1870, by Lumley & Carpenter. It lived 
two days. 

.\ndrus' Illustrated Monthlv was founded in 
January, 1872, by D. A. K. and W. D. E. 
.\ndrus. It was discontinued in September. 1873. 

The Methodist Free Press was started by John 
Lemley in September, 1872, and was continued 
until January, 1875. 

\'ol. I, Xo. I, of the Curiosity Hunter was 
issued in September, 1872, as a monthly by D. A. 
K. .\ndrus. and was continued until July. 1874. 
In 1876 it was resumed at Belvidere. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



137 



Nowadays was launched by E. C. Chandler & 
Co., January i, 1874. Only one number was 
issued. 

The Rockford Sunday Herald was started May 
II, 1879, by E. C. Chandler. It was discontinued 
December 21, 1879. 

The People's Champion was launched by E, 
W. Blaisdell, September 29, 1880. Only five num- 
bers were issued. 

Our Home and Science Gossip was started by 
D. A. K. Andrus in March, 1881, and was con- 
tinued about two years. 

The Rockford Seminary Magazine was founded 
in January, 1873, with the name of Caroline A. 
Potter, class of 1855, as editor. The first num- 
ber contained forty pages. In later years the 
magazine was edited by the senior class. After 
the seminary was raised to the rank of a college, 
in 1 89 1 tlie name of the paper was changed to 
the Rockford Collegian. Its publication was dis- 
continued in 1895. 

One number of the Stamp News was issued in 
1873 by D. .'\. K. Andrus. 

The Rockford Industrial Times began a brief 
career in February, 1874, with W. F. Barrows as 
editor. A few months later the name was 
changed to the Hornet. The second volume be- 
gan with a second change in name, the Rockford 
Times. John R. Coursen and Fred Dayton were 
the proprietors. The issue of August 4, 1875, an- 
nounced that Mr. Coursen had sold his interest to 
Louis A. Manlove. There is a complete file of 
the Times in the public library for two years end- 
ing February 16, 1876. 

The first number of the Rockford Daily News 
was issued January 26, 1878, by D. A. K. Andrus. 
Geo. W. Sherer and F. O. Bennett. Sunday 
morning, June 3, 1878, the Daily News created 
a great sensation by publishing a harrowing story 
of a communist attack upon the government. 
When it was learned that the story had no founda- 
tion in fact. Mayor Watson ordered the office 
closed by the city marshal. After many changes 
the Daily News suspended publication in i )cto- 
ber, 1880. 

The Western Banner was established as a tem- 
perance paper in 1878, by J. E. Hampton. F. Wil- 
son and H. S. Wilbur. The paper was printed 
on a hand press in the office of the Rockford 
Journal. It died December 19, 1878. 

The Morning Herald was started June 11. 
1 88 1, bv Miller & Welch. It was published until 
October. 1882. 

The Rockford Furniture Journal was founded 
in 1888. A leading spirit in the agitation for a 
trade paper was the late Lyon P. Ross, who was 
then secretary of the Forest City furniture fac- 
tory. The Furniture Journal company was or- 
ganized, in which A. F. Judd and George W. 
Sherer were the principal stockholders. The 



Journal was published monthly nearly two years, 
when the subscription list and good will of the 
paper were sold to Abraham E. Smith. About 
1894 Mr. Smith sold an interest to P. D. Francis, 
and a year or two later, he sold his remaining 
interest to J. Newton Nind. Messrs. Francis and 
Nind continued its publication for some years in 
Rockford. In the meantime other trade papers 
were purchased and consolidated. The publica- 
tion office was removed to Chicago, and the Jour- 
nal, now a semi-monthly, is one of the most pros- 
perous trade papers in the west. 

The Monitor, a weekly publication in the in- 
terest of the prohibition party, issued its first 
number in May, 1885. It was published by the 
Prohibition company, with James Lamont as sec- 
retary and editor. In 1890 the Monitor was sold 
to James Lamont and Charles M. Whipple. Its 
publication was continued by the Monitor Pub- 
lishing company until July, 1897, when, owing to 
business troubles the Alonitor suspended. 

The Oiicago Lever was purchased in 1892 by 
the Monitor Publishing company and brought to 
Rockford. It was published each Thursday and 
was a national organ of the prohibition party. 
James Lamont was editor. In July, 1897, the 
Lever was sold to James Lamont and Liberty 
Walkup, who in February, 1899, sold it to DicKie 
& Woolley, and the office of publication was 
transferred to Chicago. In September, 1899, 't 
was merged with the New Voice of Chicago. 

The Rockford Morning Star is the first suc- 
cessful morning newspaper published in the city. 
Hon. J. Stanley Browne, the editor-in-chief, came 
to Rockford in 1887. He had served two terms 
as democratic member of the New York legis- 
lature from Otsego county, and for five years was 
secretar\- to Lieutenant Governor Dorscheimer, 
when Samuel J. Tilden was governor. Mr. 
Browne's first newspaper work in Rockford was 
in 1887, when he became editor and publisher 
of the Rockford Journal. In the following spring 
a stock company was organized for the publica- 
tion of the Morning Star, and March 20th the 
first number was issued. Many changes have 
been made in the business and reportorial staff, 
but, with a brief interim. Mr. Browne has been 
the managing editor from the first. 

The Farmer's Monthly was started by A. E. 
Smith, and sold to Messrs. Bartlett, Eaton and 
McSweeney, and was published by them for 
several years. 

In the spring of 1890 the Republican company 
was organized with a capital of $10,000, of which 
about $7,000 was paid in. The first board of 
directors was as follows : W. H. Worthington, 
H. H. Robinson, H. C. Scovill. W. G. Conick, 
H. O. Hilton, W. J. Johnson, Harry Marean, C. 
H. Godfrey, J. A. Johnson. The first number of 
the Republican was issued April 10, 1890, with H. 



>38 



PAST AXD PRF.SF.XT OF WIXXFliACO COl'XTV. 



O. Hilton as t-ilitor : Harry Marcan. business 
manager, and Will J. Jolinson. city editor. The 
Republican was a morning daily, witliout a .Sun- 
day edition. In politics tlic pajK-r was radical 
republican. In 1893 C. D. .Allyn. who bad been 
on the staff of the old Daily Ciaz.ette. purchased an 
interest, and the company issued an evening edi- 
tion. There were several changes in the business 
management. Mr. Marean being succeeded in turn 
bv Will I. Johnson. W. H. Worthington and C. 
D. .-Mlyn! In 18./) Charles L. .Miller. Harry M. 
Johnson and John E. Warfield jjurchased a con- 
trolling interest in the plant, ancl these gentlemen 
are still the owners of the paper. The name was 
changed to the Republic. 

The Sunday Mercury, started in December. 
1890. bv C. H. Seiders and Alex Majors, was a 
creditable weekly paper, but only a few numbers 
were iniblished. 

In 1892 Charles A. Church organized a stock 
com]5any. with a capital of $5,000, for the ])uhli- 
cation of the .Spectator. Abraham E. Smith was 
business manager, and the pajier was printed in 
the office of the Smith Publishing company. The 
first number was issued May 21, 1892. The 
Spectator was strictly a literary and family paper 
of sixteen pages, with an able corps of contribut- 
ors. .\mong the latter were the late Mrs. Eva 
T. Clark. Mrs. Marie T. Perry. Mrs. Caroline 
A. P. P.razee. Mrs. Mary L'rquhart T-ee. Mrs. 
H. M. Johnson. Hon. Gias. E. Fuller, of Relvi- 
dere, and the Rev. C. H. Moscrip. of Rockford. 
From a literary point of view, the Spectator was 
eminently successful, but the expense of maintain- 
ing it was far beyond the receipts that a new 
paper of its kind was able to command. .After 
one year the distinctive features of the Si)ectator 
were abandoned and the paper was issued as a 
daily. The first number appeared May 15. 1893. 
Tlic financial stringency which came so suddenly 
upon the country during the summer seriously 
embarrassed the princi|)al stockholders of the 
Smith Publishing company, which had absorbed 
the .Spectator com]>any. and in .August. i8(;3. the 
daily was su.spended. The following autumn the 
publication of the Spectator was resumed as a 
local weekly, and continued until the spring of 
1805. when the subscription list was sold to the 
Monitor company. 

The Weekly Recorder was started in Mav. 
189^). by Will J. Johnson. It kept up a spirited 
existence until October. 1899. when the paper was 
sold to H. O. Hilton, who issued a few numbers, 
and about Jaiuiary ist the paper was discontinued. 

The Owl has been published nearly everv vear 
since 1885 as the paper of the Rockford high 
.school. The editor, business manager and staff 
have been chosen each year from the senior class. 

The Rockford Review was issued in June. 1S91. 
by the Forest City Publishing company. It was 
later merged with the Furniture Journal. 



Winnebago County Schools was started by 
.^ui)t. C. J. Kinnie in 1886. and was continued for 
a short time. 

The .\gricultural West launched by Don. 
Xeedham in March. 1884. but was soon discon- 
tiiuied. 

\'ol. I. Xo. I. of the Rockford Labor Juurnal 
was issued July 9. 1898. It had a brief career. 

One number of the Constitution was issued 
.August 25, 1890. 

Journal of Practical Xursing was started in 
1888. It was edited by L. C. Brown. M. D. 

The Rockford .Air Brush was started in 1891, 
in the interest of the company of that name. 

The Cnion Printer made its first appearance 
.April 25, 1898. 

The People's Journal made its first appearance 
September 21. 1894. It was published by the 
Calvert I'rothers. 

The -Advocate was launched in December. 
18S4. by W. G. Dustin. in the interest of real 
estate. 

The Rockford Chief was pulilished for a time 
bv Mrs. E. Hertherington, beginning October 22, 
1892. 

The Riickfiird I'nion Record was .started Oc- 
tober 31. 1003. by John W. .Asjiegren. It is 
])ublishe(I in the interest of organized labor. 

The Forest City was published for a time in 
1S95-96 by Tomblin I'rothers. 

The Hammer, published by Dr. E. S. Tebbetts 
in the interest of socialism, has ceased to exist. 

The large Swedish population of Rockford has 
created a demand for a newspaper published in 
the language of the fatherland. Several attempts 
have been made to sujiply this need. 

Xva Sverige was started in March. 1872. by 
.A. \\'. Schalin. It lived but a short time. 

Rockford's AUehanda was established June 18, 
1884, bv Otto Pallin. The name was changed to 
Sveiiska Fria-Fressen. It was published by C. 
I""l)l)eser.. about four years. 

Jaiuiarv 4. 1889. Mr. Fbbesen launched another 
paper, the Posten. It was jjublished in the Crotty 
i)lock on East State street. Subsequently the 
jniblication oflice was removed to the I'nion 
block, on Kishwaukee street, where it has since 
been published. .Mr. Ebbesen was succeeded in 
turn bv C. J. Sjostrom. Fred Swenson. and Prof. 
C. .A. Wendell. The present editor is Mr. Linden. 

Joltomten. by C. Ebbesen. was ])ublished Satur- 
days, 1st, 8th, 15th and 22(\ of December. 1888. 

RockfonKs Harold was established by Magnus 
Larson. .Apriri2, 1902. One number was issued. 

Framtiden was first issued .April 13. 1892. by 
the I'ramtiden Publishing company. It was pub- 
lished three or four years. 

I"or.skaren was started September 4. 181)3, by 
E. I'iellander and F. Malmc|uist. 

Folkets Rost was issued by Charles Henry. 
March 18, 1895. Four numbers were published. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



139 



Framat was started l)v Swenson & Bjork, Sep- 
tember 15, 1903. 

The German population of Rockford has never 
been large, yet it has for many years supported 
a church and a newspaper. The Germania was 
founded as a four-page weekly by John Pingle in 
1885. The present proprietor is Herr Ferd 
Stedinger, who for many years has been in- 
stritctor in Gemian at the Rockford high school. 

The foregoing is believed to be the first com- 
plete story of Rockford newspapers ever pub- 
lished. The list might be continued by the men- 
tion of various monthly bulletins issued by the 
churches from time to time, the Y. M. C. A., the 
Business college, and similar organizations. While 
these performed a legitimate function in their 
way. they scarcely have a place in the chronicle 
of Rockford newspapers. 

The press of Rockford has not been the ex- 
clusive purveyor of local news. .Several news- 
papers have been started in the other towns of 
the comity. 

The Rockton Gazette was established at Rock- 
ton in 1857, by Funk & Phelps. j\Ir. Funk re- 
tired and the paper was continued about one year 
bv H. W. Pheljis. The office and fixtures were 
removed to Burlington, Wisconsin. 

The Pecatonica Independent was established in 
May, 1859, by J. E. Duncan. It was published 
about one year, when the office was removed to 
Darlington, Wisconsin. 

The Pecatonica News was started as a weekly 
newspaper December I. 1872. A\'. A. and Nate 
L. Colby were editors and proprietors. January 
I, 1881, W. A. Colby sold his interest to his 
brother, who continued its publication up to the 
time of his death, July 11, 1904. Gilbert F., a 
son of N. L. Colby, is now editor and manager 
for the estate. 

The Winnebago Reflector was established Feb- 
ruary II, 1887, published by the Winnebago C. 
L. S. C. C. F. Trittle is the present publisher. 

The Rockton Weekly Echo was established De- 
cember 15, 1887. L. H. Cook was editor and 
publisher. There was only one issue. 

The Cherry X'alley Courier was established 
in July. 1869, by Dr. L. Foote, editor and pub- 
lisher. It was published three months. 

The newspaper enterprises of Duraiid are as 
follows : 

Winnebago Countv Advertiser, established in 
1869 by 1\L G. Sheldon. 

Durand Argus, established December 29, 1883, 
by E. E. Pettingill. 

Durand Free Press, established Alarch 24. 
1888, by Johnson Potter. 

Durand Weekly Echo, established June 30, 
1887, by L. H. Cook, editor and publisher: thirty 
numbers issued. 

Durand Weekly Times, established February 



7, 1890, by E. E. Pettingill. publisher ; seven num- 
bers issued. 

Durand Record, established April 30, 1890, by 
John R. Bertsch. Discontinued August i. 1890. 

Durand Weekly Clipper, established April 17, 
1891, by E. I. Schoolcraft; still published by W, 
H. Tousley. 

ILLINOIS, IOWA & MINNESOTA RAILWAY. 

The Illinois, Iowa & Alinnesota Railway com- 
pany was incorporated under the laws of Illinois 
in December, 1902. The line was completed from 
Alomence to Rockford about October I, 1905. A 
line has been projected for 1906 from Peotone, 
Illinois, to Michigan City, Indiana, a distance of 
seventy-five miles ; from Rockford to Janesville, 
thirty miles ; and from Kirkland, Illinois, to 
Milwaukee, a distance of eighty miles. 

The mileage operated October i, 1905, was as 
follows : Rockford to Aurora, sixty-six miles ; 
Joliet to ]\Iomence, thirty-five miles. The com- 
pany has trackage rights over the E. J. & E., 
.Vurora to Joliet, twenty-four miles : total mileage, 
one hundred and twenty-five miles. The guage 
is four feet and eight and one-half inches. 
Seventy-pound street rails have been used in con- 
struction. 

The following is a statement of finances ; Oc- 
tober I, 1905, the capital stock, $5,000,000 in 
$100 shares had all been paid in. A mortgage has 
been executed to the Illinois Trust and Savings 
bank. Chicago, as trustee, securing an issue of 
$5,000,000 first mortgage, five per cent, forty-year 
gold $1,000 bonds, due March i, 1944, with 
interest maturing March ist and September ist 
at the office of the trustee. Of this amount 
$3,000,000 has already been issued. The bonds 
are limited in issue to $30,000 per mile of main 
track, and are secured by first mortgage on all 
lines constructed or to be constructed, now owned 
or hereafter to be acquired within the counties in 
Illinois named in its charter ; also any line or 
lines of railroad which may be constructed under 
any amendment of the charter, together with all 
branches and au.xiliary lines, all charters, fran- 
chises, etc., and all other property of the com- 
pany except telegraph and telephone lines. Of 
this amount it is provided that $4,000,000 may 
be issued at once under the terms of the deed of 
trust, the remaining $1,000,000 being reserved for 
the purpose of construction of additional lines. 
The entire issue of those bonds is subject to re- 
demption at $1.07 and accrued interest on an}^ 
first day of September or March after March i, 
1909, provided that notice of such intention to 
redeem be given at least six months before the 
date selected for such payment by publication at 
least once in each week for three months, be- 
ginning not less than six nor more than seven 



140 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



months before the day of redemption in one Chi- 
cago and one New York daily newspaper. 

The directors of the road are H. \V. Seaman. 
J. C. Duffin. W. F. McSwiney. Chicago; J. C. 
V'^an Riper. Edwards W'hitaker and S. W. 
Fordyce. of St. Louis. 

The road was christened the "Rnckford Route" 
in October, 1904, at which time the trademark 
was adopted. 

There was a rumor current at the time this 
manuscript was prepared for tlie press that the 
Chicago Great Western Railway comiiany would 
run through passenger trains over the new line 
of the I. I. & M.. between Chicago and Rockford 
througli Sycamore, via Wilkinson Crossing, five 
miles west of Sycamore. 

LATER ECCLESL\STICAL HISTORY. 

COURT STREET METHODISI. 

The Court Street Methodist church was or- 
ganized January' i. 1852. Its first house of 
worship on North Court street was dedicated in 
November. 1854. at a cost of $7,000. The first 
])astor was Rev. Chatfield. His successors have 
been Revs. W. F. Stewart. Luman .\. Sanford. 
Wm. P. Grav, James R. Goodrich, W'm. E. 
Daniels. T. B. Taylor. J. H. \'incent. V. V. Cleve- 
land. T. C. Clendenning. L. .Meredith. W. Aug. 
Smith. C. E. Mandevi'lle. T. P. Marsh. T. R. 
Strobridge. P. H. Swift. W. A. Philliiis. W. O. 
Shepard. Fred H. Sheets. Rfibert H. Pooley. and 
Frank D. Sheets. The present house of worship 
was dedicated in May. 1887. The site for the 
parsonage was purchased from the Horsman es- 
tate in 1884, and the house was completed in Oc- 
tober of the same vear. The total value of the 
church property is $65,000. The membership re- 
ported to the annual conference in October. 1904. 
was 957. 

ST. J.\MES CATHOLIC. 

Information concerning the early history of St. 
James Catholic church is very meager. Tlie 
records are said to have been destroyed in the 
Chicago fire of 1871. Mass was celebrated in 
the hoines of Catholic settlers in Rockford by 
priests located at New Dublin and Freeport pre- 
vious to 1850. Father Gueguen said mass and 
baptized children in 1840. The ])ermanent or- 
ganization dates from 1850. After ])urchasing 
lots Father Hampston was appointed priest of 
the parish in 1851, by P.ishop \'an de \'elle. He 
was the first resident pastor, and built the first 
church in 1852. Father Hampston died while in 
charge of the parish, and is buried under the 
l)resent church. The present St. James church 
was begun in 1866. and dedicated the following 
year under the pastf)rate of Rev. J. S. O'Neill. 
The pastors of St. James' church have been as 



follows : Revs. John Hampston, George Hamil- 
ton. William Lambert. J. Bulger, John P. Done- 
Ian. J. S. O'Neill. Joseph McMahoii. T. J. Butler, 
and James J. I'^laherty. Father Flaherty has been 
in charge of the parish twenty years, and is thus 
the oldest ])astor in the city in continuous service. 
He .started the parochial school in 1886. and in 
1891 com])leted the present brick structure at a 
cost of $17,000. The deanery was erected in 1878 
by Dean Butler and cost $8,000. St. James church 
has expended $68,000 in church property. The 
])resent membership is about 1.300. 

J-IUST I'KKSBYTERIAN. 

The Presbyterians of early Rockford worshiped 
with the Congregationalists for several years. 
.\ftcr holding services in various places the little 
company of Presbyterians was formally organized 
July 8. 1834. Rev. Hugh A. Brown was the 
first stated supply, and served until January i, 
1858. when Rev. John M. Paris was called. Rev. 
I'^aris' pastorate continued until (Jctober. 1862. 
His successors have been Revs. Faunt Leroy 
Senour. J. S. Grimes. .A. J. Leyenberger (now 
shortened to Berger). James Cruickshanks. J. K. 
Fowler. J. R. Sutherland. George Harkness. B. 
E. .S. Ely. The latter has now been upon the field 
eleven years. In September following the or- 
ganization, the congregation worshiped in the 
old I'nitarian church, on the northeast corner of 
Elm and C'hurch streets, and in 1855 the Uni- 
tarian ])ro])erty was purchased. The .society used 
it for a time on the old site, and then removed it 
to the northeast corner of State and Winnebago 
streets, where the church continued to worship 
until December 20. 1868, when it took possession 
of its ]irescnt house of worship. In 1904 the 
church purchased the projjcrty on the corner of 
North .Slain and North streets, owned by Dr. 
Rohr. and is now erecting a handsome house of 
worshij). which will probably be dedicated in 
February. 1906. The society also owns a par- 
sonage and upon the completion of the new 
church will have property worth $60,000. Its 
menihershii) in round numbers is 600. 

FrusT i.r L iii:uAN. 

The First Lutheran church was organized 
January 15. 1854, with seventy-seven communi- 
cants and thirty-two children. The first house 
of worshij) was built on the ct)rner of North First 
street and Lafayette avenue. The dedication oc- 
curred November 23, 1856, and the sermon was 
preached by Dr. Hasselquist. This building is 
still standing and forms a part of Mrs. J. Fried- 
man's double house. The first pastor was called 
in 1856, and his jiastorate continued until i860. 
In that vear the church withdrew from the synod 
of nortiiern Illinois and joined the Augiistana 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



141 



synod. The present church was built in 1883, at 
a cost of about $60,000. It is the largest 
auditorium in the city, with a seating capacity of 
2,500. The church owns Luther hall, a paro- 
chial school on Kishwaukee street, and another on 
Fourteenth avenue. It also owns a parsonage 
on South Third street. The pastors of the 
church have been Revs. Andreen, A. W. Dahl- 
sten, (;. Peters, L. A. Johnston, E. C. Jessup, as- 
sistant : Joel Haaf, J. F. Seedoff. In January, 
1904, the church celebrated the golden jubilee of 
its organization. The communicant membership 
is 1540, the largest of any Swedish Lutheran 
church in America. The total membership, in- 
cluding children, is 2,250. The church owns 
property to the value of $85,000. 

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERI.\N. 

Westminster Pre.sb\terian church was organ- 
ized January 3, 1856, with 22 members, many of 
whom had taken letters from the First Congre- 
gational church. It was first called the Second 
Presbyterian church, and the name was subse- 
quently changed to Westminster. Rev. Morrison 
Huggins was the first pastor, who served until 
1859. The first place of worship was the historic 
courthouse on North F'irst street. In the sum- 
mer of 1856 a ch?pel was completed on the 
ground now occupied by the lecture room. This 
chapel soon proved too small, and public worship 
was conducted in Metropolitan hall, pending the 
erection of the present church, which was dedicat- 
ed in 1858. The following have served the church 
as pastors or stated supplies : Revs. Morrison 
Huggins, L. H. Johnson, Charles Mattoon, 
ChaVles A. Williams" W. S. Curtis, J. H. Ritchie, 
T. S. Scott, S. L. Conde, W. M. Campbell, W. T. 
Wilcox, and John Henry Boose. The present 
pastor has been on the field three years, coming 
directly from McCormick seminary. The value 
of the church property is $25,000. Its member- 
ship is 325. A parsonage was erected in the sum- 
mer of 1905 on the lot adjoining the church on 
the north, at a cost of about $3,700. 

WINNEBAGO STREET METHODIST. 

Winnebago Street Methodist church had its 
origin in a Sunday-school, which was started 
May 20, 1856, and which held its sessions in a 
grove on the river bank. The church was or- 
ganized March 4, 1864, at the home of Israel 
Sovereign. The roll of members numbered 
twenty-eight. Ground was broken for a church 
August 8, 1864, and the corner-stone was laid 
August 24. The address was made by the Rev. 
Thomas M. Eddy, author of a work in two 
volumes, The Patriotism of Illinois. The cost 
of the church was $8,000, and was dedicated 
February 12, 1865, by Dr. Eddy. The parsonage 



was built in 1867, at a cost of $1,250. The fol- 
lowing named pastors have served the church: 
Revs. Robert Bentlev, Wm. D. Skelton, Henry L. 
Martin, John M. Caldwell, F. A. Reed, R. S. 
Cantine, Wm. S. Harrington, W. H. Smith, J. M. 
Clendenning, Wm. H. Haight, Henry Lea, J. W. 
Richards, F. F. Farmiloe, M. L. Norris, and F. 
I?. Hardin. A fine brick structure was erected in 

1904, and was dedicated Sunday, November 27th. 
The church has property worth $25,000. The 
membership is about 300. 

STATE STREET B.\PTIST. 

The State Street Baptist church was formally 
organized in the vestry of Westminster Presby- 
terian church, August 17, 1858. Three of the 
original members are now living in the city: Mrs. 
Jane Hazlett, Catherine Hazlet't, Mrs. J. P. Lar- 
gent. Rev. Edward C. Mitchell was called to the 
])astorate August 31st. The first organist was 
Prof. D. N. Hood. A chapel was erected at the 
juncture of Market, State and North Fifth streets, 
which is still standing. This chapel was dedicated 
February 2, i860. The organization was first 
called the Second Baptist church, but on the choice 
of a permanent location, the name was changed 
October 26, 1858, to the State Street Baptist 
church. The present house of worship was cledi- 
cated November 18, 1868. The cost was $34,000. 
Dr. Mitchell's successors in the pastorate have 
been : Revs. Spencer Holt, Henry C. Mabie, E. 
K. Chandler, A. R. Medbury, C. R. Lathrop, J. T. 
Burhoe, R. F. Y. Pierce, Langlev B. Sears, J. T. 
Burhoe, R. R. Perkins. Rev. J. T. Burhoe's first 
pastorate was the longest in the history of the 
church. It began in September, 1883, and closed 
in February, 1892. His second pastorate began 
in November, 1898. Rev. Burhoe died March 14, 

1905, and his funeral was the occasion of an 
unusual demonstration of sorrow which was felt 
by all classes of people. His two pastorates thus 
cover a little more than fourteen vears. In 
March a call was extended to Rev. Richard Roy 
Perkins, Ph., D., and he entered upon his full 
pastoral duties in July. The present membership 
is about 440. The value of its property is $29,000. 

SWEDISH METHODIST. 

The Swedish ^Methodist church was organized 
January 30, 1861, at the home of P. A. Peterson, 
on Charles street, with tw'elve members. The so- 
ciety purchased the old Westminster chapel for 
$600. and reinoved it to First avenue. The pres- 
ent brick edifice was erected in 1877, and was 
dedicated by Rev. C. E. Mandeville. The par- 
sonage was built in 1888. The following pastors 
have served the society : Revs. V. Whitting, 
Albert Erickson, Peter Newberg, August Wester- 
gren, Oscar Shorgren, Olof Qunderson, John 



142 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



Lind, A. Y. Wcsterpren, S. B. Newman, John 
Wcafjren, S. D. Sorleiiic, Herman Lindskog. N. 
i;. Xelson. J. M. Objerholm. A. Kahlin. A. Dahl- 
berg. M. Hess, O. F. Lindstrom, Richard Ceder- 
berg. X. M. I-iljerren. .^ . v. S >r..- 
son and P. M. Alfvin. The value of the church 
|)roperty is $12,500. There are 200 members in 
full connection besides jirobationers. P. A. Peter- 
son is the onlv charter member of the society now- 
living. He resides in the same house in which the 
church organized, and is over eighty years of age. 
The church is out of debt, and the Sunday-school 
has. a memlx^rship of about 250. 

CHURCH OF Tin; niUISTI.VN cxiox. 

The Giurch of the Christian L'nion had its 
origin in the exjiulsion of Dr. Kerr from the 
])astorate of the First liajjtist church. He had be- 
come a convert to a more liberal faith, and he and 
fortv-eight sym])athizers were obliged to seek 
other affiliations. In .Sq)teniber. 1870. a religious 
society was organized by the engagement of Rev. 
Dr. Kerr as jireacher, and the election of tem- 
porary executive and finance committees. Public 
preaching services were immediately begun in 
Brown's hall. On Sunday, October 9, the execu- 
tive committee presented a report which offered a 
plan of Christian fellowslii]). .\11 per.sons who 
desired to form a church upon this basis were 
requested to send in their nanios on the succeeding 
.^^abbatli. The church was formallv organizerl 
Wednesday, October 26, 1870. The meeting was 
held in Haskell's hall. Duncan Ferguson pre- 
sided, and James S. Ticknor was secretary. The 
executive committee again presented its basis of 
church fellowshij), which was read and unani- 
mously adojned. The names received in rei)ly 
to the public notice of October 9th were cnlled, 
and 104 i)ers(jns responded. Tiiese constituted the 
charter members of the church. 

It was resolved that "Those who have responded 
to the call of their names, as accepting the basis 
of Christian fellowship which has now been 
ado])ted, shall constitute tlie membership of the 
church, togi-ther with those not personally pres- 
ent, whose names have been received on their 
subscribing to this basis of fellowship." A i)lan 
was adoptefl for the order of the church. On 
motion of Melancthon .Starr, it was unanimously 
resolved to call Dr. Thomas Kerr, at a salarv of 
$2,000 a year. H. X. Starr was elected clerk of 
the church, and Dtmcan Ferguson, treasurer. The 
first board of trustees was composer! of David C 
Sears, William Peters, Seymour Bronson. J. F. 
Lander, and C. I. Horsman. Regular Sunday 
services were first held in Brown's hall. Upon 
the completion of the new courthouse, public 
worship was conducted for a time in the circtiit 
court room, and later in the opera house. After 



eighteen years of successful work the church de- 
cided to erect its own house of worship. The 
corner-stone was laid September 17, 1888. .Ad- 
dresses were made by Rev. Jenkin Lloyd Jones, 
Dr. H. W. Thomas and Dr. Kerr. Mrs. John H. 
Sherratt read an original poem. Congratulatory 
letters were sent by distinguished representatives 
of liberal Christianity. .\fter thirty years of 
faithful service Dr. Kerr tendered his resignation 
in the autumn of 1900. He continued as pastor 
emeritus until his death, January 3, 1904. Dr. 
Kerr was succeeded by Rev. Robert C. Bryant, 
who began his duties in the autumn of 1901. Mr. 
Bryant came to Rockford from Lisbon, Xew 
IIam])shire. He studied two years at L'nion The- 
ological Seminary, and one year at .\uburn Semi- 
nary, a Presbyterian school. The membership of 
the fhurcll is about 330. 

SWEDISH EV.\XGi:i.KAI- MI.SSIOX. 

The .Swedish Evangelical Mission society was 
organized June i, 1875. Its faith is that of the 
.Swedish Alission covenant and its form of gov- 
ernment is congregational. The church has a 
large brick stnicture, known as Mission taber- 
nacle, on Kishwaukee street, with a seating ca- 
pacity of 1, 100. There is a membership of about 
500. The Sunday school is the largest in W'in- 
nebago county, with over 700 members. The 
church owns property worth $12,500. The 
l)astors have l>een Revs. Palm(|uist Lindell. John 
C.ustafson, \\"enstrand, .\lfred Karlen, F. M. 
Johnson, who .served eleven years, S. W. Stmd- 
berg, who served seven years, and O. P. Peter- 
.son, who came in the spring of 1905. 

CENTE.XXI.M. METHODIST EPISCOP.\L. 

This society was formed by the union of the 
old First and Third street Methodist Episcopal 
churches on May 19, 1876, during the pastorate 
of Rev. Hooper Crews, a man of God whose 
memory is as ointment poured forth. The board 
of trustees elected Mav Kjth was Hon. William 
Brown, George Troxell. Clark Miller, Harmon B. 
.'^ol1er, John Budlong. Joseph Rodd, Thomas G. 
Lawler, Reuben Sovereign and John C. Cireg- 
ory. It was agreed that a new and suitable 
church building should be erected as soon as pos- 
sible, which task was consummated during the 
pastorate of Rev. G. R. \'aidiorne. This build- 
ing which now stands at South .'Second and Oak 
streets, was completed in 1883 and dedicated by 
Dr. Cnow Bishop") Fowler. .Sunday, September 
9, 1883. This church building occupies one of 
the most beautiful sites in the city and. together 
with the parsonage, is valued at $50,000. The 
pastors appointed to this churcli since its organiza- 
tion have been: 1877-78, Hooper Crews; 1878-81, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



143 



William A. Spencer: 1881-84, Garret R. \'an- 
horne ; 1884-87. William Aug. Smith; 1887-90, 
Martin E. Cady; 1890-91, Fred Porter and J. R. 
Hamilton; 1891-93, J. S. Bell; 1893-96, John N. 
Hall; 1896-1901, W. W. Painter; 1901-02. John 
Thompson; 1902-1905, Harlow \". Holt. Rev. 
F. W. Barniun was assigned by the conference of 
1905. The church membership now numbers 
620 people, with a Sunday school enrollment of 
450- 

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN {GER.\L\n). 

A German Lutheran congregation was or- 
ganized in the '70s by Rev. F. N. Richman, of 
Elgin, with the name of Emmanuel Lutheran. 
This church is now extinct. 

About 1882 dissensions arose and a number 
withdrew and organized the Evangelical Lutheran 
St. Paul's church, U. A. C, which means the 
Unaltered Augsburg Confession, as contained in 
the Book of Concord of 1580. Services were con- 
ducted by supplies until 1888. when Rev. L. Dorn 
was called. The present faithful pastor is Rev. 
Otto Qruner. He has been in charge since 1895, 
and the church is in a prosperous condition. There 
are about 450 members. The church is erecting 
a new house of worship on Horsman street. 

EPWORTH METHODIST. 

E]iworth ?\L E. church was organized as the 
Ninth Street church in the spring of 1876, by 
Rev. G. L. Wiley, who was then pastor of the 
First church. The society was designed to be a 
feeder for the First church, and began with 
fifteen charter members. The Swedish Methodist 
church building was purchased for $300, and re- 
moved to Ninth street, at a cost of $300. The 
first year the society was under the care of the 
First church. The second year the pastor was 
sent by conference, and since that time the church 
has maintained an independent existence. In 1891 
the old church was sold for $75, and a new edifice 
erected on the old site. The new church was 
later removed to its present location at the corner 
of Parmele street and Fourteenth avenue, and the 
name changed to Epworth church. The pastors 
have been Revs. G. L. Wilev. Joseph Odgers, W. 
A. Spencer. W. H. Barrett, A.'j. Brill. E."j. Rose, 
Joseph Warden, H. L. Martin. F. R. Hall. J. L. 
Gardner, J. W. Irish. J. L. Chase. Frank Milne. 
Charles Wentworth, C. F. Kleihauer. C. A. 
Briggs. The membership is about 75. 

ST. MAR\^S CATHOLIC. 

St. Mary's church was organized in 1885 by 
the Rev. E. A. Murphy, who subsequently re- 
moved to Chicago, and there died in September. 
1903. The parish wr.s originally a part of St. 



James' church. The corner-stone was laid in the 
summer of 1885, with an imposing ceremony, in 
which a large number of priests from Chicago 
officiated. Tlie following pastors have succeeded 
Rev. Murphy : Rev. M. E. McLaughlin, now de- 
ceased ; and Rev. P. A. ^IcMann. The follow- 
ing priests have served as assistants : Revs. John 
Dorsey, Green, A. Carr, Stephen Woulfe, S. P. 
Byrne, James A. Solon. John P. Harrington. Paul 
Burke. The church has a membership of about 
2.500, and the parish is one of the most important 
in the diocese. The church has property worth 
not less than $70,000. 

EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 

This church was organized as a Swedish con- 
gregation in the general synod July 20. 1882, 
with eighty-five members. A lot was purchased 
on the corner of Third avenue and Sixth street. 
The church was dedicated October 14. 1883. The 
general svnod pastors have been : C. Anderson, 
1882-84 ;'C. Hansen, 1884-88; C. Ross, 1888-90. 
The church withdrew from the general synod and 
entered Augustana synod in 1890. While yet a 
Swedish congregation it employed the following 
.\ugustana pastors: A. P. Fors, 1890-91: G. 
Juhlin, 1892-95. On the 22d of April, 1895. ^ 
bold step was taken ; the mother tongue was 
abandoned and the language of the land adopted. 
Those unable to understand the latter quietly 
withdrew and others soon began to take their 
places. As an English-speaking congregation it 
has emploved the following lavmen and pastors : 
Mr. Edwin Stenholm, 1895 ; Mr. C. A. W'endell, 
1895-97; Rev. Oscar Nelson, 1897-00: Rev. O. 
AI. Anderson. 1900-01 ; Rev. C. O. Solberg, 1901- 
03; Prof. C. J. Sodergren. 1903 (summer 
months) ; Rev. C. A. Wendell since January i, 
1904. The change of language has proven wise 
and timelv, and the work nas been highlv success- 
ful. 

GRACE M. E. 

Grace AI. E. church was organized in the 
autumn of 1891 to meet the needs of a growing 
population on the west side of Kent's creek. There 
were thirty-nine charter members. Sorne of 
these came from other churches, but the society 
was not an offshot from any other body. The 
church was organized under the administration 
of Presiding Elder Haight. The first pastor was 
Rev. Frank D. Sheets, who served five years. His 
successors have been Revs. Frank McNamer, J. 
B. Robinson, T. E. Ream. E. K. D. Hester, and 
T. R. Strobridge. 

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE. 

This church was organized several years ago, 
and has maintained regular services. Its present 



144 



I'AST AXU PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



place of meeting is Mendelssohn hall. A reading 
room is maintained in the Lathrop block, on 
North Church street. The membership is gaining 
steailily. 

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAU 

The African Methodist chnrch was the out- 
growth of a Sunday school held for some years 
in the First Congregational church. It was or- 
ganized in 1891, with only seven members. The 
chnrch owns property on the corner of Elm and 
W'iimebago streets, worth $6,000. The little 
society has been burdened for many years with a 
mortgage, which has been assumed, pro rata, by 
the stronger churches of the city. The church 
has been served by the following pastors : Revs. 
F. B. Jones. J. C. Anderson, Richmond Taylor, 
Lewis Dixon, Sandy McDowell. P. P. Taylor, 
S. B. Moore and C. H. Thomas. Mr. .Moore came 
upon the field in October, 1900, and has faith- 
fully labored for the u])lifting of his people. The 
church has a membership of forty-live. The con- 
gregation, however, is much larger. 

SWEDISH FREIC ClU'RCII. 

The Swedish Free church, on Fourth avenue, 
has a membership of 325, a gain of 100 per cent, 
in three years. The value of the church property 
is $6,000. Besides this a lot, worth $2,700 has 
been purchased on the corner of Fourth avenue 
and Sixth street, on which a cliurch is now in 
process of construction. 

TRIXnV I.UrillCRAX. 

The Trinity F.nglish l.utlieraii cluirch is one 
of the latest additions to the long list of Rock- 
ford churches. The society was organized by 
Rev. W. H. Manss. March 10, 1895, with forty 
members. Services were held in the Y. M. C. A. 
building and later in the brick building owned 
by the old Christian church. In 1898 the society 
purchased this property for $3,400. The growth 
of the membership was rapid and soon outgrew 
the edifice, which was torn down to make room 
for a more commodious structure. This house 
of worship was dedicated December 16, 1900. 
Rev. Manss was succeeded by Rev. H. M. Ban- 
ncn, to whom the church is indebted for its un- 
usual growth. He is an eloquent preacher and an 
indefatigable worker, and his magnetic person- 
alitv has been the inspiration of liis people. In 
the spring f)f 1804. while the pastor was in Pal- 
estine, the church i)urchased the Trowbridge 
homestead, on Lafayette aveiuie. for a ])arsonage. 
The church now has a membership of over 600. 

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN. 

The present Central Qiristian church is the 
result of an heroic effort to succeed an older so- 



ciety which had disbanded. It was organized 
.Xovember 20, 1898, with twenty-three members, 
after holding a scries of revival meetings. 

In 1899 Rev. D. R. Lucas, national chaplain of 
the G. A. R., was called to the pastorate and 
meetings were helil in Y. M. C. A. hall. In Au- 
gust, 1900, Rev. (). F. Jordan, the present pastor, 
began his labors. The society dedicated its first 
house of worshi]) .\pril 14, 1901. This was the 
property on South Church street originally owned 
by the old Unitarian Society, but which had 
])assed into other hands. The church has one 
liundrcd and sixty members. 

SWiailSII liAl'TI.ST. 

The .Swedish Baptist church owns a brick 
house of worship at the corner of Fourth avenue 
and Seventh street valued at $16,400. The church 
affiliates with the Rock River Baptist Associa- 
tion, and in June last reported a membership to 
that body of 254. 

ZION LUTHERAN. 

Zion Lutheran church is one of the largest and 
most prosperous Swedish churches in Rockford. 

It is located on Sixth street. 

S.\L\.\TloX .\RMV AXn VOLUNTEERS. 

The Salvation .\mi\- and the X'olunteers of 
.\merica have covered the local field with varying 
degrees of success for some years. 

YOUNG men's CHRISTIAN A.S.S0CIATI0N. 

The Young Men's Christian Association was 
first organized in 1858. .\ few men are still liv- 
nig in Rockford who were members of the early 
organization. This association held its meetings 
the first year in the different churches, but the 
second vear it rented commodious rooms in the 
Buxton building at the corner of Wyman and 
State street, now occupied by the street railway 
compan} as offices and transfer station. With 
the breaking out of the great Civil war it, like 
many others, was forced to suspend, the last 
meeting recorded being January 6, 1862. 

The present Y. M. C. A. was organized in 
1876. The call for the first meeting was signed 
bv W. H. Worthington, Charles E. Sheldon, T. 
G. Lawler. F. J. Leonard. H. H. West. S. J. 
Caswell. E. P." Thomas. G. L. Wiley. L. A. 
Trowbridge. C. L. \\^illiams and others. 

The first meeting was held .\pril 17th in the 
lecture room of the State-street Baptist church. 
It was called to order by L. .\. Trowbridge, who 
stated the object of the meeting. May i. 1876, 
the organization was completed, constitution 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



145 



adopted and officers elected, in Congregational 
hall, 319 West State street. E. P. Thomas was 
elected president ; L. A. Trowbridge, first vice- 
president ; W. H. Worthington, second vice-presi- 
dent; Charles E. Sheldon, secretary, and D. I. 
Waddell, treasurer. 

Rooms known as the "library rooms" in the 
old Ashton store building, corner of Main and 
State streets, were occupied by the association 
from 1876 to 1890. Reading and social rooms 
were maintained from the first. Religious meet- 
ings were held Sunday afternoons and Monday 
evenings, many conversions resulting. For a 
time meetings were held at noon each day. A 
gymnasium was started in 1885. Practical talks 
and lectures were maintained each winter; even- 
ing educational classes were a regular feature in 
the early '80s. A work for boys was started in 
1886. 

July 6, 1884, at the close of the Sunday meet- 
ing, a special meeting was held. Agitation for a 
building was begun and a fund of $921 was 
pledged to start the movement. W. H. Worth- 
ington took the initiative. 

In 1886 Mrs. D. S. Penfield gave impetus to 
the movement by a gift of a lot on East State 
street as a site. In October of the same year the 
State Y. M. C. A. convention was held here, the 
sessions being held in the Second Congregational 
church. This created great interest in the build- 
ing movement. 

On the 17th of October, 1886, a special meet- 
ing of a few leading business men was held at the 
residence of the late W. A. Talcott on North 
Main street, at which $5,000 was pledged toward 
the building fund. Henry W. Price and Mr. 
Talcott each pledged $1,000 to start it. They 
prepared subscription lists and launched the can- 
vass for $25,000. 

The fund steadily grew until in the autumn of 
1888 the association appointed a building com- 
mittee consisting of Prof. P. R. Walker, W. H. 
Worthington, P. R. Wood and H. H. Robinson, 
secured plans for the building and received bids 
for its erection. 

The corner-stone was laid April 18, 1889. The 
building was completed near the close of 1890 at 
a total expense of $42,000. The building con- 
tained adequate reception rooms, parlors, game 
rooms, gymnasium, offices, dining room and 
kitchen, social rooms, baths, auditorium and 
sleeping apartments. 

The first meeting in the new building was held 
by the board of directors December 30, 1889. E. 
M. Aiken was the first general secretary after the 
new building was occupied. B. F. Pierce and 

E. E. Lockwood were general secretaries and S. 

F. Weyburn and Prof. P. R. Walker were presi- 
dents during the building period. 

Ever since the erection of the building an all- 
10 



around work similar to that now carried on has 
been maintained. 

The following men have been presidents of the 
association during its history: E. P. Thomas, 
H. S. Tupper, G. D. Smith, O. R. Brouse, L. A. 
Trowbridge, W. H. Worthington, C. H. C. Bur- 
lingame, S. F. Weyburn, P. R. Walker, H. H. 
Robinson, William Pond, F. S. Regan and L. L. 
Morrison, Judge Morrison having been president 
since 1896. 

The general secretaries have been : J. G. John- 
son, 1879 to 1881 ; George S. Avery, 1881 to 
1883; B. F. True, 1883 to 1885; B. F. Pierce, 
1885 to 1889; E. E. Lockwood, 1889 to 1890; 
E. M. Aiken, 1890 to 1894 ; J. P. Bailey, 1894 to 
1895 ; T. H. Hansen, 1896 to 1898 ; E. L. Tuck- 
er, 1898 to 1900; A. W. Beckner, 1900 to date. 

The association has had two important be- 
quests ; one of $10,000 from Judge Benjamin R. 
Sheldon, and $500 from Giles R. Goss. 

Educationally, there are many features. The 
reading room, supplied with the best magazines, 
is in constant use. Two series of practical talks 
are maintained on Monday and Friday nights, 
the speakers being mostly local business and pro- 
fessional men. A night school is conducted, with 
an enrollment of 150 students; special classes in 
English for Swedes are very popular. Classes 
in chemistry, mechanical drawing, penmanship, 
arithmetic and other common branches are con- 
ducted. The Star Course has been a feature of 
the association during the past ten years. Many 
notable lecturers and musicians have been 
brought to the city by it, including such men and 
women as Gen. Lew Wallace, T. DeWitt Tal- 
mage, B. K. Bruce, Sam Jones, Lieut. Schwatka, 
Jahu DeWitt Miller, Hedley, Dr. Henson, George 
Kennan, R. H. Conwell, Jacob A. Riis, Katherine 
Ridgeway, Thomas Dixon. Jr. ; Frank Dixon, 
Bob Taylor, Senator Dolliver, Landis, Chicago 
SxTTiphony Orchestra, Brook's Band, Temple 
Quartet, Leland T. Powers, Mockridge, Banda 
Rossa, George Hamlin, Ernest Gamble, Benfey, 
Susanne Adams and Campanari. 

The gymnasium was started in 1885 in the old 
Ashton block. When the present building was 
erected the plans included an additional gymna- 
sium building. In 1891 a number of prominent 
business men in close touch with the association 
formed a syndicate and purchased the property 
adjoining on the north to carry out the original 
purpose. But when the hard times came the 
property was lost, the men themselves losing the 
amounts invested and the association the needed 
site for such a building. 

YOUNG women's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 

In the spring of 1876 at the close of a revival 
meeting, a prayer circle of young women was 



146 



I'AST AXIJ l'RESi:.\r 



WIX.XliUAGU CDIXIA' 



foriiK'il. coniposctl of those from the various Eiist 
Side chiirclics. Tliis circle met in the W'estniiii- 
ster cliitrch i)arlor the hour hefore tlie Sunday 
evening; service, which proved a great blessing to 
those alteniling. 

In December. 1877. they decided to organize 
for better and wider work, but with no thought 
of taking up tlie usual work of a V. \V. C A. 
A constitution was a<lopted. officers elected aiitl 
thirty-six gave their names as charter members. 

.Miss lilla 1". Brainard was elected president. 
Miss Helen Pcnfield (now Mrs. Revell) record- 
ing .secretary. Meetings were held in Westmins- 
ter ]iarlors. the sick were visited, cottage prayer 
meetings held, many ])oor families were assisted 
and the young women hcli)ed the Y. M. C. A. on 
social occasions. 

In June, 1880. it was decided to disband be- 
cause .so many young people's societies had been 
organized in the different churches. The young 
women on the East Side had been drawn closely 
together, and led to feel the need of work among 
the young women of the city, and had been 
trained for religious work by this first Y. W. C. 
A. so that eleven years later many of them be- 
came charter members an<l are still f.iithtul wurk- 
ers in the present association. 

In May. 1891. Miss Mary McElroy, .state sec- 
retary for Illinois, came to Rockford and after 
conference with prominent ladies the present 
Viiung Women's Christian .\ssociation was 
organized in the parlors of the Second Congrega- 
tional church. May 28. Mrs. .\nna Williams was 
elected president: Mrs. C. R. Wise, vice-presi- 
dent ; Miss Kate Rising, recording secretary ; 
Miss Ida .Mien, treasurer. Mrs. Williams served 
only a sho'^t term and was succeeded by Mrs. 
W. I,. i*)atoii, and Mrs. Selwyn Clark was elected 
to take the place of Mrs. C. R. Wise. The board 
of directors was as follows: Mrs. V.. M. Revell. 
Mrs. S. L. Kennedv. Mrs. M. S. Parmele. Mrs. 
S. X. Jones, Miss Mary Shcrratt, Mrs. C. H. C. 
Burlingame, Mrs. Frank lirown. .Mrs. Charles 
Herrick. Mrs. Oscar Hall. Mrs. M. L. Baird. 
Mrs. .\rthur Berridge. Following Mrs. Eaton. 
Mrs. S. L. Kennedy, Mrs. E. L. Herrick, Mrs. 
Harriett I'easc and Mrs. G. R- N'anhorne have 
served as ])resident. Mrs. E. S. Cregory is serv- 
ing in that office at jiresent. 

Miss Caroline Griffith was the first general sec- 
retary. She was here only one year. Then Miss 
May McGranahan came for a year. In January. 
1894. Miss Gratia X'orton was a.sked to take the 
position until a ])ermanent .secretary could be se- 
cured. In Jinie, i')C>^. she was called to the sec- 
retaryshi]) and has remained. Miss Mildred 
(ircaves was until recently associated with her in 
the work. 

The present property of the association was 
rented and furnished and later on, in June, 1892, 



was purcha.sed for S5.500. .^ large part of the 
money was raised by a soliciting committee that 
year by great eft'ort. In 1899 another ett'ort was 
put forth and the final payment on the building 
was made. 

.\t the l)eginning of the work a noon lunch 
was started ; also an employment bureau, evening 
classes, a go.spel service on Sunday afternoon 
and a boarcling department. These lines of work 
are still carried on. 

l-or three years an assistant secretary has been 
employed and the work has been enlarged. Reg- 
ular work has been carried on during the noon 
hour in the Nelson knitting mills, the Ziock box 
factory, the Union Overall Company and visita- 
tion in other factories. .Many girls have been 
l)rought into the association from this work dur- 
ing the noon hour. 

The as.sociation will dedicate a building in De- 
cember. 1905. at a cost of $18,000, free of 
debt. 

MUSKAI, fl.UnS .\ND .ML'SKI.\NS OF ROCKFORD. 

The nuisical life of Rockford is so interwoven 
in its liistory, even from its earliest days, that one 
woidd be incomplete without the other. 

The grandfathers tell of the singing .schools of 
the early days when a tiny village marked the 
place where a city now flourishes, and one of the 
old singing masters. David Merrill, who taught 
singing school here in 1841, is still living. Mr. 
Merrill is ninety-three years old and resides in 
the neighboring town of Cherry \'alley. 

.\ program nearly a half-hundred years old ad- 
vertises in glowing terms the '"fourth grand en- 
tertainment" of the Rockford Musical Associa- 
tion, at Concert hall, March 26, 1857. The pro- 
gram itself contains scarcely a number familiar 
to the ])resent-day concert-goer, and among the 
many ])articiiiants not more than two or three 
names are known to the present generation. 

.■\bout this time there came to Rockford from 
the East a }oung man, who was soon recognized 
as the leader of all musical affairs. This young 
man was Daniel X. Hood. For thirty-seven 
years he was actively identified with the musical 
interests of the city, and to him perhaps more 
than to any other one person belongs the credit 
of the city's grreat musical growth. A musician 
of high ideals. Prof. Hood would tolerate noth- 
ing but the best in the art to which he has de- 
voted a lifetime, and patiently but persistently 
labored to elevate the musical taste <if the com- 
munity. 

.A .series of musical festivals were given in the 
early '60s and '"Ps. first under the direction of 
Prof. J. V. Farg'o and later imder Prof. Hood, 
lasting two or three days and overshadowing all 
other events of those times. 

In 1858-59 Prof. Hood assumed charge of the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



147 



^lusical Corservatory of Rockford College, then 
known as the Rockford Female Seminary. Many 
prominent musicians to-day owe their success to 
the early triining received from Prof. Hood at 
Rockford College. For thirty-seven years he was 
identified with the college, part of the time teach- 
ing both vocal and instrumental, and for sixteen 
years of this time also held the position of organ- 
ist in the Second Presb}'terian church of Chicago, 
then the wealthiest church in that city. He was 
later identified with the First and Second Congre- 
gational churches in Rockford as organist and 
choir director for many years, and at present he is 
organist of a Congregational church in W'oburn, 
Mass., the largest church in New England out- 
side of Boston. 

Eleven years ago Prof. Hood left Rockford to 
spend the rest of his days in the East, and with 
his going the city lost one of its most talented 
musicians, whose life has made a lasting impress 
in its history. 

L. B. Starkweather, who came to Rockford in 
1863 and organized the Harmonic Societv, was 
the first vocal teacher in the town who had fitted 
himself for that profession, and for many years 
he taught both voice and piano. He was an 
organist in the First Congregational church, 
whose organ was dedicated by Dudley Ikick. Air. 
Starkweather also successfully condticted several 
musical festivals in Rockford and other towns. 

In 1884 Prof. L. A. Torrens came to Rock- 
ford to become director of the Rockford Choral 
I'nion, a society with which nearly all the musi- 
cians of the city were identified. 

Some noteworthy concerts were given, among 
the number being the historical choral concert, 
held in the First Lutheran Church, and partici- 
pated in by Rockford, Freeport and Janesville 
choruses : "The Messiah,'' given with the Chicago 
Orchestra and soloists from Chicago and Rock- 
ford ; two performances of Haydn's "Creation," 
given with the Chicago Orchestra, a chorus of 
350 voices ; and three performances of Haydn's 
"Seasons," with Bach's Orchestra, of Milwatikee, 
The last-named concerts were the first events ever 
held in Court Street church. 

Prof. Torrens returned to Rockford about six 
years ago and organized a choral society, which 
has sponsored a number of fine musical events, 
including two annual festivals that brotight to the 
city such well-known artists as Herbert Wither- 
spoon, Alme. Charlotte Alaconda, Genevieve 
Clark Wilson, Jeanette Durno-Collins, Glenn 
Hall, Herbert Butler, Theodore Spiering. George 
Hamlin, Dan T. Boddoe and a number of others. 

To Prof. Torrens is due great credit for under- 
taking to give to Rockford an annual musical fes- 
tival of such worth and so deserving of the city's 
support. Prof. Torrens has for many years suc- 
cessfully conducted large choral societies in vari- 



ous parts of the country, aside from his teaching 
and has long been prominent in musical affairs. 

Far and near Rockford is known as a city of 
musical clubs, and more than a dozen organiza- 
tions of a distinctly musical character are in exist- 
ence at the present time. 

At the head of these stands the Alendelssohn 
Club, which is recognized from Maine to Califor- 
nia as one of the strongest musical clubs in the 
country. 

Twenty-one years ago last October a small 
company of ladies met at the home of Mrs, 
Chandler Starr and formed a little club, the ob- 
ject of which was "the permanent establishment 
of an organization for the musical culture of the 
members and the uplifting of the standard of 
music in the cit}- of Rockford." Mendelssohn 
was chosen as their patron saint. 

The club now has a number of departments, 
including active, passive, honorary, associate and 
student members, and an auxiliary chorus of 
sixty ladies, under the direction of Harrison M, 
^^"ild. of Chicago. 

There are between thirty-five and forty active 
members, who are responsible for the regular 
concerts given every other Thursday. Almost 
without exception these musicians are constantly 
studying, and each year finds a number in the 
great art centers of the world, gaining new ideas 
and fresh inspiration for future club work. At 
jjresent the club has representatives in Paris, Ber- 
lin, Dresden and New York, while a number 
make weekly trips to Chicago for instruction un- 
der the best teachers there. 

Each season a number of artists' recitals are 
given under the auspices of the club, and some of 
the best artists in the country have been brought 
here. Among the number that may be mentioned 
are Afme. Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler. Alme. Car- 
reno, Mme. Schumann-Heink, the Alendelssohn 
Quintet Club. David Bispham, leannette Durno- 
Collins, Alme. Blauvelt. E. A. AlacDowell and 
many others. 

Last year the famous Pittsburg Orchestra, un- 
der the direction of Emil Paur, was one of the 
attractions. 

The present officers of the club are : President, 
Mrs. Chandler Starr : vice-president, Airs, Fred 
H. Motfatt ; recording secretary, Mrs. O. R. 
Brouse : corresponding secretary. Miss Ethel L. 
Van Wie ; treasurer. Airs. T. Y. Engstrom. 

Following the example of the Alendelssohn 
Club, a score of young girls organized the St. 
Cecilia Club fourteen years ago. For several sea- 
sons the club met at the homes of the members, 
but, like the mother club, soon outgrew the small 
quarters and rented a hall for its regular meet- 
ings. 

As the members of the St. Cecilia Club grew 
older several of the younger girls formed another 



148 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



club at the home of their teacher, Mrs. John 
Oberg. This chili was named the Schumann, and 
with Mrs. Oberg for a guide, worked with a will 
to accomplish creditable results. 

The Liebling Club is another of the younger 
clubs that is well known, and that has sponsored 
many pretty concerts. The club was named for 
Emii Liebling. of Chicago, and this popular pian- 
ist has taken a personal interest in the club's wel- 
fare, making visits to Rockford to hear and par- 
ticipate in the annual concerts. 

Rockford has hail its share of nnisical celebri- 
ties and several who call this city "home" have 
won fame on two continents. Mrs. Katharine 
Tanner Eisk, the celebrated contralto, is a gradu- 
ate of Rockford College, and pays frequent visits 
to this city, where her mother resided until her 
death in October. u>05. Wilhclm lleinrich. the 
noted blind tenor, who makes his home in I'.os- 
ton, is another artist whom we are proud to own, 
and whose mother still lives here. 

No young woman pianist has won more fame 
than Jeanetle Uurno-Collins, who is known in 
this country and liurope as a wonderfully gifted 
musician. Frank C. La Forge, who at the pres- 
ent time is in lierlin, is fast gaining recognition 
as a young pianist and composer, who will be 
famous in this country and Europe before many 
years. Howard Wells, now of Chicago, is also 
known as a pianist of undoubted talent. 

Two Rockford ladies are filling important 
choir positions in Xew York City. Miss Alice 
Sovereign's beautiful contralto voice is popular in 
the great metropolis, and Mrs. Corinne Ryder 
Kelsey filled fine engagements last season in the 
East, including two appearances with Walter 
Damrosch in Wagnerian lectures. Mr. and Mrs. 
George Nelson Holt, both well-known musicians, 
are at present studying in Paris. 

For half a century the musical conservatory of 
Rockford College has played an important part 
in the musical life of the city, and among the 
graduates each year are young women from all 
parts of the country. 

Under Prof. Hood the conservatory gained a 
wide reputation that has strengthened with the 
years. Prof. Hood was the head of the depart- 
ment from 1858 until 1895, '''"^1 ^^■^■'' succeeded by 
Mrs. George Nelson Holt, who was connected 
with the piano department for seven years. Mrs. 
Helen Saljin Brown and Howard Wells and Jose- 
phine Phinncy also taught in this department. 

( )ne of the poptdar vocal teachers connected 
with the college was Mrs. Addie St. John Far- 
num, who was at the head of the dejiartment for 
seven vears and was at that time a favorite so- 
prano here. Frank T. Baird. of Chicago, taught 
the vocal classes for five years and Miss Caro- 
line Radecke for eight years. Miss Radecke was 
succeeded by Mrs. Daisy I'orce Scott, who taught 
for two seasons. At the present time the piano 
<lepartment is in charge of Miss Emily Parsons. 



.Among the male quartets that have traveled 
over the country none has won more fame than 
the old Weber ([uartet, of Rockford, which was 
organized in 18S6. During the cam[)aign of 1888 
the quartet was a prominent feature of all im- 
portant political meetings, and the fame of the 
young men spread until they were twice called to 
Washington to sing. The members of the quar- 
tet at this time were .Myron E. Barnes, Charles 
Rogers, L. J. West and Henry D. Andrew, and 
under the management of the Slayton Lyceum 
Bureau they toured the country from Washington 
to California, and from British Columbia to 
Texas, winning ovations everywhere. The quar- 
tet was in existence until 1891. Others identified 
with the quartet were I'"rank .\ndrew and Frank 
D. Emerson. 

.Since the days of the civil war Rockford has 
had a band organization. In the early days of 
the war the old Rockford Band accomijanied the 
home regiment to battle, among the members be- 
ing August Dedrickson, who from that time until 
his death a few years ago was the most promi- 
nent figure in the city's bands and orchestras. 

In 1867 the Forest City Banel was organized, 
with Mr. Dedrickson as leader, and for thirty 
years he served in that capacity. He was suc- 
ceeded by Frank Fitzgerald, when the name of 
the band was changed to Watch Factory Band, 
and later to Rockford Military Band, under 
which name it was known throughout the state. 

After four years Mr. Fitzgerald was succeeded 
by E. F. Blakeley, under whose efficient leader- 
ship the band has continued until to-day. In the 
year 1903 the name of tlie band was changed to 
the Schumann Military. 

.Albert Barker and .Allen Crandall were charter 
members of the band and have been connected 
with the organization during its entire existence. 
The late Marcus C. Thayer, who for many years 
had an active ]iart in local musical affairs, was 
also a charter member. 

Dedrickson's Orchestra, later known as the 
Opera House Orchestra, was an outgrowth of the 
Forest City Band, and for thirty years prospered 
under the leadership of August Dedrickson. 

Ten years ago. to supply the demand for a 
dance orchestra, the Benedict Orchestra was or- 
ganized b\- .Albert Barker. This orchestra, under 
tlie leadcrshi]) of Mr. Dedrickson, sprang into 
instant favor and since that time has held first 
place among similar organizations of the city. 
Mr. Barker is still manager and Mr. George 
Gieske is the present leader. 

The HaddorfF Band, though comparatively 
new, is doing excellent work and gaining an envi- 
able reputation. 

A band known as Camp 51 Band, M. W. .A., 
is an outgrowth of the old S. M. and S. F. Band. 

.Among other local orchestras are the Metro- 
pole, now known as Collin's Orchestra; the Ep- 
worth and Rockford orchestras. 




^^L^M) ?y /^^^ (u^cj £^ ^ 






Biographical 



GOODYEAR ASA SANFORD. 

Among the men of the past and present who 
have contributed to the progress and develop- 
ment of Rockford and Winnebago county, Good- 
year Asa Sanford was prominent. He left the 
impress of his individuality upon the public life 
of the citv and his labors promoted its material, 
intellectual and moral development. He won 
the success that comes from consecutive and 
well directed effort, and at the same time his 
methods were so honorable, his principles so 
elevating, that even the most malevolent had 
naught to say against his career. Such a life 
history is indeed well worthy of emulation and 
should serve as an example to the young and an 
inspiration to the aged. Mr. Sanford was a na- 
tive of Hamden. Connecticut, born August 28, 
1814. The ancestry of the family can be traced 
back to Thomas Sanford, of Gloucestershire. 
England, who came to this country with the 
John Winthrop colony in the period from 1631 
to 1633. He was one of the four appointed to 
"make diligent search" for Colonels Whaley and 
Goft'e and like a true patriot, "declares and testi- 
fies" that he failed to find them. The family 
history, however, is obtainable even at a more 
remote period. Sanford Manor in England is 
one of the few Shropshire estates which can be 
said to be held by the lineal descendants of its 
earliest feofi'ee. Thomas de Sanford. a Norman 
follower of William the Conqueror, is mentioned 
on the roll of battle Abbey, having been one of 
the Norman followers of William, duke of Nor- 
mandy, by whom he was knighted for bravery 
at the battle of Hastings. His son, Sir Thomas 
de Sanford. held under King Henry I the manor 
of Sanford and Rothal and the former is still 
in possession of his descendants. The origin of 
the name is quite evident — sand>- ford — but in 
many branches of the name the first letter "d" 
is omitted. 



Thomas Sanford, son of Anthony and Jane 
Sanford, of Stowe, county Gloucester, England, 
came to Boston with the John Winthrop colony. 
We find record of him in Dorchester, Massa- 
chusetts, where with others he received land in 
1634 and also in 1635. He became a freeman 
of the colony, March 9, 1637, and in 1639 re- 
moved with a colony from Dorchester and Wa- 
tertown to Connecticut, settling in Milford, 
where his name appears in the earliest records. 
He was the leader in organizing the town, and 
was intimately associated with Governor Treat, 
Leete, Buckingham, Law and other leading men 
of the times. 

Stephen Sanford. grandfather of G. A. San- 
ford, of Rockford, was born at Milford, Connec- 
ticut, August 13, 1740, and died on the fifty-fifth 
anniversary of his birth. He was married while 
living at Woodbridge, Connecticut, to Sybil 
\Miite, who was probabl)- born at New Haven, 
her natal day being October 15, 1745, while her 
death occurred December 5, 1808. She was a 
daughter of Deacon John White, and a grand- 
daughter of Captain John and Mary (Dicker- 
man) \Miite. and a great-granddaughter of 
Isaac and ]\Iary (Atwater) Dickerman. Her 
father settled on a farm in Woodbridge. Con- 
necticut, but afterward removed to New Haven, 
where he died November 24. 1797, at the age of 
seventy-five years. He wedded Mary Dicker- 
man, of New Haven, December 27, 1744. Sallie 
^^'hite was a daughter of Lieutenant John 
White, a son of Deacon John and Mary (Dick- 
erman) White. Lieutenant John White was 
married May 25, 1778, to Anna Bostwick, of 
Derby, and their daughter Sallie was born April 
5, 1785. She married David Sanford, of Bethany, 
her death occurring in February, 1836, at the 
age of fifty years. 

Unto Stephen and Sybil (White) Sanford 
were born nine children : Esther, who was born 
February 4, 1768, and died May 21, 1768; Es- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



tlicr, llie second of the name, who was born July 
26. i/i*). and married Jared Sperry ; Rachel, 
who was born necembcr 1. 1771. and married 
Zeri Downes: llnlda. who was born May 17. 
1774, and died July 1. 1794: F.lisha. who was 
born July i. 1776. and married Marijaret ToUes ; 
Stephen Elisha. who was born March 30, 1779: 
Sybil. wh(j was born July 2y. 17S2. and married 
a Mr. S]ierry : .\mos Wliite. who was born De- 
cember 20. 1785. and married Obedience .\t- 
water ; and Lucretia. who was born October 27. 
1789. and became Mrs. ISeecher. After losing 
her first husband Sybil White Sanford married 
Deacon .\sa (ioodyear. of Ilamden. Connecticut. 
The will of Stephen Sanford is still in exist- 
ence and reads as follows: "In the name of Clod. 
Amen: I, Stephen Sanford. of .\ew Haven 
county, and state of Connecticut, in New En.ij- 
land. beintj weak in body but of .sound mind 
and memory, thanks be to God therefor ; do make 
this my last will and testament in manner and 
form followiuij, namely: Principally and first 
of all. 1 sii^'"^ a'l'l recommend my soul to (iod 
that save it. and my body to the earth in a decent 
and Christian burial at the discretion of my ex- 
ecutor hereafter mentioned, in hopes of a glo- 
rious resurrection through Jesus Christ my Lord, 
and the worldly estate which (iod hath been 
pleased to bless me withal after my ju.st debts 
and funeral charges, and charge of executing this 
my will are duly paid and satisfied. I dispose of 
in the following manner, namely : Item — To my 
dear and loving wife, Esther Sanford. I give 
and bef|ueath all my movable estate whatsoever, 
excepting the legacies hereafter in this my will 
mentioned, and to her, her heirs and assigns for- 
ever. I also give to my said wife the use and 
improvements of all my real estate for the space 
of one year after my decease. I also give her 
during her natural life the use and im])rovement 
of the real estate hereafter mentioned, two-thirds 
of my new house and barn and all my old house. 
all standing on my homestead, also two-thirds of 
all my land adjoining my house, and two-thirds 
of all my lands in the Fort (fast?) Rock, so 
called ; also all my lands called Grindum farm 
and the barn standing thereon ; also two lots of 
land lying at the southeast corner of a lot called 
Sherman lot, by estimation about seven acres 
as the fence now stands. Item — I also give to 
the society of Amety in the town of New Haven, 
for tlie support of a Presbyterian or Congrega- 
tional minister in said society, he being a friend 
to this and the L'nited States of .America, after 
my wife's estate therein shall be ended, the Car- 
ington lot .so called, containing about tweiitv- 
three acres. I also give to the church of Christ 
in said society a silver christening basin of the 
size of that in the church in White Haven so- 



cietv, to be procured and ]}urchascd by my execu- 
tor hereafter mentioned within one year alter my 
decease, and delivered to said church. I also 
give to said society eighty pounds lawful money 
to be paid by my e.xecutor, ten pounds yearly 
until the whole of said sum be paid. I also 
give and bequeath to Charles Sanford, who now 
lives with me, my new house and barn stand- 
ing on my homestead and all my lands adjoining 
to my house and all my lands lying in the Fort 
Rocks, so called, and one acre and a i|uarter of 
Salt Meadow, he not disturbing my said wife, 
Esther, in her improvements as before mentioned, 
to be to him, the said Charles and to his heirs on 
the following conditions, namely : That he. the 
said Charles, shall find au<l provide my said wife 
with fire wood, cut fit for the fire, as long as she 
lives, and also shall take care of my said wife's 
stock summer and winter and keep her fences 
in good repair ; but if said Charles shall fail to 
perform said conditions, then my will is that said 
real estate given to him above shall go, and I 
hereby give it to said society of Amety to sup- 
port a minister as aforesaid. My will further is 
that if said Charles shall die. leaving no issue of 
his body lawfully begotten, the said real estate 
given to him as above shall go to the said society 
of Amety for their use aforesaid. My will also 
is that said Charles shall bring no family into my 
house during the lifetime of my said wife but 
his own. I also give to said Charles Sanford my 
year mare. Item — To Stephen Sanford, Jr.. of 
Bethany, my nephew. I give and bequeath the 
use and improvements of the following pieces of 
land after my wife's term and estate therein shall 
be ended, namely : .\11 my land 1\ ing at a ])lace 
called Grindum. exce])ting thirty acres on the 
south of saiil land, said thirty acres to be fifteen 
rods wider on the east line than on the west, 
and the barn standing thereon, also all mv land 
called .Sherman lot. My will furthei is tiiat av 
the death of said Ste]>hen. said two pieces of 
land shall go. and I do give it to his eldest male 
heir and to his heirs forever: but it the 
said Stephen shall leave no male iieir. 
then to his female heirs equally and their 
heirs forever. Item — To Zadock Sanford, of 
llelhany, I give and l)e(|ueath all my 
right called mine lot. lying at a place called 
Mad Mars I lill, to him and his heirs forever, he 
not disturbing my said wife's im])rovements as 
before expressed. Item — To my negro servant, 
Jesse, I give and bequeath and to his heirs and 
assigns forever, thirty acres of land on the south 
side of the (irindum farm, which is to be fifteen 
rods wider on the east line than on the west, 
after my wife's term and estate therein shall be 
ended, and I do hereby manumit my said servant, 
Tesse, and give him his freedom after the death 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



153 



of my said wife. I also give him liberty to live 
in my old house during his natural life. Item — 
Mv will further is that my Bradley lot, so called, 
shall be sold b_\' my executor to pay my just debts 
and legacies and charges of settling my estate, 
and if there be any overplus it shall go to my 
said wife, Esther, and to her heirs and assigns 
forever. Item — I give to Ebenezer Sanford, of 
Newton, for the love and good will which I have 
to him. twent}' pounds lawful money Item — I 
give and bequeath to Hannah Hainson, Oliver 
Sanford, Jonah Sanford and Joseph Sanford, 
children and heirs of my brother, Joseph San- 
ford. late of Litchfield, deceased ; my sister, 
Esther Bristol, and Abagail Pierson and to 
Joseph Sanford, Oliver Sanford, Aaron Sanford, 
Elihu Sanford and Eunice Stoddard, children 
and heirs of my brother, David Sanford, late of 
Milford, deceased, and to Isaac Sanford, to each 
of them one great Bible, to be purchased by my 
executor within one year after my decease, or 
so much lawful money as is sufficient to purchase 
a great Bible for each of them. Lastly I do 
hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said 
wife, Esther Sanford and Deacon Amos Perkins, 
of said New Haven, executors of this my last 
will and testament, and my will is that Deacon 
Perkins have a handsome reward for his trouble 
therein in confirmation of all that is before writ- 
ten, revoking and disannulling all former wills 
and testaments by me made, I hereunto set my 
hand and seal this 8th day of January, A. D., 
1779, signed, sealed, published, pronounced and 
delivered by the said Stephen Sanford as and 
for his last will and testament in presence of 
us witnesses signing in his presence and in the 
presence of each other. 

(Si£;ned) STEPHEN SANFORD [Seal.| 

JOHN HORTC^N, 

PFIINEAS BRADLEY, 

DANIEL PERKINS. 

;\.mos White Sanford. son of Stephen Sanford. 
was born in Connecticut and throughout his 
entire life followed farming in that state. He 
married (Jbedience Atwater, who was also of 
English lineage, and was a direct descendant of 
David Atwater, one of the original planters of 
New Haven, Connecticut. David Atwater. the 
English ancestor, was also a follower of William 
the Conqueror, and fought with distinction in 
the battle of Hastings. Lioth Mr. and ^Irs. .San- 
ford died at Hamden. Connecticut. 

G. A. Sanford acquired his education in the 
public schools of New Haven and Hamden. Con- 
necticut, and was reared upon his father's farm, 
early becoming familiar with the duties and la- 
bors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, but 
his ambition ior a business career led in another 



direction. Believing that he might enjoy bet- 
ter business opportunities in the west, lie came 
to Illinois, in December, 1836, making his way 
to Alton, and the following year came to Rock- 
ford and established a dry-goods store at the 
southeast corner of Main and State streets. He 
continued in business there for several years, his 
patronage steadily increasing, making possible 
the erection of a large building in order to have 
space for his constantly increasing stock. He 
conducted that business for some time, its 
growth being attributable to his enterprising ef- 
forts, earnest desire to please his patrons and 
his conformity to a high standard of commercial 
ethics. In 1838 he was appointed deputy sheriff 
and served in that capacity for four years, while 
in 1842 he was elected sherifif and served until 
1844. While acting as deputy sheriff he rode 
on horseback over the country to a great extent, 
and one day while riding north of the river sev- 
eral miles above the town he looked across the 
stream and saw a dark object in the tree. Ford- 
ing the river, he climbed the tree and found a 
canoe containing the mummy of a Pottawatomie 
squaw. Unfortunately no effort was made to 
preserve this mute testimonial of the wild life 
that preceded white settlement. From 1838 until 
1844 he collected all the taxes of \\'innebago 
county. No public trust reposed in him was 
ever betrayed in the slightest degree, for he was 
prompt and efficient in discharge of his duties. 
]\Ir. Sanford was one of the organizers and trus- 
tees of the Rockford Insurance Company. (Jne 
of the many services of Mr. Sanford for the 
city of Rockford was securing the postoffice for 
Rockford. A town had been started on the low 
land where the Kishwaukee joins Rock river — 
supposedly called Kishwaukee — and at this time 
it was proving a formidable rival to Rockford. in 
that it bade fair to get the postoffice instead of 
Rockford. Government was sending out an agent 
to make decision in this weighty matter and he 
was coming to Kishwaukee instead of Rockford. 
It was in the early spring just as winter was 
loosening its icv grip. With a horse and cutter, 
and John Piatt as a companion, Mr. .Sanford 
started for the settlement at the north of the 
Kishwaukee, but for some reason they took the 
road down the west side of the river. The day 
was warm and the fears of the two men were 
aroused lest the ice go out before they reach 
their destination and leave them on the wrong 
side of the river. Sure enough with a prolonged 
cracking the river began to break. Putting their 
horse to a run they soon covered the remaining 
distance, and while one hitched the horse to the 
fence the other ripped of¥ a board, and with this 
board they bridged the chasms between the float- 
ing cakes of ice that were too wide to jumj) and 



154 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



so made their way safely to Kislnvaiikce and the 
postoffice commissioner. Tlie facts and logic 
won the day. and they returned to Rockford 
with a hired team up the cast side of the river, 
with the postoffice in their pockets and sent a 
boy down to brinjj back their horse and cutter. 
Perhaps nothing: has been a greater factor in the 
prosperity of tlie city than the Water Power 
Company, which was organized July 15. 1851, 
and of which Mr. Sanford was an active mem- 
ber. It was Mr. Sanford's help that made it 
possible for Thomas Rutterworth to successfully 
organize and carry on the Rockford Gas Com- 
pany. 

In 1838 Mr. Sanford built the first tlatboat 
at this place and loaded it with potatoes and 
merchandise for the St. Louis market and 
twenty-four years later he was connected with 
the sending of the first carload of grain that was 
shipped from Cherry \alley. He was likewise 
interested in the building of some of the rail- 
roads, and the newspapers of that day give ac- 
count of his co-operation in these enterprises, 
showing that he took large contracts for the con- 
struction of the lines. From 1844 until 1847 ^^e 
was engaged in general merchandising at the 
corner of State and Main streets, where the Sec- 
ond National r)ank was afterward located. 

It was during the early days of his residence 
in Rockford that he also became a leading factor 
in financial circles. On the ist of January, 1855, 
the banking firm of Dickerman. Wheeler & Com- 
pany was organized with Mr. Sanford as one of 
its members. In 1856 the firm was changed to 
Lane, Sanford & Company, so contimiing until 
August I. 1864. when the business was reorgan- 
ized under the name of the -Second National 
Rank of Rockford. Mr. Sanford at that time 
was chosen cashier, and soon afterward was 
elected president, acting in the latter ca|)acity up 
to the time of his death. 

Mr. Sanford was three times married. In 
February, 1837, he married F.lizabcth IT. lias- 
sett, who was born in the state of New York in 
1813. He returned east for his bride, and on the 
2d of .Xpril, 1838, they arrived in Rockford. In 
1844 they united with the First Congregational 
church, and were very active in its work, Mrs. 
Sanford being one of the original members of the 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society formed in 
the First church in 1838. She was one of the 
forty-seven charter members of the Second 
church, sang in the choir for several years and 
tr«jk a most active and hel])ful i)art in the church 
work imtil failing health prevented lur further 
co-f)|)eration in its activities. She died in ( )c- 
tobcr, 1857. They had one son. wlm died in 
infancy. 

In 1858 Mr. Sanford married Harriet .\ustin. 



of Skaneateles, New York, who came from a 
New York family of sterling worth. She was 
a woman of rare native ability, and exercised a 
wide intUience in both the religious and the so- 
cial life of Rockford. She was one of the most 
helpful workers in the Second Congregational 
church and missionary society. She founded 
the Monday Club, the oldest literary club in 
Rockford. and was most hospitable in entertain- 
ing her friends. After a ])rolonge(l and ])aintul 
illness, which she bore with great Christian forti- 
tude, she died in 1879. 

For his third wife Mr. Sanford chose !Miss 
Clara Goodall. a daughter of David G. and Maia 
Dearborn (French) Goodall. Her father was a 
native of Rath. New Hampshire, and her mother 
of Landaff. New Hampshire. He is descended 
in the paternal line from John \\'hitney. who 
emigrated from London, in 1635, and settled at 
^\'ate^town. Massachusetts. .Ml of this descent 
"can claim the blood of some of those whose 
names are most familiar in English history — 
the Saxon king, .\lfred the Cireat. and Fdnumd 
Ironside : the Normans, ^^'illiam the Conqueror 
and Henry I : the Plantagnets, Henry II, John, 
Henry III and Edward I; to say nothing of the 
royal houses of Scotland, France and Spain, with 
whom these were allied." On her mother's side. 
Mrs. Sanford is descended from Godfrey Dear- 
born, the founder of the family of American 
Dearborns of military fame, and also from Ed- 
ward Gilman. who came to this country in 1638. 
His genealogy runs through the famous knight, 
(iilman Troed-dhu, back to Coel Godeboc. king 
of Britain, ancestor of Henry VII and grand- 
father of Constantine the Great. Mr. I'.oodall 
was a lawyer by ])rofession in his early days, and 
was a son of Ira Goodall, a very prominent attor- 
ney of the state of New Hampshire. David 
Goodall engaged in the operation of flour and 
starch mills and in the lumber business. He 
also conducted a woolen factory, and was owner 
of several stores in Lisboti. Rath and Swiftwatcr, 
New Hampshire. His chief interest was his 
lumber business, however, and this he carried 
on successfully, developing a large trade. He 
likewise practiced law to some extent and was 
one of the most prominent and influent residents 
of his community, contributing in substantial 
measure to its material growth and jirogress. He 
and his father were the builders of the \\"hite 
Mountain Railway of New England, the latter 
being president, wiiile David G. Goodall was 
vice president of the company that constructed 
this line. .\t a later day Ira and David Goodall 
removed to the west and both died in Reloit. 
Wisconsin, where Mrs. David (i. (ioodall also 
passed away. In their family were five children, 
who are vet living: Mrs. Sanford; Blanche, who 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



155 



makes her home in Rockford with her sister, 
Mrs. Sanford ; Nelhe P., who is residing in \lc- 
toria, British Cokunbia ; Mrs. A. J. Morley, also 
of Victoria ; and Karl D., a druggist of Las \'e- 
gas. New Mexico. 

Rockford had no truer friend or more active 
co-operant in its interests for the general welfare 
than G. A. Sanford. He kept well informed on 
political questions and issues of the day, but did 
not seek office as a reward for party fealty. He 
served as alderman and in other city and county 
offices, but these came to him in recognition of 
his ability on the part of his fellow-townsmen. 
He was deeply interested in the educational pro- 
gress of the city, and on the 6th of July, 1864. 
was elected a trustee of Rockford Seminary, 
now Rockford College, serving thus until the 
time of his death. On the 6th of June, 1893, '^^ 
was chosen vice president of the board, and 
would have been honored with the presidency 
had he consented to accept. He became a char- 
ter member of the Second Congregational church. 
in which ]\Irs. Sanford is still a most active and 
earnest worker. His name was the second found 
on the subscription list for building the first 
stone church, and owing to the financial condi- 
tion of the country at that time the necessary 
expense of building and equipping the new 
church became so burdensome upon the sub- 
scribers and members of the society that Mr. 
Sanford mortgaged his home' in order that the 
work might go forward. For twenty-one years 
he served as a trustee of the church, and on the 
expiration of that period was presented by his 
co-workers with an elegant gold chain and tab- 
let. January 3. 1887. after a service of thirty 
years as trustee, he was again re-elected, but re- 
signed. On that occasion the following record 
was adopted : "Resolved. That the society of 
the Second Congregational church desires to rec- 
ognize the faithful and efficient services of Trus- 
tee G. A. Sanford. who today completes thirty 
years of continuous service as a trustee of said 
society, and we wish to extend to our friend and 
brother this expression of our sincere thanks and 
high appreciation of his labors in its behalf, and 
that it be placed upon the records of the society." 
The records of the church show that he was the 
first delegate sent out by that organization and 
in 1849, SI' 55- 56 and 57 he was also a member 
of the assessment committee. In 1855 he was 
elected on a committee of five to take action for 
building a new church. He read the report rec- 
ommending the site of the stone church and was 
made chairman of the committee to raise the 
necessary funds for the building. He was one 
of the trustees and usually auctioned the church 
sittings. In i860 he was appointed on the com- 
mittee to liquidate the church debt. His name 



heads the list and the money he gave he was 
obliged to borrow at two per cent, interest a 
month. In 1871 he stated to a called meeting 
of the church the need for internal improve- 
ments of the house of worship and in 1872 was 
made chairman of a committee to raise the nec- 
essary money. In 1882 he was again chairman 
of a special meeting to consider interior changes 
of the church. He could always be relied upon 
to help struggling churches of other denomina- 
tions and up to the time of his death there was 
hardly a church in the city or in the neighboring 
towns that had not received help from him. He 
was always a regular attendant at the various 
church services and he assisted in building four 
Second Congregational churches in Rockford. Al- 
though Mr. Sanford took a keen interest in 
politics, beyond serving as alderman, sheriff and 
school commissioner, he never took any official 
position. He was a whig and republican. One 
side of Mr. Sanford's character, that would not 
be noticed by the public, was his intense love for 
flowers and animals. Flowers were almost like 
living things to him and his comradeship with 
all animals was often amusing — the cat and all 
her kittens following in his wake wherever he 
moved and the canary bird perching on his 
finger or head. 

He died very suddenly, March 16, 1894, at 
three o'clock in the afternoon just as the bank, 
of which he was president, w^as closing its doors 
after the business of the day was over. The in- 
fluence of such a man, however, will long he 
felt. It remains as a blessed benediction to those 
who knew him and as a potent force in the lives 
of many with whom he was associated. His 
life proved that an honorable name and success 
may be won simultaneously. In his business af- 
fairs he prospered year by year but he never 
selfishly hoarded his gains. He believed that he 
was merely the steward into whose hands the 
worldy possessions had been given and he was 
free and generous in his donations to help worthy 
charit}'. In his later years, when crowned with 
honors and wealth, he stood just where he did in 
his early life — as the champion of character 
rather than of competence, and is an advocate 
of right living in every relation. "An honest 
man is the noblest work of God" and G. A. San- 
ford was an honest man. 



FREDERICK CHA.MP. 

Frederick Champ, to whom there has come 
success as the direct result of well directed efifort 
in the active affairs of life, so that he is now en- 
abled to live retired, is a resident of Rockford 
and a native of England. His birth occurred in 



i3r. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEP.AGO COUXTY. 



London, Ft-briiary 23, 1829. his parents being 
Thomas and Hannah (I'eak) Champ, in wliose 
family were two daughters and four sons. The 
father was a carver and gilder. 

I'Vederick Champ ac(|uired only a common- 
school education, antl in his native land he re- 
mained until i!;<54, when, with the hope of enjoy- 
ing better business advantages in the new world, 
he crossed the Atlantic, landing at Xew York 
city on the 6th of July. From the latter place 
he went direct to Rockford. Illinois, and for 
many years was identified with its business inter- 
ests. He was first employed by the firm of Clark 
& Utter, with whom he continued for some years 
as a molder, afterward receiving promo- 
tion to the position of foreman and later of 
sujierintendent, in recognition of his capability 
and long continued and faithful service. He re- 
mained with that finn until 18S3, when he re- 
tired from the active management of the business 
and retired to private life, since which time he has 
enjoyed a well earned rest. In the meantime, as 
his financial resources had increased, he pur- 
chased proi)erty and is now the owner of de- 
sirable realty, from which he derives a good in- 
come, and the supervision of his property inter- 
ests is the only business that claims his attention. 

i'.efore coming to Rockford .Mr. Champ was 
united in marriage in England to Miss I'rances 
Lucas, of .Sioke, I-jiglantl, and they had two chil- 
dren, Edwin !•". and tjeorge H., the latter now a 
member of the Loan and Investment Company of 
Logan. Cash county, L'tah. After traveling life's 
journey together for about half a century .Mr. 
anfl Mrs. Champ were separated by the death of 
the wife, June 19, 1903. .Mr. Chami) is an intel- 
ligent man. devoting considerable time to read- 
ing, so that he is well versed on all subjects of 
general interest. He began life with small means, 
but early manifested the traits of character which 
are always the basis of succes.s — earnest purpose, 
laudable ambition and a willingness to work — and 
in this way he has accumidated a com])etency for 
old age. 



HARLOW n. 1!.WKS. 

Harlow (). Hanks, who was well known in 
business circles of Rockford. being general 
agent here for the Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
j)any of Xew ^'ork, and also active and promi- 
nent in community atTairs, serving as conntv sur- 
veyor of Winnebago couiUy. l«x)k U|) his alxide 
in this city in 1889, removing from Detroit, 
Michigan. He was, however, a native of the Em- 
pire state, his birth having occurred in Chenango 
county, in 1833. His father was born in .\ew 
P.altimore. Xew 'N'nrk. .\ngnst 17. 171)2. while 



the mother's birth occurred in Oeenfield, Xew 
York. July i6, 1796. They spent their entire 
lives in the state of their nativity and Mr. Banks 
was a surveyor, always following that pursuit 
as a life vocation. 

Harlow ( ). r>anks acquired a liberal and practi- 
cal education ^n his native state, where he after- 
ward taught school, following that profession for 
several years, or until the time of his first mar- 
riage. While attending and teaching school in 
the east he also studied surveying and subsequent 
to his marriage he entered the employ of the 
(rrand Trunk Railway Company and before the 
construction of its line in the east he executed the 
survey work 'all over the state of Xew York. 
Subsequently he removed to Detroit. Michigan, 
where he accepted a general agency for the Mu- 
tual Life Insurance Com])any of Xew York, and 
with characteristic energy he began the building 
up of the business in the west and for seven- 
teen years was connected with insurance 
business in Detroit. In 1889 he removed to 
Rockford and was again made general agent for 
the Mutual Life Insurance Company, thus con- 
tinuing in the insurance business until his death. 
Through the management of his department he 
largely increased the business of the company in 
this section of the country. 

Mr. Banks was twice married. His first wife 
died in Detroit, in 1888. They were the jiarents 
of four children : .\ngela. who now resitles in 
Des Moines, Iowa: .Archie W., a resident of 
Rockford. who is now agent for the Mutual Life 
Insurance Company of Xew York : Willie, a 
dentist of Detroit : and Martin .\dell)ert, who is 
one of the leading and prominent dentists of 
Rockford. with offices in the Brown building. 
.After losing his first wife. Mr. Banks was married 
to Mrs. .\ddie E. ( Beardsley) Corey, a native of 
.Xew Brunswick. Xova .Scotia, and a <laughter 
of John and E.xperience (Patterson) P.eardsley, 
both of whom were natives of Xova Scotia, where 
the father was engageel in the lumber business. 
Lie afterward removed to Port Huron. Michi- 
gan, where he continued in the same line until his 
death. Mrs. lieardsley is now living with her 
son in Grand Raj^ids. .Michigan, .\ddie E. 
Beardsley was first married to John Corey, who 
died in Port liuron, Michigan, leaving two 
children : Georgiana. now in Chicago ; and 
Frederick J., who is agent for the .\danis Express 
Com])any. in LaCrosse. Wisconsin. 

.Subse(|uent to his removal to Rockford. .Mr. 
Banks was elected county surveyor of Winne- 
bago county and acted in that capacity for two 
years. He was a stanch re|)ul)lican in his polit- 
ical views, took an active and helpful part in 
[jolitical work and did everything in his power 
to ])romote the growth and insure the success of 




H. O. BANKS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



159 



his party. His religious faith was indicated by 
his membership in the Court Street jMethodist 
Episcopal church, to which his widow also be- 
longs. He died in Rockford, December 8, 1903, 
respected by all who knew him. He had gained 
many friends during his residence here and was 
recognized as a reliable business man, whose 
character was such as commanded uniform es- 
teem and confidence. He was loyal in citizenship, 
faithful in friendship and unfaltering in his de- 
votion to his family. In 1893 he erected a nice 
resirence at No. 1008 Franklin avenue, which is 
now owned and occupied by his widow. Mrs. 
Banks is well known in social circles in Rock- 
ford and the hospitality of the best homes is 
freely accorded her. 



ALFRED HALL. 



Alfred Hall, deceased, was a farmer of Winne- 
bago township, who died in February, 1900. He 
is yet remembered, however, by many friends, 
who appreciate his sterling worth and many good 
qualities and entertained for him warm regard. 
A native of Canada, he was born in London town- 
ship, ^Middlesex courty, in 1833, his parents be- 
ing Alonzo and Malinda (Owen) Hall, both of 
whom were natives of Canada, whence the}- came 
to Winnebago count}- during the pioneer epoch in 
its history, arriving here in January, 1844. The 
father secured a large tract of land and, making 
investment from time to time in property, ulti- 
mately became the owner of about fifteen hun- 
dred acres. Later, however, he sold much of his 
property and went to California in 1850, being 
accompanied by his son Alfred, then about six- 
teen years of age. The father, however, became 
ill in the Golden state, dying within three or four 
months and the son afterward returned to the 
farm in Illinois. His mother continued to reside 
here until 1893, when she passed away at the age 
of eighty-four years. In their family were four 
children. The eldest, Mrs. Sophia Hartwell, was 
for twenty-five or thirty years a resident of Ma- 
son City, Iowa, subsequent to which time she 
made her home in Winnebago township until her 
death, which occurred several years ago. Alfred 
is the second of the family. Joshua left this sec- 
tion of the country a number of years ago. Char- 
lotte, the widow of George Hudson, is now resid- 
ing in Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois. 

Alfred Hall was but a boy when he came with 
his family to Winneb-'go county, and here he was 
reared amid pioneer environments. Following 
his father's death he returned home, but three 
years later he again went to California, where he 
engaged in mining for several years. He arrived 
once more in Winnebago county, in 1869, and 



then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, 
which he carried on e.xtensively up to the time of 
his death. He was the owner of one hundred and 
eighty-one acres, which tract is now in posses- 
sion of Mrs. Hall, who still resides upon the 
farm and their sons operate the land. In his busi- 
ness pursuits Mr. Hall was energetic, systematic 
and diligent, and his labors were crowned with 
a gratifying measure of prosperity. Moreover, 
he was strictly reliable in all business transac- 
tions, so that his name was regarded as a syno- 
nym of business integrity. 

In Canada Mr. Hall was married to Miss Em- 
ily McFarlane, who was born in Middlesex coun- 
ty, in 1844, a daughter of Archibald and Jean- 
ette (Bryce) McFarlane, who were also natives 
of Canada, where they spent their entire lives, 
the father passing away in 1865, while the moth- 
er survived until 1894. In their family were 
twelve children, of whom four are now deceased, 
and Mrs. Hall is the only one residing in Winne- 
bago county. By her marriage she became the 
mother of four children — Frank, residing at 
Westfield Comers, is married and has one son, 
Elmer. Fred C. is married and is a farmer, re- 
siding in Winnebago township, but at present he 
is in Colorado. He has three children, Hazel B., 
Helen V. and Archie B. James O. and Alonzo K. 
are at home and are engaged in the operation of 
the farm for their mother. 

Mr. Hall was a republican in his political 
views, stanch in his advocacy of the party, and 
his sons have followed in his political footsteps. 
He was called to several public ofiices, serving 
as road commissioner for thirteen years, and no 
trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the 
slightest degree. He was always true to his du- 
ties, whether of a public or private nature, and 
was thus one of the valued citizens of his com- 
munity, whose worth was widely acknowledged, 
and he gained thereby the friendship and regard 
of man\' with whoi-n he came in contact. 



PATTEN H. ATWOOD. 

Patten H. Atwood, at one time an enterprising 
and respected farmer of Winnebago county, gave 
up his life when in the military service of his 
country in the last year of the Civil war, but he is 
yet remembered by many of the older citizens of 
this part of the state. He belonged to a family 
long well known and prominent in Rockford and 
the county. He was born in Canada, April 15, 
1842, and was a son of Joseph Atwood. His moth- 
er died during the early boyhood of her son and 
the father afterward married again. Later he 
brought his family from Canada — his native 
country — to Illinois and purchased a farm in the 
Stillman vallev, in Winnebago county, where he 



i'\si' \\i) I'Ki^iAi ( >i w iwi r. \(,o coL'xrv. 



};a\i- his iimliviilcil iittiiilioii lo miur.il .ii;iKiil 
tnral |iiiiMiil> tintil liis lU'atli. 

Ill llio oommnii M'liiiol.s l'aiu-i\ 11. Atwood ao- 
<|inii'il liis oiliK'alioii and in lus \onili lu- assisud 
l\i> I'atlu'f in iIk- oiuralion nf iho I'aim. .nivinj; 
lo him thr liiiulil of liis siTviiTs until lu' naohiMl 
till- a^;«' oi i\\cnt\-oni" voars. wlu'n lu' \va> mar 
ncil anil vlarU'il oni in life on his own account. 
lie wi'iliKd Mi-s Hannah II. .MclMu-ison. a na 
ti\o oi Tanaila, honi I'lhruarv .'i, iS.(J, hir par 
I'lits lioiiij; I'harU's IS. aixl l-idolia !•".. Mol'hoi- 
soi\, \vlu> also oanu- to W innclK»,i;o count\ at an 
early pcrioil in its M-ttli'mcni and improvomont. 
I lor falliiT on^a.ci'd in laiininj.; hero for .sovoral 
voars anil then romovod to W isoonsin, whoro ho 
diod. .Mr, and .Mrs. .\t\vood iKvamo tho i»ar- 
onts ot ihroo sous—Ira .\.. who resides iu Jowcll 
oonniy, Kansas, whoro ho is ous^ivjod in farm 
iuj* ; I'vrus llomor. who luarriod t lara .MoAlli.v 
tor and rosidos in Storliuj,;. Illiitois, whoro ho is 
cuf^ajix-d in tho ,yrooor\ hnsinoss, and I'.dward II.. 
who marriid I .illian I'ioivo, and is doalini; in ii.v 
in Kookl\>rd. hoiuj; ouo of tho proiniuom in.I 
piDsporons husittoss moii of this city. 

\fior his marriajiio Mr. .Xtwood sotiloti np.Mi .i 
faun in tho Stillman valloy and onori;x-ticalt\ Ih-- 
^an tho cultivation of tho soil and tho improvo- 
ntont of tho place, which soon ,iia\o ovidonco of 
his careful supervision and dilijioucc. I lo had 
carried oi\ farn\in,i< hut a low yo.trs, however, 
when tho I'ivil war hiMko <M<t. His s\iui<athios 
wore with tho I'niou cause and in iS(vj ho oi\- 
listod and with his ivjjimont woiu to HutValo, \ow 
Nork, whoiv he was taken ill with measles and 
after an illness of several months, his death there 
iHXMirrod .\pril 15, iSf\<;, his r^'maiits Ihmu.h iu- 
trrrcd in lUttYalo. 

.Mrs. AiwimhI i\»nliuued lo tx'sido uiH>n tho 
home fanu it\ tho Stillman vallo\ uiuil iSS(». attd 
there irarod her sons, hut m tho \ear montioniHl 
she romovotl lo K>vkfi>nl, whoro she has sittce 
made Iter Itome. t\ow nsidiu}; al \o. 11J5 X'iuth 
strtTl. She l>eIi>nK^ lo the Metltixlist l'"pisco|Xi>l 
chtttvh. of which her Ituslvtnd was also a moiu- 
In-r, and her U'li^ious faith has Iveu a pormoaliuji' 
intlnenco in her life, dovolopiuj; trails oi character 
that have wott her m.inv friends. 



1> \\ IP > \MI'l I- 

! well known as a ivpivseittative 

a^;■ Owen township, was l>on« \n 

Slialer lownslup, Mlojiheiu t>nu\ly, IVunsylva- 
uia, }\\\\ (\ iS4,v at»d ix>pr»'seuis ot«e of the old 
families of that state. His |v\terual ,»;rai\dfalhcr. 
Jrt' I i\alivc of t.'«imK'rland cxiuu- 

tv !i * Vl.^^HT J5. i~5<>, autl w:^s 

of Smteh an»xs(r\ He servt^l liis cxMtut' 



soMuf in tile Kovolntionary war under lioneral 
Washington ami after the ostahlishmont of the 
now repnhlic he locitod in .\llo,i;hen\ comity, 
IVnnsvlvania, takini; up government huul iu 
Shaler township. Ho hocame captain of a coiu- 
pauN of militia and while ho was on militar\ duly 
his wife and children wore carried olV h\ the In- 
dians, hut the same nijiht a sipiaw returned the 
familv In canoe while tlie hravos of tho trilv were 
havinv; a dance. James Sample Iniilt the first 
urist mill in .\llesjhony county, iu 17*K>. and was 
otherwise actively idonlilied with tho a.i;ricuttural 
and industrial dovolopitiont of the stale. 

William .Sample, father of Havid .Sample, was 
horn in I'oimsxlvania, July jS, iSoo, and pursued 
his education iu the puhlic schi^>ls. He worked 
for his father up to tho lime of his marriage, 
which occurred Aujiusl jS, i8jS. Miss Jane 
Andorsi>n luvomiuj; his wife. She was horn Jan- 
uary i(>, 1S07. .\t that time W illiam Sample re- 
ceived from his father a i^ift i^i aKnil lour huu- 
ilrod ;icros of land, and ho ciMitinnoil to on,i;aj;o in 
larmiuji; and also couductoil a millinj; hnsinoss, 
which was estahlishod hy his father, until 1871. 
in which \car he sold lite romamini; one him- 
drod and t\>ri\ acres of tho old home place which 
his lather had nivou him. ha\ inj;- in the meantime 
disposed of tho rest of the farm. He received 
for this trad of one hundred and forty acres one 
hundred and ninety thousand dollars from a land 
compau\ thai snhdivided it into lots, and it is now 
tho horouv;h of Millvalo. \\"illiam .Sample then 
tvmoved lo .Sharpshur?;. IVnusylvauia. whoro he 
spout his romainiuj;' davs. and several times he 
visited his son Haviil iu \\ innolKtso county. I'or 
forty-tive years he served as a memlKT of the 
school hi\-»rd in his vlisirict and was always ac- 
tivclv and helpfully inton-stod in puhlic atYairs. 
\\c passed awa\ .\u.v;nsi 15. iSoi, and his wife 
diod iu April. i8Sj. Ihov were the i>arents of 
ei.uht childiXMt-- RoIhti .V.. James. John. Martha. 
William H Marjiaret I.. l\>vid and l-.liza- 
Wth A 

Havid >.inipic pursuovl his inhication iu the 
puhlic .schiH^ls auvl was reau-d upon Itis father's 
farm, iweivin.i; there tho training; that tilted him 
for earryiuj; on a similar business entorj^rise iu 
later years. Two days InMoro tho oii^huvnth an- 
uivers;\ry of his birth he ix-spoude*l to his coun- 
try's call for tr\H>ps. eulisliujj iu the I'uioti army 
on the 4llt of July. t8(M. as a memlxT of Com- 
(vuiy A. .Si\iy-stv»Mid IVnu.sylvauia Infantry. He 
was mustond into service al rittsburt; and afler- 
warvl went to Harrisburj;. where he niuaiuol f>^r 
two wevks. SuKs«]uently he went to l?^»ltimore. 
and later with his command to W'aslutt,»;lon. D. 
I .. where the n\uimonl rtMuaiueil tor a month, 
and was then onioned to \rlins;ion Heiijbts. }::\v 
i"C '"'o winter nuarlers tte;tr Falls church. In 
the st>rit>s: of tfVxj the Sixty-secxmd marcheti to 



TAST wn I'Kl-Sl'XT Ol' W I \ X I'.l'.Ai IC) COUNTY 



i6i 



I'";ui"l'ax t'oiirt Ihnist.- ;iiul was soon alU'iwaril 
sent to Ak'xaiulria, w liovi' llu'\ took- transports 
I'or I'lirtrrss .Monroe. Alter .1 sliorl linic llu'\ 
ni.irolu'il to I'.ii; Tu'llu'l, auil later to Norklown. 
anil .Mr, Sanipli" participated in llie sie^e at lliai 
place ami in tlic cnijayen touts at 1 lanovcr (,'ourl 
ilonse. Mcchanicsvillo. tiaincsville anil MaKern 
Hill. In llie l;'.st named he \v;'>s shot in the I'iyht 
arm and hip and was taken to the hospital on 
llcdloo's island. .\s soon ,is possihle he started 
to rejoin his re^inienl. Inn insier.d oi' heinj^' al- 
lowed to do ■^o he w.is pl.ieed on detached duty 
at {'"ort llamillon. I.,ilei'. iio\\e\er, he was with 
his command in the h;ittle of .Mine Kini, ami 
after th;il litiardcd the railroad from Manassas to 
He.'.llon Station nntil startin,i;' with ticneral (Irani 
on the Wilderness cam])ais'ns. .\lr. ,Sam|)le re- 
cei\-ed .an honoralilc dischar.Ljc in July. iSh.]. h.av 
ini.; for ihree years valiantly dcfemU'd his conn- 
try, dnrin.y which time he ne\er faltered in the 
|icrformance of any dnl\. lie was often where 
the leaden h.ail fell thickest and a,L;;iin on the lone- 
1\ picket line .■nid .al all limes he displayed the 
loyalt)- and \:dor of many a vclei'an of twice his 
years. 

hollowini; his relnrn home. .Mr. .'>.\mple assist- 
ed in the operation of his father's farm nnlil 
1871, when the ])ropcrty was sold. He spent the 
succeedinj.;' live years in Ir.ivel, after which he 
came to W'inneluii^o conntv and pnrehased on* 
hnmlred and sixty acres of l;nnl. which he has 
since imjiroved. dcvotini;' his .illenlion \miirini;l\ 
to as'ricnitnral interests in wh.il is one of ihe rich- 
est farminj;' districts of this jLjrcat slate. It was in 
the year of his removal to \\'inneha,i;o connly 
that Mr. .'-i.ample was married, on ihe ,^d >>\ ,\la\. 
iSjd, to .Miss .Melinda Steward, a d.in^hler of 
James and Mary (Smith) .Steward, whoari' men- 
lioneil on another aj;'c of this work. I'heir chil- 
dren ,ire ;is follows: Steward, who maiiied Miss 
I nl.i \la\ I nli.in, is livini;' in Waterloo, Iowa, and 
llie\ lia\e t \\ o ehildrcn. l\oss. who joined the 
1 niled St;itCS navy as an .ippienliee and remained 
in die scr\'iee for live \ e.iis ,iml Iwo monllis. he- 
inu; with ihe \il.inlie sipiadron on ilu Kear.sarsi'c 
ami ,ilsii on odiers as coxswain, is now ai home, 
le.ii.i, ihe \onn!L;esl, is also at lionie. 

In his political views Mi'. .S;nn]ilc is a stanch 
repnlilicm and hcloni^s lo Xevins post, \'o. t, 
I I, \. K., of Kockfnrd. lie is aUo a memher of 
llu' I'armers' Mnln.il lieiiexolenl \ssoci.alion and 
is inleresled in all ih.il peil.iins in pnhlie improvc- 
menl and ;idvanccment, .yivini;' his co-o]H'ration 
to many measnrcs for tlic .general welfare, lie 
now has in his possession his L;i-andfa(hcr's old 
clock, wliich is more than one hnmlred \cars old, 
and keeps correct lime. Ft w,as reeentlv ii'paired 
hy a clock-maker. '.•, ho said lh;il it woidd nm for 
another eenlnr\. Mr. Sample h.is i;;iined .a w ide 
.•ie(|nainlanee dnrinq' th<> lhirl\ \ cars of his resi- 



dence in this county ;md is known as ,a man of 
lirm convictions and slcrlin.i; worth, who mav 
well he classed amoni; the representative cili/.cns 
ol ( >wen lownshiii. 



w II I I \M .1. ni' I \ \i \ n.-.K. 

W'illiam J. De 1 .a iMalcr, servins;- as supervisor 
of IVcatonica township, is cn,i;a!.;ed in hnsiness as 
a hlack.smilh, dealer in htij.;gics and f.irm machin- 
ery. He was horn l''ehrnary jj,. 1854, jn Tusca- 
rawas connly, ( )lno, ;md when only seven months 
old was taken lo Indiana li\ his p.neiils, U.dpli 
and Sn.sanna (/.nhlin) I )r I .1 M.iiei. Ihe lailier 
w.as horn in ( Jlse.U'o eoinilx. Xew \ 01k. and lol- 
lowins;- Ills removal to ()|n,., w.is married in Ma 
riella, that slate. A deiiiisi |i\ profession, he 
praclieeil for thirty live years in soulhem Indi 
;ma, and he died in IVlcnsljuri;-, that stale, ,ii die 
;i,i;e of seventy-three years, while his wife passcil 
away in iledfoial, lndi,ana. in 1X50, Tlie\ wore 
the p.areiils of seven ehildreii K. I,., w ho lost his 
life i!i the hallle of ( h;nnpion Hill, while servinj;- 
ill llie Iweiilv foniili Indi.nia \dhmleer In- 
f,inlr\ ; .\nna \,. who heciine Ihe wife of ( leori^c 
H. Il.aleman, and died in Hnntin.LjIon. Indi.ana; 
h;ilen, Ihe wife of II. X. Meieli.im. of rovll.ind, 
( ire.udu. and the mother of two sons and .1 d.iii.i;li- 
ler: h'raiiccs. who hccanie ilu- wife of K', ||. 
.Moses and died in .Scdalia, Missouri, in iStjo; 
W .ilier, who married .M.ariha l.aswell, l)\ whom 
he had seven chiMreii. ,ind died in Joneshoro, .\r- 
kansas : Ida M.. the wile of .Mieh.ael Sweenv, 
who is superintendent of ihe M inne.ipolis \- ,S|. 
I.onis l\,ailroad, liviiiL; al ,\l inne.ipoji.s. Minne- 
sota. h\ whom she li.is nine ehihlrcn : .and \\ il 
liam I., of ihis review . 

William I. De I .a .Maler w.is reared in Indi- 
ana, aci|ini-in.i; his education in Ihe pnhlie schools. 
;md in 1S71 he came to Wiiineh.-.j^o eonnlv. Illi- 
nois, hein.u; al lli.il lime .alionl seveiileen \ears of 
;i.i;e. He lirsl workial as .a f.aian li.aiid for .alionl 
three years and lluai enlered llie eniploe of \\. I ). 
rellihone. ,a hl.acksmilh. with whom he rem.ained 
lor iliiee years in I'ecalonica. ;md then removed 
lo Minneapolis, where he work-ed in the shops of 
ihe street r.ailw.ax eoinp.ain. \firr .ni .ahsence 
ol ahoiil fwv \e,irs he nlmneil li> I'eealoiiiea ,and 
purchased llie shop of Is. I ). rellilioiie. He has 
lieeii in liusiiiess here eon|innonsl\- since, .■nul is 
nol onl\- :\\\ expert horsesiioer .and i^eneral hiack- 
smilh. having; hnill up a repnialion in Ihis line 
second to none, hut is .also a dealer in line hu.u'.y-ics 
and vehicles of all descriptions, in hicycles and in 
laian iniplemeiiis. I le h.as ever hccn a lover of 
line horses and he now owns five head of repfLs- 
lered sl<iek. His fax'orile hcirsc is one which he 
pnreh.ased in ihe sonlh in Ihe sprint;' of 11)05 — 



1 62 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Hal Spy — a liiit.- type of lliu lij,'lu lianiiss horse. 
Mr. Dc l,a .Mater lias a liberal patronage in both 
branches of his business and is regarded as one 
of the representative merchants of his town. 

On the 4th of November, 1875, was celebrated 
the marriage of William J. De La Mater and 
Miss Edie Hitchcock, a daughter of Horace and 
Henrietta (Wells) Hitchcock. Her father came 
from New York state to Illinois at an early day 
and cast his lot with the pioneer settlers of Sew- 
ard township, Winnebago county. He entered 
land from the government and broke the raw 
prairie, transforming it into cultivable fields. He 
was here before there hatl been a railroad built 
and hauled his wheat to Chicago and Galena. 
His death occurreil when he was only thirty-five 
years of age. His brother William is the only one 
left of a large family and he is now living on the 
old home farm of his father, at the age of almost 
ninety years. Mrs. De La Mater was the eldest 
of four children. Her brother John married Miss 
Jennie Stockburger, by whom he has two chil- 
dren, Homer R. and Edna L.. and they reside 
u])on the old Hitchcock homestead in Seward 
township. Laura is the wife of iMoses Mitchell, 
residing at Bingham Lake. Minnesota, and they 
have three soi-.s. Wallace. Horace and John. Abi 
married Charles Stockburger and died in I'eca- 
tonica township. 

Mr. De La Mater, prominent and influential in 
community affairs, has been president of the town 
board and is now supervisor, having served four 
terms. He is a member of Rawson lodge. No. 
145, A. F. & .\. M.: Winnebago chapter. No. 
24. R. .\. M., and Crusader comniandery. No. 17, 
of Rock ford. He has always voted with the re- 
publican party and has firm faith in its principles. 
L'nto him and his wife has been born a daughter, 
whose birth occurred September 7. 1892, and the 
family is well known in Pecatonica, where they 
have many warm friends, and where the business 
record of Mr. De La Mater has been such as to 
win for him the unr|ualified regard and trust of 
his fellow townsmen. 



RUSSELL BROUGHTON, M. D. 

Dr. Russell Broughton, neurologist and also 
specialist in the treatment of opium and other 
drug addictions and founder of the Dr. Brough- 
ton .Sanitarium at Rockford. Illinois, was born in 
Racine, Wisconsin. May 16, 1842, his parents 
being John and Amanda Broughton. who, in 
1841, started for the middle west, traveling by 
team to .Mbany township, Green county, Wis- 
consin. The father entered a quarter section of 
land from the government and at once began 
to clear and cultivate it, transforming the raw. 



undeveloped tract into rich and productive fields. 

There he continued to engage in farming until 
his death, which occurred in 1896. He is still 
survived by his widow. 

Reared to farm life. Dr. Broughton pursued 
his early education in the public schools and 
later entered Milton College, at Milton, Wis- 
consin. He also studied in Bryant iS; Stratton 
Business College, in Milwaukee, and, prepar- 
atory to entering upon the practice of medicine 
and surgery, he matriculated in Rush Medical 
College, of Chicago, in which he completed the 
full course and was graduated with the class 
of 1869. Lie located for practice in Broadhead, 
Wisconsin, where he remained for twenty-one 
years, and as a general practitioner he enjoyed 
an extensive patronage. His first exclusive work 
in the lines of his specialty was in connection 
with the Keely Institute, at Dwigiit, Illinois, 
where he remained for nine and a half vcars, 
in charge of all opium and other drug patients. 
He then came to Rockford and established the 
Dr. Broughton Sanitarium. 

This institution, constantly widening the field 
of its beneficent work, has accomplished great 
good during the four years of its existence. 
Coming to Rockford. Dr. Broughton leased Dr. 
Ransom's sanitarium, a properly located on Rock 
river, opposite Harlem Park. He had already 
earned a high reputation as a specialist in the 
treatment of nervous diseases and tho.se attribut- 
able to drug and alcohol addictions and was 
most cordially assisted by his fellow physicians 
having patients requiring such treatments. He 
had a very wide acquaintance and his patronage 
increased so rapidly that his accommodations 
proved inadequate and he purchased the Keyt 
residence on Rock river, just south of the city, 
there opening his new sanitarium in June, 1902. 
He took possession of a building, beautiful and 
spacious, which had been originally erected at 
a cost of thirty thousand dollars, while later 
much more had been expended iti improvements. 
Dr. I'roughtoii continued the work of improve- 
ment, while refitting it for .sanitarium purposes. 
The large ballroom on the third floor was divided 
into sleeping rooms, finished differently and 
furnished in homelike fashion. The first and 
second floors were also decorated throughout 
and the basement was entirely remodeled and 
divided into a large dining room, club rooms, 
kitclien and other rooms. A complete system of 
plumbing, hot water, heating and electric light- 
ing appliances was installed. The ground, 
covering twelve acres, displays the greatest skill 
of the landscape gardener, and the trees and 
shrubbcrv secure a seclusion like that found in 
a remote woodland, although the sanitarium is 
less than two miles from the center of Rock- 
ford. 




/?. fd^^^rx^cJc^^ 




PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINXEBAGO COUNTY. 



165 



The management of the sanitarium is perfect. 
The strictest disciphne is maintained in so kindly 
a way that the place has no air of restraint and 
yet all are under the rules governing the institu- 
tion. Patients have been received from every 
state in the Union and already the commodious 
quarters have been taxed to the utmost to ac- 
commodate the patients. Dr. Bronghton's meth- 
ods of treatment are confined to purely medical 
lines. He is not exploiting any proprietary 
medicine or remedy. His is a home for the 
treatment of habitual diseases along the lines 
that any other specialist would follow and the 
good that he has wrought is immeasurable. 
Rockford may well be proud of this institution 
and its founder and many have reason to bless 
him for the aid received through his professional 
services. He has been a member of the Wis- 
consin Medical Society since 1877 and also be- 
longs to the American Medical Association, the 
Winnebago County and Illinois State Medical 
Societies. 

In manner Dr. Broughton is most genial and 
kindly and is popular and prominent socially as 
well as professionally. In May, 1864. during 
the Civil war, he enlisted at Milton, Wisconsin, 
in Company C, Fortieth Wisconsin Infantry, 
and saw considerable active service. He mar- 
ried in 1869 to Miss Julia A. Smiley, a daugh- 
ter of Hon. Daniel Smiley, of Albany, Wis- 
consin, now deceased, and the\' have two sons : 
William S., formerly a medical student, but now 
auditor in the navy office at Washington, D. C. ; 
and James E.. an employe in a large electrical 
plant at Niagara Falls. Dr. Broughton is a 
member of Bicknell lodge. No. 91, A. F. & A. 
M., at Broadhead. \\'isconsin ; Evansville chap- 
ter, No. 35, R. A. ]\I., at Evansville, Wisconsin; 
and a charter member of W. W. Patton post. 
No. 90, G. A. R., of Broadhead. He stands to- 
day a foremost representative of his line of prac- 
tice, his labors proving of philanthropic worth 
in the world. 



FRANCIS KEELING. 

Francis Keeling, for many years closely identi- 
fied with the industrial interests of Winnebago 
county, is now living in Rockford, where for al- 
most a half century he has made his home. Hon- 
ored and respected in every class of society, he 
has for some time been a leader in thought and 
action in the public life of the state, and his name 
is inscribed high on the roll of fame, his honor- 
able and brilliant career adding luster to the his- 
tory of Winnebago county. 

He was born in West Allum, Devonshire, Eng- 
land, August 27, 1827, his parents being Clark 
II 



and Helen (Coolshaw) Keeling. The father was 
a stocking manufacturer, which business he fol- 
lowed for many years in Nottingham, England, 
in which country both he and his wife were born 
and spent their entire lives. Francis Keeling be- 
gan his education in the common schools and 
pursued his studies until his eleventh year, when 
he put aside his text-books in order to enter busi- 
ness life, it being necessary that he assist in the 
work of the stocking factor}'. There he operated 
a machine until thirteen years of age, when he 
left the factory and was employed on a farm. 
Later he became driver of a coach and care-taker 
of horses, continuing in that position for eighteen 
months, when he was promoted to the position of 
coach-driver, acting in the latter capacity for 
three years. He also was employed in brewing 
ale and beer and subsequently secured employ- 
ment in wine cellars, taking his position in the 
vault, but working his way steadily upward until 
he became a bottler of wines, his attention being 
concentrated upon that work for three years. He 
next turned his attention to carpentering, was 
afterward employed by a railroad company and 
later engaged in preparing timbers for vessels in 
the employ of Isaac Wright, a noted vessel con- 
tractor. Completing his agreement with Mr. 
Wright, he then sailed for America, attracted by 
the better business opportunities of the new 
world. Landing at New York city in 1848, he 
soon found employment at carpentering in 
Brookhn, where he remained for six months, 
after which he removed to Rochester, New York, 
where he worked at his trade for one year. Again 
locating in Brooklyn, he was once more identi- 
fied wnth its building interests until 1857, when 
on the 9th of April of that year he arrived in 
Rockford. 

Mr. Keeling's entrance into business life of this 
state was as a representative of the builder's trade. 
He worked at carpentering for different con- 
tractors and was employed on many of the prin- 
cipal buildings of the city, including residences, 
churches, school houses and many of the manu- 
facturing establishments on Main street. He also 
worked on the construction of St. Mary's Catho- 
lic church and the old Methodist Episcopal 
church. His next business connection was with 
N. C. Thompson, manufacturing plows, cultiva- 
tors, planters and self-binders, in whose employ 
he remained for two years. He was also in the 
employ of the J. P. Manny Company, manufac- 
turers of binders, and subsequently he embarked 
in business on his own account as a dealer in 
flour and feed at the corner of State and Madison 
streets, where he built up an extensive business, 
continuing there in trade for twenty-one years, 
when he closed out his store and retired to pri- 
vate life. In the meantime he had made judicious 
investment in city property and now devotes his 



i66 



I'AST AND PRESENT OF W l.WEBAGO COUNTY. 



leisure hours tu tlie sujjervision of his realty in- 
terests, which return liini a g'ratifying annual in- 
come. 

On the 3d of July. 1853, .Mr. Keeling was 
united in marriage to Miss .Mary A. .Morgan, of 
IJrooklyn, .New York, a daugjiter of Thomas and 
Mary (Starr) Morgan. She was born May 25, 
1834, in Wales, and in her early girlliood days 
accompanied her parents on their emigration to 
New ^'ork. in which city she grew to woman- 
liood and was married, l-'ive children have been 
born of this union — Francis, who is now engaged 
in the drug business in Chicago; Thomas Mor- 
gan, wlio is with his brother in Chicago; James 
H., of Rockford ; William B., also a druggist of 
Chicago, and l-'red C. who is engaged in the 
manufacture of perfume on Clark street in Chi- 
cago. 

In i8yi Mr. Keeling built his home, which is 
an attractive residence, noted for the generous 
hospitality extended to the many friends oi the 
family. .Mr. Keeling iias been a subscrilier of the 
Register since 1859. He belongs to that class of 
men who owe their prosperity entirely to their 
own efforts. The invariable law of destiny ac- 
cords to tireless energy, industry and ability a 
successful career, and the truth of this assertion 
is abundantly verified in his life history, lie had 
but meager advantages in his youth and altlinugh 
he has met many difficulties and obstacles, he has 
overcome these by determined purpose and laud- 
able endeavor, working his way steadily u])ward 
until now he is enabled to enjoy an honorable 
retirement front further business cares and labors. 



WILLI AM \\( tKTlI I'.CRSON. 

William Wortli I'urson, invertor and manu- 
facturer, has attained a ])osition of distinction 
aiuong those whose genius has given to the world 
products that have advanced the material welfare 
and i)rosperity of the nation, in connection with 
liis business interests Mr. I'urson has in substan- 
tial measure contributed to the welfare of Rock- 
ford along the lines of industrial activity. Tlic 
history of many men is but a succession of fail- 
ures, but the life record of Mr. Iiurson is a suc- 
cession of successes. Discouragements have hin- 
dered his progress, obstacles have blocked his 
|)athwa\'. yet ihniugii a |)ersistency of ])ur|)osi. 
l)orn of a knowleilge nf his own power, he has 
continued his lalwrs until his fame as an inventor 
has s])read abroad. 

Mr. I'urson is a native of Pennsylvania and in 
1842 was taken by liis parents to McD<inougb 
Cfiunty. Illinois, and the following year to Fulton. 
where his Ixiyhood and early manhotxl were 
passed, thus sharing the experiences of pioneer 



life. Reared to the occupation of farming, he was 
always interested and much used to the work of 
the fields and soon brought to bear his natural 
mechanical ingenuity upon the improvement of 
the farm machinery. His first work in this di- 
rection of any note was the invention and con- 
struction of a self-rake reaper in 1858, this 
being the first machine to regulate the size of 
favcl by weight. Continued experimenting, study 
and investigatinn made him a pioneer in the in- 
vention of grain hinders and he obtained a jiatent 
on a twine binder in i860. These machines were 
attached to the reaper and operated by hantl, be- 
ing first brought into prominence by being op- 
erated in the great rea]K-r trial at Dixon. Illinois, 
held during the harvest season of 1862. Emer- 
son & Comjiany contracted to make one thou- 
sand machines for Mr. Iiurson for the harvest of 
1863, these being the first thousand grain binders 
ever manufactured. ^Ir. l'>urson came to Rock- 
ford for the puqjose of carrying out the contract 
and resided in this city until iSSi. when he re- 
moved to Chicago. On accnunt of imperfect 
workmanship, lack of field experts and other ad- 
verse circumstances the business of manufactur- 
\:\g and placing upon the market the grain bind- 
ers ])rove(l a disastrous venture financially and left 
him with a large indebtedness, which was not en- 
tirel\ li(|ui(lated until upi. In the meantime his 
llHHights and etiorts were concentrated along 
other lines of invention and mechanical improve- 
ment, and in 1866. associated with the late John 
.Nelson, under the firm name of Burson & Nelson, 
the invention of the family knitting machine was 
undertaken. Mr. Nelson was obliged to give his 
attention largely to the operation of a sash, door 
and blind factory for some time, but Mr. Burson 
a|)i)lied himself closely to the work which he had 
undertaken an<l after much tedious labor on the 
part of both gentlemen a power machine was per- 
fected. Cpon these machines patents were issued 
to Burson & .Nelson in i8('j8, 1870 and 1875, and 
in 1874 they also secured a patent on hose. On 
the 25tli of Decemlx^r, i86t), a part now known as 
the ])resser hook was dcvelojied and on the 23d of 
fill v. 1870. the first sock was knit by an auto- 
matic machine at Rockford. The .socks came 
from the machine joined together and were sepa- 
rated by hand and the toes were also thus closed. 
This was the first practical automatic knitting 
machine. In 1 872-3 the ]iarallel row machine was 
developed, this being tlie beginning of Rock- 
ford's great knitting industry. These machines 
were automatic an<l closed both toe and heel, pro- 
ducing a stocking ready to wear without hand 
work. 

Rockford seamless socks were i)ioneers in 
seamless hosiery and superseded the old line of 
goods which before had held the market. .Mr. 
Bursnn continued as a member of tlie firm of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



167 



Burson & Nelson initil 1878. when he withdrew 
from that business and independently continued 
the work of experiment and invention. He has 
continuously studied out new devices, which, put 
to the practical test, have resulted in the building 
of an automatic grain-binding harvester : a knit- 
ting machine with a mitten pattern, having a 
double wrist, with the letters, "pat'd," knit there- 
in, also a patent office model, knitting a stocking 
with a narrow ankle and fancy top, containing 
the letter "B," a ribbed scarf with letters at each 
end, and a shirt sleeve with fancy cuff and wid- 
ening to the body, all of these articles knit with 
change of yarn and on a single pattern upon the 
same needles. Between the years of 1879 ^"d 
1892 ^Ir. Burson developed a number of im- 
portant harvesting inventions which were pur- 
chased by W^hitely, Deering, AlcCormick, Walter 
A. Wood and the Milwaukee and Piano Harvest- 
ing Companies. In 1891 he undertook the perfec- 
tion of knitting machinery and in 1892 brought 
one of these machines to Rockford. These ma- 
chines were modeled after his invention of 1878, 
and their product is now being shipped from 
Rockford to all parts of the United States, an ex- 
tensive factory being kept in constant operation. 
Mr. Burson has been allowed more than fifty 
United States and foreign patents on grain bind- 
ers, harvesters, automatic knitting machines, knit 
fabrics and other lines upon which he has worked, 
and on which he is still actively engaged. "There 
is nothing extemporaneous," said one of Chica- 
go's eminent divines. "Everything results from 
some previous condition of labor." This truth 
is especially manifest in the life of the inventor, 
who may jjerfect in a few- weeks or perhaps days 
an invention which is the outcome of years of 
thought, study and experiment, and all that Mr. 
Burson has given to the world in the way of im- 
proved machinery represents years of close appli- 
cation, earnest investigation and untiring effort. 
He is a man of enterprise, positive character, in- 
domitable energy, strong integrity and liberal 
views and has been fully identified with the 
growth and prosperity of the city of his adop- 
tion. He has, moreover, concentrated his efforts 
in pursuit of a persistent purpose until he has 
gained a most satisfactorv reward. 



HUGH FERGUSON. 

Hugh Ferguson, living on section 25, Harlem 
township, is the owner of a farm of two hundred 
and eight acres of arable land, the productiveness 
of which is demonstrated in the fine harvests 
which he annually garners. He was born on the 
2d of November. 1854, in the village of Argyle, 
Harlem township. His parents were William 



and Helen ( Picken) Ferguson. The father was 
born in Campbellstown, Scotland, in 1813 and 
there resided until 1836, when he came to the 
United States, making his way to Cincinnati, 
( )hio, where he lived for four years. On the ex- 
piration of that period he took up his abode at 
Arg}le, Winnebago county, and purchased the 
farm whereon he resided for twenty-two years. 
He then sold that property and bought the farm 
now occupied by his son Hugh, continuing it as 
Iiis place of residence until his death, which oc- 
curred in January, 1884. He learned the carpen- 
ter's trade in Scotland, but in this country his en- 
ergies and attention were concentrated upon his 
agricultural pursuits. His wife was also a native 
of Scotland, having been born in the vicinity of 
Campbellstown about 181 7, and with her parents 
she came to \\'innebago county, Illinois, in 1836. 
Her death occurred here in October, 1883. The 
members of the family are as follows : James, 
born in 1840, died in Rockford in 1895, leaving 
a widow and one son. Alexander, born in Har- 
lem township and now living in Rockford, mar- 
ried .Margaret Ralston, of Caledonia, Illinois, and 
has two children. W. J., a resident of Harlem 
township, wedded Cora E. Ferguson and is liv- 
ing at Rockford. \\'. D., whose home is in Los 
Angeles. California, married Ada Smith, by 
whom he has two daughters and a son, and their 
home is in Rockford. Thomas, living in Rock- 
ford, married Alice Smith, of Byron, Illinois. 
Charles P., of Lake City, Iowa, married Jennie 
Turner, of Argyle. and has one son and two 
daughters. Ellen, born in 1844, became the wife 
of Charles Greenlee, of Belvidere, Illinois, and 
(lied in 1882, leaving a husband and two sons and 
two daughters. Mary J., born in 1846, became 
the wife of James Brysen, of Chicago, Illinois, 
and died in 1869. 

Hugh Ferguson was seven years of age when 
his parents removed from the farm at Argyle to 
the farm in Harlem township, on which he yet 
resides. He was reared to agricultural pursuits 
and has alwavs followed that occupation, being 
now successfully engaged in general farming and 
also in the raising and feeding of cattle. His 
early education was acquired in the common 
schools and subsequently he continued his studies 
in Lounsberry Academy, in Rockford. 

Hugh Ferguson was married March 30, 1897, 
to Cora Belle Bryden and they have a daughter, 
Minnie Helen, born March 7, 1899. Mrs. Fergu- 
son is a daughter of James W. and Olive (Hal- 
sted) Bryden and was born December 9, i864_, in 
Harrison township. She has been twice married, 
her first husband being Henry Barkley, wdno died 
in 1892, leaving three children — Earl H., Fred 
L, and Olive F. Her father. James W. Bryden, 
was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, July 22, 1830, 
and came to America when eighteen years of age. 



i68 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



landing at New York city. He lived in the 
state of New York and in Pennsylvania until 
185C), when he came to Winnebago connly. In 
1861 he joined the Union army and served for 
four years, being for two years in the commis- 
sary department, while for two years he was a 
member of Company G. Eleventh Illinois Cavalry. 
He married C )live Halstetl. who was born in 
Pennsvlvania, and was brought to Harrison town- 
ship, this county, in her early girlh(X)d days. Her 
death occurred in Rockford in 1893. Mrs. l-'er- 
guson has one brother, William J. Bryden, a resi- 
dent of Shirland township, who is married and 
has a son and daughter. Her sisters are : Mrs. 
Fred Gilmore, of Owen townshi]). who has one 
son ; Mrs. Fred Schoonmaker. of Harlem 
township, who has two sons ; and ^Irs. Frank 
Buchanan, of Rockford, who has one daughter. 

Mr. Ferguson, since attaining liis majority, has 
exercised his right of franchise in support of the 
men and measures of the republican i)arty and 
has done everything in his power to jjromote its 
growth and extend its influence, being recog- 
nized as a local leader in party ranks. He has 
served as justice of the peace and retired in the 
present year, 1905, from the office of assessor, in 
which he had been the incumbent for eight years. 
At the present time he is a member of the school 
board. Fraternally he is connected with Camj) 
No. 661, M. W. A., and with Harmony Grange, 
of which he is treasurer, and he belongs to the 
Presbyterian church. His entire life has been 
spent in this county and he has lived always upon 
two farms, the one upon which he was b<irn and 
the one which is now- his place of residence. He 
has here a valuable property and its splendid ap- 
pearance indicates his careful supervision and 
practical methods. 



MARCUS A. NORTON. 

Marcus A. Norton, who during the last twen- 
ty years has been honored by being made the re- 
cipient of various offices of public trust, and is 
now filling the position of county clerk in Win- 
nebago county, was born in the town of r)ridge- 
water, Michigan, January 16. 1841. Three years 
later his parents took up their abode in Ann Ar- 
bor, Michigan, so the children might enjoy the 
excellent educational opportunities there offered. 
In 1852 they removed to Rockford, the famil\- 
home being established on the south side in what 
was then the fifth ward. 

Marcus A. Norton attended the .\nn .\rbor 
and the Rockford schools, and the latent force 
of his character was developed by the incidents 
and early scenes of the Civil war. He became a 
stanch advocate of the Union cause, and feeling 



tUai his aid was needed at the front, he enlisted 
as a private in Company G. Forty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry, for a term of three years. With his 
command he went to the south and took part in 
a number of important engagements. At the 
battle of Chickamauga, on the 20th of Septem- 
ber, 1863, he was severely wounded, and when 
the regiment retreated, was left on the field, 
where he was later found by the rebels and 
claimed as a prisoner of war. He was paroled, 
however, with others who were severely injured, 
and on the ist of October, 1863, was taken to 
Chickamauga. Following an exchange of pris- 
oners, he rejoined his regiment, and again active 
service fell to his lot, for he participated in the 
.\tlarta campaign under General Sherman, being 
present at the time of the surrender of the city. 
\\'hen his three years' term had expired he was 
mustered out at .Atlanta. September 17, 1864, and 
with a most creditable military record returned 
to his home. He gave his service freely and will- 
ingly to his country. The important military 
tluties which devolved upon him are indicated by 
the fact that he ])articipated in the engagements 
at Perryville. Stone River, Chickamauga, Lost 
Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain. Peach Tree 
Creek and Jonesboro, together with many of 
the skirmishes and engagements in the vicinity of 
.\tlanta. The story of the great sanguinary con- 
flict which to many is a matter of history is to 
him a matter of experience, and indelibly im- 
pressed upon his mind are many of the scenes and 
incidents which occurred in connection with the 
preservation of the L'nion. 

Mr. Norton has rendered to his country equal- 
ly loyal and creditable service as a public official, 
for no trust reposed in him in connection with his 
official duties in Winnebago county has ever been 
betrayed in the slightest degree. In 1883 he was 
elected supervisor from the fifth ward of Rock- 
ford. and continued in office for three terms, when 
he declined to again become a nominee, from the 
fact that he was a candidate for the office of comi- 
ty clerk in 1886. When the republican county con- 
vention met at Rockford in Jime of that year he 
was nominated by acclamation for the office which 
he sought, and the election in the following No- 
vember showed that he was a successful candi- 
date. .At each recurring convention he has been 
renominated by acclamation, and is now serving 
his fifth term. He takes no special credit to him- 
self for the capable manner which has marked the 
discharge of his official work, regarding it merely 
as his duty, but the general public is free to ac- 
cord him ]>raise for what he has done, and the 
testimonial of the public trust is his frequent re- 
election. .Abraham Lincoln said, "Yon can fool 
some of the .American people all of the time, and 
all of the .American people some of the time, but 
von can't fool all of the American people all of 




MARCUS A. NORTON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



171 



the time." It is in this that the safety of Amer- 
ican poHtics hes, and a continuation in an elective 
office is virtual proof of prompt, capable and hon- 
orable service on the part of the incumbent. 

JNIr. Norton was married, in May, 1866. to 
Miss Henrietta Gardner, the weddinsj ceremony 
being performed by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Kerr. 
They lost their only child in infancy. Their home 
is at No. 610 North street, and the social enter- 
tainment there afforded is greatly enjoyed by 
their many friends who are constantly increasing 
in number as the circle of their acquaintance 
widens. 



RUGGLES W. CRUMB. 

Ruggles ^^'. Crumb, now deceased, was well 
known in business circles in Rockford as the pres- 
ident of the R. W. Crumb Lumber & Fuel Com- 
pany. He was born in Otsego county. New York, 
January 2']. 1828, his parents being \'arnum and 
Sophronia Crumb. The father spent his entire 
life in that county and passed away there, while 
]\Irs. Crumb came west to Rockford and died 
here, aged ninety-six years. 

Ruggles \\'. Crumb was a student in the com- 
mon schools in his early boyhood days and after- 
wartl attended the academ_\" in Otsego county, 
thus acquiring a good education and being well 
equipped for the practical and responsible duties 
which came to him in later life. At the age of 
eighteen years he secured a situation in the em- 
ploy of a manufacturing company in Otsego 
county, manufacturers of all kinds of garden im- 
plements, and there his capability and fidelity won 
ready recognition in promotion which eventually 
made him a partner in the enterprise. He was 
engaged in the manufacture of implements at 
that place until 1868, when, thinking that the 
west offered a still broader field of labor, he took 
up his abode in Chicago, where he formed a part- 
nership with, two brothers, establishing a lumber 
business. There he remained until 1877. when 
he removed to Marengo, Illinois, where he con- 
tinued in the lumber trade for three years. He 
afterward spent nine years in a similar enter- 
prise in Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois, and in 
1889 came to Rockford, where he and his two 
children opened up a lumber yard under the firm 
style of the R. W. Crumb Lumber & Fuel Com- 
pany, at No. 709 Seventh street. Mr. Crumb was 
active in the management of this enterprise until 
his death, which occurred January 25, 1902. 

In Otsego county. New York, occurred the 
marriage of Ruggles W. Crumb and Miss Caro- 
line M. Robinson, a native of Otsego county, and 
a daughter of Dr. Plinney Robinson, who was a 
prominent physician of that county, where he and 



his wife spent their entire lives. Five children 
were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Crumb, of whom 
three are living, namely : Haskell A., who mar- 
ried Mary M. Crandall, and resides in Rockford, 
where he is president and treasurer of the R. W. 
Crumb Lumber & Fuel Company ; Grace K., 
who is principal of the Garrison School of Rock- 
ford. and resides with her mother: and Ward C, 
who married Nellie Bennett and is secretary of 
the R. \\'. Crumb Lumber & Fuel Company. 
The other children, Josephine and Arthur, died 
while in Chicago. 

Mr. Crumb voted with the democratic party 
in early life and afterward became a republican, 
but never cared for political preferment. He 
was a stanch advocate of the temperance cause 
and devoted much time to furthering temperance 
principles, while both he and his wife were con- 
sistent and active members of the State Street 
Baptist church. Flis life was at all times hon- 
orable and u])right, being in consistent harmony 
with his professions, and his religion formed a 
part of his daily existence, prompting him to 
honorable dealings in all his business transac- 
tions and to justice and uprightness in all life's 
relations. His name became a synonym for busi- 
ness integrity as well as industry, and he left his 
family an untarnished life record, as well as a 
substantial competence. His widow now owns a 
nice home at No. 1013 Harlem aventie, where she 
and her daughter reside. 



G. A. STE\ENS. 



G. A. Stevens, starting out in life for himself at 
the age of ten years, is to-day one of the prosper- 
ous farmers of Winnebago county, located on sec- 
tion 9. Guilford township. He has been a resi- 
dent of this county since 1877 and in earlier years 
was identified with building operations, but for 
some time has been connected with agricultural 
interests. He was born in New Brunswick, New 
Jersey, in 1858, his parents being John and Anna 
Stevens, but the mother died during the infancy 
of her son. The father was a native of England 
and came to the United States when a young 
man. In his youth he went upon the sea and re- 
mained a sailor throughout much of his life, but 
in his later years became a merchant tailor, con- 
ducting business in New York city. He died 
there in July, 181)4, when almost eighty-six years 
of age. In his family were the following named : 
(j. A., of this review : Mrs. Lydia Kennedy, of 
Spottswood. New Jersey ; Jule, who resides near 
Brockport, New York : and Alfred, who is liv- 
ing in Norwich, New York. 

G. A. Stevens, leaving home when ten years of 
age, worked his wav alone among strangers, trav- 



J 72 



I'AST AND PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUXTV. 



cling westward to Wisconsin, and reaching Jef- 
ferson county, tliat state, in April, 1869. He 
made his home there for about eight years, or 
until 1879, when he came to Winnebago county, 
Illinois, settling in Rockford, where he l)egan 
working at the cariK-nter's trade. He was thus 
engaged for about tifteen years and during ihat 
period he located on his present farm. This is a 
good tract of land, whicli is well improved, and 
indicates his careful supervision in its splendid 
appearance and excellent etiuipment. He also 
owns a fine farm in South Dakota. 

In 1887, in Rockford, .Mr. Stevens was united 
in marriage to Miss Amelia Whittle, who was 
born in Guilford township, in 1853, her parents 
being Frederick and Matilda ( IJeers) \\'hittle. 
Her father was born in Canada, September 5, 
181S. and was of French lineage. He was reared 
in the ])lace of his nativity and on coming to Illi- 
nois, located on the state road in (niilford town- 
ship. He was then a young man and began life 
here as an agriculturist. Alx)Ut 1888 he ])ur- 
chased a farm in section 22, Guilford townshi]). 
As a companion and helpmate on life's journev he 
chose Miss lleers. to whom he was married 
March 2^. 1849. 'i"*^' t'ley located upon his farni. 
which continued to be their home until his death, 
which occurred April 26, 1854. In his political 
views he was a republican and in religious faith 
a ISaptist. His wife was born in Somerset. Or- 
leans county. New York, January 22. 1831, and 
was a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Herrick) 
ISeers, who came to this county in June, 1836. 
locating in Guilford township on the state road. 
The father was a farmer and both he and his 
wife died in this county. Daniel Ueers was born 
August II, 1806, in Moore townshi]), Northamp- 
ton county, Pennsylvania, and was married in the 
state of New York, February 11, 1830. In 1834 
he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and in June, 1836, he removed with his family 
to Rockford, reaching his destination on the 13th 
of June of that year. Not long afterward he took 
up his abode in Guilford township, where he re- 
mained until the fall of 1855, when he removed to 
Monroe, Wisconsin, making his home there until 
1863. At that date he returned to Rockford, and 
in the spring of 1868 removed from the city to 
Harlem township, where the succeeding three 
years were passed, when he again took up his 
abode in the cotmty scat, there spending his re- 
maining days, his (leath occurring April 3, 1880. 
He and his wife were among the five charter 
memlxirs of the Methodist church. Mrs. Beers 
\\as born November 30. 1812. in the Empire 
State and was a daughter of Lutlier and Mary 
(Johnson) Herrick, who were also natives of 
that state. Mrs. Beers died in Rockford, No- 
vember 18, 1896, having foi about sixteen years 
sun'ived her husKind. 



Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Whittle were the par- 
ents of two daughters — Emily J., who was born 
in Guilford townshii), February 20, 1850, was 
married to Leonard Marsh, December 15. 1868, 
and died September 17, 1885. Mr. Marsh now 
resides at Topeka, Kansas. Mrs. Whittle was 
married August 23. 1855, to Wilhrd Convers, who 
was born January 20, 1822, in Litchfield town- 
ship, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and was a 
son of Henry Convers, whose birth occurred 
April 7. 177<). and he removed westward to Guil- 
ford township. \\'innebago county, where he re- 
sided until his death, January 3. 1853. Willard 
Convers came as a boy to this county in 1839 and 
resided on section 16. Guilford township, this be- 
ing the farm now occupied by Mrs. Convers and 
by Mr. and Mrs. Stevens. Mr. Convers took up 
land on section 16, the patent of which is still in 
possession of the family. Mrs. Convers will be 
seventy-five years of age in January, ux)6. and 
having been a resident of Guilford township since 
June 13, 1836, has lived longer in this county 
than any other woman now living. 

Mr. Stevens is a stanch repulilican. believing 
firmly in the ])rincii)les of his rarty, and has ac- 
ceptably filled various township offices. So- 
cially he Is a member of Rockford lodge. No. 
102. A. F. & A. M.. and his religious views are 
somewhat in harmony with the doctrines of the 
L'niversalist church. 



HORACE r.ROWN. 



Horace lirown. banker and cai>ilalist. whose 
intense and well directetl activity has gained him 
a foremost position in financial circles of Rock- 
ford. was born in Springfield, Windsor county, 
\'ermont, June 24, 1824. His ancestry, both lineal 
and collateral, has through many generations 
been distinctively .Vmerican, but still farther back 
the record leads to Edward Brown, who was born 
in Horton, County Kent. England, in 1501, and 
became one of the early colonists of Ijiswich, 
Massachusetts, sailing from London, England, 
on the ship Hopewell. Representatives of the 
family lived there down to the time of Elisha 
Brown, grandfather of Horace Brown, who was 
br)rn in Ipswich, Massachusetts. January 7, 1748. 
P'oUowing his removal to Ilinghaiu. Massachu- 
setts, he was married there to Merriel Bates, and 
in 1773 removetl to Winchendon, Massachusetts. 
He studied closely the attitude of the mother 
coimtry as she encroached more and more closely 
upon the liberty of the colonists and when the at- 
tempt was made to throw off the yoke of 
British opjiression he joined the .Xmerican army 
and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill 
and other important engagements. In 1778 he 
took up his abode in Springfield, \'ermont. 




)(XTci. 



zjJ3, 



/yCT'LAJ-'^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



175 



Jonathan Brown, father of Horace Brown, was 
born in Springfield, October 5. 1796, and wedded 
Hannah Stocker, who was of Enghsh and 
Scotch lineage. Her father, Elijah Stocker. also 
a patriot of the Revolutionary army, partici- 
pated in the battle of Bunker Hill and also in 
the engagement at Yorktown, where Cornwallis 
surrendered. 

In his native county Horace Brown acquired 
a public school education and when not engaged 
with his text-books assisted in the operation of 
his father's farm, remaining at home until twenty 
years of age, when he entered the employ of the 
Hon. William Thayer, a farmer of the neigh- 
borhood. In 1845, however, he turned his at- 
tention to the manufacture of oil cloth in Lan- 
singburg. New York, where he remained until 
1850. when he started for the middle west, reach- 
ing Rockford on the 12th of ;\Iay. He made 
investment in a farm in New Milford township, 
then containing a population of only eighteen 
liundred, and after leasing the property he re- 
turned to the east for his bride. 

]\Ir. Brown was married, September 12. 1850, 
to Miss Mary .\. Thayer, a daughter of the 
Hon. William Thayer, his first employer. Her 
father, better known as Captain Thayer, was 
a man of prominence in his comunity, where he 
served as justice of the peace and was also a 
member of the state legislature for several terms. 
He was engaged in the tanning business and the 
manufacture of shoes. Mrs. Brown was born 
February 16. 1827, and with her husband re- 
turned to his western home, but in the following 
spring they again went east and Mr. Brown ac- 
cepted a position in the oil cloth factory, where 
he remained until June, 1853. 

On that date they arrived in Rockford, where 
they located. Mr. Brown trading his farm for 
property on the west side of the city, while he 
turned his attention to the livery business, form- 
ing a partnership with G. W. Reynolds. The 
new enterprise proved profitable, but after two 
years Mr. Brown sold out and again returned 
to his native town, where he was connected with 
the conduct of several business interests. He 
took up his abode permanently in Rockford in 
1859 and his home has since been on Park Ridge, 
one of the most beautifully located districts of 
the city. He has long figured prominently in 
financial circles. He assisted in the organiza- 
tion of the Rockford National Bank in 1871. 
with Gilbert Woodruff as president : Mr. Brown, 
vice president ; and D. H. Ferguson, cashier. 
Later J\I. S. Parmelle was made cashier and 
was succeeded by ^^^ F. Woodruff, who became 
vice president after the death of his father in 
1875. at which time ]\Ir. Brown succeeded to the 
presidency, and H. S. Burpee was made cashier. 
The bank was organized with a capital of one 



hundred thousand dollars and now has a surplus 
of the same amount. The safe conservative 
policy inaugurated by the bank at the outset has 
alwavs been maintained and the bank almost im- 
mediately took rank with the leading moneyed 
institutions of the state and has been accorded 
a patronage which makes its volume of business 
of a proportion that would be creditable to the 
banks of much larger cities. To other fields 
of business activity Mr. Brown has extended his 
eitorts. In 1892 he was one of the promoters 
of the Forest City Insurance Company, of which 
he has served as treasurer and vice-president 
and also as a member of the board of directors, 
being the only original director now left, and he 
was president of the Insurance Company of the 
State of Illinois during the first years of its ex- 
istence. He has been a factor in public progress 
in community interests and as the champion of 
beneficial public measures his labors have proved 
far-reaching. 

Mr. and !Mrs. Brown had one son and one 
daughter. William Tha}-er Brown, born in Rock- 
ford, ;\Iarch 2, 1854. is a member of the fimi 
of A. G. Spaulding & Brothers. He resides in 
East Orange. New Jersey, and has his office at 
No. 126 Nassau street. New York city. He 
wedded Miss Mary L. Spaulding on the 24th 
of August. 1875. She was bom October 23, 
1854. and they have four children: Horace S., 
Harriet Irene. William Thayer and Elizabeth. 
Alice C. Brown, born March 26. 1856, was the 
wife of D. H. Ferguson, of Denver, Colorado, 
and died March 23, 1890, leaving a son, Donald 
Bro\\n Ferguson. Carrie A. Brown, born Ju'y 
27. i860, died April 10. 1885. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown have ever occupied in social circles the 
prominent position accorded in recognition of 
culture, intelligence and long residence, and 
in business circles, where he has been known 
for more than half a century, his judgment is 
regarded as of great value and his name is 
honored. 



JOHN HIBBARD. 



John Hibbard. a retired wagonmaker. residing 
at No. 1443 School street, was born in England 
in 182 1. His father, John H. Hibbard, a native 
of the same country, was a wagonmaker by trade. 
John Hibbard spent the days of his youth in his 
nati\-e country and was about twent_\--nine years 
of age when he crossed the Atlantic to America, 
settling first in Canada, whence he made his wa.y 
to Buffalo, New York. He afterward took up his 
abode in Pike county, Illinois, where he lived for 
two vears, and later removed to Louisiana, Mis- 
souri', where he spent the succeeding ten years. 



176 



PAST AND I'RllSKXT OV Wl.WEP.AGO COUNTY. 



On tlie expiration of that periotl he settled in Ne- 
braska, where for twenty years he made his home, 
and then ag'ain went to Canada, S])en<hng five 
years in the IX)niinion. W'lien lie returned to Illi- 
nois he tt)ok up his abode in Rix-ktord. where he 
is now living retired, having for fourteen years 
made his home in this city. In early life he 
learned the wagonmaker's trade and throughout 
the greater ])art of his active business career he 
has followed that pursuit, his industry, persever- 
ance and indefatigable energy being the strong 
elements in his success. l!y tlie careful husband- 
ing of his resources as the years passed he accu- 
mulated a handsome coni])etence that now enables 
him to live retired. 

Mr. Hibbard was married in Dorsetshire. Eng- 
land, to Miss .\nn .Martin, who was born in that 
country in 1831. She is a lady of culture, fond 
of reading, and is seldom found without a book in 
her hands. Mr. Hibbard has also kept well in- 
formed with the progress of the world and the 
t|ucstions of the day through I'.is reading and ob- 
servation. He has twice visited luigland since 
taking u]i his abode in the new world, thus re- 
newing acquaintances of his youth and looking 
again upon the scenes amid which his boyhood 
days and early manhood were passed. He now 
has a nice home where he resides at No. 1443 
School street, and he owns a tract with fort\ 
feet frontage adjnining his lot. his land cover- 
ing an area of one hundred and four by one hun- 
dred and fifty-two feet. He also has a good bank 
account and his prosperity is the rew'ard of his 
efforts, lioth .Mr. and .Mrs. Hibbard are members 
of the r[])iscopal church. They have now trav- 
eled far on life's journey, he having passed the 
eighty- fourth milestone. 



F.. I. N'ENESS. 



There are many men of worth who for lack of 
certain of the essential elements of a successful 
business career have to strive year after year for 
a competence and then fail of its attainment. 
There arc others who by reason of energy, strong 
l)uri)ose and laudable ambition, guided by .sound 
inisiness judgment and ])ractical common sense, 
gain the goal of prosperity and are enabled, in 
their later years, to enjoy merited rest from labor. 
To the latter class Mr. Veness belongs. He is a 
re])resentative of a colony of New ^'ork citizens 
who have been iirominent and active in the u])- 
building of Kockton townshij) and the utilization 
of its natural resources. He was born in Rome, 
New York. January 31, 1836. and his parents, 
James and Charlotte (Gerrish) Wness, were 
both natives of luigland, in which country they 
were reared and married. I'our ni their children 
were Ixmi in that land and in 1833 .Mr. N'eness 



came with his family to the new world. They 
had altogether five children, of whom three are 
living: Mrs. Charlotte H. Douglas, E. J., of 
this review, and .Mrs. Keziah W'aite. Having 
crossed the .Atlantic, the father took U]) his abode 
in N'ernon, New \'ork. where he remained for six 
years, following the occupation of farming. He 
later became a Haptist minister and preached the 
first sermon in behalf of that denomination in 
Uelvidere. IJoone county. Illinois, the services be- 
ing held in the courthouse before its completion. 
He preachetl at various points in the county as a 
pioneer minister, making the journey on foot 
from one ])lace to ant)tlier, for tlie horse which he 
owned was needed in the farm work. He plained 
the seeds of gos])el truth in many a settlement and 
did much to promote the moral (levelojjment of 
Winnebago county in an early day. He arrived 
here in 1839. 'living made the journey by way 
of the lakes to Chicago and thence by team to 
Rockford. after which he drove to Rockton, 
where he remained for six months. t)n the ex- 
piration of that period he removed to Boone 
county, where he lived upon a farm and in cor. 
nection with the cultivation of his land he also 
divided his attention with gospel work, .\fter 
twelve years he returned to Rockton. where he 
engage(l in merchandizing from 1851 until iS(-i2. 
I)eing one of the representative |)ioneer nK-rchants 
there. \\ bile in lloone count v he served as ])ost- 
master for several years, the mail being brought 
from Chicago on horseback at that time. His 
early ])olitical support was given to the whig 
party and he became a .stanch adviicate of the abo- 
lition cause, so that when the republican party 
was formed to prevent the further extension of 
slavery, he joined its ranks, continuing one of its 
stalwart advocates until his death. He was born 
in September, 1 800, and died at the age of eighty- 
two years. He had lived a life of usefulness and 
his memory remains as a blessed benediction to 
many who knew him. His wife passed away 
when sixty-two years of age. 

E. J. N'eness spent the greater ]>art of his youtb 
in Rockton and upon attaining his majority en- 
tered his father's store, thus beconnng a factor in 
connnercial circles in the village. He became a 
partner with his father in the store in 185^) an<l 
st> continued until iSfij, when he ])urchased his 
father's interest in the business, which he carried 
on alone for some time, and eventually admitted 
his son to a partnership. He was active in the 
management and ownership of the store until 
KJ04, when his son became his successor and he 
retired to private life. The business interests of 
the firm had always been carefully managed and 
everv stej) was thoughtfully taken by Mr. \'eness, 
who closely watched the indications pointing to 
success, and in his mercantile career folUiwod a 
definite i)lan of action. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



177 



In 1862 occurred the marriage of E. J. Veness 
and Miss Mary Stearns, who was born in Bloom- 
ington, Illinois, forty-one years ago, a daughter 
of Lloyd Stearns. Mr. and Mrs. Veness have a 
son and daughter. Lloyd E., who succeeded his 
father in business in Rockton, and is now one of 
the representative merchants of the town, was 
born in that place and married Jessie Smith, of 
Kansas, by whom he has one child, Joce C, who 
was born in Rockton. The daughter, Mary Eve- 
lyn, is now the wife of Guy M. Hopkins, of 
Rockton. Mr. Veness is a member of the Baptist 
church. His wife has served as organist for a 
number of years, but is not a member of the 
church. He votes with the republican party and 
has been prominent and influential in affairs of 
his township and county. During his earlv resi- 
dence here he served as school director, was high- 
way commissioner in 1862, has been supervisor of 
the township for nine years and was chair- 
man of the same board for seven years. In 
all of these offices he has been true to the 
general welfare, placing the public good 
before personal aggrandizement. He is in- 
deed one of the leading citizens of his communi- 
ty, having been successful in a business career, 
while in his private life he has won the highest 
esteem of all. His efforts have promoted progress 
along material, social, intellectual and moral lines 
and his life history forms an important factor in 
the annals of Rockton. 



JOHN ANDREWS. 

John Andrew's, practically living retired, after 
many years of active connection with agricultural 
interests, makes his home at 1723 School street. 
He is a native of southern Indiana, his birth hav- 
ing occurred in Posey county. April i. 183 1, his 
parents being Anson S. and Elizabeth ( r.utler ) 
Andrews. The father was born in Connecticut 
in 1787 and the mother was a native of Massa- 
chusetts. After leaving the Charter Oak state 
Anson S. Andrews went to New York city and 
later came to the middle west, settling in Indiana, 
where he followed general agricultural pursuits 
until his death, which occurred in 1854. In his 
family were two sons and a daughter, all of 
whom are now living, namely : Seth, a resident 
of ^^'isconsin ; Mrs. Harriet Hinkley, a resident of 
Rockford ; and John, of this review. 

John Andrews spent the first twenty-seven 
years of his life in the county of his nativity and 
acquired his early education in the common 
schools and also studied mathematics and the dead 
languages. He remained on the farm after his 
father's death and he became interested in a flour 
mill and a general store in Indiana, thus having 



varied business aff'airs which claimed his time and 
attention and made him one of the enterprising 
citizens of that locality. In 1858, however, he 
sold his property in that state and removed to 
southern Illinois, becoming interested in a large 
orchard there and carrying on horticultural pur- 
suits for about three years. He first made his 
wa}- to Rockford in September, 1861, and has 
spent the greater part of the time here since. His 
attention has been given largely to agricultural 
pursuits and he yet owns a valuable tract of land 
of one hundred and fifty acres adjoining the city 
limits. He is now practically living retired, doing 
only a little gardening, while the remainder of his 
land is rented. His farm is worth three hundred 
dollars per acre and it is the visible evidence of 
his life of well directed labor and enterprise. He 
lias made the most of his opportunities as the 
}ears have gone by and has ever been found hon- 
est and reliable in his business dealings. 

In 1858 Mr. Andrews was married at Lincoln, 
Illinois, to Miss Mirinda Piper, who was born in 
Charleston. Illinois, in 1840, and is a daughter of 
B. B. Piper, a minister of that denomination for- 
merly known as the Hardshell Baptists. Mr. and 
Mrs. Andrews became the parents of three sons — 
Charles N., wdio died in 1900; Harry B., a prac- 
ticing attorney of Rockford, and Ernest E. J., a 
teacher in one of the high schools of Chicago. 
Our subject and his wife now reside at No. 1723 
School street, where they have a beautiful home. 
They are both interested in religious work, being 
members of the Christian church. Mr. Andrews 
has never given evidence but once upon the wit- 
ness stand, has never served on a petit uiry nor 
sued or been sued by any man. He has lived 
peacefully with his fellowman, true to principles 
of honorable manhood and in his business career 
he has won ver)- desirable success. Having re- 
sided in this county almost continuously for a 
period of forty-four years, he is w-ell known, here 
and is one of the leading and representative citi- 
zens of the community. 



BRUCE H. GARRETT. 

Bruce H. Garrett, practicing at the Rockford 
l3ar, was born on a farm in Guilford township, 
Winnebago county, November i, 1865. His fa- 
ther, Benjamin F. Garrett, was a native of Geauga 
county. Ohio, born in 1835, and in 1838 came to 
Winnebago county with his parents, Thomas and 
Margaret P. Garrett, locating here when this was 
a frontier district and Rockford contained only a 
few houses. In 1864 Benjamin F. Garrett en- 
listed in Company B, One Hundred and Forty- 
sixth Illinois A'olunteer Infantry, and remained in 
the service until the close of the war. In 1861 



178 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



he was united in marriage to Miss Esther A. 
Hayes, who was a native of Ilhnois and a daugh- 
ter of William Hayes. She became a resident of 
Winnebago county in 1839. lienjaniin l-". (iar- 
rett died April 3. 1900. 

Bruce H. Garrett began his education in the 
district schools while upon his father's farm and 
later he continued his studies in the public schools 
of Rockford. He began preparation for the bar 
under the direction of Albert D. Early, a promi- 
nent attorney of this city, and in 1887 he was ad- 
mitted to practice, successfully passing an exami- 
nation before the appellate court at Mount \'er- 
non. Mr. Garrett began practice in Rockford im- 
mediately afterward, but was soon appointed a 
clerk in the general delivery department of the 
postoffice and occupied that ])osition for ten years. 
He then resumed the practice of law antl has 
gained a creditable clientage. 

On the 25th of February, 1891, Mr. Garrett 
was married to Miss Anna Donaldson, of Rock- 
ford, a daughter of Mrs. Sarah Jane Donaldson, 
and they now have two children — (irace E. and 
Donald B., aged fourteen and twelve years, re- 
spectively. In politics Mr. Garrett is a repub- 
lican, and he has attained a high degree in Ma- 
sonry, belonging to Ellis lodge, No. 1 16, A. F. 
& A. !M. ; Winnebago chapter, No. 24, R. A. 
M. ; Crusader commandery. No. 17, K. T., and 
Tebala Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He resides 
on National avenue, where in 1904 he erected an 
attractive residence, modern in all of its appoint- 
ments. He is possessed of a considerable prop- 
erty, the supervision of which claims his personal 
attention. 



PASCHAL COLVIN. 

Paschal Colvin, the mayor of Pecatonica, who 
has conducted various business enterprises in 
different parts of the country and is now the 
owner of a stone quarry and lime kiln in this 
locality, conducting a profitable business as a 
dealer in both commodities, was lx)rn at Ham- 
burg, Eric county. New York, November 17, 
1832. His father died when the son was very 
young and the latter went to live with .Mvin 
Salisbury in New York, remaining with him until 
eighteen years of age. when he came to Illinois. 
He located first in Stephenson county, his mother 
having removed there after her second marriage. 
In tile middle west he Ix-gan farming and later 
went to Iowa, where he purchased two hundred 
and forty acres of government land in Clayton 
county. On selling that propert\- he purchased 
five hundred and sixty acres in Chickasaw county 
from the government and when he had disposed 
of it became tlie owner of eight hundred and 
thirtv acres in Webster and Humlxjklt counties. 



He also secured this as government claims and in 
each case carried on the work of cultivation and 
improvement to some extent upon the land which 
he ac(iuired. His possessions in Webster and 
Humboldt counties were later sold to good ad- 
vantage, so that he realized a very desirable profit 
on his investment. 

Mr. Colvin was next found in the copper mines 
in Ontonogan county, Michigan, to which place 
he went by way of the lakes, as there were no rail- 
roads at that time. After working in the mines 
for a period he returned by the water route and 
invested his earnings in eighty acres of land in 
Stcjihenson county, Illinois, whereon he erected 
a house, making it his home for four or five years, 
during which time his labors largely transformed 
the ajipearance of the farm, the productive fields 
bringing to him a good financial return. He then 
sold out and established his home in Pecatonica, 
wdiere he purchased a residence. In the mean- 
time he had invented and secured a patent on a 
water tank heater, which he began to manu- 
facture in Pecatonica. He also sold the state and 
county rights and had various representatives 
upon the road selling his manufacture. He also 
traded some of his patent rights for four hun- 
dred and eighty acres of land in Winneljago and 
Worth counties. Iowa, but afterward sold that 
pn)|)erty and removed to Orange City. Florida, 
where he purchased three hundred acres of fruit 
land. Before the memorable hard winter there in 
which most of the fruit was killed he sold all of 
his land except one hundred and sixty acres, 
which he still retains. He traded some of his 
llorida land for a house and eight acres of land 
near Pecatonica and also bought forty-two acres, 
so that he now has fifty acres in this locality. It 
is upon this land that he has a stone quarry and 
lime kiln and he makes large sales annually of 
Ixith lime and stone. In all of his business oper- 
ations he has been successful, being seldom, if 
ever, at fault in matters of business judgment, 
so that his investments bring him an excellent 
financial return. In addition to his farm property 
he owns a number of brick store buildings in 
Pecatonica and a g(Tod home in the town together 
with some vacant lots and two hundred and 
twentv-five acres of rich farming land near the 
town. 

Mr. Colvin and his mother lived together in 
her last years and he took excellent care of her 
when her health failed, thus repaying her in part 
for the care which she gave to him in his early 
boyhood days. She lived to be more than ninety- 
nine years of age. There were three .sons and 
one daughter in her family : .Mvin : Richard, who 
died in ciiildhood ; .Vrilla, who married Mr. Kiby 
and after his death became the wife of Garrett 
Llovd but is again a widow and is now living in 
Petatonica. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



i8i 



Paschal Colvin, the other member of the family, 
became a Mason on the 20th of April, 1863, and 
has always been lo)-al to the teachings of the 
craft. He belongs to A. W. Rawson lodge. No. 
145, A. F. & A. M., being one of its oldest rep- 
resentatives. In former years his political al- 
legiance was given to the democracy but he be- 
came convinced that the republican platform con- 
tained the best elements of good government and 
is now allied with the latter party. He is ser\-- 
ing his second term as mayor of Pecatonica and 
his re-election as an indication that his adminis- 
tration was marked by qualities that work for 
good citizenship, for public progress and sub- 
stantial improvement. He has the interests of 
the town deep at heart and his labors have been 
effective in promoting business welfare. Mr. 
Colvin has been known in this section of the state 
for many years and as a business man and citizen 
has made a record that well entitles him to rep- 
resentation in this volume. 



HON. E. W. BROWN. 

Hon. E. W. Brown, whose intense and well 
directed activity has been of material benefit to 
the city of Rockford as well as the source of his 
business success, was born August 8. 1857. and 
throughout his entire life has resided in Rock- 
ford. His efforts have been so practical, his dis- 
cernment so keen, and his labors so effective that 
it would be difficult to find one who has contrib- 
uted in larger or more effective measure toward 
the upbuilding and improvement of this place. 
His patriotic citizenship and his interest in com- 
munity aft'airs has taken tangible form in his 
zealous labors for the improvements instituted 
through aldermanic measures, and through the 
reforms and progressive movements which he has 
fathered during his six years" service as mayor. 

Mr. Brown was born in Rockford. .August .S, 
1857, and was a student in the public schools. 
Later he attended schixtl in ^Nlount Morris. Illi- 
nois, but the strain placed upon his eyes forced 
him to lay aside his text-books. At that time he 
entered upon an active business career, which in 
its scope and result has broadened until few men 
have exerted the influence upon material prog- 
ress in Rockford that Mr. Brown has done. For 
five years he was a member of the Brown & Eck- 
stine Drug Company, the sales of which con- 
stantly increased until they were represented by 
an annual figure of sixty thousand dollars. On 
the expiration of that period I\Ir. Brown sold his 
interest in the drug store and became a whole- 
sale dealer in oil, securing a contract with the 
Standard Oil Company which enabled him to se- 
cure the product at excellent terms and to supply 



many surrounding towns. He built the first oil 
tank in Rockford and secured equipment for con- 
ducting an extensive trade. He began with a 
capital of three thousand dollars and within six 
months his business had reached the sum of 
thirty thousand dollars. He then sold out to 
John P. Porter & Company, for other interests 
claimed his attention. 

Perhaps the work that has contributed most 
largely to the improvement of Rockford was his 
labor in securing the building of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad to this point. In 1884 the company 
was making plans for the construction of an air 
line between Chicago and Freeport. Their sur- 
vey had been completed and it was decided to 
leave Rockford out and build the road east of 
New Alilford, crossing the river at Hoisington 
Rocks below this city. Judge Brown, the father, 
realizing the detriment this would be to Rock- 
ford, at once entered upon active measures to se- 
cure the construction of the road through this 
city. He was personally acquainted with E. T. 
Jefferies, general manager of the Illinois Central, 
and v.-ith Stuyvesant Fish, president of the road. 
He sought an interview with the former and in- 
duced him to come to Rockford and look over 
the city before determining upon a final settle- 
ment for the location of the line. Mr. Jefferies, 
accompanied by Isaiah Randolph, chief engineer 
of the road, visited Rockford and was enter- 
tained at the home of Judge Brown. They met 
with a number of prominent manufacturers in- 
cluding Ralph Emerson, W. A. Talcott, John P. 
Manny, H. W. Price and Gilbert Woodruff, and 
that night .Mr. Jefferies decided to build into 
Rockford. He secured the services of Mr. Brown 
to obtain a right of wa\- for the new line and 
active operations in promoting this valuable en- 
terprise were instituted on the ist day of Novem- 
ber. 1884. E. W. Brown was made the first 
agent for the company in this city and still holds 
that position. His thorough business ability is 
recognized by the corporation and his advice is 
frequently sought on important matters, his judg- 
ment being regarded as safe and reliable. Dur- 
ing his connection with the companv the busi- 
ness at this point has grown in an astonishing 
measure until it exceeds that of any other railvvav 
interest in the city in its property investments and 
volume of business. The company now owns a 
frontage of eight hundred feet on South Main 
street, while its yard, extending for three quarters 
of a mile, is free from grade crossings. Its pas- 
senger and freight buildings are the finest in the 
city and in both is handled an immense amount 
of business, the freight output now averaging 
eighty cars per day. Employment is furnished to 
forty people in the various departments of the 
companv's service in this city, and at the head re- 
mains Mr. Brown, who has perfected a system 



\Sj 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



of work here tliat has produced excellent results 
and made this one of the important stations on 
the line. 

In political affairs in Rockford Mr. lirown has 
been e(|ually prominent, antl in 1885 was chosen 
alderman from the second ward, which position 
he filled for seven years. Those who had 
watched his public service recotjnized his fitness 
for leadership in affairs of the munici- 
pahty, and in 1895 he was elected mayor. 
Again he was called to the office in 1897 
and for a third term in 1899, and he could 
undoubtedly have won election again had he not 
declined further service. In 1903 representative 
citizens of Rix-kford endeavored to induce him to 
again accept the office but the extent and impor- 
tance of his ])rivate business affairs prevented. 
His administration was business-like and pro- 
gressive. He worked along the practical lines 
that have ever been manifest in the conduct of 
his private interests. Me regards a ])ublic office 
as a public trust — and no trust rept)se(l in him 
has ever been betrayed in the sliglitest ilegree. 
He was the diampion of all progressive meas- 
ures that he believed would benefit the city with- 
out proving an extravagance, and he studied 
closely its needs and jiossibilities, carefully weigh- 
ing every question which came up for considera- 
tion. It was through his efforts and recommen- 
dation that the present system of water supply 
was instituted in 1897 and was put into cft'ective 
operation by D. W. Mead at a cost of fifty thou- 
sand dollars, affording a supply of seven million 
gallons of water daily. The water works park 
was a product of the general improvements insti- 
tuted. The present system of macadamizing was 
instituted and is doubtless the most efficient means 
for doing effective work that could have been 
planned. He appointed to different city positions 
men well qualified by experience or capability for 
duties which would devolve upon them. A re- 
view of his several annual messages to the coun- 
cil demonstrates a determination to adhere to a 
rigid economy in the expenditure of the city 
funds ; a just and exact enforcement of the laws ; 
and together with the co-operation of the coun- 
cil to so administer the city government as to 
insure stable progress and permanent good. 

Mr. Brown was married to Miss Lizzie A. 
White, a daughter of Joshua White, who is well 
known in Rockford as a prominent citizen and 
has extensive realty holdings in Stillman Valley. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three children, and 
the family home is at 312 South Third street. 
Such in brief is the history of one of the best 
known citizens of Rockford. The consensus of 
public opinion regarding his political and busi- 
ness life is most favorable. Tic has ever dis- 
charged his duties with marked ability and fair- 
ness, for he is a most loyal public-spirited citizen. 



As a business man he has been conspicuous 
among his associates not only for his success but 
for his fairness, probity and honorable methods. 
In everything he has been manifestly practical, 
and this has been manifest not only in his busi- 
ness undertakings but also in his ]jrivate and so- 
cial life. 



HON. JOHN C. GARVER. 

Hon. John C. Garver. to whom there came a. 
distinguished position in connection with the le- 
gal profession of Rockford and whose champion- 
ship of progressive ])ublic measures constituted 
him one of its most valued citizens, was born 
on a farm near Pecatonica, November 16, 1843. 
He was a son of John Garver, who came from 
Pennsylvania to Illinois at an early day and located 
upon a tract of land that became the old farm 
homestead. The boyhood and youth of Judge 
Garver were passed in the usual manner of farmer 
lads of the period and his elementary education 
was obtained in the public schools. Ambitious 
to enjoy better opportunities he secured per- 
mission to attend Wittenburg college in Spring- 
field, Ohio, where he completed a full course. 
He began preparations for the bar with General 
Keifer, of Springfield. Ohio, as his preceptor and 
following his admission to the bar in 1871 he 
entered upon the practice of his chosen profession 
in Rockford. The favorable judgment which 
the world passed upon his at the outset of his 
career was in no degree set aside or modified 
as the years passed by, but on the contrary was 
strengthened as he gave evidence of high legal 
talent. His preparation of cases was most 
thorough and exhaustive and he seemed almost 
intuitively to grasp the strong points of law and 
fact, while in his briefs and arguments the au- 
thorities are cited as extensively and the facts and 
reasoning therein were presented so cogently and 
unanswerably as to leave no doubt as to the 
correcttiess of his views or his conclusions. He 
rose rapidly in his profession, soon gained the 
confidence of the people and he was accorded 
a clientage of the distinctively representative 
character. 

Elected to the office of state's attorney, he 
served in that position for two terms with marked 
ability. Other official preferment was accorded 
him. In 1882 he was a candidate for congress and 
would have been nominated and elected but for 
the sudden death of Major Hawk, which occurred 
shortly before the meeting of the convention and 
occasioned its adjournment without action. At 
the next meeting Robert Hitt and Colonel R. F. 
Sheets lx)th entered the race and Mr. Hitt was 
nominated although Judge Carver's home 



p 




PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



185 



county stood unanimously for him. In 1886 he 
was elected judge of the circuit court to succeed 
Judge James Cartwright, who had been elevated 
to the supreme bench as successor of Judge 
Bailey, deceased, and when he had filled out the 
unexpired term of his predecessor. Judge Garver 
was elected to the office for the full term. He 
frequently served in most capable maimer upon 
the bench in Chicago. The profession of law 
was his real life work and at the bar and on the 
the bench he won distinction. A man of unim- 
peachable character, unusual intellectual endow- 
ments, with a thorough understanding of the law, 
patience, urbanity and industry, Judge Garver 
took to the bench the very highest qualifications 
for this responsible position of the state govern- 
ment and his record as a judge was ever in har- 
mony with his record as a man and lawyer — 
distinguished by unswerving integrity and a 
masterful grasp of every problem which was 
presented for solution. 

In his social relations the Judge was affiliated 
with E. F. W. Ellis lodge of Masons, in which 
he served as master, and he was likewise past 
commander of Crusader commandery, K. T., a 
member of the consistory and shrine, a member 
of the Knights of the Globe, Forest City lodge. 
United Workmen, Odd Fellows society and the 
Woodmen camp. A man of domestic tastes, his 
interest centered in his family and he accounted 
no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it 
would promote the happiness or advance the 
welfare of his wife and children. He was mar- 
ried in Rockford, November 25, 1875, to Miss 
Sarah A. Segur, of this city, a daughter of John 
Segur, who is yet living in Rockford. Of the 
six children born unto Judge and Mrs. Garver, 
five are yet living: Laura J\I., Lewis C, Earl, 
Eva and Howell, and the family occupy an at- 
tractive residence at No. 1103 South Main street. 

It was on the 27th of November, 1901, that 
Judge Garver departed this life, being at that 
time about fifty-eight years of age. Perhaps 
no better indication of his character and his stand- 
ing in the profession could be given than in quot- 
ing from the action of the bar taken concerning 
his death. After a few preliminary remarks the 
report read as follows : "In 1896 he was chosen 
circuit judge and held that office until his death. 
How he won his large clientage and how well 
he filled the high offices the records of our court 
show. They are the most fitting eulogies of his 
work. Under his administration our court pre- 
served that lofty standard of justice for which 
it was ever noted under his illustrious predeces- 
sors. He was a lawyer of high attainments, con- 
scientiously doing his full duty to his clients. 
With an accurate knowledge of law he had the 
forensic skill to present a case to the jury with 
an eloquence rarely surpassed. He was a pa- 
12 



triot, keenly interested in his countr\-'s welfare and 
ever willing to sacrifice self-interest in its behalf- 
He never elevated himself above his fellow citi- 
zens, his heart beating in unison with toiling 
humanity. Judge Garver was trained in early 
piety and was a quiet, sincere Christian. He 
was a genial companion, a true friend, a loving 
husband and father and an honest man. With 
feelings of deep sorrow we mourn his end. We 
deplore the loss of one faithful to every trust. 
We sorrow for him as a member of our bar whose 
life in a large measure exemplified the teach- 
ings of the law. 

"Therefore, in order that this short record of 
his life and our appreciation of his character may 
be known to those who shall come after us : Be 
it resolved that these resolutions be written in 
the records of this court : 

"Resolved further, that we extend to his sor- 
rowing family our heartfelt sympathy in this 
their great loss." 

Robert Rew spoke of Judge Garver as follows : 
"It was in 1870 while attending the East side high 
school that I first became acquainted with Judge 
C. Garver. It was told that Judge Garver and 
some others were to indulge in a debate at the 
old courthouse standing on the site of the present 
structure, and with A. H. Frost I attended. My 
acquaintance with Judge Garver began then. 
My acquaintance with him as a law3-er began in 
1882. He was then one of the gatling guns of 
the Winnebago county bar. 

"Judge C. Garver was born in the land of 
splendid opportunities — a land in which citizens 
born of the humblest origin may become equal 
to any king. A descendant of a pioneer and one 
of the founders of the community, Judge Garver 
belonged to a class of men who represent the 
highest type of manhood. They were educated 
in country schools — the foundation to the great 
commonwealth of to-day, inured to high work and 
form a class of men to be found nowhere except 
in this blessed country of ours. They represent 
the very flower of Christianity and democracy. 
Kindly and genial, capable of meeting the greatest 
problems, in the main righteous, they tread the 
straight and narrow path, never craving favor, 
fearing the hate of none. To this class of men 
Judge Garver belonged. He was an impassioned 
orator. He possessed the skill to select from a 
mass of evidence just the part which would im- 
press and sway court and jury and he would 
present it in a most convincing manner. His 
eloquence in his prime swept all before him. It 
was a dovetailing of all facts in a convincing 
manner, rather than the presentation of the max- 
ims of law. He was classed with the sort of 
lawyers, who. like flowers, are bloom to blush 
unseen. He had the knack of getting business 
and keeping it after he got it. He had the knack 



i86 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



of remembering faces and names and throughout 
the northern i)arl of tlie state had an extensive 
acquaiiitance among all classes. It was always 
a pleasure to meet Judge darvcr for he was 
always the same genial, kind gentleman. 1 think 
Judge Gar\er died without realizing his ambi- 
tion, for he had hopes of congressional rather 
than judicial honors. P>ut with his dream un- 
realized, as with mo.^t of us. he rests. He dis- 
played an accurate knowledge of the law. I 
think the public does not realize the responsi- 
bility resting with the lawyers of the community, 
upon whom devolves the maintenance of the 
rights of the citizens and they must be the guard- 
ians for the rights of both parties. With such 
a record he need liave no fear. To dust returneth 
no fear of the sable shore. We all must obey 
the warrant of death. Out of darkness wc come, 
into darkness we go." 

Judge Carver left an indelible impression upon 
the legal history of the state and his memory 
remains enshrined in the hearts of those who 
knew him as one who was honored because of his 
talents and his genuine worth. 



WILLIAM CRILL. 

William Crill, decea.sed, belongs to one of the 
pioneer families of Winnebago county, being only 
three vears of age when his parents came to 
Illinois'. Throughout the greater part of his life 
he carried on farming here and he was known 
as a reliable and trustworthy business man. He 
was born in Herkimer county, Xcw York, May 
19, 1840, his parents being Henry and Betsy 
(Brooks) Crill. both of whom were born in 1799. 
The father was also a native of Herkimer 
county, where he resided on a farm until his re- 
moval to Illinois in 1843. He settled in New 
Milford township, \\'innebago county, and \yas 
there engaged in farming for a year, after which 
he removed to Monroe township. Ogle county, 
just across the line from Winnebago county. 
There he purchased fifteen hundred acres of land 
from the government, and the deeds, which were 
signed by James K. Polk, then president of the 
I'nited States, are now in possession of Mrs. 
William Crill. He at once began to cultivate and 
improve his land and was actively engaged in 
farm work until 1864. meeting with excellent 
success in his lalx)rs. He then decided to retire 
to private life and divided his property among his 
children. Removing to Rockford he enjoyed a 
well earned rest here for nearly twenty years, 
and in 1882 he returned to the village of Monroe 
in Ogle county, where he and his wife spent 
their remaining days. He died September 19, 
1885, and his wife's death orrnrrcd April 2, 
1883. 



Of the nine children in that family William 
Crill was tlie youngest. He obtained his educa- 
tion in the district schools of Ogle county and 
spent his youth ujjon his father's farm working 
in the fields and meadows. When his father died 
he took charge of the old home place and for 
nearly forty years resided upon that farm. He 
worked earnestly and persistently and made his 
place a well improved proi)erty. He continued to 
engage in farm work there until his death. Mr. 
Crill was married to Miss Lucy D. Crawford, a 
native of Pennsylvania, in which state her father 
died during her early girlhood and the mother 
passed away in Rochellc. Five children were 
born unto our subject and his wife ; Henry, who 
married Alta Campbell, and is engaged in agri- 
cultural jjursuits in Monroe, Illinois; Grace, the 
wife of Fred Tyler, a farmer of Monroe ; George 
Herman, who married Florence Jeanette Hunter 
and is a retired farmer of the village of Monroe ; 
Harriett Gertrude, the wife of Frank A. Hilde- 
brand. cashier of the Monroe Center State Hank 
of Monroe ; and John Wilson, who resides with 
his mother and is studying law. 

Mr. Crill was elected to many township 
offices and always gave an unfaltering support to 
the republican ])arty. He was a very enter])rising 
man. who prospered in all that he undertook be- 
cause he knew no such word as fail. His life was 
a busy, active and useful one, crowned by success. 
He passed away December 19, 1885. He was 
well known in both Ogle and Winnebago counties 
and had a very large circle of friends. For ten 
years after her husband's death Mrs. Crill re- 
sided upon the old home fann in Ogle county 
now occupied by her son, and in 1894 she came 
to Rockford, where she purchased a nice home 
at No. 133 East street, where she and her young- 
est son reside. She is a consistent member of 
the Centennial Methodist Episcopal church. 



BRITTAX JEWETT. 

Brittan Jewett. interested in general farming, 
resides in the village of Harrison and is one of 
the extensive landowners of the northern part of 
the county, having nine hundred acres in Har- 
rison and Shirland townships. He is one of the 
native sons of the county, his birth having oc- 
curred in Harrison townshi]) on the 23d of .\u- 
gust. 1854. His father. David Jewett, became an 
early resident of this jiart of the state and the .son 
was reared and educated here, pursuing his edu- 
cation in the district schools in Rockford and 
Durand. When not busy with his text-books he 
worked in the fields and meadows, becoming fa- 
miliar with the best methods of cultivating the 
soil and caring for stock. He thus had a good 




WILLI.VM CRILL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



189 



fund of practical experience and knowledge when 
he started out in business on his own account. 

It was in June, 1896, that Mr. Jewett was 
united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Miller, a 
native of Winnebago county, where her father, 
Alexander Miller, settled in pioneer times. He 
was born in Newbury, X'ermont, March 18, 1808, 
and died in Winnebago county on the 22d of Jan- 
uary, 1889. He wedded Miss Mary Mackie, who 
was born at Markwich, Scotland, on the 5th of 
IMarch, 1810, and departed this life on the 30th 
of January, 1901. They were farming people and 
resided in Winnebago county for many years, liv- 
ing a quiet life, yet enjoying the respect and es- 
teem of all who knew them. In their family were 
the following children : Henry W., who died at 
the age of twenty-two months ; William M., who 
died when twenty-eight years of age ; Frank P., 
who passed away in California in 1898; Mrs. 
Mary A. Lloyd, of Roscoe ; J. D., who is living 
in Rockford ; A. B.. of Shirland township ; ^Irs. 
Fidelia Harley, of Rockton ; Mrs. Margaret 
Reckhow, of Rockford ; Roger, who is living in 
Michigan ; William, deceased ; I\Irs. Henrietta 
Robinson, of Beloit : E. S., who resides in Owen 
township; F. P., who died in California; and 
Helen M., the wife of Brittan Jewett. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jewett began their domestic life 
upon a farm and although they now reside in the 
village of Harrison, Mr. Jewett is one of the most 
extensive, capable and successful agriculturists of 
his part of the county, owning and operating nine 
hundred acres of land, lying in Harrison and 
Shirland townships, from which he annually har- 
vests large crops. Fie also has much stock upon 
his place, including horses and cattle, and from 
his purchases and sales he realizes a good finan- 
cial return. In business affairs he is capable, 
prompt, energetic and reliable, carefully watch- 
ing every indication pointing to success, and at 
the same time making a record for reliability that 
any man might well envy. His interest in politi- 
cal questions has led him to give his support to 
the republican party and he has served as com- 
missioner and in other local offices, and socially 
he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of 
America and the Roval Neighbors. 



PROFESSOR WILLIAM L. EATON. 

Professor William L. Eaton, whose family are 
living in Rockford. where they are well known, 
was a native of East Ware, New Hampshire, born 
March 26, 1814. His father, Washington Eaton, 
spent his entire life in the old Granite state. Pro- 
fessor Eaton was educated in the east, completing 
his studies bv a course in Dartmouth College and 



thus equipped by superior educational advantages 
for life's practical duties he entered upon his 
business career. He resided in the east until the 
time of his marriage, in Windsor, Vermont, to 
;\Iiss Anna S. Maine, a native of Hartland, Ver- 
mont, and a daughter of Stephen Maine, who 
followed farming in the Green Mountain state 
throughout his entire life, both he and his wife 
passing away in Hartland. 

In 1843 Professor Eaton brought his bride to 
the west, settling at Schoolcraft, Michigan, but 
after a short time he removed from that place 
to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he became a 
professor in the Kalamazoo College, having 
charge of the Latin classes. There he remained 
until his death. He was regarded as one of the 
most capable educators of the state, for added to 
his comprehensive learning was an abilitv to im- 
part clearly and readily to others the knowledge 
that he had acquired. Of scholarly attainments 
and strong intellectuality, his mind was continu- 
ally reaching out for new thought. While con- 
ducting his classes in college he acted as minis- 
ter of the Baptist church for a part of the time 
but never relinquished his work of teaching in 
the schoolroom. The profession of teaching, 
whether it be from the pulpit, the schoolroom or 
the lecture platfomi, is undoubtedly one of the 
most important callings to wh'ch man can devote 
his energy. He has influence over the minds and 
lives of his pupils at the most impressionable 
period in their entire existence and he qualifies 
them — good or ill according to his ability — for 
the responsibilites which come to them in later 
life. Professor Eaton, with a full realization of 
what devolved upon him in this connection, was 
a conscientious, earnest and progressive teacher. 
He died in Kalamazoo, December 25, 1853, his 
loss being deeply deplored by a large circle of 
friends. 

Professor and Mrs. Eaton were th.e parents of 
a daughter and son : Adeline became the wife of 
W. H. David, of Chicago, and died in that city 
at the age of forty-seven years. The son, Wil- 
liam L. Eaton, Jr., was born in Kalamazoo, De- 
cember 15, 1850, and married Helen Colman, of 
that place. They have four children : Helen, 
William. Anna and Colman. William L. Eaton 
and his mother remained in Kalamazoo and, fol- 
lowing the completion of his education, he en- 
gaged in newspaper work there for several vears. 
He then came with his familv and his mother to 
Rockford, recognising a good openmg in the 
newspaper field of this city. Here he assisted 
in organizing the company that began the publi- 
cation of the Register Gazette, which is now the 
leading daily newspaper of Rockford. He was 
connected Avith that paper until 1891, when he 
left that field of activity and became manager of 



IQO 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEl'.AGU COUNTY. 



the Rock River Oil ami Transportation Com- 
pany. He has since been engaseil in this busi- 
ness, in which connection lie controls extensive 
interests, and in addition he has valuable agri- 
cultural interests in the south. He travels much 
of his time but he and his family make their home 
with his mother. Mrs. Eaton, her son and his 
wife are all members of the State Street Baptist 
church of this city and take great interest in its 
work, doing all in their jjower to extend its in- 
fluence and jiromote its growth. They own a 
beautiful home at No. 809 Seminary street and 
the family are prominent here, their circle of 
friends and actiuaintances being extensive. 



CASSILS .M. (iARDXF.R. 

Cassius M. Gardner, a farmer living on section 
22, Winnebago township, is numbered among the 
citizens of this count\- that have been furnished 
to Illinois by the Empire state. He was born 
in Oneida county, New York, in 1852, his par- 
ents being James and Margaret J. (Groat) Gard- 
ner, who came to Winnebago county about i868, 
locating on a farm in Rockford township near 
the county seat. The father was a native of Eng- 
land but the mother was born near Schenec- 
tady, New York. James Gardner's birth, how- 
ever, occurred in Cheshire, England, and with his 
parents came to America when only three years 
of age, the family home being established in 
Oneida county. New York, where he was reared 
and educated. He afterward engaged in mer- 
chandizing in the Empire state, but following his 
removal to Winnebago county, he settled upon 
the fann and carried nn the work of the fields for 
manv vears. At the present time, however, he 
is living retired and makes his home about 
twelve miles from Philadeli)hia, Pennsylvania, 
at thfe age of seventy-six or seventy-seven years. 
He is a stanch democrat in politics and in his 
social relations is a Mason. While living in 
Winncbag'^) county he was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died on the home farm 
in 1892 when about sixty years of age. In their 
family were five children, all of whom are yet 
living: J. E.. a resident of Rockford, where 
he is employed as a pattern-maker in the factory 
of Savage & Love; J. S., who carries on farm- 
ing in Winnebago township; Mrs. Emma 
Shoudy, whose husband is engaged in the real 
estate business in Chicago; and Phil C, who was 
born in Illinois and is now living in Rockford. 

Cassius M. Gardner, the other member of the 
family, spent the first sixteen years of his life 
in the state of New York and during that time 
was a public school student. He then came with 
his parents to Winnebago county ami remained 



at home till about twenty years of age. The 
greater part of his life has been devoted to agri- 
cultural pursuits and he now has a finely im- 
jiroved farm on section 22, Winnebago township, 
comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He has 
erected commodious and attractive buildings in 
modern style of architecture and the grounds 
abf)ut his home are in splendid condition. The 
building site is an ideal one. his residence stand- 
ing upon the highest point of ground in this part 
of the county, so that an excellent view of the 
surrounding country is afforded. In all of his 
work }ilr. Gardner has been very successful be- 
cause his methods have been practical and his 
industry indefatigable. 

In Winnebago county. December 31. 1874. .\lr. 
( lardnor married .Miss Clara Simpson, who died 
January 2^, 1898, leaving two daughters: Clara 
Ruby, who taught in the public schools previous 
to her marriage to Frank Lander, February 22, 
1902; and Myrtle E. I'oth are residing in Boone 
county at present. ( )n June 19, 1905. for his sec- 
ond wife Mr. Gardner chose Jessie A. Falconer, 
of this county, a daughter of Robert and Anna 
(Ross) Falconer. Her father settled in this part 
of the state at a ver\ early day and died here 
about six years ago. 

Politically Mr. Gardner is a democrat, having 
usually given his support to the men and meas- 
ures of the party, and he has served as school 
director and in other local offices. He belongs to 
the Modern Woodmen camp at Winnebago, and 
his wife is a member of the Congregational 
church. Working ]XTsistently and earnestly, with 
a definite plan of action, he has attained the suc- 
cess which is the goal of all business endeavor. 



MRS. .M.\RGARET L. FRESSE. 

Mrs. Margaret L. Fresse, living on section 26, 
Burritt township, is well known in liiis part of 
tlie county. She was born December 25, 1850. in 
I'jigland, and when nuW three years of ri.;:c was 
brought to the L'nited States by her parents. He»- 
father. .Moses Whalen, was born in County Wex- 
ford, Ireland, on the 6th of January. 1812, and 
after spending some time in England he crossed 
the Atlantic to the new world, arriving on the 
20th of Si.ptember, 1854. He did not tarry on 
the coast, but made his wax- at once to the in- 
terior of the country, settling in Rockford. where 
his remaining days were passed. In early man- 
hood he wedded Miss .\nn Crulleton. wl'o was 
born in County Wexford, Ireland, I'ebruary 24, 
1814. an<l after establishing their home in Rock- 
ford tlu-v coiuiinieil residents of the coMuy seat 
until called to their final rest. Mr. Wlialen 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



191 



passed away on the 6th of December, 1894, while 
his wife died on the 12th of March, 1892 

!Mrs. Fresse was reared in Rockford, attcndc'l 
its pubhc schools and remained in her parents' 
home nntil at the age of twenty-two vears she 
gave her hand in marriage to Patrick Alurphy. 
They began their domestic life at her present 
place of residence and here she has since lived. 
Air. Alurphy devoted his energies to the improve- 
ment of the farm and was an enterprising, indus- 
trious agriculturist, whose labors wrought a 
transformation in the appearance of the place, 
making it a well developed property. He died 
upon this farm Alay 31, 1890. The children 
born of that marriage were as follows: Mar- 
garet and May, who died in infancy ; Joseph, who 
was born December 13, 1877, and is now living 
in Rockford; Mary, who was born on the iith 
of May, 1879, ''"'i '* 3t home with her mother; 
John, who was born Alay 4, 1882, and is living in 
Rockford ; Thomas and Ella, who were born 
July 23, 1888, and are at home; and Henry, 
the youngest. 

Having lost her first husband in 1892, Mrs. 
Alurphy gave her hand in marriage to Louis 
Fresse, who was born in October, 1863, at Sauk- 
ville, \Msconsin, where the first fourteen years of 
his life were passed. He then came to Winne- 
bago county, Illinois, and since 1892 has lived 
upon the farm where he and his wife now make 
their home. His father. Louis Fresse, was born 
in France and when twenty-three years of age 
emigrated to the L'nited States, spending his re- 
maining days in Wisconsin, his death occurring in 
Saukville when he was fifty-three years of age. 
His wife, w^ho was born in Germany, came to this 
country in her girlhood days and in 1858 gave her 
hand in marriage to Louis Fresse, Sr. Her death 
occurred in Saukville in 1885. 

L'nto Air. and Airs. Fresse of this review have 
been born two sons — George, born April 13, 1893, 
and Charles, born August 5, 1895. The family 
home is an excellent farm on section 26, Burritt 
township, constituting a well developed property 
improved with modern equipments and acces- 
sories. Everything about the place is neat and 
thrifty in appearance, indicating careful and prac- 
tical supervision. Air. and Airs. Fresse and all 
of the family are well known in this locality and 
the circle of their friends is extensive. They are 
members of St. Alarv's Catholic church of Rock- 
ford. 



C. E. AUSTIN. 



C. E. Austin, the present supervisor of Shir- 
land township and a prosperous farmer actively 
engaged in operating three htmdred and thirty- 
five acres of land, was born upon this farm Feb- 



ruary 22i, 1857, his parents being H. S. and Eliza 
(Packard) Austin, who came to Winnebago 
county in 1838. The father was a native of Buck- 
field, Alaine, and was of New England ancestrv, 
the family coming originally from England. His 
wife was also a native of the same locality and 
was of English descent. They arrived in this 
county on the i8th of Alay, 1838, settling first in 
Rockton township. They spent the summer there 
and then removed to the village of Rockton, 
where Air. Austin erected a house, after which he 
followed the shoemaker's trade at that place for 
five or six years. On the expiration of that pe- 
riod he took up a claim of one hundred and sixty 
acres on sections 17 and 18. half of the farm King 
in Rockford and one-half in Shirland township. 
He improved the claim and continued to carry on 
general agricultural pursuits up to the time of 
his death, which occurred in 1892, when he was 
almost eighty years of age. He had for several 
years survived his wife, who died in 1886, when 
about seventy years of age. In their family were 
five sons and two daughters, of whom one is 
deceased — H. S. Austin, Jr., wdio died in Cali- 
fornia, wdiere he w-as then making his home, in 
1879, ^t the age of forty years. Those who still 
survive are: A. AI., a mining engineer residing 
in Los Angeles, California, where he has lived 
since 1861 ; S. A., a practicing physician of Los 
Angeles, California, for the past eighteen years 
but who was formerly of Rockford and was one 
of the founders of the hospital in that city ; Airs. 
Mary E. Evans, who is living in Los Angeles, 
California ; W. W., wdio is engaged in the real 
estate business in Rockford ; and Mrs. L. N. Lef- 
fingwell, whose husband is a farmer of Glidden, 
Iowa. 

C. E. Austin, the other member of the family, 
was reared upon the old homestead farm, where 
he has spent his entire life. His education was 
acquired in the district schools and in Beloit, Wis- 
consin, and when not busy with his text-books he 
aided in the labors of the fields. He has added 
to his farm from time to time until he is now tlie 
owner of three hundred and thirty-five acres of 
rich and valuable land in the home place on sec- 
tion 18, Shirland township, and he also has 
eightv acres of land in Rockford township. He 
is actively engaged in the cultivation of his fields 
and has made excellent improvements upon his 
farm, which is now one of the valuable proper- 
ties of the locality. In all that he does he is 
eminently practical and his earnest labor has been 
the resultant factor in his success. 

Air. Austin was married to Aliss Nellie F. Rich- 
ardson, of this county, a daughter of C. B. Rich- 
ardson, of Rockford. Four children grace this 
marriage: Gray R.. nineteen years of age; Aler- 
ton H., fifteen vears of age ; Sewall E., a little 



192 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



lad of four summers : and Lillian, who is two 
years old. All are yet with their parents. 

Politically Mr. Austin is an earnest republican, 
having given unfaltering support to the party 
since attaining his majority. His father served 
as supervisor of Shirland township for fifteen 
years during his residence in the county and Mr. 
Austin of this review was elected to tlic same of- 
fice in 1904 and is now capably serving in that 
position. Socially he is connected with the Ma- 
sonic lodge and chapter at Rockford and is a mem- 
ber of the Modern W'l^idmcn cam]) and Royal 
Xeighlxirs lodge at Shirland. while his religious 
views are those of the Congregational church. 
His entire life having been passed in this locality, 
his history is well known to his fellow townsmen, 
and the fact that many of his stanchest friends 
are those who have known him from his youth 
to the present is an indication that his has been 
an honorable career. 



JOHN NELSON. 

Rockford, as a manufacturing center, offered 
an excellent field for the inventor and among the 
men prominent in the world because they have 
contributed to the utilitarian devices which have 
lessened labor and have also decreased the cost 
of production John Xclson should be mentioned. 
He became widely known in manufacturing cir- 
cles throughout the country as the inventor of 
the Xelson knitting machine, and in Rockford, 
where he was best known, he was regarded as 
a man of strong purpose, superior capability and 
genuine worth. 

He was born in West Gothland, Sweden, 
.April 5. 1830, and when a young lad lost his 
father. The widowed mother was left with little 
of this world's goods, but she was a woman of 
superior intelligence and had a natural insight 
into the workings of machinery, a trait which 
was inherited by her son. When f|uite young 
John Xelson became a spinning-wheel maker. 
He remained a resident of his native land until 
twent\-two years of age. when thinking that 
he might liave better business opportunities in the 
new world, he bade goodbye to his old home and 
sailed from Gottenburg for X^ew York city, 
wlure he arrived after a voyage of six weeks. 
He did not tarry long on the .Atlantic coast, how- 
ever, but at once made his way into the interior, 
locating first at Chicago and Elgin. 

On the 4th of X'^ovember. 1854, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Eva Cliristina Person, 
whose ac(|uaintance he had formed when they 
were passengers t<igetlier on the sliip that sailed 
from Gottenburg. She. too, was a native of 
West Gothland. Sweden, born May 6, 1834, and 



she is a sister of Mrs. Andrew Long, of Rock- 
ford. 

The year 1852 witnessed the arrival of Mr. 
X'elson in Rockford, and for a time he was in 
business as a designer and pattern and model 
maker. In this labor he was associated with 
Mr. Ghent, and afterward formed a partnership 
with A. C. Johnson and Gust Ilollcni in the 
manufacture of sash and doors. Throughout his 
residence here he was closely identified with in- 
dustrial and manufacturing interests and con- 
tributed in substantial measure toward the busi- 
ness progress and development of the city. Fol- 
lowing the close of the Civil war he wont to the 
south and in company with Gustaf P>urgland, of 
Water Valley, Mississippi, he began business at 
that place. His environment, however, was not 
congenial, and accordingly he returned to Rock- 
ford after a brief period. He was always study- 
ing machinery aiid continually working out new 
plans to accomi)lish the same results. He also 
studied along the line of improvement and for 
many years was revolving in his mind plans for 
the manufacture of a knitting machine. As the 
result of all his years of work and investigation 
and experiment he finally produced the Xelson 
knitting machine, which has entirely revolu- 
tionized the business of knitting machinery. His 
completed product was so perfect that hose are 
now knit for about two cents per dozen pair. 
Just about the time that he had completed his 
great work he was called from this life, passing 
away April 15, 1883. Such was his concentration 
of thought that he found it impossible to sleep at 
night and his constitution, never very strong, 
was thus undermined. He was a natural born 
mechanic and from his early boyhood liis mind 
was filled with ideas that gave promise of the 
rich fulfillment of his mature years. The perfec- 
tion of the machine which he produced is indi- 
cated by a remark that was made by President 
Grant, who came to Rockford on the completion 
of his tour around the world. Here he inspected 
the shops of the Xelson Knitting Company and 
after looking over the machinery and seeing the 
wonderful work, declared enthusiastically that 
after all his tour around the globe, including 
visits to the large cities and factories, he had 
never seen anything to equal this. Tlicn pick- 
ing up a pair of the hose as they dropped from 
the machine he walked away. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. X^elson were born seven 
children, but two have departed this life. .Alfred, 
whose death occurred when he was thirty-three 
vears of age, inherited his father's genius and 
invented some necessary improvements, especially 
the device for widening the leg of a hose as it is 
being knitted. He gave promise of a successful 
career which would prove of value to the world 





, y(>o<^&-j^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



195 



as well as a source of individual profit. He left 
a widow who is now living in Colorado. Frithiof 
died in childhood. William and Oscar are resi- 
dents of Rockford, and Frithiof, the second of 
the name, is associated with his brothers in many 
of the enterprises with which they are connected. 
John Franklin is also interested in business with 
"his brothers. Anna C, the only daughter, re- 
sides with her mother. Mrs. Nelson, still sur- 
viving her husband, was to him ever a true help- 
mate and a faithful and loving wife. She has 
since his death, with the aid of her children, de- 
veloped a splendid business from the industry 
established by her husband. 

It was not alone the great inventive genius of 
John Nelson, however, that made him a valued 
citizen of Rockford, for he possessed the personal 
traits of character that endeared him to many 
friends. He was a sincere and earnest Christian, 
kind in his treatment of others, considerate at all 
times of those with whom he came in contact, 
and he left to his family an untarnished name. 
What he accomplished in the line of invention 
entitled him to rank with Whitney, Arkwright 
and other great inventors whose fame has become 
world wide. 



HENRY J. MILLER. 

Henry J. Miller, successfully conducting busi- 
ness as proprietor of the marble and granite 
works located on North Main street just outside 
the city of Rockford, arrived in Winnebago 
county in 1880 and has since been a factor in in- 
dustrial circles here. He was born in Sweden, 
was a student in its public schools in his early 
youth and when seventeen years of age crossed 
the Atlantic to America, arriving in the new 
world in 1880. He made his way direct to Rock- 
ford and learned the marble-cutter's trade under 
the direction of his father, John H. Moeller, who 
has followed the marble business for many years 
and is still engaged in that enterprise at the age 
of seventy-one years. He was united in marriage 
in early manhood to Miss Edna Eklund. who 
died about three years ago. One sister of Mr. 
Miller. Mrs. Man,' Linwall, resides near Belvi- 
dere, Illinois, while a brother, John E., who came 
to America in 1891, returned to Sweden about 
two years later. 

Following his arrival in the United States 
Henry J. Miller worked for various firms en- 
gaged in marble-cutting, being for fifteen years 
in the employ of Mayor Hutchins, the former 
owner of the plant that is now in possession of 
our subject. IMr. Miller has conducted the busi- 
ness on his own account for about five years and 
has a well equipped marble and granite yardmen 
North Main street, just outside the corporation 



limits of Rockford and directly opposite the west 
side cemetery. He employs two men here and 
also has a traveling salesman on the road, cover- 
ing the territory of northern Illinois and Wiscon- 
sin. Mr. Miller now has a very gratifying pa- 
tronage and enjoys an enviable reputation for 
fair dealing and for satisfaction given to his cus- 
tomers. 

Mr. Miller was married to Miss Emma C. 
Kindberg, who came to Winnebago county in her 
girlhood days and was here reared. Mr. and 
Mrs. Miller are now the parents of four daugh- 
ters and one son, all born in Rockford, namely: 
Mabel v., May Ethel, Effie, Viola, Clifford 
Dwight and Beatrice. The family home is at No. 
1416 North Main street and with the exception 
of two years spent in Kansas and Nebraska, dur- 
ing which time he followed his trade, located 
largely in Concordia, Kansas. Mr. Miller has 
resided continuously in Rockford since 1880. He 
soon gave evidence of excellent workmanship and 
since embarking in business on his own account 
he has built up a very good trade. In politics 
he has always been a republican since the right of 
franchise was conferred upon him. Socially he 
is connected with M. W. A. camp. No. 51. His 
religious views accord with the teachings of the 
Lutheran church. Mr. Miller has never had oc- 
casion to regret his determination to seek a home 
in America, for here he has found good business 
opportunities unhampered by caste or class. His 
faithfulness and reliability in business brings to 
mind the statement of a well known writer and 
lecturer that "Sweden is the home of the honest 
man." 



GEORGE F. SEAVERNS. 

George F. Seaverns, who owns and operates an 
excellent farm in Owen township, was born in 
this locality, July 25, 1861. His father. Isaac 
Seaverns, was a native of Jamaica Plains, now 
a part of Boston, Massachusetts, his natal day 
being June 29, 1814. He was educated in the 
public schools and lived with his parents until 
twenty years of age, when he entered business 
as a partner of Joseph Merriam, opening a mar- 
ket on Milk street in Boston. They conducted the 
Ijusiness until 1836. after which Mr. Seavenis 
removed to Richmond, Ohio, and in 1840 became 
a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. There he con- 
ducted a mercantile enterprise but after six years 
went to ^^'isconsin and located on land about 
eight miles north of Racine, where he carried on 
agricultural pursuits for two years, when he sold 
his property and came to Winnebago county, Illi- 
nois, settling in Rockford township, where he 
purchased seven hundred and fifty acres of land 
which he im]5roved. He resided thereon for ten 



196 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



years, after \vliich he sold out. The county poor 
farm is now located upon a part of tliis land. 
Air. Scaverns then purchased oni hundred and 
sixty acres of land in Owen tovv-nship. making 
his home thereon until his death, which occurred 
on the _'4th of October, 1879. He was a demo- 
crat in his political views and favored the Chris- 
tian L'nion church, although in did not hold 
niembershi]) relations with any denomination. He 
was first married to .\bbie liliza Winslow, a na- 
tive of .New York, who died in Cleveland, Ohio, 
leaving one son, Isaac \Y, wIkj was born in 
Cleveland, September 30, 1840, and is now living 
in Chicago. For his second wife Ij^aac Scaverns 
chose .\nna F. Titus, whom he wedded .May 15. 
1842. She was born in 1822, and died in 1903. 
There are four sons and four daughters by this 
marriage, of whom three are now living: Frank, 
who was lx)rn at Rockford. December 13. 1850, 
and is now married and lives in that city; Elea- 
nor, who was born December 26, 1853, is the 
wife of C. S. Taylor, and resides in California; 
and ( ieorge 1". 

In taking up the personal history of George F. 
Seaverns we present to our readers the life rec- 
ord of one widely known in Winnebago county. 
He attended the public schools here and was al.so 
for two years a .student in the Skinner school in 
Chicago. He early became familiar with the best 
methods of carrying on the farm and worked 
upon the old homestead with his father until the 
latter death, after which he rented the property 
from his mother until her death. He then pur- 
chased the interest of the other heirs in the farm, 
which is now carefully and siiccesssfully con- 
ducted. 

On the loth of January, 1887. .Mr. Seaverns 
was married to Miss Esther .\. Kinsley, a daugh- 
ter of Edwin and Jennie .\. ((ilover) Kinsley. 
Her father was born in .Xewark. Xew fersey, 
-May 19. 1838, and his wife's birth occurred in 
.Manchester, England, July 8, 1841. .Mr. Kinslev 
left Xewark at the age of twelve years and with 
his parents went to Janesville, Wisconsin, where 
he worked at the carriage building trade until 
1858. He then removed his business to Rock- 
ton, Winnebago county, Illinois, and for twenty- 
si.\ years was an active factor in the industrial life 
of that place, but in 1884 took up his al)ode in 
I'.eloit, Wisconsin, where he is now conducting 
business, having thrnn,;jhoni hi^ eniin- active life 
carried on the manufacture of v.agons and car- 
riages. He was marrietl in Rockton, in i860, 
and for almost a third of a century he and his 
wife traveled life's journey together but were 
separated bv the death of .Mrs. Kinslev, Seoteni- 
ber 15, 1892. I'nto them were born four chil- 
dren : Mrs. Seaverns. whose hinh occurred in 
Rockton, September 8, i8^')2; Frances E., who 
u.-i^ Ki.rn September 9, 1864, and is the wife of 



C. O. Smith, of Beloit, Wiscorfsin ; Edwin A., of 
Chicago, who was born October 26, 1874, and 
married .Miss Ellen U. \'ivian ; and Grace A., 
who was born February 15, 1882. .Mr. Kinsley 
has always given his political allegiance to the 
deinocracy. The marriage of .Mr. aiul Mrs. Sea- 
verns, which was celebrated at ik-Ioit, Wisconsin, 
lias been blessed with three childn n : Isaac Wv- 
man, who w.ns born in lieloit, December 25, 1889; 
Harold Kinsle}, who was born March 7, 1891. 
?nd died on the 21st of May, following; and 
Jennie Grace, born February 29, 1892. 

.Mr. Seaverns 's .n democrat m his political 
views where naliiMial (|uestions and issues are in- 
volved but at local ol'ctions votC£ independently, 
supporting the candidates whom he thinks best 
qualified for oftice. He Is a charier member of 
Owen camp. No. 616, M. W. A., and also of 
the Knights of Pvthias lodge at Rockford. 



LEMUEL FULLER. 



Lemuel Fuller, who follows farming on sec- 
tion 19, Rockford township, owing about five 
hundred and seventy-six acres of land in Winne- 
bago county in addition to which he has about 
two hundred acres lying just across the line in 
Ogle county, has been a resident of this section 
of the state since 1839, coming to the west with 
his parents, John and Lucy (Wilder) Fuller, who 
removed from Genesee county, Xew York. The 
father entered land, purchasing claims each and 
west of the home farm and afterwards securing 
the tract in between. There he successfully and 
energetically carried on general farming until 
his death, which occurred in 1858. when he was 
fifty-eight years of age. His widow long sur- 
vived him and died in December. 1896, at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-six years. They were the 
l)arents of eight children ; Lemuel ; L. B. ; 
Charles; John; Mrs. Xancy Ingalls. who died 
several years ago ; Eliza, who married David 
Hartwell ; Lucy Ellen, who married T. G. Lev- 
ings and died October 14, 1903: and Mary Ellen, 
who died in infancy. 

I^muel Fuller was born in Genesee county 
Xew York, in 1832 and was therefore a young 
lad when brought by his parents to Illinois in 
1839. His educational privileges were some- 
what limited but he attended a i)rivate school 
held in a farm house. His father afterward em- 
ployed a teacher, a Mr. Felton, at ten dollars 
a month to instruct his children. 

Upon the old family homestead Mr. Fuller was 
reared and has resided here throughout his en- 
tire life with the excejition of the three years 
which he six'iit in the army. He enlisted .\ugust 
9, 1862, at Rockford, in defense of the l'nion 
cause, as a member of Company F, Seventy-fourth 




LEMUEL FULLER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



199 



Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Barker, 
and was mustered in at Camp Fuller. Going to 
the front he served until the close of hostilities 
and was then mustered out with his regiment 
near Nashville, Tennessee. He was never wound- 
ed, altliough he participated in a number of hotly 
contested engagements. He also spent about 
eighteen months in the hospital suffering from an 
attack of smallpox. He was captured at Jones- 
boro and was then sent to Andersonville, where 
he remained for some time, after which he was 
taken to Savannah and later to Florence, South 
Carolina, being exchanged at Oiarleston. He 
participated in the battle of Perryville and of 
Stone River and it was soon after this that be 
became ill and was sent to the field hospital. 

Following the close of the war Lemuel Fuller 
returned to his home, where for many years he 
was actively engaged in fanning but during 
the past few years he has rented all three of his 
farms. His home place is a finely improved 
property, supplied with good buildings and all 
modern equipments, and he ranks with the lead- 
ing, influential and prosperous agriculturists of 
the community. In his political views he has 
always been a republican and he served as school 
director, while fraternally he is connected with 
Nevius post, No. i, G. A. R., at Rockford. 



CAPTAIN LEWIS F. LAKE. 

Captain Lewis F. Lake, who is now serving 
for the fourtli term as circuit clerk and recorder 
of Winnebago counts;. \vas born iri Owen town- 
ship, this count} , in 1846, his parents being Ad- 
am S. and Elizabeth Lake, who became residents 
of this part of the state in 1843. The son ob- 
tained his education in the public schools and 
his boyhood days were passed without event of 
special importance, his time being divided between 
the pleasures of the playground, the duties of the 
schoolroom and the labors of the home farm. He 
watched with interest, however, the progress of 
events in the Civil war, and though but a boy his 
patriotic nature was aroused by the thrilling inci- 
dents which occurred as the great contending 
armies met and battled, the one for the Lhiion and 
the other for the privilege of secession. Accord- 
ingly when still in his teens he offered his serv- 
ices to the government and donned the blue uni- 
form. Going to the south he was in active service 
up to the time of the siege of Atlanta, when he 
was captured in July, 1864. He was then sent 
to Andersonville prison, where he remained until 
released by a special exchange of prisoners in 
the following September. During a portion of 
his service he was with Taylor's Battery of the 
First Illinois Light Artillery and participated in 
a number of the important engagements of the 



war. He never faltered in the performance of 
any soldierly duty. He took his place on the 
lonely picket line or on the firing line, went on 
long, hard marches and met the rigors of war 
uncomplainingly. His interest in military aft'airs 
was further evidenced by his fifteen years" of serv- 
ice in the Illinois National Guard, during eight 
years of which time he was a member of the fa- 
mous Rockford Rifles, and for seven years he 
was regmiental adjutant with the rank of captain. 
He has never ceased to feel the deepest interest 
in military organizations of state and nation, and 
is justly proud of the accomplishments of our 
standing and volunteer armies. 

Following the close of the Civil war Captain 
Lake returned to his home in Winnebago county 
and began working at the carpenter's trade. 
Soon, however, he accepted a position in the shops 
of the Emerson Manufacturing Company, where 
he was employed for thirteen years. Since that 
time he has largely been occupied v»'ith public du- 
ties, his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth 
and ability, having frequently called him to office. 
In 1881 he was a candidate for the position of 
collector and received a good majority, and on 
the expiration of his term of service in that of- 
fice he was made deputy county clerk, in which 
capacity he served for six years. His experience 
and his familiarity with all the duties of the posi- 
tion well qualified him for the further official 
honors which were accorded him by his election 
to the office of circuit clerk. For the fifth term 
he is the incumbent in that capacity, and no 
higher testimonial of his efficiency, fidelity and 
promptness could be given than the fact that he 
has been four times re-elected. 

Captain Lake was married to Miss Martha A. 
Allen, on the 20th of June, 1866, and they have 
had three children, but only one, a daughter, 
Gertrude, is now living. The family home is at 
No. 229 North Church street. Socially Captain 
Lake is connected with the Grand Army of the 
Republic, with the Masons, the Royal League, 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the 
Knights of P\1:hias, together with other benefi- 
ciary organizations. In political thought and ac- 
tion he has always been a republican, carrying 
out his honest convictions without fear or favor, 
and as a public servant he has been true to the 
trust reposed in him, while in private life he has 
gained that warm personal regard which arises 
from true nobility of character, deference for the 
opinion of others, kindness and geniality. 



JUDGE WILLIAM BROWN. 

No citizen of Winnebago county was ever more 
respected and no man ever more fully enjoyed 
the confidence of the people or more richly de- 



200 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



served the estconi in which he was liekl tliaii did 
Judge WilHani Brown. In his life time the peo- 
ple of his state, recognizing liis merit, rejoiced 
in his advancement and in the honors to wliicli 
he attained, and since his death they have cher- 
ished his memory. Honorable in business, loyal 
in citizenship, charitable in thought, kindly in 
action, true to every trust confided to his care, 
his life was of the highest type of .\merican 
manhood. lie was for many years in active 
practice at the Winnebago county bar, and com- 
paratively few men endear themselves to so great 
an extent to their professional associates and to 
those with whom they come in contact m the <lis- 
charge of public duties. 

His life record began in Cumberlanil county. 
Englantl. where occurred his birth on the i6th of 
June, 1819. He possessed a very retentive mem- 
ory and recalled vividly all of the circumstances 
of his trip across the ocean to the new woriil 
when he was eight years of age. He had. too. 
a strong mental picture of his native town and 
the sclioolhouse in which he began his (diication. 
and he frequently told of his surprise at first 
seeing the negro, meeting that colored individual 
in 1-iverpool when on his way to .\meric3. It was 
in 1827 that he was brought to the United States, 
and his boylnHxl days were passed on a farm in 
Oneida county. New York. His educatii)nal ])riv- 
ileges were somewhat liiuited because it was 
necessary that he should assist in the labors of tlie 
fields from the time of early spring planting un- 
til crops were harvested in the late autumn : but 
during the winter months he a])plied himself dili- 
gently to the mastery of such branches of learn- 
ing as were taught in the public schools. He 
entered college but w'as obliged to leave before 
completing the course. His ambition was in the 
direction of a professional career, and determin- 
ing upon the ()ractice <if law as a life work, by 
indomitable energy and close application he ])re- 
pared himself for practice, and was admitted to 
the bar in New York .state. 

.-\ttracted by the opportunities of the great and 
growing west he started for Illinois in 1846. His 
cash capital was ver}' limited but he possessed 
strong and determined purpose. He arrived in 
Rockford on the loth of November, finding a 
little town of less than one thousand inhabitants. 
and where now are some of Rockford's busy 
streets there were forests and thickets. He cast 
in his lot with the early settlers, being at that 
time a young man of twenty-seven years and hav- 
ing a capital of forty-eight dollars and fifty cents. 
His entrance into business life in the west was 
as a teacher of a country school about ten miles 
from Rockford. but he .soon l)ecanie ill and was 
unable to pursue his labors for several months. 
He recovered to face debts and discouragement 
brought on by his long contiiuied illness. Friends 



advised him to go to Wisconsin, and he visited 
Beloit, after which he returned to Rockford. At 
the time that he was endeavoring to decide 
whether to maintain his residence in this place or 
seek a home elsewhere he was elected justice of 
the peace, and though the office did not pay 
him a very liberal salary it proved the turning 
point and he decided to remain in \\'innebago 
cnunty. 

In 1850 Judge I'.rown was united in marriage 
to -Miss Caroline H. .Miller, and ev.-^r afterward 
he said. "This was the wisest move I ever inade." 
They began their domestic life in a little cottage 
on the present site of the Carpenter home of 
Rockford. and Judge Brow'ii continued a member 
of the bar. doing his best to secure clientage and 
to so conduct his cases as to win the confidence 
of the public. After six years' service as justice 
of the peace he was elected state attorney in 1852. 
.Vlready he W'as demonstrating his ability to 
handle involved litigated interests, and he ren- 
dered capal)le service in the second position to 
which he was elected, a fact which also ditl nuich 
to win him i)ub!ic confidence and support. He 
was also called to other public offices, being one 
of the township trustees prior to the incorpora- 
tion of the city, and in 1857 he was honored by 
election to the ma\'oralty. in which office he gave 
to the young cit\' a business-like and ])rogressive 
administration, carefully guarding its financial 
interests and at the same tiem using his influence 
and official prerogatives for the upbuilding and 
l)romotion of its welfare. In 1864 he was elected 
to the state legislature, and for a term of two 
years was active in framing the laws of the com- 
monwealth. For six years he served by a])i)oint- 
ment as master in chancery, and in 1870 he was 
elected to the circuit bench, serving for twenty 
years with conspicuous ability in that position. 
He had great respect for the dignity of judicial 
])lace and ])ower, and no man ever presided in a 
court with more re.spect for his environments than 
<lid Judge Brown. As the result of this personal 
characteristic the proceedings were always orderly 
upon the part of every one — audience, bar, and 
the olTicers from the highest to the lowest. The 
court records are the best proof ot his capability. 
His opinions are fine specimens of judicial 
thought, always clear, logical and as brief as the 
character of the case will permit. His life dur- 
ing the entire period of his course at the bar and 
on the Ijench was directed in the line of his pro- 
fession and his duty. He was excejitionally free 
from all judicial bias, his varied legal learning 
and wide experience in the courts, the patient 
care with which he ascertained all the facts bear- 
ing upon every case which came before him, ga\e 
his decisions a solidity and an exhaustiveness 
from which no member of the bar could take 
exceptions. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WLWEBAGO COUNTY. 



20 1 



The home Hfe of Judge Brown was largely 
ideal. Unto him and his wife, who still sur- 
vives him, were born two sons, Edward ^^'. and 
Frank R. Brown, of the Nelson Knitting Com- 
pany ; and a daughter, }ilay. now the wife of 
H. W. Buckbee. His interests centered in his 
family and he counted no personal sacrifice on 
his part too great if it would promote the welfare 
or happiness of his wife and children. No better 
indication of his love for his family and the de- 
sire for the best development of his sons and 
daughters- can be given than to print a letter 
which he wrote to them after his elevation to the 
bench, which read as follows : 

Galena. 111.. June 8. 1873. 
To Eddie, Frankie and Alay ; 

Aly Dear Children : 

Your pa was unanimously elected judge of the 
First Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois last 
JMonday, for the term of six years. 

If we live to the close of my term in office, 
Eddie will be twenty-two, Frankie nineteen and 
little May fourteen years of age. The boys will 
be young men and Alay will be almost a young 
lady. As to you, boys, there is no more impor- 
tant period in your lives than the next six \ears. 
Your characters ought then to be formed for good 
or for evil. It will be developed by that time, 
whether you will make noble, useful men in the 
world, or whether you will be worthless loafers, 
respected by none and despised by all. It will 
be a terrible affliction to your pa and ma to raise 
up a worthless boy. What will be of more value 
to you than anything else is a fixedness of pur- 
pose, a determination and a will to do right — 
let others do as they may. You want a fixed prin- 
ciple so that you can not under any circumstances 
be influenced to do wrong. \\'hen }0u go out 
(as you will soon have to go) from home and 
home influences, you want your habits so firmly 
established that you will not drink, that you will 
not use tobacco, that you will not use profane 
or vulgar language, and that you will not asso- 
ciate with the wicked or the vile. 

Boys, you have ability enough to make tal- 
ented men, and a noble future awaits you. if you 
only dare to do right. 

Another thing that I want to particularly im- 
press upon you is this : always be kind, respect- 
ful and obedient to your dear mother. I never 
knew a boy to make a good man who was un- 
kind lo his mother. Your mother will mostly 
have charge of you for the next six j'ears. If 
you will under all circumstances obey her, and 
kindly do her bidding, I will have no fears of 
your future : but if on the other hand you dis- 
obey her and treat her unkindly, you will become 
worthless, cruel and wicked. In the Bible chil- 



dren are commanded to obey their parents, for 
this is right. 

I trust that little May will always be a bright, 
twinkling little star, shedding her light upon a 
sin-cursed and darkened world. May you all 
grow up to be a blessing in the world,' and a 
comfort and joy to your parents. 

From Your Loving Pa. 

Only those who knew Judge Brown best ap- 
preciated to the full extent his ability, his char- 
acter and the depths of his kindly nature. The 
local press at the time of his demise, which oc- 
curred January 15, 1891, said: 

Judge Brown was a high type of American 
manhood. He was earnest, honest and self-reli- 
ant. From a poor boy he made his way up to a 
position which any man might envy, and' in doing 
so pushed no other man down, nor was there 
ever a suspicion of trickery or dishonesty in any 
way attached to him. None ever knew him but to 
respect him. He possessed strong opinions 
which he held tenaciously but never obtruded 
them upon others. He acquired a considerable 
by strict business principles and shrewd specula- 
tions. It was ever a pleasure to meet him. He 
possessed a large fund of information which he 
could impart with rare ability, and was a whole- 
souled, genial and companionable gentleman. 

As a jurist. Judge Brown bore the highest rep- 
utation. For twenty 3-ears he sat on the circuit 
bench, and rarely did he have a decision re- 
versed in the higher courts. He was deeply 
learned in legal lore, and was so eminentl_v fair 
that all litigants and attorneys were glad to have 
him try their cases. Strong temperance man as 
he was, the saloonists themselves were glad to 
have him on the bench at their trials. His repu- 
tation as a jurist was not local, but extended far 
and wide, and it would be well inscribed on his 
tomb, "He was a righteous judge." He was 
deeply interested in his duties on the bench, and 
sought only to raise the standard of American 
jurisprudence, make decisions which would stand 
the test of time, and leave an honorable reputa- 
tion — all of which he accomplished. He knew 
no way to administer the law but on the great 
principles of the science, and with painstaking 
conscientiousness worked out the problems pre- 
sented by each suit tried before him. His re- 
ward was in the consciousness of duty well per- 
formed, and the universal honor and respect of 
the legal profession. 

As a citizen. Judge Brown was a noble type. 
He fully appreciated the responsibilities of .Amer- 
ican citizenship, and earnestly sought to meet 
them. Never a politician, and far removed in 
nature and vocation from affinity with the noisy 
strife of partisanship, he fairly faced every issue 



202 



PAST AM) i'RESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



of the day, decided which course was the better 
for his country and tlie people in his estimation, 
and then by voice and vote forwarded the cause 
which his clear head had caused him to espouse. 
He was an earnest republican, a republican from 
deeply rooted principle and no minor mistake 
which the party could make, no abuse of the party 
by individuals, could swerve him from his princi- 
ples. Right was right with him, and his atten- 
tion could not be distracted by minor issues. He 
did loyal work for the party in a quiet way, and 
his time, his energy and his purse was always at 
its command. He was a strong temperance man 
and worked with a will for the cause. The old 
residents will remember with how firm a hand he 
enforced the liquor laws during his term as 
mayor. Careful as he was as judge, not to allow 
his personal opinion to interfere with his inter- 
pretation of the law, as an executive officer he 
was as firm as adamant and enforced the temper- 
ance laws with a hand of iron. Once convinced 
of his duty naught could swerve him. The liquor 
men girdled his fruit and ornamental trees, and 
otherwise injured the grounds, out of anger at 
his firmness, but he never wavered. They threat- 
ened him, but he knew not fear, and went about 
his business as openly as ever and entirely un- 
attended. Nearly all his life long occupying pub- 
lic positions, no man ever charged that he did 
not in every case do his duty, and no man ever 
suggested a word against his absolute honesty. 
He was a good citizen. If all were such as he 
government would be a simple matter, and the 
community would be an Elysium indeed. 

The judge was an honest and consistent Qiris- 
tian and has ever been devoted to the church. 
He has been closely identified with the Centennial 
Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and 
was one of the principal luovers in erecting the 
new church. He held all the affairs of Metho- 
dism close to his heart, and was interested in the 
church at large as well as local organizations. 
There was no Christian movement but appealed 
to his heart and interest. He was alwavs to be 
found in the front rank of workers for the r.iuse 
of Christ and of right. He filled various lay 
offices in the Methodist church and will be greatly 
missed by his fellow workers in the field. He 
possessed to an eminent degree the Christian vir- 
tues of forgiveness and benevolence, and did what 
he could to lighten the loads of others. 

In his family Judge I'rown was a king, en- 
throned in the love and honor of his children. 
He was a great home man and loved the joys of 
his fireside. Nothing was too good for his fam- 
ily that he could get. Their happiness was the 
apple of his eye and the life inside of the charmed 
home circle was most beautiful. He was the idol 
of his wife and children. The latter have ever 



regarded his opinion as be\ond debate or doubt, 
anfl what he said the\- were willing to stake their 
lives on. It has been a beautiful example of faith 
to all who knew them. The sons, grown men of 
strong opinions themselves, and ready to combat 
their opinions in the world, have ever bowed be- 
fore his wider experience and riper judgment. 
During the past year since failing health com- 
pelled him to give up the active duties of life, 
he has especially enjoyed his home and the sunny 
smiles of his grantldaughters growing up about 
him. During the last hours when naught else 
could arouse him from the lethargy into which 
he was sinking, the presence of the little girls in 
his room would summon the scattered faculties 
like a gleam of sunshine and he would notice 
them pleasantly. It is in this circle where the 
loss falls most heavily. The state loses a good 
citizen, the people a good neighbor, the church a 
good member, humanity a good man, and a thou- 
sand hearts bow in sadness at his death ; but one 
circle about the deserted fireside lose something 
more tangible. They lose a guide ever ready 
with advice and encouragement ; a father and 
husband whom they loved with passionate tender- 
ness. 



THOMAS LAKE. 



Thomas Lake, deceased, was a representative 
farmer of Winnebago county, born on the 4th 
of July, 1806, at Blackford, in the parish of 
Selworth. Somersetshire. England, his parents 
being William and Elizabeth Lake. The father 
was a farmer by occupation and carried on a 
milling business in connection with the tilling 
of the soil. The Lake homestead belonged to the 
estate of Sir. T. D. Ackland. 

Thomas Lake, reared to the occupation of 
farming, followed that pursuit during the great- 
er part of the time until his father's death. Soon 
afterwards he sailed for America. He had pre- 
viously married Miss Lavinia Atkins, a daughter 
of John Atkins, a farmer residing at \\'hilcomb 
in the parish of Minehead. It was in May, 1832, 
that ^Ir. Lake sailed from Bristol on board the 
bark Charlotte, bound for New York. The 
voyage was a long and tedious one as compared 
with the rapid transportation of the present 
times, but at length anchor was dropped in the 
American port. A few days later Mr. Lake pro- 
ceeded to Troy, New York, where he was em- 
ployed for a short time, but owing to a cholera 
epidemic he deemed it wise to proceed on his 
westward way. They stopped for a short time in 
Ohio and there Mr. Lake worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade, which he had learned in his native 
land. Subsequently he started with his family 




THOMAS LAKE 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



205 



for Chicago, where he arrived 011 the ist of 
October, 1835. It was not until about two years 
later that the city was incorporated. There he 
was employed by a ]\Ir. Steel, who was later 
elected sheriff of Cook county. In March, 1836, 
accompanied by Air. Tw'ogood and his family. Mr. 
Lake and his family completed the trip to Rock- 
ford. At that time the land office had not been 
opened, the entire county being in a primitive con- 
dition. Tlie Lake family remained at the home 
of Daniel S. Haight until a log house could be 
erected by Mr. Lake on his claim near Rock- 
ford. He secured a considerable tract of land 
in Guilford township and there he began the de- 
velopment of his farm, aiding in large measure in 
the substantial improvement of the county at an 
early day. He was one of the worthy pioneer 
settlers and assisted in laying broad and deep the 
foundation upon which has been reared the super- 
structure of the present prosperity and progress 
of Winnebago county. 

Before leaving England one son, Robert W., 
had been born unto Air. and Mrs. Lake. Their 
daughter, Mrs. E. J. Lake, now owns a fine farm 
on section 2, Guilford township, and from 
pioneer days down to the present the family has 
jjeen prominent in this county, its members be- 
ing respected and worthy citizens. 



IR\TN S. SUMNER. 

Irvin S. Sumner, filling the position of post- 
master at Pecatonica, is one of the leading citizens 
of his part of the county, his labors proving ef- 
fective in advancing the welfare of the town, 
while his efforts in his business interests have 
brought him a gratifying^ measure of success. Pie 
was born in Pecatonica, November 8, 1844, his 
parents being \\'illiam and Cynthia ( Farrell ) 
.Sumner, both of whom were natives of tlie Em- 
pire state. The father came to Winnebago 
county in 1835, casting in his lot with the pioneer 
settlers of Pecatonica township, where he en- 
tered land from the government. He was one 
of the first to locate on the banks of the Pecaton- 
ica river and throughout his entire business life 
he carried on general farming and stock-raising. 
In 1858 he made a business trip to low'a and 
there dropped dead from heart failure. His wife 
had departed this life in 1856. They were the 
parents of two sons and a daughter : Irvin S. ; 
Louise, w'ho married William Marsh and is now 
living in California ; and Eugene, whose death 
was occasioned by a tree falling on him when he 
was twenty-one years of age. After losing his 
first wife William Sumner married Miss Ellen 
Leonard, and they had one child, Flora, who is 
13 



now the wife of William Giltrap, of Anamosa, 
Iowa. 

Irvin S. Sumner pursued his education in the 
public schools and remained at home until the age 
of fourteen years, when he went to Kansas, where 
he spent two years working as a farm hand. He 
then returned home and in 1861 worked upon 
the farm, attending school through the winter 
months. In the year 1862, however, he offered 
his services to the government, being then but 
seventeen years of age. He enlisted in Company 
B, Seventy-fourth Illinois \^olunteer Infantryi" 
and on the 4th of September was mustered in at 
Rockford. He served for more than two years, 
and was then honorably discharged on acct>ujj)f/q'f 
disability at Chicago, January 6, 1865. He went 
from Rockford with his regiment to Louisville, 
Kentucky, and on to Perryville, where he was 
first under fire, participating in the battle at that 
place. Subsecjuently he went to Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, where the first winter was spent, and be- 
ing on the sick list he was in the hospital most 
of the time. Later he rejoined his regiment at 
Alurfreesboro, Tennessee, and with his company 
moved on to Winchester and to Chattanooga. He 
[larticipated in the battle of Missionary Ridge, 
thence went to Knoxville, where tlie winter of 
1863 vvas passed, after which his command fol- 
lowed General Bragg through to Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, and in the notable engagement which oc- 
curred at that place Mr. Sumner was wounded 
on the 27th of June, 1863. He w^as struck by a 
ball which entered the right side above the hip 
and came out just below the breast-bone, passing 
through the large lobe of the liver. Mr. Sum- 
ner is the only man in this state with the excep- 
tion of ex-Governor Joseph Fifer that ever sus- 
tained such a wound and lived. He was wounded 
in the morning and lay on the field until the fol- 
lowing day, when he was found in the grass, 
which was covered w-ith blood. He was discov- 
ered by his company commander. Captain 
Thompson. The doctors had done nothing for 
him, as they thought he could not live, but the 
captain ordered them to dress his wound, which 
they did, and later he was removed to Big Shanty, 
about six miles from the battle-field. Care had 
been given him so late that the microbes had done 
their w-ork before the wound was dressed. He 
was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, on the 2d of 
July, remaining in the hospital there for some 
time, and afterward was in the hospitals of Nash- 
ville and of Louisville, Kentucky, being trans- 
ferred from the last named to Jeffersonville. In- 
diana. Because of the delay in attending his in- 
juries gangrene set in and in burning out the 
poison the surgeon also burned off an artery and 
he came very nearly losing his life from bleeding 
to death. After being transferred tqsChicago he 



2o6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



was in tlic .Marine Hosijital under Dr. Islinni un- 
til cliscliargc(.l from tlic service, and after his re- 
turn home was under the care of Drs. Rutler and 
Newell, but niorc than a year passed before he 
could stand erect, and he has always suffered 
from his wound, having never recovered his gen- 
eral he.ilth. l-'or months at a time he has been 
undrr the care of an attendant, and in fact h.is 
never enjoyed a well ilay since the fatal battle 
of Kenesaw Mountain. He made a great sacri- 
fice for his country and belongs to that class of 
brave and noble men to whom the country owes 
a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. 

As soon as possible after somewhat regaining 
his health .\Ir. Sumner resumed business in con- 
nection with fanning interests in this state. In 
1880 he rented a farm belonging to his uncle and 
thus superintended between twelve and fourteen 
hundred acres of land, continuing in the conduct 
and operation of that place until about four 
years ago. He now owns a valuable farm of one 
hundred and thirty-five acres, wdiich he purchased 
a number of years ago, and which he rents, wdiile 
he is living in a good home in Pecatonica and 
filling the position of postmaster here. He has 
done much to advance business interests in the 
village, promoting public ])rogrcss along com- 
mercial and industrial lines. He was one of the 
first men to aid in starting the creamerj- and was 
also one of the founders of the Milk Condensing 
Company. He himself became a stockholder and 
induced others to invest, and these enterprises 
have proved of much value in business circles 
here. 

Mr. Sumner has been married three times. He 
wedded Miss Sarah Green, a daughter of El- 
bridge and Mary (Brewer) Green, and they be- 
came the parents of two sons, William and 
fieorge. The former married Florence Christ- 
man and they reside in Pecatonica. George, also 
of Pecatonica, wedded Miss Betsey Doty and has 
two sons, Harold and Eugene. For his second 
wife Mr. Sumner chose Ellen Kerr, a daughter 
of Peter and Margaret (Winchester) Kerr, and 
they have two daughters, .Mice A. and .Vnna L., 
who are attending to the duties of the postoffice. 
For his third wife he chose Minnie Hamlin, 
a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Madden) 
Hamlin. Her father was boni at Bleeding Hill, 
Massachusetts, a brother of Vice President Ham- 
lin, and the mother was born at Rochester, New 
York. She died in 1866. while .Mr. Hamlin 
passed away in 1875. both dying in Rockford. 
They had come to the west about 1853, settling 
in the county seat, where Mr. Hamlin lived re- 
tired. He was a memlKr of the Masonic frater- 
nity. Unto him and his wife were bom two 
daughters. Mrs. Sumner and Hattic. the deceased 
wife of T. S. Tuthill. a lumber merchant of Siou.'c 



Falls, South Dakota. She died in .Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, in 1902, leaving one child. 

Mr. Sumner is an earnest advocate of repub- 
lican principles, his first vote being cast for Abra- 
ham Lincoln on the 8th of November, 1865. He 
was challenged by Charles Stephens, a democrat, 
but Mr. Sumner swore in his vote, just the same, 
for it was his twenty-first birthday and he was, 
therefore, entitled to exercise his right of fran- 
chise and supported the republican candidate, 
who in the light of history is regarded as one of 
the greatest men the nation has ever produced. 
He was commissioner of highways for twelve 
years and was school commissioner for three 
years, but has never cared to hold office in Peca- 
tonica save that which he is now filling — the po- 
sition of postmaster. He is a member of Ellis 
post. No. 20, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleas- 
ant relations with his old army comrades. In 
days'of peace and days of war he has been cquallx 
loyal to his country, and stands to-day as one of 
the representative citizens of \\'inncbago county, 
honored and respected by all who know him. 



THOMAS WINCHESTER. 

Thomas Winchester, a general contractor, de- 
voting his attention mainly to cut stone work, 
is a native of Northumberland county, England. 
He was born in the year 1846 and remained in 
his native country until ten years of age. In 
1837 he crossed the .\tlantic to .America and be- 
came a resident of Pecatonica. Winnebago 
county. Illinois. His parents resided at that 
place until called to their final rest and the 
father. \\^'lliam \\'inchester, was also engaged in 
the stone-cutting trade. 

Thomas ^^'inchester of this review was a 
young man of twenty years when, in i8fi6. he 
left home and took up his abode in Rockford. 
where he has since resided. In early life he 
learned the stone-cutter's trade and after work- 
ing a,s a journeyman for a number of years, dur- 
ing which time he gained a thorough and accu- 
rate knowledge of the business, he embarked in 
business for himself and for the past sixteen 
years has been well known as a contractor of 
this city. He has a yard located at the Kenosha 
division depot and employs on an average 
throughout the year from fifteen to twenty men, 
while oftentimes he has in his service as many 
as fifty men. all skilled mechanics. He has 
erected under contract numerous fine buildings 
in the city and in fact has worked for most of 
the leading stone contractors of Rockford. He 
is now engaged in the erection of tlie Fir.st 
Prcbvterian church at Main and \\"orth streets, 
associated with John P. CuUcn. He has now fol- 




THOMAS WINCHESTER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



209 



lowed the stone-cutting business for forty years 
and as time has advanced his patronage has 
gained until he is now a leading representative 
of this line of activity in his adopted citv. 

Mr. \\'inchester was married in Pecatonica to 
Miss Esther J. Corwin, of that place, a daughter 
of 'Squire Corwin. who was an early resident 
of the city and is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Winchester have five children, all of whom were 
born in Rockford : Edith, now the wife of W. 
F. Pitney, who is engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness in Rockford : Thomas R., a stone-cutter, 
who is married and makes his home in this citv : 
Nellie, the wife of J. H. Tole, who is chief mone\- 
order clerk in the postoffice, and has two chil- 
dren, Arthur T. and Dorothy ; and Mabel and 
Maud, both at home. The family residence is 
at No. 720 Fifth avenue. 

In his political allegiance ]\Ir. ^^'incllester is a 
democrat. In his social relations he is an Odd 
Fellow, belonging to both the lodge and encamp- 
ment of Rockford, and he has filled all of the 
chairs in the order. He likewise holds member- 
ship relations with the Tribe of Ben Flur. Strong 
purpose and unfaltering industry constituted 
the success of his rise in the business world and 
from a humble position as an apprentice Mr. 
Winchester has worked his way upward tmtil as 
a contractor he is prominent, controlling im- 
portant business enterprises. 



ISRAEL SOVEREIGN. 

Israel Sovereign, now in the seventy-eighth 
year of his age and living retired at No. 313 
North Church street, in Rockford, was born in 
Canada, November 6, 1827. His parents, John 
and Miriam (Mabee) Sovereign, were resi- 
dents of Canada. The father was born in New 
Jersey and went to the Dominion with his parents 
when but four years of age, so that he was reared 
in that country. He took up land in the province 
of Ontario and followed farming in the township 
of Malihide until the fall of 1840, when he re- 
moved to W'innebago county, making the journey 
overland to Rockford by way of Chicago, and at 
that time the latter city contained but three houses 
on the west side of the river. While living in 
Canada he had been called upon to mourn the 
loss of his wife, who died in 1839, when thirty- 
nine years of age. She left ten children, nearly 
all of whom reached mature 3'ears, and one is a 
resident of California, one of Missouri and two 
of Illinois. With his family Mr. Sovereign start- 
ed for this state, making the journey \i.-ith teams 
and wagons and reaching his destination on the 
loth of November. Being left with a large fam- 
ily, he married again, Mrs. Mary Mason, a na- 



tive of Illinois, becoming his wife. Their mar- 
riage occurred in Boone county, and T\Irs. Sov- 
ereign also had a number of children by her first 
marriage. Arriving at his destination, Mr. Sov- 
ereign purcliased a house on Tliird street, in East 
Rockford, south of the park, and there made his 
home for a time, after which he bought a farm on 
section 31, Guilford township, this property be- 
ing now partly owned by Reuben Sovereign. The 
tather became the owner of a half section on 
Fourteenth avenue road and also the northeast 
quarter of section 31, which is now the pr.operty 
of Reuben Sovereign, and the northwest quarter 
of section 32, which has since passed out of pos- 
session of the family. Israel Sovereign owned 
the west half of the northwest quarter of section 
32, which he afterward traded for a store in 
Rockfortl. while the remaining eighty acres was 
owned b}- Ruth Sovereign, who married Reuben 
Havenson, and is now deceased. John Sovereign 
operated his large farm for a time, but afterward 
divided it among his children. He resided, how- 
ever, upon that place until about 1870, v.'hen he 
went to California on a visit to a son, George, 
who removed there in the early '50s, and in the 
Golden state John Sovereign passed away on the 
20th of August, 1870, when seventy-three years 
of age. His early political support was given to 
the whig party and when the question of slavery 
was the dominant issue before the people he es- 
poused the cause of abolition. He never sought 
or desired office for himself, however. He and 
both of his wives were devoted members of the 
Alethodist Episcopal church and he was a local 
minister of '\\'innebago county, known far and 
wide as an earnest and faithful Christian man. 
His second wife reached an advanced age. He 
was one of the leading pioneers of Guilford 
township, active in business, charitable and 
benevolent in his relations to those who needed 
aid and loyal in his friendships. 

Israel Sovereign was reared in Canada and 
Guilford township, \Mnnebago county, and in 
1857, when thirty years of age, he took up his 
abode in Rockford, where he became connected 
with the hardware business, following that pur- 
suit until 1883. He was one of the leading mer- 
chants in that line of trade on the west side and 
he yet owns a business block at No. 116 South 
Main street. He was one of the promoters of the 
Rockford Watch company, became a director 
and also represented the company on the road as 
a traveling" salesman for five years. He met with 
almost phenomenal success in that work in the 
northwestern states and parts of Canada. 

Israel Sovereign was married in Winnebago 
county to Miss Laura Judd, who came from 
Ohio to Illinois in her early girlhood with her 
parents, Jason and Rebecca (Shaw) Judd, who 



2IO 



PAST AXn rkl-.SLNT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



settled upon a farm in Durand township and 
there passed their remaining days, dying about 
thirty years ago. They were natives of N'ermont 
and Massachusetts respectively and were repre- 
sentative people of their conmnmity, enjoying in 
high degree the regard of all with whom they 
came in contact. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sovereign 
have been born three children — C. Eugene, a 
prominent business man of Rockford, who mar- 
ried Miss Elsie Irvine: l-"red J., who is ])roprie- 
tor of the City Ice Comiiany, and married Luella 
Rhodes : and Alice. The family are members of 
the Methodist church and Mr. Sovereign is a re- 
publican in politics. He never sought or de.sircd 
office, however, preferring to devote his attention 
to his business interests, and for many years he 
was prominent in commercial circles in Rockford, 
making for himself a reputation which any man 
might be proud to possess. 

He not only worked his way steadily upward, 
but was prompt in meeting obligations and never 
made engagements that he did not fulfill. He 
placed his reliance in such old and time-tried 
maxims as "honesty is the best policy," and 
"there is no excellence without labor," and 
these proved the basis of his prosperity. 



HOMER W". K.XOWLTON. 

Homer W. Knowlton, cashier of the Pecaton- 
ica Bank since 1873, was born in Freeport, Illi- 
nois, April 9, 1839. His parents were Dexter A. 
and Eveline (.\rnnld) Knowlton. lx)th of whom 
were natives of Herkimer county. New York. 
His paternal grandfather, Djivid Knowlton, was 
born May 7, 1783. and in 1804 was united in 
marriage to Achsah Barnes. He removed from 
Herkimer county. Xew York, to Stockton town- 
ship, Chautauqua county, about 1813. [le fol- 
lowed farming and the trade of boot and .shoe- 
making, which he had leamcd in early life. He 
was also active and influential in matters relating 
to the public welfare, and was one of the deacons 
of the Baptist church at old Town Line. This 
church was organized in 1814 and known as the 
First Baptist church of .Stockton. 

Unto David and .\chsah (Barnes) Knowlton 
were born seven children : Sophronia, born 
March 5, 180*1, married Isaac Andrus May 29, 
1823. removed to Rockford in 1849 au'i died 
here June 10, 1888. .\chsah. born March 23, 
1809. died in childhood. David, born February 
15, 1810, also died in childhood. Dexter A., 
born March 3, 1812, was married January 15, 
1834, to Eveline .\rnold, who died .\ugust 19, 
1874, while his death occurred Marcli 10, 1876. 
Betsey A., born March 3. 1820, became the wife 
of Lewis Morgan and died Xovember 16. 1882. 
Dyer, born May 11, 1822. died in diildhood. Wil- 



liam Alfred, born August 4, 1831, was married 
January 21, 1857, to Matilda Hitchcock, made his 
home in Rockford and died in 1892. 

Dexter A. Knowlton, father of Homer W. 
Knowlton, was born .March 3, 1812, in Herkimer 
county. New York, and the following year ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to Chau- 
tauqua county, where he resided until 1839. He 
then went to Freeport, Illinois, where he em- 
barked in business as a general merchant. He 
was one of ihe principal promoters and builders 
of the first railroad out of Chicago, the old Ga- 
lena & Chicago Union Railroad, now owned and 
operated as a part of the Qiicago & Northwestern 
Railway system. Of this line he was one of the 
directors. In 1855 he returned to Westfield, 
Chautauqua county. Xew York, and after a resi- 
dence of six years there he went to Saratoga, 
Xew York, where he purchased the Empire 
Spring and organized the Congress and Empire 
Spring Company. While in Freeport in 1869 he 
established the bank of D. A. Knowlton & Sons 
and continued in the banking business up to the 
time of his death. In religious faith he was a 
Presbyterian and in politics he was one of the 
early advocates of the abolition party, becoming 
the first candidate of that party in this state for 
governor. He was married in early manhood to 
Miss Eveline .\rnold. who was born in Herki- 
mer county. Xew York, and when about seven- 
teen or eighteen years of age went with her 
parents to Chautauqua county, the marria.ge 
being celebrated there at what was called the 
Town Line, between Jamestown and Fredonia, 
New York. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dexter A. Knowlton were 
born eight children, four sons and four daugh- 
ters, the first three being natives of the Empire 
state. The family record is as follows: Ar- 
minda, born December 29. 1834, died May 10, 
1 89 1. Dexter \\'.. born July 28, 1836, died in 
1840. Eveline A., born August 17, 1837, is the 
wife of Charles Currier and is now livmg in 
Berkeley, California. Homer W., is the next of 
the family. Dexter A., the second of the name, 
born .\ugust 26, 1843, married Mary L. Myers 
and lived in Freeport until his death, which oc- 
curred October 19, 1903. Born in Freeport. he 
acquired his early education there and was gradu- 
ated with honors from Williams College in 1866. 
He became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa 
fratenn'tv. His entire business career connected 
him with interests in his native town, for after 
the death of his father in 1876 he and his brother 
established the banking house of Knowlton Broth- 
ers and he was identified with tliat institution up 
to the time of his demi.sc. He was for twenty- 
six years or more a ruling elder in the Presby- 
terian church and was also a trustee and tntasurer 



PAST AND PRESENT OE WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



211 



of Beloit College, Wisconsin, and a member of 
the Presbyterian board of aid for colleges and 
academies. In his family were seven children ; 
Florence, Maria. ]\Iabel, Clara M., Mary L., who 
died June i6, 1888; Jean and Dorothy. Julianna 
A., born July 2, 1845, died July 4, 1882; Charles 
D., was successor of Knowlton Brothers at the 
death of Dexter A. Knowlton, banker, of Free- 
port and Pecatonica, born January 27, 1848, mar- 
ried Ida A. .Mann and has three children — lidith. 
now living in Freeport ; Charles D., Jr., who has 
recently gone to North Dakota to establish a 
bank : and Kenneth. Charles D. Knowlton was 
born in Freeport and was a member of the firm 
of D. A. Knowlton & Sons. He is one of the 
prominent citizens of his native town, to whose 
prosperity he has steadily contributed bv his 
business activity and upright citizenship. Ophe- 
lia A., the yomigest member of the family of 
Dexter A. and Eveline (Arnold) Knowlton, was 
born January 30, 1852, and died in infancy. 

Dexter A. Knowlton, the father of the forego- 
ing children, died March 10. 1876, at the age of 
sixty-four years and seven days. He and his 
wife were making a pleasure trip through the 
south and arrived at New Orleans on the 9th of 
March of that year. The following morning Mr. 
Knowlton left the hotel to call upon friends, bid- 
ding his wife a most cheerful adieu, expecting 
soon to return to her, but he was found dead sit- 
ting on the steps of a public building. He 
stood fearless in defense of whatever he be- 
lieved to be right and was a champion of the abo- 
lition cause when it required personal courage to 
announce one's advocacy of those principles. 

Another member of the Knowlton family who 
figured prominently in business circles for many 
years was William Alfred Knowlton, who died 
at Rockford in 1892. His history forms an in- 
tegral chapter in the records of the city. He mar- 
ried Miss Matilda Hitchcock and they became 
the parents of six children — William A., Jr. ; Ev- 
eline, Helen, who is the wife of Charles E. Gib- 
son, of Boston, Massachusetts ; David, who died 
in childhood : Matilda, who is the wife of T. H. 
Hardy, of Boston, Massachusetts ; and Mary T. 

Homer W. Knowlton acquired his early educa- 
tion in the public schools and in Canandaigua 
Academy, of New York. He also attended Bry- 
ant & Stratton's Business College at Buffalo, 
New York, and in 1858 he entered the employ 
of the J. H. Manny Manufacturing Company, 
manufacturers of reapers, at Rockford. He trav- 
eled for that house, making collections, continu- 
ing in that service for about a year. His uncle, 
William A. Knowlton, was in full charge of the 
business and the estate Mr. Manny, the found- 
er, being deceased. Later Mr. Knowlton secured 
a position in the Westfield Bank at Westfield, 



^New York, now the First National Bank there, 
and in 1861 he went to Saratoga, New York, 
where he entered the employ of his father, who 
at that time was the owner of the Empire Spring. 
He then organized the Congress and Empire 
Spring Company and Homer W. Knowlton was 
associated with the conduct of the business for 
four or five years. In 1871 he began traveling 
for the American Insurance Company of Chi- 
cago, making- collections for that corporation un- 
til 1873, when he came to Pecatonica, where he 
has since been engaged in the hanking business, 
the bank having been established by his father 
and his brothers. He has continuously acted as 
cashier and the success of the institution is large- 
ly attributable to his determined efforts and sound 
business judgment. The institution is thoroughly 
reliable carrying on a general banking business, 
and the patronage is now extensive. 

Homer W. Knowlton has been married twice. 
He first wedded Miss Kate Alton, in May, 1862. 
She was born at Dunkirk, New York. December 
3, 1844, and died July 4, 1897. Her parents were 
Luther and Alary Ann (Weaver) Alton, also na- 
tives of the Empire state. On the 29th of April, 
1903. Air. Knowlton wedded Miss Marsha J. 
Langtry, a daughter of Dr. William and Jane 
(Hill) Langtry. She was born at Westville, 
Franklin county. New York. 

In community affairs Mr. Knowlton has been 
active and influential. He has served as presi- 
dent of the town board, but has never cared for 
office, preferring to contribute to public progress 
in other ways rather than as an official. His po- 
litical allegiance is given to the republican party 
and both he and his wife are members of the Con- 
gregational church. He represents one of the 
honored pioneer families of northern Illinois and 
in his business career has so directed his labors 
that his personal worth has made him a repre- 
sentative citizen of Winnebago count}-. 



JAMES H. CARSON. 

On the roster of county officials in Winnebago 
county appears the name of James H. Carson, 
who is now filling the position of treasurer, and 
his public service has won him high enconiums 
because of his fidelity to duty and his promptness 
and efficiency in dispatching the business relating 
to his office. A native of Ireland, he was born in 
the city of Belfast, March 10, 1846, and is of 
.Scotch-Irish parentage. His father, Robert Car- 
son, was also a native of Belfast and was united 
in marriage to Jane Mc\"ey, a native of Green- 
ock, Scotland, in which place they were married. 
Soon afterward they removed to Belfast, where 
their son James H. was born, but subsequently 
thev returned to (ireenock. where thev resided 



212 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY 



for about six years. In 1853 they caiiK- to Aiiur- 
ica. settlings on a farm near Rocliesler. New 
York. Tliey were the parents of eis'lit eliiklren. 
five of whom are still living:. The family is 
noted for lonjjevity and both parents still survive, 
the father havinpf now reached the age of eighty- 
eight years, while the mother is eighty-five years 
of age. They reside on the old homestead in 
Monroe county. New York, and are venerable 
and respected citizens of tliat locality. 

lame-; 11. (."arson, the eldest of his father's 
family, is indebted to the public-school system of 
the Empire State for the educational privileges he 
enjoyed. In 1865, when about nineteen years of 
age. he came to Illinois, and in W'inneliago coun- 
ty engaged in farming. For many years, how- 
ever, he has been identified with industrial inter- 
ests in Rockford, having at dilTerent times been 
employed in the works of Emerson Talcott & 
Company, in the N. C. Thomjjson maufacturing 
plant, in the l'>riggs iS: Enoch works and in the 
Trahern Pumj) Company's factory. Diligence, 
industry and perseverance have ever been charac- 
teristic of his business life and have secured him 
some excellent positions. 

When twenty-three years of age .Mr. Carson 
was united in marriage to Miss Ella .M. Thoni])- 
son. a daughter of Hiram Thomijson. one of the 
earlv settlers of Winnebago county. Three chi! 
dren have blessed this union : Robert D., who 
died when twenty-six years of age; I-'rank .\.. 
who is now twenty-eight years of age. and is serv- 
ing as deputy county treasurer; and Mrs. Mabel 
F. \\'etherell, who also resides here. The family 
have a pleasant home in South Rockford at No. 
1129 Ferguson street, and have piade their home 
in this city since 1873. Socially Mr. Carson is a 
Mason and has served as secretarv of the E. F. 
W. Ellis lodge. No. 633, A. F. '& A. M., for 
a number of years. He is also comiected with the 
Knights of Pythias, the Tribe of Ben Hur and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his 
wife is affiliated with the ladies' auxiliaries of 
these societies. She is nf)w a past matron of the 
Order of the Eastern Star and jiast grand of the 
Rebekah lodge of the Odd Fellows society. 

Politically Mr. Carson has ever been a stanch 
republican, but in local matters he is conserva- 
tive and will snpi)ort the candidate who in his 
judgment is best (|ualified to fill the office regard- 
less of party lines. His deej) and sincep- interest 
in the public welfare has been manifest bv the 
capable service which he lias rendered when called 
by his fellow townsmen to j)ositions of public 
trust and responsibility. The first office he held 
was that of supervisor, representing Rockford on 
the board in i8<)i. and by re-election he was con- 
tinuerl in the position fr)r ten vears. He served 
on a lunnber of important committees and was 



chairman of the committee on fees and salaries. 
He was ajipointetl by the board of health of the 
city of Rockford as water and ])]umbing mspector 
and again he did ])ractical and signal service for 
the community. I-Vom the board of supervisors 
he received appointment to the office of overseer 
of the poor, in which position he remained for 
six years, and at the election held in November, 
1902, he was chosen by po])ular ballot to the of- 
fice of county treasurer, receiving the unanimous 
vote of every town in the county and precinct in 
the city. He is now in charge of the funds of the 
county and in this office, as in all others which 
he has been called ujion to fill, he has studied 
closely the best methods to pursue in order to 
render to his fellow townsmen a service th.nt will 
promote the public welfare. He has a wide and 
favorable acquaintance in Rockford and his offi- 
cial career has been characterized by all that 
marks the exemplary citizen. 



ALBERT SAN FORI). 

.\lbert Sanford was a ilescendant of one of 
the I lid and prominent New England families 
and in the history of Rockford the name figures 
consiMcuously. the subject of this review being 
for a number of years an old and representative 
business man here. He was born in New Haven, 
Connecticut, May i, 1818. The ancestry of the 
family can be traced back to Thomas Sanford, 
of Gloucestershire, England, who came to this 
country with the John Wintb.rop colony in the 
|)criod from 1631 to 1633. The family history, 
however, is obtainable even at a more remote 
period. Sanford Manor in England is one of 
the few Shropshire estates whicli can be said to 
be held by the lineal descendants of its earliest 
feoffee. Thomas de Sanford. a Norman follower 
of William the Conqueror, is mentioned on the 
roll of battle Abbey. His son. Sir Thomas de 
Sand ford, held under King Henry I that manor 
of Sand ford and Tothal and the former is still 
in possession of his descendants. The origin of 
the name is quite evident — a sandy ford — but in 
many branches of the name the first letter "d" 
is omitted. 

Thomas Sanford. son of .\ntliony and Jane 
Sanford. of Stowe. County (doucester, England, 
came to Boston with the John Winthrop colony. 
We find record of him in Dorchestershire, Massa- 
chusetts, where with others he received land in 
1634 and also in i''>35. He l)ecame a freeman of 
the colony. March 9. if>37, and in 1639 removed 
with a colony from Dorchester and Watertown 
to Connecticut, settling in Milford. where his 
name appears in the earliest records. He was 
the leader in organizing the town and was in- 



I 




\ 



i 



( 




ALBERT SANFORD 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



!I5 



timately associated with Governor Treat, Leete, 
Buckingham, Law and other leading men of the 
times. 

Stephen Sanford, grandfather of Albert San- 
ford, of Rockford, was born at JMilford, Con- 
necticut, August 13, 1740, and died on the fifty- 
fifth anniversary of his birth. He was married 
while living at Woodbridge, Connecticut, to 
Sybil \Miite, who was probably born at New- 
Haven, her natal day being October 15, 1745, 
while her death occurred December 5, 1808. She 
was a daughter of Deacon John ^^'hite, a grand- 
daughter of Captain John and Mary (Dicker- 
man) White, and a great-granddaughter of Isaac 
and Mary (Atwater) Dickerman. Her father 
settled on a farm in Woodbridge, Connecticut, 
but afterward removed to New Haven, where 
he died November 24, 1797. at the age of sev- 
enty-five years. He wedded Mary Dickerman, 
of New Haven, December 2"/, 1744. Sallie 
White was a daughter of Lieutenant John White, 
a son of Deacon John and Mary (Dickerman) 
White. Lieutenant John White was married 
May 25, 1778, to Anna Bostwick, of Derby, and 
their daughter Sallie was born April 5. 1785. 
She married David Sanford, of Bethany, her 
death occurring in February, 1836, at the age 
of fifty years. 

L'nto Stephen and Sybil (\Miite) Sanford 
were born nine children : Esther, who was born 
February 4, I768.and died IMay 21, 1768; Esther, 
the second of the name, who was born Jul}- 26, 
1769, and married Jared Sperry ; Rachel, who 
was born December i, 1771, and married Zeri 
Dow-nes ; Hulda. who w-as born May 17, 1774, 
and died July i, 1794: Elisha, who was born 
July I, 1776. and married Margaret Tolles : 
Stephen Elisha, w-ho w-as born March 30. 1779; 
Sybil, who was born July 27, 1782, and married 
a Mr. Sperry ; Amos White, w-ho was born De- 
cember 29, 1785, and married Obedience At- 
water : and Liicretia, who was born C)ctober 27, 
1789, and became ]\Irs. Beecher. After losing 
her first husband Sybil White Sanford married 
Deacon Asa Goodyear, of Hamden. Connecticut. 

Albert Sanford, son of Amos White and 
Obedience f Atwater) Sanford, having acquired 
his education in the public schools of the east 
came to the west two years after the arrival of 
his brother, G. .\. Sanford, one of Rockford's 
most prominent citizens. He located here but 
after a short time took up land near Pecatonica 
and began the development of a farm. 

In 1844 Mr. Sanford returned to Rochester, 
New York, and was there married to Miss Emily 
Gould Bond, who was born near that city on the 
4th of June, 1818. her parents being Abner and 
Mary (Gould) Bond, both of whom were natives 
of New Jersey, born near Caldwell, that state. 



They were of English and German descent re- 
spectively and removed from New Jersey to 
Rochester, New York, her father purchasing a 
farm at Mendon Center near the city. There 
he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his 
death, w-hich occurred on the 3d of April, 1840, 
when he was sevent_\--four years of age. He 
lived an upright, honorable life in harmony with 
his profession as a member of the Presbyterian 
church, in which he long served as deacon. Mrs. 
Bond came to Rockford in 1844 w-ith her daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Sanford, and here resided until her 
death, w-hich occurred, February 6, 1868, at 
which time she lacked but a month of being 
ninety-five years of age. She. too, was a de- 
voted member of the Presbyterian church, and 
she retained her mental faculties unimpaired to 
the last. They were the parents of thirteen chil- 
dren, of wdiom two died in infancy, while eleven 
reached mature years. Mrs. Dodd's grandfather, 
General Gould, served as private secretary to 
General Washington, President of the LTnited 
States, and she distinctly remembers his visiting 
the family in New York. Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. 
Sanford were born two children : One who died 
in infancy, and Edgar, deceased. 

Following his marriage Mr. Sanford brought 
his bride to Rockford, w-here he began business 
as a grain merchant, buying and shipping all 
kinds of grain. He also conducted a storage 
w-arehouse here, and was very successful in both 
lines, securing as the years passed by a hand- 
some competence. Fie died September 23, 1854, 
at the age of thirty-six years, but he is yet re- 
membered by many of the early settlers of the 
city. He held membership in the Congregational 
church of Rockford and gave his political sup- 
port to the w-hig party. .\11 who knew him es- 
teemed him for his many excellent traits of char- 
acter, and he w-as a w-orthy representative of the 
family whose name has been an honored one, 
both in New England and Illinois. 

On the 22d of November, 1877, ]\Irs. Sanford 
was again married, becoming the w-ife of Jacob 
S. Dodd on that day. He was born in Newark, 
New Jersey, November 17, 181 1, and died near 
that city on the 2d of April, 1884. He entered 
his business career as an employe in a leather 
manufactory, and after mastering the business 
he was connected w-ith the trade either directly 
or indirectly for a number of years. Later, how- 
ever, he took up his abode on a small farm just 
outside of the city, and was largely engaged in 
dairying until the time of his death. His place 
was known as the Lyon farm. He was also a 
stockholder in the Bank of Newark. Active and 
prominent in church work, he served as an elder 
in the Presbyterian church of New-ark for a long 
period. He was a director of the Newark Ever- 



2l6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



green cemetery, and was inrtuential and active 
in public affairs, especially sjiving his support 
to all measures that he deemed would prove of 
general good. A short time prior to his death 
he was elected justice of the peace. 

Mr. Dodd was twice married. He first wed- 
ded Rhoda r>rown. who died in New Jersey, 
leaving two children : William P>., a retired cap- 
italist, living in Newark, New Jersey ; and 
Phoebe, the wife of Fred Crane, who lives upon 
her father's old farm near Newark. Mr. and 
Mrs. Dodd had one daughter, Mabel V.., who has 
always resided with her mother and is quite 
prominent in society circles in Rockford. Mr. 
Dodd was a great lover of fine horses, and owned 
many superior specimens of the noble steed. Both 
Mr. Dodd and Nir. Sanford were republicans in 
their political views. 

In the fall of 1884, following the death of her 
second husband. Mrs. Dodd returned to Rock- 
ford, in which city she first located in 1844. She 
is the owner of much valuable property here, 
and she and her daughter now reside at No. 114 
North Winnebago street, where they occupy a 
beautiful home. She is one of two surviving 
charter members of the Second Congregational 
church of Rockford, living in the city, of which 
her daughter is also a member. Mr. Sanford 
likewise belonged to this church, while Mr. Dodd 
was an elder in the Presbyterian church of Lyon 
Farm, near Newark, New Jersey. Mrs. Dodd 
gave to that church its first pipe organ. She 
and her daughter are well known in Rockford, 
and, although she has not been a continuous 
resident here she came to the city more than 
sixty years ago and has ever been an interested 
witness of its growth and development. She 
has now reached the eighty-seventh milestone 
on life's journey, and is remarkably well pre- 
served. 



LEWIS SHIRLEY. 



Lewis Shirley, whose life span covered more 
than the allotted three score years and ten, and 
who in passing away left behind him the mem- 
ory of an honored name and an upright career, 
was born March i, 1820, in Ohio. His jiarents 
were Joseph S. and Elizabeth (Keith) Shirley, 
both of whom were natives of Huntingdon coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania. The father was born March 
25. 1703. and about 1810 accompanied his par- 
ents on their removal to Ohio, where he formed 
the ac(|uaintance of Miss Keith, whom he mar- 
ried in Morgan county. Ohio, in 1814. 

Lewis Shirley spent his early boyhood davs in 
the Buckeye state and in 1837 accompanied his 
parents on their removal to Laportc countv, In- 
diana, where the familv home was maintained 



for three years. They then again started west- 
ward with teams, driving across the prairies in 
the fall of 1840 until they reached Winnebago 
count\-, where the father purchased a farm of 
one hundred and twenty acres. This was a pio- 
neer region, in which much of the land was wild 
and unimproved, and when most of the houses 
were little pioneer cabins. The nearest market 
of any importance was Chicago, and at one time 
Lewis Shirley drove to that place with a load of 
pork and a load of wheat, and for the two re- 
ceived only forty dollars. Hardships and priva- 
tions fell to the lot of the family, but as the 
years passed they triumphed over these and de- 
veloped a good farm. 

Lewis Shirley was reared under the parental 
roof and throughout his entire business career 
followed farming. Pie opened and improved 
several hundred acres of land and was a very 
prosperous agriculturist. As his financial re- 
sources increased he invested in property, be- 
coming the owner of fifteen hundred acres in 
different farms. The old homestead property 
comprises live hundred acres of highly improved 
land and he erected there a commodious resi- 
dence in 1878. He also built good barns and 
other outbuildings for the shelter of his grain 
and stock. In all of his farm work he was 
progressive, i)ractical and reliable and he certain- 
ly deserved great credit for the success he 
achieved. When he came to Winnebago county 
he did not have a dollar and yet as the years 
passed, through his industry, frugality and ju- 
dicious investment, he became one of the exten- 
sive landowners of the county, having fifteen 
hundred acres, .\bout i88<) he sold most of his 
land and removed to the village of Cherry \'al- 
ley. where he lived retired until his death. 

Mr. Shirley was married twice. On the 6th 
of January, 1843, 'le wedded Miss Lucinda 
Keith, a daughter of Balser and Lucy (Smith) 
Keith. They became the parents of eight chil- 
dren, but lost two in infancy. The others, three 
sons and three daughters, are as follows: Eliza- 
beth A., who was born October 31, 1844, and is 
now the wife of Captain William \'an Wert, of 
De Kalb county, Illinois ; Silas \\\, who was 
born June 26. 1848. and is living in Cherry Val- 
ley; Lucretia E.. born January 6, 1850. of Cher- 
ry Valley, Phocba Jane, who was born April 2, 
1852, and is the wife of William Thompson, of De 
Kalb county ; Benjamin, who was born Novem- 
ber 28, 1853, and is living in Cherry Valley 
township, and Lewis E., who was born March 
13, 1861. and is living in Iowa, .\fter losing his 
first wife Mr. Shirley was again married in 
1893, 'i'^ second union 1)eing witji Mrs. Nich- 
ols, a native of Canada; and a daughter of 
.Mexander and Orpha (Smith) Black. Her 
father was born in New Brunswick in 1810 and 




LEWIS SHIRLEY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



219 



her mother in Canada in 1809. Mr. Black re- 
moved to Winnebago county in 1852 and pur- 
chased a large farm in Guilford township, but 
previous to his arrival here he went to Califor- 
nia in 1849 s^^d spent one year on the Pacific 
coast. He then made his way to Australia, 
where he engaged in mining for a year, being 
very successful in his search for the precious 
metal there. Taking up his abode in this county 
in 1852, he was extensively engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising, and became widely known 
as an importer of fine horses. He was once the 
owner of Prince George, a very fine stallion. He 
continued to reside upon his farm until 1877, 
when he removed to the city of Rockford, where 
he lived retired until his death in 1883. His 
wife survived him about four years, passing 
away in 1887. In their family were six chil- 
dren, all of whom are residents of Rockford, 
namely: Hannah B., the wife of John Hutch- 
ins, who is now living retired ; Alexander ; 
Rachel, the wife of James Falconer, living with 
Mrs, Shirley ; Margaret C, who is the widow 
of Ira Stafford, and has been an invalid for 
many years, living with Mrs. Shirley ; Orpha 
Black, who is also with her sister ; and Mrs. 
Mary Shirley. 

In his political views Mr. Shirley was a stal- 
wart republican, interested in his party and do- 
ing all in his power to promote its growth and 
insure its upbuilding. He was active in the work 
of the jMethodist church and favored every 
movement that tended to promote public prog- 
ress. He was a large man. weighing two hun- 
dred and sixty pounds. He displayed many 
sterling traits of character, and his genial man- 
ner and kindly disposition won him warm friend- 
ships. His wife was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church of Cherry Valley. Since 
her husband's death she has removed to Rock- 
ford, where she owns a beautiful residence, at 
No. 229 North Second street, where she is liv- 
ing with her three sisters. She also owns other 
property in this city and a farm of four hundred 
acres in Cherry A'alley township. Because of 
the ill health of her sisters, however, she ex- 
pects soon to remove to California, hoping that 
the climate will prove beneficial to them. Both 
the Shirley and Black families were established 
here in pioneer days and have borne an im- 
portant part in the agricultural development of 
the county. 



CAPTAIN AUGUSTUS W. THOMPSON. 

Captain Augustus W. Thompson, a veteran of 
the Civil war, now living retired in Pecatonica, 
was born in Twinsburg, Ohio, March 8, 1823. 
His parents were Joel W. and Em.ily (Mills) 



Thompson, both of whom were natives of Gosh- 
en, New York. The mother was only three years 
old when taken by her parents to Ohio and the 
father, who was born in 1 79 1, was a lad of six 
years when the Thompson family removed to the 
Buckeye state. When eighteen years of age he 
enlisted for service in the war of 1812. He was 
married in Ohio and both Mr. and Mrs. Thomp- 
son spent their last days in Pecatonica township, 
Winnebago county, the father passing away at 
the advanced age of ninety-one years, while his 
wife reached the age of ninety, Joel W. Thomp- 
son, accompanied by his son, Augustus W., first 
came to Winnebago county in 1839, after which 
they returned to CMiio and in the spring of 1840 
the father lirought his family to this state, travel- 
ing with a two-horse team and covered wagon, as 
there was no railroad at that time. The journey 
was a difficult one and the teams became mired in 
the Maumee swamps, but finally they reached 
their destination in safety and Mr. Thompson 
purchased two tracts of land, an eighty and forty 
acres, respectively, in the timber at Irish Grove. 
He afterward bought a claim of one hundred and 
sixty acres at Lysander, now Pecatonica. He 
was a millwright by trade and in 1839 he built a 
sawmill. His first home was a log cabin, with a 
puncheon floor, and in true pioneer style the fam- 
ily began life in Winnebago county, meeting the 
usual experiences and hardships of those who 
live upon the frontier. In 1852 he went to Cali- 
fornia, where he superintended the construction 
of a mill, receiving one thousand dollars for his 
services. He was away from home at that time for 
about fourteen or fifteen months. Upon his re- 
turn he again took up his abode on the farm and 
was identified with agricultural development here 
for a long period. He served as justice of the 
peace for fifteen or twenty years, retiring from 
the office in the "70s. While in Ohio he became 
a member of the Masonic fraternity and in liis 
life exemplified its beneficent spirit. Both he and 
his wife were consistent members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church and they lent their aid and 
influence to the intellectual and moral, as well as 
the material, development of Winnebago county 
in its pioneer days. Mr. Thompson gave his po- 
litical allegiance to the whig party until its dis- 
solution, when he joined the ranks of the repub- 
lican party. In the family of this worthy couple 
were twelve children, eight sons and four daugh- 
ters, and three sons and three daughters are yet 
living. 

Captain Augustus W. Thompson pursued his 
early education in the public schools of his na- 
tive town and when twenty years of age or more 
he returned to Ohio, where he completed his edu- 
cation by attending a select school. He was six- 
teen years of age when he came with his father 
to this countv and began working for a Mr. 



220 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Cable as a farm liaiul for tight ilullars per nioiitli. 
He did much teaming, liauling rails and perform- 
ing other service such as was necessary in the 
development of a farm in pioneer times. He 
afterward secured employment with Mr. Hico.x, 
who paid him fifteen dollars per month for his 
labor as a farm hand. He also assisted in build- 
ing a mill and later went down the .Mississippi 
river and bought buffalo hides, Indian robes and 
other such commodities, which he took to St. 
Louis. In that city he worked at loading and un- 
loading boats which carried cargoes of lead. 
These boats could not pass the rapids unless the 
load was taken off and conveyed by team to the 
other side of the rapids, where the ore was again 
loaded. On leaving St. Louis Captain Thomp- 
son went up the Ohio river to W'cllsville and 
thence drove to Twinsburg, where he sold his 
buffalo robes and bought a horse. Then, in 1839, 
he returned to Winnebago county. 

On the loth of October, 1844. Captain Thomp- 
son was married to Miss Mariah E. Wells, a 
daughter of Reuben and Jane (Cole) Wells. Her 
father was a native of St. Lawrence county. New 
York, and died in his fiftieth year, while his wife 
passed away at the age of seventy years. They 
became residents of Pecatonica township in 1842, 
the father entering eighty acres of land from the 
government. He at first lived in a blockhouse 
and later he improved his farm, making it his 
home up to the time of his demise. In his fam- 
ily were ten children, but only two are now liv- 
ing. Alfred and John. 

At the time of his marriage Captain Thompson 
built a frame house, which he occupied until 
1850, when he went to New York city, traveling 
by team to .Michigan City, thence bv rail to De- 
troit, by stage to Niagara Falls and Idv rail to his 
destination. At New York city he took passage 
on the mail steamship Ohio for Havana, Cuba, 
with the intention of taking a sitamcr there, but 
because of yellow fever instead to New Or- 
leans, where he demaincd for tight days, after 
which he returned to Havana, from which point 
he sailed for the Isthmus of Panama. Crossing 
the isthmus, he took passage on a sailing vessel, 
which, sixty-five days later, reached San Fran- 
cisco harbor. He borrowed three hundred and 
fifty dollars, on which he paid fifty per cent, in- 
terest, so exorbitant were the prices charged in 
the Golden slate in early mining days. He spent 
two years in mining in California and then re- 
turned to his home by way of tlie route that he 
had taken to the far west. Here he purchased 
eighty acres of land and began farming on his 
own account. Going to Ohio, he Durchascd 
horses, which he brought to Illinois, paying two 
hundred dollars for a team, which he here sold 
for three hundred and sixty dollars. It was in 
1853 that he made the trip. After farming for a 



time Captain Thompson embarked in the dry 
goods business in connection with Robert Cole- 
man, but sold out in 1857 and went to New 
York. By boat he made a trip to California and 
on to Nevada, where he engaged in teaming, 
making as high as one hundred dollars per day 
with his team. He lived in Carson City for about 
a year and a half, after which he turned his at- 
tention to the logging business, in which he con- 
tinued for a year, when the Civil war broke out, 
and he returned to his home by way of the pony 
express route. 

In the mcantiiue Cajjtain Thompson had made 
a trip to Pike's Peak at the time of the gold ex- 
citement there. He left his home in .\pril. 185S, 
going by team to Burlington, thence by boat to 
.St. Louis, where he purchased a team of horses 
and company outfit. There were six men in ^he 
party, including his twin brothers, Edward and 
Edwin Thompson, Jefferson Southard, L. Hen- 
derson and Wilson Johnson. The party proceeded 
by boat up the Missouri river, but left the boat 
at Leavenworth and went through to Fort Riley. 
They crossed the Blue river and joined iTie gov- 
ernment train. Major Russell in command, travel- 
ing with the train to the vicinity of Cherry 
Creek. About forty miles south of Denver 
Captain Thompson's horse was bitten by a 
rattlesnake and the party remained for two 
weeks until the horse had recovered. They 
camped by the side of the niountain stream, 
and there were antelope and rabbits for 
game. They then proceeded to Cherry Creek 
along the Santa Fe trail, on the Denver and 
to Boulder, where they went into camp m an old 
log shanty. They took their wagons down the 
ravine, covered them with pine boughs and then 
turned the horses loose on the ranch. Leaving 
their outfit at that place, they went up the moun- 
tains to the snow ridge and Captain Thompson 
found rock which contained gold. He thought 
he could obtain the metal by panning, but tliey 
got only about ten cents per pan. They took up 
six claims and made sluices, sawing the lumber 
with a pit saw. A party passed by en route to 
California and Captain 'riiompson sold them one 
of his wagons. He afterward returned to Den- 
ver, where he shod one of his horses, having 
brought the nails with him from the east. This 
horse he then rode to Gregory Diggings to sec 
his brother but in the meantime the brother had 
started to Denver to find the captain. He re- 
turned to what is now the beautiful capital of Col- 
orado and then started home along the Platte 
river, which the party follnived to Omaha, strik- 
ing thence eastward through Iowa and crossing 
the Mississippi river at Bellevue on a ferry. They 
arrived in Pecatonica in August, 1858. and later 
Captain Thompson Ix'gan buying grain, which 
pur.suit he followed through the succeeding sum- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



221 



mer. He next purchased a drug store, which he 
sold in 1862. In July of that year he wrote to 
the war governor, Richard Yates, for a commis- 
sion to raise a company of volunteers, receiving 
the official paper on the ist of August. Within 
five days he had enrolled sixty-five men, and when 
he had secured an enrollment of one hundred and 
ten men the governor commissioned him a lieu- 
tenant. The troops went into camp for a month 
and on the 4th of September. 1S62, were mus- 
tered in by General Fuller as Company B, Seven- 
ty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. 

The regiment proceeded southward to Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, thence to Perryville, on to Nash- 
ville and to Camp Johnson, where the winter was 
spent. Their first engagement was at Perryville, 
and they also participated in the battles of Stone 
River and IVIurfreesboro. In February, 1863, 
they were ordered to Chattanooga in command 
of a company of prisoners. It was about this 
time that Captain Thompson was commissioned 
ranking officer of the company. With his com- 
mand he assisted in putting u]d breastworks and 
went on to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was 
granted a leave of absence, spending twenty-two 
days at hon~e. He then returned to his regiment 
at Atlanta, and when his troops were at Spring 
Hill they were nearly surrounded. Captain 
Thompson, while participating in the battle there, 
was shot in the right eye. His brigade drove the 
rebels out but no attention was paid to the cap- 
tain, for the doctor said that he had no chance 
to live. He was put under a tent at night and 
the rebels surrotmded the tent and in an ambu- 
lance Captain Thompson was taken to Franklin, 
Tennessee, ten miles from Spring Hill. He v.-as 
afterward taken to Nashville, where he was 
placed in a hospital, remaining there for twenty 
days. Later he returned home, where he spent 
six weeks, after which he rejoined his command 
at Columbus, Georgia, although his wound still 
caused him serious trouble. He afterward went 
to Chattanooga and later to Nashville, where he 
served as officer of the day. He was then or- 
dered to headquarters and at the close of the 
war he received an honorable discharge. Captain 
Thompson made up his books himself and was 
the first officer to report. He now has the bul- 
let which he carried in his head for three and a 
half years. It is flattened where it hit the frontal 
bone and its weight is one ottnce. 

Captain Thompson is a member of Ellis post. 
No. 320, G. A. R.. and at this writing is officer 
of the day. Fie made a splendid military record, 
being distinguished by unswerving loyalty and by 
marked valor in times of danger. He also be- 
longs to A. W. Rowlson lodge. No. 145, A. F. 
& A. M., and he is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 



In 1877 Captain Thompson was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife. They had become 
the parents of the following named : Andrew 
M., who was a member of the One Hundred and 
Thirty-sixth Volunteer Infantry, serving as drum 
major, died at home. Ann is also deceased. John 
died in infancy. George M. is living in Chicago. 
Augusta is the wife of H. G. Tisdale and they 
make their home witli her father. Captain 
Thompson is now living a retired life hi Peca- 
tonica. His has been an eventful career. At 
times he has faced dangers and hardships 
through pioneer experience in the wild west and 
again on the field of battle. There have also been 
periods in which he has quietly followed business 
pursuits and through his well directed efforts has 
accumulated a competence. His life history if 
written in detail would furnish manv a thrilling 
chapter but tliis brief outline will serve to give 
to his many friends an account of his activity 
and shows forth many elements that are worthy 
of emulation. 



S. W. WALLACE. 



S. ^\'. Wallace, who is now living retired from 
active business life, his investments being repre- 
sented by considerable valuable property in Rock- 
ford, was born in Canada near the V'ermont state 
line in 1834, his parents being Robert and Jane 
Wallace. In 1836 the fatlier removed with his 
family from Canada to Illinois, settling in the 
vicinity of Chicago. He took up a large tract of 
land in Cook county, known later as Bloom 
township. At that time Chicago was but a small 
village and had not been incorporated as a city, 
^luch of the land in the county was considered 
worthless because of its swampy condition and 
the sale price was very low. Robert Wallace, 
however, secured his claim and began farming, 
which occupation he followed for the remainder 
of his life. He became the owner of an exten- 
sive tract of land and as the county became more 
thickly settled this rose in value. He served as 
postmaster for a number of years of the town of 
Bloom, now a part of Chicago Heights, and there 
he died in 1885, when more than seventy-five 
years of age. In his family were ten children, 
but S. W. Wallace and one sister are the only 
ones now living. 

S. W. Wallace, spending his boyhood days 
under the parental roof, pursued his education in 
the public schools and in his boyhood aided in 
the work of the farm, gaining a practical knowl- 
edge of all the duties and labors that fall to the 
lot of the agriculturist. He was engaged in 
farming until twenty years of age, when he 
learned tlie trade of wagon-making, which he 




dJz/^^u!^, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



221; 



with Mr. Utter, who manufactured the seeders 
invented by Mr. Gorham. The latter continued 
his stud}' of agricultural implements in order to 
give to the world better farm machinery and in- 
vented the corn cultivator, which was manufac- 
tured by Mr. Thompson, of Rockford, and also 
netted to both gentlemen a good financial return. 
His next invention was the binder, to which he 
devoted two years of study, investigation and ex- 
periment, and in fact he applied himself so assidu- 
ously to this work that his health became very 
seriously impaired and the doctors advised him 
to travel. He then went abroad, remaining in 
Europe for a few years, after which he returned 
and located in New York city, where he re- 
ceived medical attendance from the best physi- 
cians. His health was little improved, however, 
and while he was visiting the Centennial Expo- 
sition in Philadelphia he became ill with typhoid 
fever and died in that city, November 17, 1876. 
His illness was caused by worry and study over 
his inventions and he has left a splendid monu- 
ment to his memory in the useful devices which 
he gave to the world. Plis name is inseparably 
associated with the machinery constantly in use 
upon the farms of the country, anfl the binder, 
cultivator and seeder now manufactured by the 
McCormick Company of Chicago are made after 
patents produced by Mr. Gorham and which 
were sold by his widow to that company. Fol- 
lowing her husband's death Mrs. Gorham re- 
turned to Rockford. Mr. Gorham was very suc- 
cessful with all of the patents which he pro- 
duced, and his inventive genius made his life one 
of great benefit to his fellowmen, the influence 
of which will be felt for years to come. He was 
very prominent among the pioneer settlers of 
Rockford and Winnebago county, and for one 
year served as township supervisor, although he 
never sought or desired office. In politics he 
was a democrat and while in Vermont he was 
a member of the Sons of Temperance. 

Mrs. Gorham is prominent in society circles 
in Rockford, and in this city owns a beautiful 
home at No. 603 ^Mulberry street where she and 
her nephew reside. She has made many modern 
improvements here and in addition she owns 
other valuable property in the city which returns 
to her a splendid rental. Her husband left her 
in exceedingly comfortable financial circum- 
stances, so that she is now enabled to enjoy all 
of the comforts and manv of the luxuries of 
life. 



DAVID W. EVANS. 



David ^^^ E-^-ans, who is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, having a very fine 
herd of Jersey cows upon his farm of one hun- 
dred and forty-five acres on section 31, Harlem 
14 



township, was born in Grenville, Argenteuil coun- 
ty, Canada, November 30, 1840, and is of English 
descent in the paternal line. His grandparents, 
John and Jane Evans, were natives of Hull, Eng- 
land, and the latter died in that country. The 
grandfather married again and later came to 
America, settling in Canada in 1820. He died 
there at a ripe old age. 

James El vans, father of our subject, was born 
in Hull, England, in 1799 and was quite young 
when he lost his mother. In early life he was 
apprenticed to the wagonmaker's trade, serving a 
term of indenture of six and a half years. When 
he had attained his majority he emigrated to Can- 
ada, where he engaged in farming until 1856, 
when he came to Illinois. He purchased a tract 
of land in Cherry Valley township, Winnebago 
county, whereon he followed farming until his 
death in September. 1870. In 1827 he was mar- 
ried to Ann Campbell, who was born in Inniskil- 
len in 1802, and was a daughter of Robert Camp- 
bell, who was of Scotch-Irish parentage. She 
became a resident of Canada when a young lady, 
her home being in the vicinity of Grenville, and 
she died in Guilford township, this county, at the 
home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Turner, No- 
vember 30, 1900. Through much of their resi- 
dence, in this county, however, Mr. and Mrs. 
James Evans resided in Cherry Valley township, 
removing there after a year's residence in Rock- 
ford. 

David W. Evans spent the first sixteen years of 
his life in the place of his nativity and then came 
with his parents to Rockford and a year later re- 
moved with them to the home farm in Cherry 
Valley township. He remained under the par- 
ental roof until the spring of 1861, when he began 
farming on his own account, but in the fall he re- 
sponded to the call of his adopted countrv for 
troops to preserve the Union and on the i8th of 
September enlisted in Company L, Eighth Illinois 
\''ohmteer Cavalry as a private. He was mus- 
tered out as sergeant in August, 1865. His regi- 
ment began its service with the Army of the Po- 
tomac and continued in the south until the close 
of the war. Mr. Evans participated in all the 
battles with the Army of the Potomac, its marches 
and campaigns, with the exception of the battle 
of Fort Stevens, where he was in the hospital. He 
served under Generals McClellan, Burnside, 
Hooker, Meade and Grant and also under the cav- 
alry Generals Pleasanton, Buford and Sheridan. 
Mr. Evans did his full duty as a soldier and at 
the close of the war participated in the grand re- 
view in Washington, D. C. He had two brothers 
who died in the army, both enlisting from Qierry 
Valley. James, becoming a member of the 
Eighth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, was killed at 
Beverly Ford, Virginia, June 9, 1863 ; and Joseph 



2j6 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, 



Evans, a member oi tlie Seveiity-Unirtli Illinois 
Infantry, died in the hospital at jMurfreesboro, 
Tennessee. 

Durinp: his army service David W. Evans pur- 
chased a farm in Ciicrry Valley township and 
carried on general agricnltural pursuits there un- 
til 1883, when he sold that proijcrty and pur- 
chased his present home, whereon he has since re- 
sided. He carried on general farming and has a 
well improved place. He has every reason to be 
proud of his fine herd of Jersey cattle — certainlv 
among the finest stock of the county. 

On the 27th of April, 1868, Mr'. Evans was 
united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Conklin, a 
native of Oneida county. New York, and a 
daughter of James S. and Theresa J. (.Martin) 
Conklin. who at the time of their daugliler'.-; 
marriage were living in Cherry N'ailey township. 
Her father was born near Sand Lake, New York, 
in 1824 and died near Sutherland, Iowa, in 1899. 
His wife, born in Oneida county, New York, in 
1829, died in Cherry Valley, this count}-, in 1898. 
Mrs. Evans' birth occurred March 29. 1849. Her 
sisters arc: Mrs. Helen A. Baxter, of Rockford, 
v.ho has one son and four daughters ; Mrs. Laura 
Baxter, of New Milford township, who died 'n 
1893, leaving four sons and six daughters ; Mrs. 
Melva Tierney, of Sutherland. Iowa, who ha-^ 
two sons and three daughters ; Mrs. Cora Cam- 
CTon. of Cherry Valley township, w-ho has two 
sons and three daughters ; Mrs. Kate Dennison, 
of Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, who has three 
daughters ; Mrs. Capitola Baxter, of New Mil- 
ford township, who has three sons and two 
daughters ; and Miss Lulu Conklin, of Cherry 
Valley. The brothers of this family are : Fred 
Conklin, of Sutherland, Iowa, who has eight sons 
and one daughter ; and Oscar Conklin, of Cherry 
X'alley township, who has five sons and two 
daughters. 

I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Evans were born tlic fol- 
lowing children : Olive G.. born March 25, 1873, 
is the w'ife of L. L. Burritt. living near Williams- 
burg, \'irginia, and they have three sons. George 
E., Lewis E. and Jesse D. Jeanette M., born 
September 16, 1875. is the wife of Charles R. Ed- 
wards, of Chicago, and they have two children, 
Robert L. and Evans. Ruby F., born .\ugust 31. 
1877, is the wife of James A. Watterson. of .'Vre- 
dale. Iowa, and has one daughter, Fay. .\lice J., 
born June 23, 1881, Harry G., born December 9, 
1885, and I'lorcnce C, born May 30. i8i)o. arc at 
home. They also lost three children — Leroy, at the 
age of five years and six months ; Jesse R., who 
died at Union, Oregon, .\pril 14, 1896. at the age 
of twenty-seven years ; and Willie. 

Mr. Evans has led a busy and useful life and 
has become a well informed man through reading 
the daily papers and good literature, thus keeping 



in touch with the iirogress of the world. He is 
a republican in politics, but not an office seeker, 
serving in no pul>lic positions save that of town 
school trustee one year and school director for 
twenty years, the cause of education finding in 
him a warm champion, who believes in raising 
high the standard of the schools and in providing 
good opportunities for the intellectual develop- 
ment of the young. He belongs to Nevius post, 
.\o. I. G. A. K., of Rockfi.rd, and to Harlem 
camp, No. 661, M. W. A., and is an active mem- 
ber of 1 larniony Grange. No. 957. The family 
attend the Methodist church. 



WILLIAM J. CLEVELAND. 

Among the residents of worth in Seward 
townshi]) William J. Cleveland is always promi- 
nently mentioned. He was born July 21, 1829, 
in Hebron, Washington county, New York, his 
parents being Job W. and Almira Cleveland, the 
former born in Washington county, August 7, 
1796. His father was Job Cleveland, born in 
New York in 1757, while his death occurred in 
Washington county when he w-as well advanced 
in years. He too was a farmer and reared a 
family of eleven children. Job W. Cleveland, 
the father of our subject, died in Wethersfield, 
New York, July 7. 1870. His wife lx)re the 
maiden name of Almira Fenton and was a native 
of Dorset, Vermont, born November 12, 1799, 
while her death occurred in Wetliersfield, New 
York, on the eighty-seventh anniversary of her 
birth. Her parents were also natives of the 
Green Mountain state and at an advanced age de- 
parted this life in Genesee county. New York. 
The Fcntons were mechanics and were pioneers 
of Vermont, where they were recognized as hon- 
orable and upright citizens. The grandfather 
Fenton was a soldier of the war of 181 2 and was 
granted a pension in recognition of his services. 
The father of our subject was also a pensioner 
of the war of 1812. having espou.sed the Amer- 
ican cause during the second conflict with Eng- 
land. 

William J. Cleveland was a lad of seven years 
when he accompanied his parents on their re- 
moval to Wyoming county. New York, where he 
was educated in the public and select schools. 
He worked upon his father's farm until eighteen 
vears of age and during three winter terms en- 
gaged in teaching school. When twenty-two 
vears of age he was married and two years later 
iie came to Illinois, making the journey by rail 
to Buffalo, where he arrived on the 14th of De- 
cember. 1853. He then boarded a steamer bound 
for Detroit. Michigan, and over the Chicago & 
Galena Railroad, now a part of the Chicago & 




MR. AND MRS. \V. J. CLEVELAND. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



229 



Northwestern Railroad system, he continued his 
journey to Rockford. Soon after he located in 
Pecatonica township, where he built a "shack" 
in a stone quarry. He then chopped wood that 
winter and the following spring removed to Sew- 
ard township, having in 1854 purchased eighty 
acres of land here, he and his brotlier buying 
one hundred and sixty acres together. Mr. 
Cleveland then drove a breaking team of five 
yoke of oxen through the first summer and has 
assisted materially in the pioneer development of 
this section of the state. He lived upon this 
land for about four or five years, after which he 
sold his eighty-acre tract and came to his pres- 
ent farm in Seward township, at first purchasing 
eighty acres, which was the nucleus of his present 
home. He built a house upon this tract and 
afterward extended the boundaries of the farm 
by the purchase of an additional one hundred and 
twenty acres. In 1885 he erected a fine residence 
and he has put extensive and substantial im- 
provements upon the place, which is now one 
of the finest farms of the county. lacking in 
none of the accessories and conveniences which 
indicate the progressive farmer. He has tilled 
the soil and raised stock, making a specialty of 
short-horn cattle and Chester White hogs and 
he always keeps first class farm horses. 

Mr. Cleveland was married, July 3, 1851, to 
Elvira J. Curtis, a daughter of Waterman and 
Sylvia Curtis, both natives of the Empire state. 
Her father, who was born May 7, 1804, died 
August 2, 1861. while his wife passed away De- 
cember 16, 1894, in Seward township, at the age 
of eighty-eight years, having been born Novem- 
ber 6, 1806. Their remains were interred in 
Gratiot county. ^Michigan. In their family were 
eleven children. Francis, born February 12. 
1829. and now living in Michigan, married Miss 
Luceba Rugg and has two sons and three daugh- 
ters. Sylvia A., born February 2, 1830, died Sep- 
tember 22, 1852. Mrs. Cleveland is the next 
member. Laura, born November 24, 1833, is the 
wife of William Hall, of Wyoming county. New 
York, and has four children ; Seneca M., born 
October 6, 1835, and now living in Michigan, 
married Sophia Barnard and has one child : 
Helen M., born June 14, 1837, is the wife of 
John Hall, of Wyoming county. New York, and 
has one child; Albro, born October 17, 1837, 
married Lucy Woodard and with their three chil- 
dren they reside in Michigan ; Waldo, born July 
30, 1841, married and has five children, now liv- 
ing: Martha B., born September 10. 1845, is the 
wife of Theodore Muscott, of Gratiot county. 
Michigan, by whom she has four children. Mar\- 
E., born July 31, 1848, is living in Michigan: 
William M.. born January 8. 1853. married Kate 
Chisam and has four children. The father of 



this family was a farmer of Wyoming county, 
New York, until 1859, when he removed to 
Michigan, where he died two years later. Both 
he and his wife were members of the Baptist 
church from early youth and in politics he was 
a whig and later a republican. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland have been born 
seven children. Albert W., born August 27, 
1852, married Frankie A. Rugg and has four 
children, their home being in Rockford. Maria 
R., born August 26, 1854, died July 14, 1893; 
Adella E., born June 10, 1857, is the wife of 
Frank Conger, of Seward, and has four chil- 
dren. Herbert W., born August 8, i860, married 
Nanie Moon and with their five children thev re- 
side in Rockford ; Lillie C, born August 6, 1862, 
died August 25, 1862. Clara R., born May 22, 
1867, is the wife of Frank Holenbeck, of Sew- 
ard, and has two children. Wilson S., born July 
3, 1876, and living on the old homestead with 
his parents, married IMabel Grady and has three 
children. 

In recent years Mr. Cleveland has left the 
care of his farm to his son and is now practically 
living retired. He has returned to his native 
state to visit the old homestead and the friends 
of his youth. He has acted as town clerk and 
collector, as road commissioner and for many 
years has been a member of the school board 
and his political support is given to the republican 
party. He was one of the organizers and is the 
president of the Old Settlers' Association and 
for forty-five years he has been a deacon in the 
Congregational church. His long connection 
with the church and his fidelity to its interests 
and its teachings indicate the upright life that 
he has led, making him one of the most highly 
esteemed and valued residents of his community. 
He has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on 
life's journey and is one of the venerable pioneer 
settlers of Winnebago countv. 



MAJOR GEORGE S. ROPER. 

ilajor George S. Roper figured prominently 
through many years in business circles in Rock- 
ford, and his life record in all its relations was 
characterized by fidelity to principle. In citizen- 
ship he manifested the same progressive spirit 
and patriotism which characterized his service in 
behalf of his country during the Civil war. He 
was born in Rutland, \\'orcester county, Massa- 
chusetts, January 28, 1832, his parents being Jo- 
seph and Maria L. (Mendell) Roper, who were 
likewise natives of Massachusetts, where they re- 
mained until 1839. In that year they removed 
with their family to a farm near Ligonier, Penn- 
svlvania, where the father carried on general agri- 



230 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



cultural pursuits until his deatli. His widow 
afterward lived with her children and departed 
this life at the home of lier son John in Alton, 
Illinois. 

Major Roper spent his boyhood days on the 
old fami homestead and supplemented his early 
educational advantages by study in the acadenij 
at Ligonier, Pennsylvania, where he acquired a 
good education. He afterward engaged in teach- 
ing school for a few }ears and subsequently went 
to Zanesville, Ohio, where he secured a situation 
as clerk in a china store. He had spent about 
two jears in that way, when because of n cholera 
epidemic in Zanesville he returned to Ligonier 
and while residing there he was married !o Miss 
Louisa B. George, a native n^ Westmoreland 
county, IVnnsylvania, who died in Springfield, 
Illinois, in 1856. 

It was in the year 1854 that Major Roper ac- 
companied by his family came to the west, set- 
tling in Springfield, where for a year he acted as 
salesman in a dry-goods store. He was also book- 
keeper for S. M. Tinsley for about ten months 
and then became a partner of Edward R. Ulrick 
& Company, lumber dealers of Springfield. His 
active connection with that business was main- 
tained for five years, on the expiration of which 
period he removed to Alton, Illinois, wiu-re he 
also engaged in the lumber and lime business. 
In the latter city the business was carried on 
under the firm style of Ulrick & Roper. He con- 
tinued operations in Alton for two years or until 
the floods caused him to return to Springfield, 
where he purchased a shoe store and was thus 
connected with the mercantile interests of the 
city until after the inauguration of the Civil war. 

Major Roper, deeply interested in the questions 
and issues of the day, gave his political allegiance 
to the newly organized re])ublican party and in 
i860 he formed the first Republican (ilee Club 
that sang the first glee songs in central Jllinois. 
He watched with interest the progress of events 
that culminated in hostilities between the north 
and the south and at the commencement of the 
war he entered the commissary department under 
Colonel John Williams and when the govern- 
ment relieved his superior officer he was assigned 
to the quartennaster's department under General 
Wood. About that time General Grant took com- 
mand of the Twenty-first Illinois Infantry and 
Major Roper accompanied him to the old fair- 
grounds of Springfield, thereby forming a friend- 
ship, which continued throughout their remain- 
ing days. It was at the special retjuest of Gen- 
eral Grant that Major Roper was given a posi- 
tion in the commissary department with the rank 
of captain, after which he was ordered to join 
General W. T. Sherman at Louisville. Kentucky. 



Later he was assigned to the staff de()artment of 
General George H. Thomas, with whom he con- 
tinued until after the battle of Stone River. Im- 
mediately following the engagement at Mill 
Spring he was promoted to the rank of major 
and received decidedly complimentary commenda- 
tion from General Thomas, for while that com- 
mander gave all the officers and men crerlit for 
doing their duty he said "If any one was entitled 
to credit more than anotlier for the success of 
the northern troops it was Captain Roper." The 
newly appointed major continued on the staflf of 
General Thomas until he became connected with 
the First Division of the Fourteenth .\rniy Corps 
under the command of General Fry, of Kentucky. 
In tlie reorganization of the army after the battle 
of Cliickamauga considerable change was made 
and the three divisions of the Fourteenth Army 
Corps opened the charge, it being the duty of 
Major Roper to manage the divisions. Novem- 
ber 24, 1863, he was sent to Nashville to inspect 
the horses and subsequently was appointed over- 
seer and inspector of the military roads of the 
nortlnvest. On the 24th of May, 1864, he re- 
ceived appointment to a position on the staff of 
General McCullom, with headquarters at Wash- 
ington, serving in that capacity until February 6, 
1866, wiien he was mustered out with the rank 
of brevet colonel. He continued to be known, 
however, as Major Roper, by which title he was 
always addressed in his home city. 

The w-ar having ended Major Roper removed 
to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1866. and was there 
engaged in the commission business for a short 
time, but soon afterward he went to Jersey Land- 
ing. Illinois, where he purchased a large flouring 
mill and distillery, conducting business there for 
a year. He next took up his abode again in Al- 
ton. Illinois, where he was engaged in the fire 
insurance and real-estate business for sixteen 
years and in 1881 he removed to Rockford, where 
he assisted in organizing the Merchants' Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company, of which he was made 
secretary. He also became the president of the 
\^an ^^'ie Gas Stove Company and the treasurer 
of the Eclipse Gas Stove Comjiany. of which his 
son is now presidenl. He was always engaged in 
the insurance business imtil his death and between 
these interests he divded his attention, his sound 
judgment, wise counsel and indefatigable energy 
contributing substantially to the success of both. 

It was during his residence in .Springfield that 
Major Roper lost his first wife. He afterward 
married Miss .Ah-ira S. Bangs, who was princi- 
pal of the schools of .Springfield and died in Al- 
ton, Illinois, about five months after her mar- 
riage. In 1857 he wedded Miss Roxie G. Conk- 
lin, a native of New York, and a daughter of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



231 



Philander K. Conklin, who removed to the west 
and settled in Spring Arbor, Michigan, where he 
worked at the blacksmith's trade until his death. 
There were three children born to Major Roper 
by his first marriage : Mabin F., who died in 
St. Louis, Missouri, where he was engaged in 
the drug business ; George D., who married Kate 
Butterworth and resides near his mother on 
Franklin place in Rockford, where he is a lead- 
ing and enterprising physician, and also presi- 
dent of the Eclipse Gas Stove Company and the 
American Foundry Company ; and Edward U., 
who married Martha J. Lowden and resides in 
Logansport, Indiana, where he is engaged in the 
printing business. There was also one child by 
the third marriage, Charles .S., who died at the 
age of five months. 

Major Roper was prominent in social and po- 
litical circles. He was a Knight Templar Mason, 
belonging to Crusader commandery. No. 17, K. 
T. and he held membership in the Freeport con- 
sistory and the Medinah Temple of the Mystic 
Shrine at Chicago. He also held membership re- 
lations with the Illinois commandery of the 
Loyal Legion and attended many of its national 
assemblies. He was an active and influential 
worker in Nevius post. No. i, G. A. R.. at Rock- 
ford, and delighted in the social relations with his 
old arm}' comrades. He held membership in the 
Christian U^nion church, to wliich his wife also 
belongs, and he ever took a great interest in its 
work, always serving on its reception committees 
and doing verything in his power to promote its 
growth. His political views accorded with re- 
publican principles and he never wavered in his 
allegiance to the party. For years he was closely 
connected with local and state politics and his 
opinions carried weight in tlie cor.ncils of his 
party. He was chainnan of the republican county 
central committee in 1888, and was a mem- 
ber of the state central committee and for 
more than a quarter of a century attended 
each state convention except those held while 
he was at the front during the Civil war. 
He was also frequently seen in the na- 
tional conventions of his party. He died Feb- 
ruary 3, 1897, and thus passed awa_\' one wliose 
business, political and military career reflected 
credit and honor upon the city of his adoption. 
He was a man of pleasing address, courteous 
manner, unfaltering truth and unquestioned in- 
tegrity and yet withal possessed that practical 
common sense which never runs to extremes. 
He won friends wherever he went, his life was 
well spent and honorable and his useful career 
was worthy of emulation. Mrs. Roper now 
owns a beautiful residence at No. 1030 Franklin 
place, where she lives with her sister. Miss Ruth 
A. Conklin, and in society circles of the city she 
is prominent. 



HON. ROBERT SIMPSON. 

Hon. Robert Simpson, formerly a member of 
the state legislature of Illinois, and one of the 
wealthy farmers of Wmncbago county, resides 
on section 5 in the southern part of Rockford 
township, where he owns over live hundred acres 
of valuable land. He was born in Yarmouth, in 
the London district of the province of Ontario, 
Canada, March 15, 1836, and is a son of Peter 
and Henrietta (Curry) Simpson, natives of Ed- 
inburgh, Scotland, born in 1812 and 1815, re- 
spectively. In their family were eight children — • 
Mary Ann, Mar}' .Ann (second), Mary Jane, 
William, Susan, and two died in infancy. It is 
also believed that the grandfather, Robert 
Simpson, Sr., was likewise born in Edin- 
burgh, and it is definitely known that he 
came to America in 1833, settling in Yarmouth, 
where he resided for six years. On the expira- 
tion of that period he came to Illinois and pur- 
chased a squatter's claim in what is now Rock- 
ford township, \A'innebago county, which was lo- 
cated on section 6, township 43, range i east. He 
improved and resided upon that tract until his 
death, being one of the prominent early farmers 
of his locality. He married Mrs. Mary (Knox) 
Laurie, a widow, who was also a native of Scot- 
land, her death occurring in Centerville, Winne- 
bago county, in January, 1865. 

Peter Simpson was reared and married in 
Scotland and taking up the study of medicine 
afterward engaged in practice in Edinburgh until 
1833. He then determined to seek a home in tlie 
new world and crossed the Atlantic to Americ.i, 
locating in Yarmouth, Canada, but he came to 
Illinois in the same year in which the grandfather 
established his home in Winnebago county. Ac- 
companied by his family, he made the entire jour- 
ney overland, crossing the Detroit river on the 
4th of July, 1839. Later in the year he arrived 
in this county, finding it a pioneer district, ',n 
which the work of improvement and development 
had scarcely been begun. The land was at that 
time owned Ij}- the government and a few settlers 
^vere living in' or near the timber, it being thought 
impossible that the prairies would ever be settled 
or prove of any value. The timber land was held 
by claimants who desired to sell their rights so as 
to be able to move farther westward. Peter Simp- 
son purchased a claim to a tract of land in what 
is now Rockford township, and when the land 
came into market he entered it from the govern- 
ment. There he carried on general farming year 
after year and his labors wrought a wonderful 
change in the appearance of the place, the wild 
land "being transformed into highly productive 
fields, from which he annually harvested good 
crops. At the time of the Civil war he espoused 



23-' 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



tlif Union cause, enlisting as a member of the 
Fifteenth Illinois Infantry in the spring- of 1861. 
His name was on the roll of Company C for three 
years and he was under command of Colonel Ellis, 
Before leaving Scotland he married Henrietta 
Curry, who died in 1851. I'^or a second wife he 
married Rebecca, daughter of Jonathan and Lydia 
(Morse) Drake. She was born in Cortland coun- 
ty, New York, December 17, 1832, and is now 
living with Robert on the fami. There were two 
children by his second marriage, one of whom, 
Charles, is in I'.ritish Columbia, and Clara, who 
died in 1894. 

Robert Simpson was but three years old when 
brought by his parents to Illinois and upon the 
home fami he was reared, the days of his boy- 
hood and youth being passed in the usual manner 
of farm lads of that period. He worked in the 
fields when not occupied with the labors of the 
schoolroom and continued on the old homestead 
until the 6th of August, 1862, when no longer 
content to remain at home while his country was 
in peril, he offered his services to the govern- 
ment and joined the boys in blue of Companv C, 
Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, being mustered 
in as corporal. He participated in various battles, 
including the engagements of Perryvillc, Nolans- 
ville. Stone River. Chickamauga, Liberty Ciap. 
■Missionary Ridge and the .\tlanta campaign un- 
der Sherman, taking part in all the battles from 
Chattanooga to Atlanta and in the siege and ca])- 
ture of the city. After its fall he went w-ith hi* 
regiment in pursuit of Hood and fought in the 
battles of Si)ring Hill. I'ranklin and Xa^^hville. 
He was honorably discharged as orderly sergeant 
and was mustered out June 10, 1863, returning to 
bis home with a most creditable military record. 

Previous to entering the army Mr. Simpson 
had ])iircliased eighty acres of land on section 3. 
Rockford township, now included within his 
present farm. He has at different times, how- 
ever, extended the boundaries of his ])roperty im- 
til his landed ]>ossessions now aggregate over five 
hundred acres. He is thus one of the large land- 
owners of the county and his property is very 
v;dual)le owing to the si>lennid improvements he 
has ])laced upon it and tiie care with which the 
fields have been cultivated. His farm in all of 
its departments is neat and thrifty in ap]K'arance 
and indicates the careful supervision of a practi- 
cal and progressive owner. 

On thi 17th of April, 1867, Mr. Simiison was 
united in marriage to Miss Eliza Davis, a native 
of New Brunswick, and a daughter of John and 
FJlen Davis. One child. Effic, died Febniary 3, 
1881. Mrs. Simpson died in 1872 and the fol- 
lowing vcar Mr. Simpson wedded Catherine 
Spottswood. a native of Kemptville. Creenville 
cnuntv. of the province of ( Mitario, Canada, her 



parents being Robert and Mary (Graham) 
Spottswood, both of whc«n are now deceased. 
They had a family of nine children — Catherine 
(first), Robert (first), Robert (second), Cath- 
erine (second), Elizabeth, Margaret, Jeimie, 
Mary, who was principal of the Lincoln school 
in Rockford for eighteen years, and died July 30, 
1902, and liUen, who died in infancy. The father 
was lx)rn in or near Ro.xboro, Scotland, as was 
also his father, Robert Spottswood. He came to 
America in 1833. settling in (irecnville county, 
Canada. He had married Elizabeth I'Vater, also 
a native of Scotland, who died in Canada in June, 
1866. Mrs. Simpson's father was a blacksmith 
by trade, and after coming to America he engaged 
in hlacksmithing at KemiHville and later engaged 
in merchandizing. .Subsequently he removed to 
St. Lawrence county, New York, but after a few 
years' residence there returned to Kemptville, 
where he followed his trade until 1867, when he 
came to Illinois. His wife was a daughter of 
James and Catherine (Clinkscaks ) ( irahani and 
was born in Dumfricshire, .'Scotland. Both are 
now deceased. Two children have been l)orn unto 
^Ir. and Mrs. Simpson — Mary, born March 23, 
1877, ^^ho was married September 12, U)03- to 
Homer St. John, who is with the Western Indi- 
ana Railroad and lives in Chicago, and .Vrthur 
G.. born December 16, 1882. who lives at home 
with his parents. 

In his political views Mr. Simpson is independ- 
ent, hut was elected to the state legislature in 1S88 
on the democratic ticket. He has also served in 
other official capacities, acting as supervisor of 
Rockford township for ten years, and no public 
trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the 
slightest degree. As a soldier upon the fields of 
l)attle, as a legislator or as a i)rivate citizen he is 
e(|uallv loyal to the general good and he has made 
an honorable rei)utation in business circles as well. 



LEWIS KEITH. 



Lewis Keith, a retired fanner of Rockford to 
whom success has come in recognition of his un- 
tiring labor and his utilization of the oppor- 
tunities which have surrounded him — such as are 
common to all men, — has resided in this section 
of Illinois from the peritxl of its pioneer develop- 
ment. For many years he was closely associated 
with agricultural interests and still owns valu- 
able farm ])roperty on the border line between 
Boone and Wiimebago counties. He is a native 
of Morgan county, Ohio, born May 2, 1826, and 
represents a family that was established in 
America in colonial days. His great-grandfather 
emigrated from Holland to the new world about 
fifteen vears Ix-fore the Revolutionarv war and 




X-^i'UU^-T^^ /O-X-'^^^— 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



235 



settled in New Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was 
a blacksmith by trade and conducted a shop there 
for many years, after which he removed to 
Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where his 
death occurred in 1810. During the war for 
independence he served his country as a black- 
smith. His son Peter P. followed both black- 
smithing and farming and about 1814 removed 
from Pennsylvania to Morgan county, Ohio. In 
1836 he became a resident of Rockford, Illinois, 
which at that time contained only three houses 
that were located on the east side of the river 
just below the present site of the water tower. 
He reared a family of twelve children and died at 
the age of eighty-one years and four months. 

Lewis Keith, Sr., father of our subject, was 
born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 
1801, and in 1814 accompanied his parents to 
Morgan county. Ohio, where he lived until the 
6th of July, 1832, when he took up his abode 
at Laporte, Indiana, building a cabin there. He 
married Miss Mary Spencer, by whom he had 
four sons. Her death occurred when her son 
Lewis was only twenty-three days old. The 
father afterward married Nancy O'Hara, by 
whom he had six sons and four daughters, and 
his third wife was Mrs. Nancy H. Jessup. His 
children are as follows: Mrs. Jane Bunker; 
Elisha, who married Amanda Thornberg; Peter, 
who married Sarah J. Thornton ; Lewis, of this 
review ; Mary, the wife of Henry Crane ; Julia 
A., the wife of Lewis Parker ; Maria, the wife 
of Edward Co.x ; Wesley, who married Sarah 
Prian ; Dennis T., who married Catherine Ernest; 
Francis, who married Martha McLain ; Margaret, 
the wife of George Huckens ; W. Riley ; Sarah 
Crane ; and Aridana, the wife of Amos Taylor. 

Lewis Keith spent the first few years of his 
life in the county of his nativity and at the 
age of nine came to Winnebago county to live 
with his grandfather Spencer. He made the 
journey with friends, it requiring fourteen days 
to travel one hundred and fifty miles, during 
which time snow fell to the depth of one foot. 
He found here a pioneer district, the city of 
Rockford being at that time but a small village of 
but two houses, while all of the land in the 
county was still in the possession of the govern- 
ment and the work of improvement and progress 
had not been begun. His grandfather died in 
1838 and Lewis Keith was then thrown upon 
his own resources. Whatever success he has 
achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. His 
educational privileges were meager, but with a 
resolute spirit he started out to make his own 
way in the world and has brooked no obstacles 
that could be overcome by persistent and honor- 
able effort. He was employed at different kinds 
of farm work, and by frugality and industry 
managed to acquire a small sum of money. This 



he invested as partial payment on a tract of forty 
acres of government land, giving his note for the 
remainder of the purchase price. Thus he secured 
a home of his own and began raising wheat. 
He worked from early morning until late at 
night in the fields, and as the years passed he 
prospered. When his financial resources were 
somewhat increased he purchased other land 
and from time to time invested in property, mak- 
ing payments thereon through his sales of wheat, 
hogs and cattle. Ultimately his landed posses- 
sions amounted to fourteen hundred acres lying 
in Winnebago and Boone counties. Subsequently 
he purchased a tract of one thousand acres in 
Iowa and managed that farm in connection with 
his Illinois lands. He was formally the owner of 
valuable property in North and South Dakota in 
addition to his farming interests in this city, 
and at one tiiue he conducted a mercantile enter- 
prise in Cherry Valley and Fairdale, Illinois. 

Mr. Keith has been married twice. He first 
wedded Katherine Brown, a native of Ohio, who 
died in 1862, leaving three children : Lewis W., 
Luther L., and Roswell C. For his second wife 
Mr. Keith chose Louisa M. Farley, who came 
from Ohio to Illinois and was married to him 
in 1864. They have three children: Julia Flor- 
ence, the wife of Earl D. Reynolds, a practicing 
attorney of Rockford ; Mabel K,, the wife of M. 
L. Burt, of Bedford, Iowa ; and Estella, at home. 

Mr. Keith continued to reside upon his farm 
for many years, placing the land under a high 
state of cultivation and adding to it modern 
buildings and many substantial improvements. In- 
1 901. however, he removed from his farm to 
Rockford and purchased property at No. 1552 
Charles street. He rebuilt and remodeled this, 
and now has a comfortable home in which he is 
spending the evening of life. His health is some- 
what impaired but he keeps in touch with the 
current events of the day. His political support 
has long been given to the republican party, but 
he has never sought or desired office. The history 
of pioneer life in Winnebago county is familiar 
to him, and his memory forms a connecting link 
between the primitive past and the progressive 
present. He came to the county when it was 
largely wild and has seen a great transformation 
here. Furthermore he has assisted materially in 
making the changes which have developed the 
county into an important center of civilization, 
and his name is on the roll of honored pioneer 
settlers in WinnebaafO countv. 



ALEXANDER RALSTON. 

Ale-xander Ralston, deceased, was a pioneer of 
northern Illinois of 1849, i" which year he settled 
at Caledonia, Boone county, near the Winnebago 



23^. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WTXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



county line. He was a native of Scotland, born 
in 1820. and liis parcTits were John and Belle 
(Greenlee) Ralston, both of whom were natives 
of Scotland, whence they came to Illinois in 1850, 
settlin.t;- in Caledonia the year following the ar- 
rival of their son Alexander. TlKre they made 
their home on a farm with their children until 
called from this life. 

Alexander Ralston was educated in the com- 
mon schools of his native country and was reared 
upon a farm there, early becoming familiar with 
the methods of agriculture in vogue in that coun- 
try. He was married in the land of hills and 
heather to Miss Margaret McKerrall, also a na- 
tive of Scotland, born January 1, 1825. her par- 
ents being Dugald and Jane McKerrall, whose 
birth occurred in the same country. They came 
to the new world in an early day, settling in Can- 
ada, where they resided until called to their final 
home, the father carrying on general farming 
there throughout his active business career. He 
died at the very advanced age of eighty-six years. 

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rals- 
ton sailed for America, locating first in Canada, 
but after a short time coming to Illinois and, as 
before stated, settled near Caledonia, which place 
was largely established by emigrants from Scot- 
land. There he purchased a farm and carried on 
general agricultural pursuits until his death, be- 
ing one of the substantial and reliable farmers of 
the locality. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ralston were bom nine 
children, of whom six are yet living. Jane is the 
widow of Matthew Harvey, who was engaged in 
the agricultural implement business in Rockford 
for many years, and she now resides in Rockford 
at No. 2310 West State street. Margaret is the 
wife of Alexander Ferguson, a retired farmer, re- 
siding at No. 915 North Court street. Mrs. 
Thomas W'aterson makes her home in Ardale, 
Iowa. John D.. who married Ida M. Simpson, 
resides at No. 940 North Court street. Rockford. 
He and his brother constitute the firm of J. D. 
& G. A. Ralston, extensive dealers in agricul- 
tural implements, carriages, wagons and harness 
at No. 1 10 and 112 .\orth .Madison street. George 
A., a partner of his brother John, married Au- 
gusta Marriett and they reside here at 316 Rock- 
ton avenue. Mrs. C. H. Blass is now living in 
Mongo, Indiana. Those deceased are Isabelle and 
two who were named Jeanette. 

In his political views Mr. Ralston was a re- 
publican, giving his support to the party from the 
time that he became a naturalized .American citi- 
zen. He was a member of the Presbyterian 
church at Caledonia, took a deep and helpful in- 
terest in its work, served as an elder and was also 
leader of the clioir. His religious faith jiermeatcd 
his entire life and shaped his relations with his 



fellowmen. He owned a large farm near Cale- 
donia and was very successful in his business pur- 
suits. Although he never resided in Rockford, he 
was well known here and liad the entire respect 
of all with whom he was brought in contact. He 
died December 25, 1888. at the age of sixty-nine 
years, and his remains lie interred in the Scotch 
cemetery near that place. 

Following her husband's death .Mrs. Ralston 
sold the farm to her son George, with whom she 
resided for a year thereafter. She then went to 
live with her daughter, Mrs. I'erguson, in Har- 
lem, this county, remaining there for eight years. 
In the meantime her son George had removed to 
Rockford and began business w-ith his brother in 
this city, and in 1903 Mrs. Ralston came to Rock- 
ford, since ^vhich time she has lived at No. 316 
Rockton avenue with her .son George and his 
wife, he having lately built a nice residence there. 
The Ralstons are a prominent and well-to-do 
family of the city and the firm of Ralston Broth- 
ers constitutes an important factor in commercial 
activitv here. 



CHARLES J. SOWLE, D. D. S. 

Dr. Charles J. Sowle, engaged in the practice 
of dentistry in Rockford, was born in Tomah, 
Wisconsin, March 22, 1869. His paternal grand- 
father, Hiram .\. Sowle. removed to that place 
in the '40s, becoming one of its pioneer settlers. 
His son, Orlando Thompson Sowle. was born in 
Vermont, and accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Wisconsin, where he was reared to 
farm life, remaining on the old homestead until 
seventeen years of age, when in 1861 he ran 
away from home to join the army, enlisting as 
a member of Company II, Eleventh Wisconsin 
Infantry. He afterward returned to that state 
and organized what became Company D of the 
Fifty-first Wisconsin Regiment of Volunteers. 
Mr. Sowle was made first lieutenant of the com- 
pany, and saw much active service on the battle- 
fields of the south, continuing at the front until 
mustered out at the close of the war. Returning 
then to his old home in Wisconsin he joined his 
father in the conduct of a general store, and was 
also engaged in the hotel business. He was upon 
the road as a traveling salesman for a munbcr 
of years, and was proprietor of a hotel in To- 
mah, Wisconsin, afterward entering into the real 
estate and pension business and remaining there 
until the time of his demise, which occurred in 
i88(), when he was forty-five years of age. 

Dr. Sowde is the only surviving member of a 
family of four children. His mother died in Cal- 
ifornia in if)oi. Contiiniing his education in his 
native state, he became a high school student 
there, and afterward attended the University of 




DR. C. T. SOWLE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



239 



Wisconsin at Madison for a year. Deciding 
upon a professional career, he entered the Chi- 
cago College of Dental Surgery in 1892, and on 
the completion of a regular three years' course 
was graduated with the class of 1895, winning 
the valedictorian honors and delivering the ad- 
dress to a class of one hundred and twenty. He 
then located for practice in Rockford, and now 
has a well equipped office at No. 401 Brown 
Building. He is thoroughly informed concern- 
ing modern methods, and his work is of a most 
satisfactory character, insuring him a continu- 
ance of a liberal and growing patronage. He 
belongs to the Illinois State Dental Society, the 
Northern Illinois Dental Society. Winnebago 
County Dental Society, the Delta Sigma Delta, 
a college fraternity and the Odontological So- 
ciety of Rockford. 

Dr. Sowle was married in October, 1897, to 
Miss Gertrude E. Stuart, a daughter of Mar- 
garet Stuart, of Rockford, who was born in 
this city. They now have two sons and a 
daughter : Stuart Orlando, five years of age ; 
Giarles Burdette, three years old ; and Helen 
Elizabeth, born January 16. 1905. Dr. Sowle 
belongs to the Elks lodge at Rockford. In poli- 
tics he is independent, supporting men and 
measures rather than party. He is a young man 
of laudable ambition and firm principles, and has 
made for himself a creditable place in the pro- 
fessional circles in Rockford. 



ISAAC TOMS. 



Isaac Toms, deceased, was one of the pioneer 
farmers of Winnebago county, who settled here 
in 1837, and through many years was closely 
connected with agricultural interests — the basis 
of the wealth and prosperity of the great state 
of Illinois. He was a native of New Jersey, born 
in Elizabeth, Essex county, on the 24th of De- 
cember, 1809. The family is of English lineage 
and the grandfather, Lewis Toms, spent his last 
days in New Jersey, in which state occurred the 
birth of Isaac Toms, Sr., the father of our sub- 
ject. He learned the carpenter's trade in early 
life and was connected with building operations in 
Essex county up to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1809, two months before the birth of 
his son and namesake. In early manhood he had 
wedded Elizabeth Henderson, also a native of 
Essex county and a daughter of Robert Hender- 
son, a native of Scotland, who was drafted into 
the British army during the Revolutionary war 
and therefore came to America. Interested in 
this land, he established his home in the new re- 
public and for some time resided in New Jersey, 
but eventually removed to Canada, where he made 
his home until called to his final rest. Following 



the death of her husband Mrs. Isaac Toms, Sr., 
accompanied by her three children, removed to 
Simcoe, Canada, in 1816, and there remained 
with her children until she, too, passed away. 

Isaac Toms of this review was a little lad of 
only five summers when the family went to Can- 
ada. He attended the public schools there, ac- 
quiring a good practical education, and after put- 
ting aside his text-books he and his brother were 
engaged in farming in Canada until 1837, pur- 
chasing land which they continued to cultivate 
until the removal of Isaac Toms to Illinois. He 
was at that time twenty-eight years of age. Bid- 
ding adieu to his old home and friends across the 
border, he started for this state on foot, carrying 
his possessions in a bundle. The first night he 
met a 3-oung man on his way to Michigan riding 
a horse, and they afterward traveled together, 
riding by turns to Branch county, Michigan, from 
which place Mr. Toms continued the journey on 
foot to Rockford. The now populous and beauti- 
ful city was then a small collection of pioneei 
cabins, but it lay in the midst of a rich agricul- 
tural district and the natural resources of the 
country were such as to give promise of a bright 
future. Mr. Toms was at once made constable 
and held that office in Rockford for seven years. 
He was also employed at a very early day on the 
building of the dam across Kent creek and in the 
spring of 1838 he went to Ogle county, where he 
was variousl}- employed until 1840. He then re- 
turned to Rockford and two years later purchased 
the land included in his farm. It was then a tract 
of wild prairie, entirely destitute of improve- 
ments. It lay in Guilford township, the place 
comprising two hundred acres. With character- 
istic energy- Mr. Toms began its development and 
the utility of his labors was soon manifest in sub- 
stantial buildings and well tilled fields. He also 
planted an orchard and set out shade and orna- 
mental trees, and as the years passed he added all 
of the modern equipments and accessories of a 
model farm. He was not only practical, but pro- 
gressive in his work and long ranked with the 
leading agriculturists of the community. 

In 1865 Mr. Toms was married in Chicago to 
Miss ^Martha A. Dodge, whose birth occurred in 
Mount Vernon, New Hampshire, on the 8th oi 
May, 1829, her parents being Charles and Alice 
( McClary) Dodge. Her father was born in New 
Boston, New Hampshire, and for many years re- 
sided in the old Granite state, devoting the great- 
er part of his time and attention to general agri- 
cultural pursuits. He was a son of Amma and 
Lucv (Fowler) Dodge, who spent their entire 
lives' in New Hampshire. Charles Dodge was 
therefore reared in New Boston and it was subse- 
quent to his marriage that he became a resident 
of .Mount Vernon. He married Miss Alice 



240 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



McClary, a native of Wiiidliani, New llaiii])shire, 
and they began tlieir domestic life in the state of 
their nativity, where Mr. Uodge provided for his 
family for many years by the careful conduct of 
his agricultural interests. At lengtli he became 
ill and was in poor health for thirteen years. Be- 
cause of this he left the farm and in 1830 re- 
moved to Lowell, -Massachusetts, where he spent 
his remaining days, his death occurring in 183.'. 
His wife survived him until 1850, ])assing away 
in Methuen, Massachusetts, while visiting her 
daughter there. She had. however, been a resi- 
dent of Lexington for four years. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Dodge were members of the Presbyterian 
church and he had served as deacon for many 
years. Mrs. Dodge was of Irish and Scotch de- 
scent. Her father, John McClary. was born in 
the north of Ireland of .Scotch ])arentage. but 
from early manhood until his death was a re.-.i- 
dent of New Ham|)shire. .Mrs. Toms accom- 
panied her parents on their removal to Lowell. 
Massachusetts, where she resided until 1856, aftei 
which she spent two years in Davenport, Iowa. 
The succeeding two years were passed in St. 
Louis. Missouri, and she then went to Chicago, 
where she remained from i8f)2 until 1865, when 
she came to Winnebago county. There were no 
children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Toms, but the 
latter belonged to a family of nine children, of 
whom three are yet living. Her sister. Hannah 
P., born September 8, 1823, in Mount Vernon, 
New Hampshire, is the widow of Francis B. Ab- 
bott, a native of New Hampshire, born in i8r7. 
Wiien a lad he went to Lowell. Massachusetts, 
where he acquired a good education in the higli 
schools. He then learned the machinist's trade, 
at which he worked in Chicago for forty vears. 
and he applied himself so closely and untiringly 
to his business that he broke down his health, his 
intense activity and energy being the cause of his 
deatli. He was a man of strong religious temper- 
ament and a devoted Christian, whose labors were 
effective and far-reaching in behalf of the gospel 
work. He established a chapel and Sunday- 
school in Chicago and would attend the chapel 
every morning before going to his work. The 
little chapel grew in membership, in influence and 
in the extent of its ojx-rations for the moral devel- 
opment of mankind and is now one of the largest 
churches in Giicago — known as Grace church. 
Mr. Abbott continued to follow his chosen voca- 
tion in Chicago up to the time of his death. His 
niece, Emma Abbott, was a noted prima donni. 
Mr. and Mrs. Abbott had no children of iheir 
own. but adopted a son. George L. Austin, who 
inarried Etta Perkins. He was graduated from 
Harvard University, became an editor and pub- 
lisher and died in Cambridge. Massachusetts, 
leaving four children, .\ftcr the death of Mr. 



Abbott ill Chicago his widow came to Rockford 
and has since made her home with Mrs. Toms. 

Nancy Elizabeth, the other surviving member 
of the Dodge family, was born November 30, 
1S25. and is the widow of George W. Clark, of 
Rockijort, Massachusetts, who was extensively 
engaged in l\v: manufacture of hoots and shfics in 
the east, conducting a large and profitable busi- 
ness. He afterward removed to Sanoma, Califor- 
nia, where he was engaged in the .same business 
for many years, but eventually retired, and in the 
enjoyment of a well earned ease spent his last 
days in that land of sunshine and flowers, his 
death occurring in Sanoma. Mrs. Clark now re- 
sides in Azusa, California, with her only son, 
Fred L. Clark. There were three members of the 
Dodge family who died in infancy, while the 
others were: Sarah Jane, who was the wife of 
John Collins, and died at the heme of her sister 
in Sanoma. California; Catherine, who married 
Daniel 1!. .Shipley, and died in Derry, New 
Hampshire ; and Charles R., who died soon after 
his marriage. He was a farmer in the east and 
subsequent to his removal to California he car- 
ried on agricultural ])ursuils until his death. 

The home of ^Ir. Toms was located on section 
27, Guilford township, where he had one of the 
best farms of the county, supplied with fine im- 
provements, indicating the careful supervision 
and i)rogressivc spirit of the owner. There he 
engaged in general agricultural pursuits till a 
few years prior to his death, when he retired from 
business cares. He then sold one hundred and 
twenty acres of his land, but continued to remain 
at the old home until he passed away on the 17th 
of January, igo2. lieside serving as constable of 
Rockford in an early day he held a number of 
local offices in his township and in politics he was 
always a stanch republican, unswerving in his 
allegiance to his party. He was a self-made man, 
whose business career was marked by consecutive 
advancement, owing to his close application, un- 
remitting diligence and strong and honorable ])ur- 
pose. He was so honorable in his conduct and so 
fair in his views that his opinions carried weight 
among his friends and neighbors and he became 
an influential citizen of his community, respected 
by all for what he accomiilished and for the hon- 
orable pnnciples which proved the motive power 
of his action. He was well known to all the pio- 
neer settlers of the county and he had many 
friends in Rockford. 

Following the death of her husband Mrs. Toms 
sold the farm and removed to the city, where she 
invested her money in realty, but has since sold 
off much of her city property. She has in her 
possession a most interesting relic, one of the old 
"grandfather's clocks." which has been in posses- 
sion of the Dodge familv for nearlv two hundred 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



241 



years, and yet keeps perfect time. Mrs. Toms 
and Mrs. Abbott are now residing at No. 929 
Rockton avenue, but the former expects soon to 
buy or build a large residence in the north part of 
the city, in which she and her sister will make 
their future home. She frequently visits her sis- 
ter in California, for the family ties are held most 
sacred by them both. Mrs. Toms and Mrs. Ab- 
bott have many friends in the city and are great- 
h' esteemed by those who know them. 



THOMAS GILMORE. 

Thomas Gilmore, retired from business life, is 
residing at No. 151 1 School street, Rockford. He 
is entitled to representation in this volume be- 
cause of an honorable business career and because 
of the valuable service which he rendered to his 
country in the dark days of the Civil war. He 
was born in Belfast, Ireland, March 20, 1843, and 
comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His father, Da- 
vid Gilmore, was a native of Scotland and was a 
weaver by trade. 

Thomas Gilmore resided on the Emerald isle 
until about 1856, when he came to America, set- 
tling at Corning, New York, where he remained 
until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In the 
meantime he had watched with interest the prog- 
ress of events in the south and his spirit of pa- 
triotism was aroused in behalf of the Union, so 
that on the ist of z^ugust, 1862, he offered his 
services to the government and was enrolled as a 
member of Company I, One Hundred and Sev- 
enth New York Volunteer Infantry. He en- 
listed at Corning and after serving for three 
years was honorably discharged at New York 
city on the 20th of July, 1865. He served in the 
Eastern Army for eighteen months and was then 
sent to the west, participating under General 
Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and the cele- 
brated march to the sea, which showed the claims 
of the Confederacy to be but an empty boast, its 
military strength having been drawn from the 
interior to defend the borders. Mr. Gilmore par- 
ticipated in many important engagements, includ- 
ing the battle of Antietam, September 17. 1862. 
He was in Fredericksburg in the winter of 1862- 
63, and in May of the latter year participated in 
the battle of Cliancellorsville and the hotly con- 
tested engagement of the first three days of July, 
1863, at Gettysburg. He also met the enemy at 
the battle of Buzzard's Roost : at Rocky F"ace 
Ridge: Resaca, May 15, 1864; New Hope 
Church, May 25, 1864. and was wounded there 
with a grape shot on the 25th of May. which ne- 
nessitated the amputation of his leg. The mem- 
ber was cut off on the 27th of May under the 
trees on the battle-field. He then rode for three 
davs in a wagon, but his injury became worse. 



gangrene set in and there had to be another am- 
putation. He had indeed a hard time and after 
lying at Chattanooga for a while was sent to 
Louisville, Kentucky, and on to Madison, Indi- 
ana, the rebel cavalry following in the path of the 
soldiers who were then advancing to the north. 
^Vhen in the battle of Antietam Mr. Gilmore saw 
General Mansfield shot from his horse. Being 
mustered out of the service, he returned to New 
York city, where he engaged in the manufacture 
of artificial limbs, being thus occupied until 1871, 
when he sold his business and came to Rockford, 
where he has since resided with the exception of 
a period of three years beginning in 1875. At 
that date he made a trip to Massachusetts, re- 
maining in New England until 1878. He is now 
granted a pension of forty dollars per month in 
recognition of the sacrifice which he made for the 
government. 

Before coming to the west Mr. Gilmore was 
married in New York city in 1868 to Miss Mar- 
garet Hamilton, a daughter of Robert and Jane 
(Carroll) Hamilton, the former a shoemaker, 
which pursuit gave him the means of livelihood 
for his family. Mrs. Gilmore was born in 1844 
and by her marriage has become the mother of 
six children, all of whom are yet living. David, 
born July 16, 1869, is a fanner residing in Har- 
rison township. He married Emma Rottger and 
has three children. Agnes G., born January 9, 
1871, is the wife of Fred Knapp, Hving on a 
farm in Harrison township, and they have three 
sons. Chaunce}' A., born December 25, 1873, is 
the owner of a fruit farm, upon which he lives, 
in Oregon. Ellen H.. born April 30, 1875, is the 
wife of Samuel Scott, a resident farmer of Har- 
rison township, and they have two children. 
Elizabeth M., born December 2, 1880, is the wife 
of Charles Higgin, an agriculturist of Owen 
township, and they have two children. Mary A., 
who was born April 7, 1882, married J. C. Black, 
and they reside on a farm near Beloit, Wisconsin. 

Since coming to the west Mr. Gilmore has 
been identified with business interests and public 
service. He conducted the postofifice in Harrison 
township from 1891 until 1898, and also carried 
on a store there for fifteen years. He was town- 
ship clerk for thirteen years and was likewise 
township school treasurer. In 1896, however, he 
sold his business interests in Harrison township 
and in 1898 removed to Rockford, following his 
election to the office of county treasurer, in which 
capacity he served for four years, or until 1902, 
retiring from office with the confidence and good 
will of all concerned, his capable administration 
of the aflfairs of the position having won him 
high enconiums. In 1902 he became manager of 
the west end yard of the Rockford Lumber and 
Fuel Company, but had to abandon that position 



242 



PAST A\D PRESENT OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



on account of ill health occasioned h) the injury 
sustained in the Civil war. He now deals to 
some extent in real estate, but is largely living re- 
tired. He owns the home in Rockford where he 
resides at No. 151 1 School street, and a lot on 
Locust street, on which he is now erecting a fine 
residence. 

He belongs to Xevius post, No. i, G. A. R., 
of Rockford. and to Harrison camp, No. 684. 
M. W. .\.. while lx)th he and his wife are valued 
members and generous contributors to the Pres- 
byterian church. In politics he has always Ix'en 
an earnest republican since casting his first pres- 
idential ballot in 1864, ever voting the straight 
ticket. He is deci)ly interested in the success and 
growth of his pjirty and his devotion to its wel- 
fare and his loyalty to all that is beneficial ni 
friendship have been the means of winning his 
elections when as the candidate of the repub- 
lican ticket he has stood for office. 



JOHN \\\ WOLVEN. 

John W. Wolven is one of the valued citizens 
of Pecatonica. whose business activity and ca- 
pable service in public office have made him a 
representative man here. He was born in 
Greene county. New York, September 4. 1830. 
and in his early childhood was taken to Canada, 
his education being acquired in the schools of 
that country and in Wisconsin. His parents, Ja- 
cob and Elizabeth (Story) Wolven, were both 
natives of New York, the former born in 1800, 
while his death occurred in Canada in 1834, at 
a comparatively early age. His wife, long sur- 
viving, departed this life in Seward township, 
Winnebago county, in 1893. ^I"". \\'olven was 
a butcher by trade, and would buy a beef, sheep 
or hog which he would slaughter and then peddle 
the meat. In this way he made a living for his 
family, which numbered four children : John 
W., who was born in Greene county. New York ; 
and Benjamin. Catherine and Andrew, all born 
in Canada. 

Soon after the father's death John W. Wol- 
ven, the eldest of the children, left his home to 
make a living for the family. The mother took 
in sewing, making clothing for people in the 
neighborhood, and when between them they had 
saved up a little money she determined to re- 
turn to New York. She hired a team to take 
them across the country, but at Lewiston. New 
York, their supply of money gave out and they 
were forced to remain there for some time until 
they could work and earn enough more to en- 
able them to complete the journey. They moved 
to Buffalo and later to Lockport. New York, 
where they were living when visited by Mr. 
Wright, an uncle of our subject, with whom they 



returned to BufTalo and later accompanied him 
to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1847. making the jour- 
ney in a sailing vessel around the lakes. From 
Racine Mr. Wolven, with his uncle and family, 
went to Duck lake, in Walworth county, Wis- 
consin, where he remained with Mr. Wright for 
about two years. He hauled grain and worked 
in the town for four dollars i)er month. He was 
employed in that way for about six weeks, after 
which he returned to his uncle's home. Later 
his mother married again, becoming the wife of 
William Russell, and Mr. Wolven then went to 
live with her and his step-father. The latter se- 
cured him a position as cook on a lumber vessel, 
sailing between Michigan ports anil Racine and 
he was on the lakes for two years, spending his 
winters in .Shehovgan. Wisconsin, with Mr. and 
Mrs. Russell, who had removed to that place 
from Racine. 

When Mr. Wolven had saved forty dollars 
he went to Bloomfield. Wisconsin, where he lived 
with his uncle and attended school in the winter 
months. He afterward began work at digging 
wells, being employed in that way for about si.x 
weeks, and in the fall he became a man in the 
harvest field upon his uncle's farm. The follow- 
ing spring he went to Richmond, where he pur- 
chased a grain cradle, and with this implement he 
began cradling grain for a dollar and a half per 
day in the employ of Mr. Sutton. \\'hen the 
wheat was all cradled he cut rye. The follow- 
ing season he purchased a yoke of steers for 
fi)rt\- dollars, taking this step through the in- 
lluence of his uncle. Mr. Wolven did not wish 
to put all of his money in the steers, but found 
that he profiled hv doing so. Later he purchased 
three yoke and his uncle bought three yoke, after 
which they broke grub land. Just before pur- 
chasing his steers Mr. Wolven came to Win- 
nebago county and bought a soldier's land war- 
rant for one hundred and fifty dollars, with 
which he obtained one hundred and sixty acres 
of land in Seward township. He then returned 
to Bloomfield. Wisconsin, traveling most of the 
way on foot. He next purchased a pair of oxen 
for forty dollars, for which he gave his note and 
then plowed forty acres of land, for which he 
received forty dollars, and was thus enabled to 
discharge his indebtedness. Realizing the need 
of education he attended school, working nights 
and mornings for his board for O. H. P. Gookin, 
who wintered his stock for him. He broke land 
through the succeeding sunnner and again spent 
the winter with Mr. Gookin. .A.t this time he 
hired to haul wheat to Kenosha for S. Post, re- 
ceiving four dollars and a half for three days' 
work, using his own oxen. With the money 
thus earned he came west to his land in Seward 
township, bringing four yoke of oxen with him. 
He traded his grain cradle and his best coat in 





.U<' 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



245 



order to get his last steer. After reaching this 
county he boarded witli Mr. Warner near his 
own claim, paying him a dollar and a half per 
week. He then began working his land, turn- 
ing" the first furrow on twenty-five acres. He 
also broke ten acres for a neighbor for a dollar 
and a half per acre, for which he received an 
order on a merchant in Freeport. Mr. Moore 
gave him a cow for breaking land, and he after- 
ward obtained another cow in the same way. 
When E. Cleveland came to the county he gave 
Mr. Wolven a dollar and a half per acre for 
breaking twenty-five acres of land, paying him 
the cash, which was the first money that he ever 
received for breaking prairie in Winnebago 
county. 

Mr. Wolven"s next service was in the harvest 
field. He found two men who had a Smith 
reaper, and he began working for a dollar and a 
half per day. He cut hay to winter his cattle 
on and in the fall of 185 1 he began working for 
a contractor on the Chicago & Galena Railroad, 
breaking the ground for the construction work. 
Through trading he afterward obtained five 
acres of timber land and hauled logs to Sumner's 
mill. As he found oportunity he continued the 
work of improvement upon his own land, fencing- 
eighty acres and seeding twenty acres. He built 
a granary upon his farm and he traded his oxen 
for a two-horse team. In the following June 
he sold his land and its improvements for twenty- 
five hundred dollars, reinvesting in one hundred 
and twenty acres in Stephenson county and 
eighty acres in Winnebago county. On the for- 
mer tract there was an old house, but few im- 
provements had otherwise been made. 

In the same fall Mr. Wolven was married to 
Miss Juliett Martin, a daughter of David and 
Hannah (Brando) Martin. In 1879, however, 
he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, 
who died on the nth of November, at the age 
of forty-three years, four months and twenty- 
nine days. Their eldest son, Albert, died April 
6, i860, at the age of ten days. They had one 
son, Edwin, who is living in Worthington, Min- 
nesota. Charles A. married Miss Bombard, of 
Harvard, Illinois, and died February 26, 1892, 
at the age of thirty years, six months and four- 
teen days. The other members of the family, 
Jessie and Georgia, are twins. For his second 
wife Mr. Wolven chose !Miss Ida Lamb, a na- 
tive of Minnesota, with whom he lived for about 
twenty-two years. After her death he married 
Mrs. Levina Wallick, this marriage taking place 
September 7, 1904. Three times he has divided 
his property with his children. Just before his 
second marriage he gave each of his children 
land to the value of fourteen thousand dollars, 
and later on he again made division of his prop- 
erty, giving twenty-three thousand dollars to 
15 



each of his children and an equal amount to his 
wife. In the fall of 1904 he deeded his Kansas 
land, consisting of fifty-three quarter sections. 
Ten quarter sections of this he gave to people 
outside of his family, one of whom had long 
been in his employ, while the balance was given 
to his children. At the present time he owns 
twenty-four and a half quarter sections in Hand 
county, South Dakota ; and between six and 
seven hundred acres in Stephenson county, Illi- 
nois ; one hundred and twenty-five acres in Win- 
nebago county ; and four hundred and twenty- 
three acres in Minnesota ; while his improved 
property in Rockford is valued at fifty thousand 
dollars. 

Air. Wolven has acted as supervisor for four 
or five years, was also mayor for five or six years 
in Pecatonica, giving to the city an administra- 
tion characterized by marked helpfulness and 
progressiveness. He is to-day one of the wealthy 
men of Winnebago county, and is a splendid 
example of the self-made man, for he was in 
very limited financial circumstances in his youth. 
He has acquired extensive landed holdings 
through judicious investment, but more than all 
he owes his success to his untiring industry and 
careful management. As the years have gone 
by he has made the most of his opportunities ; 
has strongly guarded his business, and has 
worked earnestly and persistently. For years 
he did any service that would yield him an hon- 
orable living, and was found busy from early 
morning until late at night. Thus he gained his 
start, and in later years the result as a raiser 
of grain and stock and his dealings in land have 
brought him the splendid success which now 
crowns his labors. 



HON. FREDERICK HAINES. 

Hon. Frederick Haines, treasurer of the Forest 
City Insurance Company of Rockford, is a son 
of Anthony and Adaline (Rowse) Haines. The 
father was a native of Marietta, Pennsylvania, 
and the mother's birth occurred in Bucyrus, Ohio. 
They were married in 1853 and the following 
year became residents of Rockford. The father 
was engaged in the grain business in this city 
for m.any years and was otherwise identified with 
its commercial and industrial activity, conducting 
an important manufacturing plant for several 
years. He sought for the development and up- 
building of his locality as well as for individual 
success, and in public office he rendered capable 
service, being a member of the county board of 
supervisors for eighteen years, and he represented 
the first ward in the city council about the same 
length of time. His long continuance in the of- 



246 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



fice of supervisor was uninistakable evidence of 
his tKlclity to duty. 

Frederick Haines, whose birth occurred in 
Rock ford .Autrii'^t 30. 1863, was a student in the 
city schools until he had been advanced through 
consecutive grades and was graduated from the 
high school with the class of 1S79. He tirst en- 
gaged in business with J. McDermaid, manufac- 
turer of churns, with whom he was associated at 
that time for a year. Alert and enterprising, 
watchful of business opportunities and quick to 
utilize the advantages that had offered, he as- 
sisted in the organization of the Rockford Street 
Railway Company, thus meeting a public demand 
for transportation facilities. He acted as superin- 
tendent of the road until the ])laiit was changed 
to electric power. He afterward spent two years 
with the Rockford Construction Company and in 
1900 he was elected to the important position of 
treasurer of the Forest City Insurance Company, 
which position he now holds. The business of 
this company has reached extensive proportions 
and the corporation is widely and favorably 
known. Mr. Haines, as one of its executive offi- 
cers, has contributed in no small degree to its 
success. As a business man he is very energetic, 
sagacious and discriminating, and carries forward 
to successful completion whatever he undertakes. 

In the political campaign of 1902 Mr. Haines 
was nominated on the republican ticket as the 
candidate for representative in the state legisla- 
ture and was elected by a large majority. At the 
session of 1903 he was ])laced on several impor- 
tant committees and his serv-ices were most ac- 
ceptable to his constituency. He was closely con- 
nected with some of the important constructive 
legislation of that assembly and he formed the 
acquaintance and won the admiration of a large 
number of the prominent members of the house. 

Mr. Haines was married in 1887 to Miss Min- 
nie Bushnell, of Sterling, Illinois, and they now 
have one son, Anthony. The family home is at 
1621 National avenue, and in his fraternal rela- 
tions Mr. Haines is a Mason, a Knight of Py- 
thias and an Elk. He has become widely known 
through business and political relations and is a 
typical citizen of the west, determined in accom- 
plishing the task that lies before him. making 
opportunity where none exists, and i)ushing for- 
ward the wheels of progress in various paths 
wherein lies the ui^building and prosperity of the 
communitv and the commonwealth. 



GEORGE A. FRITZ. 



George A. Fritz, a representative of one of the 
oldest pioneer families of this county and now 
a retired farmer living upon his home place on 



sections 11 and 12, Durand township, where he 
owns three hundred and sixty acres of valuable 
land, was born upf>n this farm Sei)iember 25, 
1840. His parents were George and Cornelia J. 
(Cleveland) I-'ritz, the former born in Maryland 
of German parentage, while the latter was born 
in the state of New York in 1827. It was in the 
year 1837 that George Fritz, Sr., arrived in 
Illinois. enteriTig from the government the land 
upon which his son George now resides. It was 
entirely destitute of improvements, being covered 
with the native prairie grasses but he at once 
began to break the i)rairie and till the fields and 
in course of time was gathering abundant 
harvests. Throughout the long ])eriod of his 
residence in Winnebago county he continued 
upon this farm, where his death occurred in 
1898, when he was eighty-one years of age. His 
wife passed away in i88r. The surviving mem- 
bers of their family are: George A. ; Henry, who 
married Mary J. Crowley and resides in Harrison 
townshij). has three daughters and one son, de- 
ceased ; and Ellen A., who is living in Durand 
township. Ann Cecelia, who is deceased, married 
Henry E. Harris, of Durand towship, and left 
four children: Fred M.. a rural mail carrier of 
Durand ; Lewis H., of Seattle, Washington ; Ray- 
mond F., of Chicago: and Lillian I., now postmis- 
tress of Durand. 

George A. Fritz, whose name introduces this 
review-, has spent his entire life upon the home 
farm save for the brief period of three years 
spent in the l^nion .\rmy during the Civil war. 
He was educated in the common schools and was 
trained to farm work, early becoming his father's 
assistant in the development and cultivation of 
the fields. In August, 1862, however, he put 
aside business and personal considerations that 
he might aid in the preservation of the Union 
and heconie a member of Company IT. .Seventy- 
fourth Illinois Infantry, with which he served 
until mustered out in August, 1865. He took 
part in the battles of Perryville and Stone River 
and many of lesser importance and was in the 
hospital service for a considerable portion of 
his time but wherever his duty called he was 
found loyal and promjit in its discharge and made 
a creditable record as a soldier. 

When the war was over Mr. Fritz returned to 
his home and his bride, having been married 
after his enlistment to Miss Sarah A. Frazier, 
of Durand township, the wedding taking place 
on the 20th of .August, 1862. Her parents were 
.\lva V. and Lucy (TruesdelH Frazier. Her 
father was born in the state of New York in 
1804 and soon after his marriage made his way 
westward to Chicago, which at that time con- 
tained but thirteen buildings. He remained in 
or near the embrvo citv for several vears and 




MR. AND ^IRS. G. A. FRITZ. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



249 



afterward removed to Wisconsin when Mrs. Fritz 
was about seven years of age. He purchased a 
farm in Green county and for many years Hved 
in Wisconsin and in Illinois, but eventually re- 
moved to Iowa, where he died at the advanced 
age of eighty-four years. His wife, who was 
a native of the Empire state, died at their Iowa 
home when eighty-six years of age. The broth- 
ers of Mrs. Fritz are : John F. Frazier, who is 
living in Quincy, Iowa : James W., who died 
leaving a son ; John, now a resident of Montana ; 
Mrs. Ella Patterson, a resident of Minnesota ; 
and Mrs. .Sarah A. Gaylord, who is living in 
Durand, Illinois. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fritz was blessed 
with seven children. George W., born in 1865 
and now living in Durand, married Lucy Nowles 
and has two sons, Paul and Ralph : Alinnie, born 
in 1867, is the wife of James H. Thomas; Rosa 
A., born in 1869, is at home; Burton E., born 
in 1873, is a resident of Durand township ; Wil- 
liam A., born in J875, resides in Bremerton, 
Washingfton ; Artie R., born in 1879, is at home; 
and Lawrence E., born in 1881, is also at 
Bremerton. 

Reared to the occupation of farming, Mr. 
Fritz has always followed that pursuit as a life 
work but is now retired from active business 
cares, his farm being conducted by his son. He 
has a valuable tract of land of three hundred 
and sixty acres, a part of which has never been 
out of possession of the family since it was 
entered from the government by his father. He 
has made good improvements thereon and he 
conducted his work in a practical, systematic 
manner that resulted in bringing him a hand- 
some competence. In politics he is independent 
and he attends the Baptist church of Laona 
township. His entire life having been passed 
in this county, he has a very wide acquaintance 
here and his many excellent traits of character 
have gained him the esteem of those with whom 
he has associated. He is numbered among the 
honored pioneer settlers and in a quiet way has 
done his full share toward the improvement and 
upbuilding of the locality in which he resides. 



THOM.\S WELLINGTON. 

Thomas Wellington, deceased, who became a 
resident of Rockford in 1852. and was for a num- 
ber of years connected with its industrial interests, 
was a native of England, born ]\Iarch g, 1831. 
His parents were Abraham and Jennifer Welling- 
ton, also natives of England, in which country 
thev resided until after their son Thomas came 
to the new w orld. Later they emigrated to 
America, settling in Rockford, where the father 



lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest until 
called to his final home. His wife has also passed 
away. Their son William was the first of the 
family to cross the Atlantic and he, too, resided 
in Rockford, where he engaged in stonecutting 
until his death. 

Thomas Wellington was educated in the com- 
mon schools of his native country, where he corir 
tinned to reside until he attained man's estate. He 
then determined to seek his home and fortune in 
America and in company with a companion about 
his own age he made the voyage to the new 
world. On reaching New York he at once re- 
sumed his journey, his destination being Rock- 
ford, in which city his brother William was then 
living. Here Thomas Wellington at once began 
learning the stonecutter's and stonemason's 
trade and in addition to working along this line 
he would frequently drive through the county 
among the farmers, exchanging coffee, tea and 
groceries for eggs and other farm products. He 
was quite successful in that business. As a stone- 
cutter he assisted in the erection of many of the 
early schoolhouses and other public buildings of 
the kind and became a proficient workman, his 
sendees being in constant demand. 

In 1857 Mr. Wellington was united in mar- 
riage in Rockford to Miss Margaret Martin, a 
native of Belpre, Ohio, and a daughter of John 
and Mary (I'atterson) Martin, who were na- 
tives of Scotland, whence they came to America 
at an early day, settling in Ohio, where Mr. Mar- 
tin was engaged in farming for a few years. He 
afterward came to Winnebago county and was 
among the early settlers in this part of the state. 
He purchased a tract of land in Guilford town- 
ship and for many years was engaged in farm- 
ing, making his place a very productive and well- 
improved property. Subsequently he removed to 
Bremer conntv, Iowa, where he continued farm- 
ing until after his wife's death, when he returned 
to' the land of his nativity and there lived retired 
until called to his final home. He was a man of 
integrity and wherever he went he was respected 
by all with whom he came in contact. The sur- 
viving members of his family are Mrs. W'elling- 
ton and John H. Martin, the latter a retired bank- 
er, now residing in Tripoli, Iowa, where for many 
years he was engaged in the banking business, a 
pursuit that has always been followed by his son. 
He is now a very well-to-do man, with a desirable 
capital to supply him with all of the comforts and 
many of the luxuries of life, he is living retired. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wellington became the parents of 
two sons and two daughters. Charles, who died 
at the age of forty \ears, was a butcher in Rock- 
ford, Illinois, and also in Rockford, Iowa, his 
death occurring in the latter place. He married 
Eva Kaufman.' also now deceased, and they had 



^5° 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



'Mm 



one cliild, Mabe! Edmoiuls, who is liviii<j in Los 
Angeles, California, where .Mrs. Wellington oc- 
casionally visits. Mary E. became the wife of 
Milton E. Rowley and both are now deceased. 
They left a daughter. .Miss P.essie Rowley, who 
has always made her home with .Mrs. Wellington 
and is now twenty years of age. .AI)rahani h., 
who was a traveling salesman for a -Minneapolis 
candy firm, was killed in that city in the explosion 
of fireworks on tlie evening of July 4, 1890. 
Louise Ix'came the wife of William Criffin and 
died at the age of thirty-one years anil her hus- 
bc'ind is also deceased. 

Thomas Wellington, subsequent to his mar- 
riage, engaged in working at the stonecutter's 
trade and in the conduct of other business inter- 
ests in Rockford until after the inauguration of 
the Civil war. when his patriotic spirit having 
been aroused, he responded to the country's call 
for trooi)s in 1862, enlisting in the Eleventh Illi- 
nois Infantry under Captain .Andrews. His com- 
pany participated in a number of important en- 
gagements and while in camp at Shrevesport, 
Louisiana, Mr. Wellington was shot atul killed 
by one of his company on the eve of February 14, 
1865, his itmains being interred there. He was 
we'll known among the early settlers of Rockford 
as a man of genuine worth, of genial disposition 
and manly principles. .\ great lover of music, he 
p)ossessed a fine voice and was a favorite in musi- 
cal and social circles of the city. Though many 
years have passed away since he dejiarted this 
life, his memory is yet cherished by his widow 
and many friends. Mrs. Wellington <'.nd her 
granddaughter now reside at No. 1 14 North 
Third street. She owns ])roperty in Wavcrly. 
Iowa, which she inherited from her brother, Wil- 
liam Martin, and this brings her a good income. 
She is a member of the Centennial Methodist 
Episcopal church of Rockford. 



CHARLES FULLER. 

Charles Fuller, brother of Lemuel Fuller, and 
now following farming near the western limits 
of Rockford, was Ixjrn in Geneseo county, New 
York, I-\bruary 12. 1836. His father, John Ful- 
ler, was Ixjrn at Worthington, Hampshire county, 
Massachusetts, in 1800. while his wife, Mrs. Lucy 
(Wilder) Fuller, was born in Hampshire county, 
on the banks of the Westfield river, in ^lassa- 
chusetts. The I'ulkr family was of Ivnglish line- 
age, probably coming to .-Xmerica from Hamp- 
shire, England, and early ancestors ])articipated in 
the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, Lem- 
uel Fuller, was captain of a training coinpany in 
Hamjishire county. Massachusetts, in early mili- 
tia (lavs. In his familv were seven children, in- 



cluding Henry, Clara, -Eliza, .\ancy, Susan and 
.Mary. .After losing his first wife Lemuel Fuller 
married a Miss Smith, by whom he had two sons, 
Lemuel S. and Daniel P.. who died at the ages of 
seventy-five and seventy-three years, resjK'ctively. 

Henry Fuller was a prominent man of Illinois, 
having a wide acquaintance throughout the state, 
and he was one of the real upbuilders and pro- 
moters of the city of Chicago during the earlier 
epoch of its development. He secured the pas- 
sage of the famous lake front bill, which was a 
source of great benefit to the city. He was the 
president and principal stockholder of the Knick- 
erbocker Fire Insurance Company at the time of 
the great Chicago fire of 1871, whereby his for- 
tune, which had formerly amounted to millions, 
was greatly reduced. He became a resident of 
Chicago abcnit 1839, only two years after the in- 
corporation of the city, and there he conducted 
various business enterprises. He was proprietor 
of one of the first theaters there and he was in- 
strumental in constructing the first street railway, 
oi)crated by horses, built in the city of Giicago. 
In this he was connected with David Gage, Frank 
Parmelee and the celebrated Dr. Bigelow, of Bos- 
ton. Mr. Fuller, however, managed the business 
and finally jiurchased the interests of the other 
stockholders, becoming sole proprietor. He was 
also interested in banking and was a good busi- 
ness lawyer. His knowledge of legal principles 
led to his election to the bench in Michigan and 
he was commonly known as Judge Fuller. He 
also owned large lumber interests in Michigan 
and engaged to a greater or less extent in specu- 
lation. 

Henry Fuller was a most successful man and 
did much toward pushing forward the wheels of 
l)rogress in the voung city by the lake, contribut- 
ing in large measure toward its early development 
which in its gnwth and expansion has made the 
marvelous metropolis of to-day. He died at his 
home in Chicago about 1880. when seventy-five 
years of age. 

Charles I-'uller was reared in Rockford town- 
ship, W^innebago county, and has always fol- 
lowed farming as a business. He was married 
here to Miss Emma F., daughter of John and 
Rebecca (Marrow) Hamilton, of .\lbia. New 
York, who came from New York to Rockford 
when twelve years of age. In his jiolitical af- 
filiation he is a republican. 



D WTD schoo\m.\ki:k. 

David Schoonmaker, living retired at No. 1227 
Cros1)v street, in Rockford, after long connection 
with agricidtural interests, in which his labors 
brought him a very gratifying competence, was 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



251 



born October 31, 1849, •" Knox township, Alban}- 
county, New York. His father, Cherrick 
Schoonmaker, was born in Florida, Montgomery 
county, N^ew York, in 1824, and was of Dutch 
ancestry, but his father and grandfather were also 
born in Montgomery county. In 1855 Cherrick 
Schoonmaker came to the west in search of a lo- 
cation and ]:>urohased land in Owen township, 
Winnebago county. Hither he brought his fam- 
ily in 1857 and located on the farm which he had 
prepared. He lived in Owen township until 1880, 
when he purchased a farm on section 18, Harlem 
township, to which he removed, making his home 
there until his later years, when he located at La- 
tham Park. He died March 15, 1898, a most re- 
spected and worthy citizen of the community. 
His wife bore the maiden name of Charit>' Dar- 
ing and was a native of Wright, Schoharie coun- 
ty. New York, born January 5, 1827. Her par- 
ents were Frederick and Catherine Daring, who 
were also natives of the Empire state. The 
daughter Charity gave her hand in marriage to 
Mr. Schoonmaker on the 19th of August, 1848, 
and they traveled life's journey together as man 
and wife for almost a half century. Mrs. Schoon- 
maker is now living at Latham Park and is a hale 
and active old lady, doing lier own housework. 
By her marriage she became the mother of two 
sons, of whom Frederick Schoonmaker is now 
living on a part of the old homestead in Harlem 
township. He married Miss Minnie Bryden, a 
daughter of James Bryden, and they have two 
sons. 

David Schoonmaker came west with his par- 
ents in 1857 when a youth of seventeen years and 
lived upon ihe home farm in Owen township un- 
til 1880, when he removed to the farm which his 
father purchased in Harlem township and there 
he resided until 1897. He was throughout the 
period of liis active business career engaged in 
general farming and his labors were carefully 
directed, so that he secured a comfortable compe- 
tence as the years passed by. He was practical In 
all of his work, systematic in everything relating 
to the improvement and cultivation of the farm 
and enterprising in everything that he undertook. 
At length he retired from the farm and removed 
to Latham Park in order to care for his parents 
who were living there. On the 8th of November, 
1904, he removed to the city of Rockford. where 
he is now living with his estimable wife in a 
comfortable home at 1227 Crosby street. His 
farm comprises one hundred and sixty-three 
acres in section 18, Harlem township, and brings 
to him a good rental. 

On the 23d of November, 1886, Mr. Schoon- 
maker was married to Miss Ida Wright, a daugh- 
ter of Solomon and Eliza Wright, of Rockford 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker attend the 



Baptist church and he is a member of camp No. 
616, M. W. A., at Latham Park. In politics he 
has always been a stalwart republican and while 
at Latham Park served as postmaster from the 
15th of June, 1898, until the ist of July, 1904. 
He was also for three years road commissioner 
in Harlem township, for many years was school 
director and likewise filled the ofhce of justice 
of the peace, discharging every duty that de- 
volved upon him with promptness and fidelity. 
His faithfulness to every trust has been one of 
his marked characteristics and his business record, 
political service and private life are alike above 
reproach. 



HENRY ^l. BRINKERHOFF. 

Henry M. Brinkerhofif, deceased, who was en- 
gaged in the dairy business in Rockford for sev- 
eral years, was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 
January 5, 1856, his parents l^eing John M. and 
Alargaret (Creswell) Brinkerhofif. The mother 
died in the Keystone state when her son Henry 
was but eight years of age. The father afterward 
carried on agricultural pursuits in Pennsylvania 
until 1887, when he came west with his son 
Henry and settled at Franklin Grove, Illinois, 
where he lived retired until the son removed to 
Rockford, the father accompanying him. There 
he also lived retired until his death, which oc- 
curred December 24, 1894. 

Henry M. Brinkerhofif was a student in the 
common schoools near Gettysburg and in his 
youth assisted in the operation of the home farm 
until the father sold the property in 1887. As 
stated, they came together to Illinois and the sub- 
ject of this review secured a position as baggage 
man for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway 
Company at Franklin Grove. Later he was 
transferred to Dixon, Illinois, where he occupied 
a similar position for the same corporation for 
about two years. He then removed to Rockford 
in 1890 and entered into partnership with his 
brother-in-law, W. A. Moore, in the establish- 
ment and conduct of a grocery store at the north- 
west corner of Church and State streets. They 
engaged in business there for two years, at the 
end of which time Mr. Brinkerhofif sold his inter- 
est to Mr. Sharp, but continued in the store as an 
employe for a brief period. He then turned his 
attention to the dairy business at No. 826 Mul- 
berry street and used several milk wagons in the 
delivery of the dairy products, being accorded a 
yen,' liberal patronage. He engaged in business 
up to the time of his death and was quite success- 
ful, his labors bringing to him a good financial 
return annually. 

Mr. Brinkerhofif was married in Franklin 



^5^ 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Grove to JMiss Flora \'. Plank, a native of Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, and a daugflUir of George 
and Tirzali (Kittinger) Plank, both of wbom 
were natives of Peinisylvania. wbere tbe fatbcr 
followed farming tbroughoiil his entire life. He 
died in that state and bis widow is still residing 
upon the old bonie farm tbere. Mr. and Mrs. 
I'lrinkerhotT bad one daugbter. Tirzab. who is 
living at brme wilb her motlier. 

The death of Mr. Urinkerholt occurred on tbe 
6th of March, 1905. He was a member of the 
Woodmen camp and tbe Fraternal League, both 
of Rockford, and he gave his political allegiance 
to the republican party, but never sought or de- 
sired office. He was known throughout his home 
neighborhood as the "early riser," as be always 
liad his milk wagons out at a very early hour. 
His close application to bis work and his unre- 
mitting diligence undermined his health. On the 
1st of September, 1904. be i)urcbase(l a residence 
at No. 713 Rockton avenue, where bis widow and 
daughter now reside. Mrs. I'rinkerboff is a mem- 
ber of tbe German Baptist church of Rockford 
and is living with her daughter in the home pre- 
pared for her by her husband, together with her 
two cousins. Raphael Kittinger an<l Nancy Ber- 
ger. 



TERE^^AH DAVIS. 



Jeremiah Davis, tbe founder of the town of 
Davis Junction. Illinois, and now an esteemed a 
and valued resident of Rockford. was born in 
Steuben county. New York, June 12, 1826. When 
thirteen years of age be accompanied his par- 
ents on their removal to Milton. Rock county, 
Wisconsin, and continued his education, begun 
in the schools of his native state, in tbe public 
schools of Milton and in the academy tbere. His 
first active business venture was the purchase of 
eighty acres of land, wliicb he cultivated until 
1850. when be made an overland trip to Cal- 
ifornia in company with L. P. Knowlton. of 
Waterloo. Wisconsin. He was attracted to the 
far west by the discovery of gold, and, locating 
a miner's claim near Georgetown. California, he 
spent a year in a successful search for tbe pre- 
cious metal. Having established a residence in 
the territory he therefore bad a right of fran- 
chise, and voted for the adoption of tbe first 
constitution of the state, in September. 1850. 

Subsetiueutly Mr. Davis returned to the mid- 
dle west, again taking up his abode at Milton, 
Wisconsin, wbere he remaitied until 1859, when 
be removed to ( )gle county, Illinois, securing a 
tract of land on which be carried on general ag- 
ricultural pursuits. When the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & St. Paul Railroad was projected in 1874 
be laid out and founrled the town of Davis Junc- 
tion, which vet bears his name. In the mean- 



time he had purchased farm land at dilTerent 
intervals until his realty holdings in that locality 
were valuable and extensive, barming has been 
his real life work, and it is along this line that 
be has acquired a competence that now classes 
him with the substantial citizens of northern Il- 
linois. In the year 1881 be removed to Rock- 
ford, establishing bis home at No. 216 North 
Second street, where he has since resided, and his 
excellent qualities have made him well and fa- 
vorably known in this city. 

While residing in Milton Mr. Davis was united 
in marriage to Miss Jane Goodrich, of that city, 
a daughter of the Hon. Joseph Goodrich. 
The wedding was celebrated in the sjjring 
of 1852. and as the years passed they became the 
parents of eight children, si.x of whom are now 
living: J. Milton, of Davis Junction; Mrs. Alice 
Woodman, now residing in Chicago ; Henry G., 
a ])ract icing physician of Monroe Center, Illi- 
nois ; Charles E. ; Elbert Lincoln, residing at 
Davis Junction ; and Mrs. Mabel Vandemark, of 
Rockford. 

In matters of citizenship Mr. Davis has always 
been progressive, active and helpful, and while 
living in Ogle county he represented the town 
of Scott on the board of supervisors for eight 
years. He was also elected to represent bis dis- 
trict in the state legislature, serving in 1871-2 
and after his removal to Rockford was elected 
to the city council from the first ward in 1885. 
His official service has ever been characterized 
by an unfaltering devotion to duty prompted by a 
deep interest in the welfare and ])rogress of his 
community. He has been a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity for many years, and is a mem- 
ber of the Western Society of California Pio- 
neers. He has passed the seventy-ninth mile- 
stone of life's journey, and receives from young 
and old. rich and poor the respect and veneration 
which should ever be accorded one of advanced 
years whose career has been characterized by all 
that is manly and straightforward in his relations 
with his fellowmen. In his business career he 
made good use of bis opportunities, prospering 
from year to year, nor has never permitted tbe ac- 
cumulation of a comi)clence to effect in any way 
bis actions toward those less successful than he. 
.\lthougb now in his eightieth year Mr. Davis 
is a well preserved man, having never used to- 
bacco or intoxicating licjuor in any form, and is 
still active, giving his attention to his business in- 
terests. 



HON. HENRY ANDRl'S. 

Hon. Henry Audrus, whose name figures in 
the history of legislation in Illinois, and who is 
to-dav one of tbe most honorable and honored 
citizens of \\'innebago countv. was born in Har- 






^^A^^-L^a^y, 



^i^n- 



a,yt/l^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



255 



lem on the 4tli of November, 1844. His youth 
was quietly passed, his time being largely de- 
voted to the actiuircment of an education in the 
public schools an<l to the work of the home farm, 
with which he early became familiar. In early 
manhood his entire attention was devoted to agri- 
cultural pursuits and he resided upon his farm 
up to the time of his marriage in 1868. He then 
removed to Pecatonica, where he remained for six 
years, and on the expiration of that period he 
resumed agricultural pursuits in Cherry Valley 
township, where he owned a productive tract of 
land. That place continued to be his home until 
his removal to Rockford and its further develop- 
ment and improvement occupied his energies with 
the result that the property became very valuable. 

Air. Andrns' devotion to the general good and 
his fitness for leadership led to his selection for 
public offices of honor and trust. He was elected 
supervisor of the township of Cherry Valley for 
nineteen years and during that period he was for 
seven consecutive vears honored by the board with 
its chairmanship, a distinction that has not been 
conferred upon any other man serving as super- 
visor in Winnebago count)-. In 1896 he was 
elected to represent his district in the general as- 
sembly of Illinois and that he won the approval 
of his constituents and the public in general is 
shown by the fact that he was re-elected in 1898, 
while in 1900 he was elected to the upper hoii;c 
and represented the tenth senatorial district until 
January i, 1905. He has been actively concern- 
ed in constructive legislation and was an earn- 
est working member of the senate. Among the 
important measures which have been enacted into 
laws through his etlorts is the enabling act, which 
gave the people of \\'innebago county the right 
and privilege of voting for an appropriation by the 
board of supervisors of a sum of money for the 
building of a memorial hall in memory of the sol- 
diers and sailors of this county. He also secured 
the passage of the act providing for the building 
of a monument at Stillman \'alley. He is a stu- 
dent of social economy and political questions and 
is thoroughly conversant with the more impor- 
tant issues of the day. Every measure which was 
introduced received from him careful considera- 
tion and when once he determined upon a course 
that he believed would prove beneficial to the 
state he never wavered in his allegiance thereto. 
He was one of the strong and able members of 
the senate and although he did not seek the fame 
that arose from brilliant oratorical efforts, he was 
known as one of the earnest working men of the 
upper house. 

Air. .Andrus was married in 1868, the lady of 
his choice being Aliss Jennie Love. The}- have 
two living children — a daughter, Mrs. Edith 
Scott, who resides on a farm in Cherry Valley; 



and a son, Dr. S. C. Andrus, a prominent physi- 
cian of Rockford. Mr. Andrus' name is on the 
membership roll of the Elks lodge, the Modern 
Woodmen camp and the Masonic fraternity, and 
in the last named he has attained high rank, being 
now a thirty- second-degree Alason. He has won 
distinction in the fields of political life and is to- 
day numbered among the leading influential and 
honored citizens of Rockford. He is recognized 
as a leader in public thought and action and is 
moreover known for his ]3ublic-spirited devotion 
to all that pertains to the welfare of the county 
and the commonwealth. 



F. ^^^ rockaa^ell. 



F. W. Rockwell, following farming in Rock- 
ton township and rendering valuable service to 
his comniunity in the position of supervisor, 
comes of a family that through many generations 
has been distinctively American, both in its lineal 
and collateral branches. His great-great-great- 
grandfather, William Rockwell, was the first 
planter of Windsor, Connecticut, and was the 
ancestor of the family in New England. He is a 
meniber of the church of that organization 
formed in the new hospital at Plyn-iouth, Eng- 
land, by the Rev. Mr. Warhan as pastor, and with 
Air. Alaverick as teacher. This congregation 
emigrated in a body to America in 1630. They 
landed at Nantucket. Massachusetts, and soon aft- 
erward made settlement in what is now Dorches- 
ter, in that state, where they remained until 1836. 
In the latter part of the year the greater part of 
the colonv removed to W'indsor, Connecticut, and 
AA'illiam Rockwell became a planter there. His 
second son, Samuel Rockwell, married Hepzibah 
Pratt, and they were the parents of Alartin Rock- 
well, the great-grandfather of our subject. He 
wedded Alay Burrell, and their son, William 
Rockwell, married Alaria Roberts. Of their fam- 
ilv only one is now living, Susan AI. Rockwell, 
who makes her home in Jersey Cit\-, New Jersey. 

Alartin Rockwell, son of William and Alaria 
(Roberts) Rockwell, was born in Coldbrook, 
Connecticut, and -\vas united in marriage to Aliss 
Alalissa ^^'. Talcott, a native of Rockton. Illinois, 
and a daugh'er of Sylvester Talcott. Her father 
and his brother, Vs'aite Talcott, were very early 
settlers of AA'innebago county, and were success- 
ful in their business'afifairs, becoming prosperous 
citizens. At his death Sylvester Talcott left a 
very large estate, which was under the super- 
vision of'^F. W. Rockwell. It passed to Sylvester 
Talcott"s wife and when she died to F. A\'. Rock- 
well and his mother, who still retain it. 

F. \\'. Rockwell is the only child that was 



256 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



born unio his parents. His youth was passed in 
Rockton and in Minnesota, but subsequently he 
rcturnetl to J'^ockton, wiiere he has since followed 
agricultural pursuits, and since the death of his 
g-randmother, from whom he inherited a larg-e 
tract of land, he has managed the estate, which 
is extensive and valuable. In this connection he 
disi)lays excellent business ability and executive 
force and is regarded as one of the represnta- 
tive leading citizens of his community. 

In i8«>9 Mr. Rockwell was united in marriage 
to Miss Florence Wilford. a native of Wisconsin. 
In politics he is an earnest republican, keeping 
well informed on the f|uestions and issues of the 
day and at this writing he is ser\-ing as supervisor 
of Rockton townshiji. He had filled the office for 
two years, when in 1905 he was re-elected for a 
second term. lie has also been a member of the 
village board and has been town clerk for sev- 
eral years, discharging the duties of these posi- 
tions in a capable manner, which indicates his 
public-spirited interest in the general welfare. 
The circle of his acquaintance is an extensive one 
and his friends are almost equally numerous, for 
in this county where nnich of his life has been 
passed he has the favorable regard and good will 
of a large number of those with whom he has 
been brought in contact. 



CLINTON HELM, M. D. 

Clinton Hcliu, M. D.. who since 1878 has en- 
joyed a substantial practice as a member of the 
medical fraternity at Rockford, was bom in 
Schoharie county. New York, in 1829. His 
father. Woodhul! Helm, was born in Orange 
county, \cw York, in 1777. and was of English 
and Irish lineage. The English branch of the 
family received a coat of anns as a reward for 
distinguished service to the state. Woodhull 
Helm was a member of the state militia for many 
years, and rose to the rank of captain. He was 
three tiiues married, his third wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Miss Lucy Ruggles, being the 
mother of Dr, Helm, who was the youngest mem- 
ber of the family. About 1835 the father re- 
moved to Jersey county, Illinois, and in 1837 to 
Ogle county, this state, where his remaining davs 
were passed. He died in Byron in 1845. when 
sixty-eight years of age. 

Dr. Clinton Helm was a lad of six years when 
brought by his parents to Illinois, and his early 
education, obtained in the common schools, was 
supplemented by study in Rockford Academy. 
I^ter he entered upon preparation for his chosen 
profession as a student in the office of Dr. Lucius 
Clark, of this city, and his later reading and in- 
vestigation were carried on as a student in the 
medical department of the L^niversity of Iowa, at 
Keokuk, in 1852. Following his graduation. Dr. 



Helm located for practice in Oregon, Ogle county, 
Illinois, and afterward removed to Byron, whence 
he later went to Beloit, Wisconsin, remaining for 
eight years as a practitioner of that city, his pat- 
ronage constantly growing in volume and impor- 
tance. It was alxjut the end of that time when, in 
September. 1862, he rceived appointiuent from 
Governor Yates to the jiosition of sergeant of the 
Ninety-second Illinois Infantry, and during the 
succeeding year he was with that command in all 
of its marches and battles. On the 20th of Sep- 
tember. 1863. he was captured by the Confeder- 
ates at Chickamauga. Tennessee, and spent two 
months in Libby prison. During the last vear of 
the war he was with General Kilpatrick's com- 
mand as inedical director, and was honorably dis- 
charged June 21. 1865. having rendered valuable 
aid to his country by the exercise of his profes- 
sional skill among the ill and wounded. 

When the war was over Dr. Helm returned to 
Byron, and in 1878 became a resident of Rock- 
ford, where he has since practiced his profession. 
He was not long in demonstrating to the public 
lus thorough understanding of the principles of 
medicine, and his correct application of their use 
as remedial agencies, and his business steadilv 
grew. He is a member of the Winnebago County 
Medical Society, and is called in consultation in 
critical cases over a wide area of country. There 
had been great changes made in the methods of 
])racticc during the years of his connection with 
the profession, and Dr. Helm has kept in touch 
with the onward march of progress. 

Dr. Helm was married in 1852 to Miss Hannah 
S. Poyneer, a native of Connecticut, and of 
French lineage. She was a lady of superior cul- 
ture and refinement, kindly in manner, charitable 
in disposition, helpful and Ix-nevolent in action. 
Both the Doctor and Mrs. Ileliu held membership 
in the Second Congregational church, and were 
foremost in charitable work here. They became 
the parents of six children, five of whom are liv- 
ing: Minnie F... wife of E. J. White, of Chi- 
cago: Clinton, a practicing dentist of Rockford; 
Eva, wife of Charles McGlashan : Harry S. and 
Willis. Mrs. Helm died in July, 1899. her death 
being deeplv deplored bv many who had come 
to know and love her during the years of her resi- 
dence in Rockford. Dr. Helm maintains his 
home at No. 62?: Mulberry street, and in the 
comnnmity is ]ironiinent professionally and so- 
cially, his uiiriffht life justly entitling him to the 
esteem in wliich he is held. 



JOHN F. .\Nn GEORGE P. McMAHON. 

Jolin F. and George P. McMahon are repre- 
sentative far-uers of Burritt township, living on 
section 27 where they own and cultivate one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of rich productive land. John 




DR. CLINTON HELAi. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



259 



F. McMahon was born in November, 1873. upon 
the old homestead farm where he yet resides, and 
the birth of George P. McMahon occurred 
March 14, 1877. Their father, Hugh McMahon, 
was a native of Ireland, born in January, 1846, 
and with his parents he came to the United States 
in 1853, being then a youth of seven years. He 
remamed under the parental roof until 1862, 
when at the early age of sixteen years he re- 
sponded to the call of his adopted country for 
aid and enlisted in the Union army, becoming a 
member of the Ninetieth Volunteer Infantry. He 
was n:ade sergeant of Conipany A and color 
bearer of his regiment and served with the army 
until the close of the war, proving a loyal and 
valorous soldier. He participated in twenty-one 
engagements, beginning with Vicksburg and 
ending at Bentonville, North Carolina. He was 
with Sherman throughout his campaign to At- 
lanta, on to the sea and through the Carolinas 
and was also with General Sherman's division in 
the grand review at Washington, D. C, where 
the president viewed the victorious army march- 
ing through the streets of the capital city. 

When the war was over Hugh McMahon re- 
turned to Winnebago county and was employed 
at farm labor until his industry and economy had 
brought him capital sufficient to purchase a home. 
In 1870 he became the owner of what is now the 
old McMahon homestead and lived thereon for a 
number of years, placing many modern improve- 
ments on the farm. He is now, however, living re- 
tired, leaving the active work of the farm to his 
sons, his home being at No. 318 Rockton avenue 
in Rockford. He has been quite prominent and in- 
fluential in local community affairs and for eight 
years served as justice of the peace, his decisions 
being characterized by a strict regard to the 
equity as well as the law in the case. He has also 
been school director for many terms and on the 
1st of July, 1903, he was appointed to a position 
in the rural free delivery postal service. In poli- 
tics he has alwavs been a stanch democrat and he 
and his familv are members of the Catholic 
church, belonging to St. Mary's parish in Rock- 
ford. 

John F. and George P. McMahon are with 
one exception the eldest members of the family 
and the others are as follows : James F., who was 
born November 26, 1873, and was married, 
February 7, 1901, to Miss Nellie Steifman. a 
daughter of John and Mary Steifman, of Bur- 
ritt, while their home is now in the village of 
Winnebago ; Charles H., who was born May 
7, i88t, and is living with his parents in Rock- 
ford; Mary E., who was born December 17, 
1882, and is at home : and Thomas Joseph and 
David Henry, who died in infancy. 

John F. and George P. McMahon were reared 



upon the old family homestead. They were 
students in the public schools of the neighbor- 
hood in their boyhood days and through the 
months of summer assisted in the work of the 
fields. They are now in charge of the home 
property, cultivating one hundred and sixty acres 
of land which is rich and arable. In all of their 
work they are practical and the eft'orts of the 
one ably supplement the labors of the other. 

John F. McMahon was married. May 2, 1905, 
to Miss Helen E. Redmond, a daughter of Henry 
and Julia Redmond, of Rockford, Illinois, who 
are members of old families of the city. Her 
birth occurred October 12, 1879, and she has 
always lived in this county. John McMahon is 
now serving his second term as justice of the 
peace and his third term as school director. The 
brothers are both advocates of democratic prin- 
ciples and are members of St. Mary's Catholic 
church of Rockford. They are wide-awake and 
enterprising young business men, widely and 
favorably known in the locality where they re- 
side and where they are so directing their efforts 
as to win creditable prosperity. 



HUGH McMICHAEL. 

Hugh McMichael is the owner of a farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Win- 
nebago township, and' his labors have made it a 
valuable property, well equipped with modern ac- 
cessories and conveniences. Mr. McMichael ar- 
rived in Winnebago county in 185 1 and for ten 
years was a resident of Rockford. He is a native 
of Scotland, his birth having occurred in Argyle- 
shire in 1830. His parents were Hugh and 
Nancy fMcDougall) McMichael. The "mother 
died in Scotland, after which the father came to 
this country in 1853 and resided in Winnebago 
county, Illinois, up to the time of his death, which 
occurred in Harlem township, in 1879, when he 
was about eighty-four years of age. In his fam- 
ily v/ere six children, who came to America, 
namely : Malcolm, now living in Rockford ; Neil, 
a farmer residing on the old homestead in Har- 
lem township : Elizabeth, who died in the Scotch 
settlement in this county in 1857; Mrs. Archie 
Stewart, now a resident of Minnesota ; and Don- 
ald, who afterward returned to Scotland, where 
he died in 1803. 

Hugh McMichael spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth in the land of hills and 
heather and learned the blacksmith's trade 
in that country. He crossed the Atlantic in 
1851 and, making his way to this county, 
was for the succeeding decade a resident 
of Rockford, following the blacksmith's trade 
in that city. He then took up his abode in 



26o 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



Harlem township, north of Art,'-yle. wliere he re- 
sided for four years, while later he spent fourteen 
years in Owen towTiship, where lie was engaged 
in general farming. He removed to his present 
farm in 1880 and has since made it his home. He 
now has one htindrcd and sixty acres of land on 
section 21, Winnebago township, and this is well 
improved largdy through his own efforts. He 
also owns another tract of ninety-eight acres in 
the same township and he operates the entire 
amoimt, giving his time and energies to general 
farming with excellent success. 

Mr. McMichael was married in this county to 
Miss Mar^• Hill, wlio was born in Arg)leshire, 
Scotland, and came to America in 1858. They 
have si.v children, all of whom are living. Daniel, 
a resident of Rockford, employed in the tin shop 
of John Rawlstou. married a .Miss Henderson, 
who resided near Caledonia, Illinois, and they 
have two daughters. Ellen and Edith. Agnes is 
residing at home. Hugh is following farming 
on his father's land. Lizzie is the wife of James 
McXair, a resident fanner of Winnebago town- 
ship, and they have two chililren. Jean and Rob- 
ert. John, engaged in the real-estate business, 
makes his home at Cedar Falls. South Dakota. 
James is now a .student in a dental college in Los 
Angeles, California. 

In his political views .Mr. McMichael has al- 
ways been a democrat since becoming a natural- 
ized American citizen and he has filled several 
township offices in a creditable manner, faith- 
fully discharging every duty that has devolved 
upon him. Both he and his wife are members of 
the Winnebago Presbyterian church, interested 
and active in its work. 



THEODORE E. BUCKBEE. 

Among the early settlers in beautiful Winne- 
bago county, famed far and wide as one of the 
garden spots of Illinois, was Jesse Buckbee. A 
far-seeing man, whose tendencies were agricul- 
tural, the new country, to which he was aljoul 
to remove his family, presented immense possi- 
bilities to him and to an extent it can be truly 
said that the city of Rockford and the entire 
country, of which it is the natural capital and 
trade center, stand, in these latter days, a nioini- 
ment to the business sagacity of the Xew York 
farmer who. anticipating Horace Greeley's since 
famous advice, had given up his eastern home 
and had come west to grow up with the country. 
For he had no sooner thoroughly inspected the 
country in the region round about Rockford, 
then but a village, than he i)urcliased a full sec- 
tion of land to the immediate south, set uf) a 
farm upon it and a home for his family. That 
land is now largely within the corporate limits 



of Rockford, much of it is taken up by splendid 
homes and the city has spread to the south, the 
east and the west until the old homestead is 
fairly surrounded and is no longer "out in the 
country." On the site which was once a pasture 
ticld of the lidme farm stands one of the largest 
buildings in Rockford, in which a grandson of 
Jesse Buckbee conducts a business whose opera- 
tions extend to every section of the United 
States, Canada and lands across the sea. 

John, the first of the Ikickbee family known 
to America, settled on .Manhattan Island in the 
seventeenth century, having come from luigland. 
The second generation from John brought the 
descent to Russell Buckbee, who gained fame 
as a lieutenant in the Revolution. He participated 
in the battle of Trenton, where he was taken 
prisoner by the Hessians. An exchange of pris- 
oners released him from the guardship where he 
had been contined. and after the close of the war 
he settled in Orange county, Xew York, where 
his son, Jesse, was born. The latter grew to 
manhood in Monroe county. New York, at Buck- 
bee's Corners, near Chili Center, fourteen miles 
southwest from Rochester, and there, June 22, 
1833. Theodore E. was born, the seventh of nine 
children. In 1844 the family removed to the 
west, traveling by wagon to Buffalo, thence by 
way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, thence 
overland again to Janesville, Wisconsin. The 
children who made the journey were Charles W., 
I'Vaucis v.. Theodore E. and Eleanor. The first 
named, who became quite prominent in Rock- 
ford business affairs, died in 1887, a bachelor, 
and is buried here. Francis A. is a highly re- 
spected resident of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and 
for years has been one of the leading attorneys 
of Walworth county. Eleanor (Mrs. John 
Ames), aged eighty-four, and the oldest of the 
family, resides at Nora, near Stoughton, Wis- 
a>nsin. Theodore E. died in Rockford, June 6, 
1904, and is buried here. The mother of these 
children. Mary Secor. daughter of French par- 
ents, was a most estimable woman, and her char- 
acter and guiding ability are reflected in the up- 
right and ever honorable lives of her sons and 
her daughter. She died in Rockford in 1875, at 
the ripe age of eighty-four. 

When Jesse Buckbee. through a letter of in- 
troduction to the late Horace Miller, had an 
excellent opportunity to view the land around 
Rockford. he forthwith decided to settle, and 
accordingly purchased the section of land hereto- 
fore mentioned, removing his family to the new 
home from Janesville by ox team, and reaching 
Rockford February 22. 1843. Here Theodore 
made his habitation continuously until his death, 
and his life was closely and almost entirely inter- 
woven with the growth and material progress 
of the citv. No man ever lived who had more 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



261 



friends in Winnebago county nor whom more 
thoroughly deserved to have them. His advice in 
business and pubHc affairs was sought eagerly and 
often and those who followed it had no regrets. 
A pioneer republican, whose first son, as a happy 
omen, was born on the very day that saw the 
election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of 
the United States, he was active in the councils 
of his party for over forty years, and for more 
than thirty years was chairman of its town com- 
mittee. As a member of the board of supervisors 
(for many years its chairman), he served the 
public with fidelity and unquestioned integrity. 
He was chairman when the splendid memorial 
hall was erected in Rockford to commemorate the 
valor of the soldiers and sailors of Winnebago 
county, and at its dedication, June, 1893, intro- 
duced to the audience Theodore Roosevelt, the 
orator of the day. As an officer and director 
of the Winnebago County Fair Association he 
paid special attention to the speed department and 
brought it up to a high standard, serving the 
society until it finally passed out of existence. 
He also served as director of the Mechanics' Fur- 
niture Company. 

His home life was ideal. In i860, on Febru- 
ary II, he was married to Katherine Elizabeth 
Allington, who was born at Van Etten, New 
York, and was a daughter of Jacob and Kath- 
erine (Westbrook) Allington. Her father was 
from a sturdy Scotch family. Her mother was a 
daughter of David Westbrook and ]\Iary Dimon. 
Jacob Allington was a son of Elizabeth Swart- 
wood, whose ancestor, Peter Swartwood, was 
one of the four original Swarthwoods who emi- 
grated from Holland to America long before 
the Revolutionary war, and Peter's grandson 
Jacob, became a general in that successful 
struggle for freedom. A member of this same 
Swartwood family married Kathenne Van 
Auken, one of the heroines of the Revolution. 
Mrs. Buckbee still makes her home in Rockford. 
Her only children are two sons — Hiram W., born 
November 6, i860, and John T., born August 
I, 1 87 1, both residents and prominent business 
men of Rockford. The immense seed business 
conducted by them under the name of H. W. 
Buckbee, with its collateral branches, Rockford 
Seed Farms and Forest City greenhouses, is one 
of the most important merchandising institutions, 
not only of Rockford, but of Illinois, and for 
that matter, of the United States. Hiram W. 
was married September 15, 1885, to Mary, daugh- 
ter of Judge William Brown. John T. was mar- 
ried, November 2, 1897, to Florence, daughter 
of Dr. and Mrs. Fisk H. Day, of Lansing, ]\Iich- 
igan. Two children, Francis and Mary, have 
been born to them, the former in 1899, the lat- 
ter in 1901. 

Of the inception and growth of the H. W. 



Buckbee seed business it may be well to say 
that the former was the work of growing seeds 
on the farm by the father, the latter the determi- 
nation to make a life work of it in larger form 
by the son Hiram. With the latter John T. has 
been associated for many years. Under skillful 
guidance the institution, which had such a mod- 
est begimiing has grown to real greatness in its 
particular line, and has carried the historic name 
of Buckbee to almost every quarter of the globe. 



JACOB A. REHM. 



Jacob A. Rehm, following farming on sec- 
tion 8, Harlem township, was born in Chicago, 
Illinois, March i, 1884, and resided at Blue 
Island until his removal to Harlem township in 
1904. His grandfather, Jacob Rehm, was born 
in Alsace, France, December 6, 1828, and mar- 
ried Philloppina Richenbacker, a native of 
Germany now living in Chicago. The grand- 
father was a prominent business man of that 
city, as is Jacob A. Rehm, the father of our 
subject. When a young man the former drove 
a team to Galena, Illinois, taking emigrants to 
that place and passed through Rockford on the 
trip. He was then about fourteen years of age. 
He came to the United States in 1837 and after 
living in Naperville, Illinois, for two years the 
family removed to Chicago. When a youth he 
hauled water from Lake Michigan to the homes 
of people in the embryo city, selling it by the 
barrel. As the years have passed and the city 
has grown he has developed extensive and im- 
portant business interests and is now a pros- 
perous man. Jacob F. Rehm was born in Chi- 
cago, September 2, 1853, and is now the vice- 
president of the National Brewing Association. 
Throughout his entire business life he has been 
connected with the brewing business and has 
met with splendid success. He married Minnie 
Wuest, who was born in Chicago, September 
ID, 1858, and they still reside in that city. They 
have two sons and a daughter : Jacob A. ; Walter 
A., who was born December 31, 1886, and is now 
a student in Wisconsin State University ; and 
Clara Louisa, who was born November 2, 1882, 
and is at home. 

Jacob A. Rehm resided in Blue Island, a 
suburb of Chicago. He was a student in the 
ward schools of Blue Island and afterward at- 
tended the Lake Mew high school of ChicagxD 
and subsequently the Illinois Agricultural Col- 
lege, a department of the State LTniversity. He 
then returned to Blue Island, where he remained 
until 1904, when he removed to Winnebago 
county, settling in Harlem township. He is now 
extensively and successfully engaged in general 
agricultural pursuits and in the breeding of 



262 



PAST A\n PRESENT OF WTXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



registered blooded stock, making a specialty of 
Angus cattle, Shropshire sheep and Berkshire 
hogs. His business interests are well conducted 
and his keen foresight and executive ability are 
noticably characteristic in his work. He be- 
longs to the Country Club of Rockford and is 
a member of the Xational College I-'raternity. 
His pt)litical allegiance is given to the republican 
party and while not an aspirant for oftice he is 
interested in its success. A young man, alert 
and enterprising, with laudable ambition, he has 
alread) attained a creditable measure of pros- 
perity which will undoubtedly be augmented in 
the future. 



I II RAM II. \V.\LD(). 

Hiram II. Waldo, the youngest son of Hiram 
and Uulcina Waldo, was born in Elba, Genesee 
county, Xew York, on the 23d day of Xovem- 
ber, 1827. He was educated in a country school 
and attended one term at Carey Collegiate Semi- 
nary in Alabama, Genesee county, Xew York. 
Having read glowing accounts of Rock river 
valley, Illinois, he was seized with the pioneer 
spirit and emigrated to Rockford, Illinois, in 
1846, with the distinct purpose oi teaching school. 
On arriving in Rockford he was examined by 
Goodvear .\. Sanford, then school commissioner, 
and was granted a certificate of com])etency to 
teach school under the re(|uircments of the 
school laws then existing in Illinois. He tauglit 
successively and successfully at Whig Hill, Rock- 
ford, Cherry Valley, Guilford and Harlem, and 
was the assistant of C, A. Huntington and Seeley 
I'errv in the Rockford .\cademy. a private school 
where scholars were prepared for college. Samuel 
Montague, chief engineer of the Union Pacific 
Railroad and Alexander Kerr, professor in 
Greek of Madison University, were his class- 
mates. Mr. Waldo prepared himself in the 
Rockford Academy for P.eloit College, but being 
offered a handsome salary to accept a situation 
in the Chicago postoffice, he abandoned his col- 
lege career. He was foreman of the western dis- 
tribution department for two years, and then 
returned to Rockford to take charge of the 
Rockford postoffice under the postmastership of 
C. I. Horsman. 

Mr. Waldo was elected to the office of school 
commissioner in 1856. and held the office by 
election and apjiointment for eight years, and 
during that time he assisted Xcwton Bateman and 
Simeon Wright in framing the first free school 
law adopted by the Illinois legislature. On Sep- 
temlier i. 1855. he established a book store at 
205 West State street, but moved, in 1859, to 
hi.s ])resent location, at 304 West State street, 
and Mr. Waldo is now celebrating his fiftieth 



anniversary as a bookseller and claims that he 
antedates any other book store in the state in 
continuous business under one firm name. 

In 1853 Mr. Waldo was married to Miss 
Olive S. True, of Lewiston, Maine. His wife's 
death occurred in September. 1835. In 1858 he 
was married to Miss Sarah E. llulett, of .\lbion, 
Michigan. Mr. Waldo was a re])ublican in 
politics until Horace Greeley was nominated by 
the democratic party, and since that time he has 
been an independent and voted for those men 
who were opposed to the protective tariff and in 
fa\dr of a sound and not a fictitious money basis. 
Mr. Waldo's religious affiliations are with the 
church of the Christian Union, which was or- 
ganized September i, 1870. He was a charter 
member and has not missed a Sunday service 
since its organization up to date. October 15, 
1905. Mr. Waldo has never sought any political 
office since his retirement from the office of 
school commissioner but without his solicitation 
he was a])pointc(l receiver of the Second Xational 
Bank by Hon. James H. Eckels, then comptroller 
of the currency, and was continued in the office 
by Hon. Charles G. Dawes until its final settle- 
ment. 

Mr. Waldo is now seveiUy-eiglU years old and 
attends regularly to his daily business duties and 
wishes to do so as long as he can do business 
intelligently. He is not an advocate of "re- 
tiring" from business but rather for "continu- 
ing" in business as long as his health and strength 
will permit. Mr. Waldo said to the writer that 
the supreme desire of his life was to cultivate 
an optimistic spirit and become the possessor 
of a cheerful old age. Although Mr. Waldo is 
on the "last leaf" on the tree of business pioneers 
at Rockford he does not look "sad and wan" 
nor have the "melancholy grin" that character- 
ized the "Last Leaf," written about by Oliver 
Wendell Holmes. 



JOSEPH W. IRX'IXE. 

Through a number of years Joseph W. Irvine 
was known as a promoter of industrial and com- 
mercial activity in this city and through his 
financial assistance, wise counsel and able man- 
agement contributed to tlie business development 
which has made Rockford a leading productive 
center of Illinois. To the interests which claimed 
his attention he brought careful consideration 
and keen discrimination, and he would never tol- 
erate any methods save those which would bear 
the closest scrutiny, so that be won success and 
an honored name .simultaneously. Mr. Irvine 
was born in Belleville. Ontario, Canada, March 
TO. 1819, his parents being Rev. .\lexander and 
Clarissa (Harrington) Irvine. The father was 




A^..^ ^- -:%,^^,^J^, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



265 



from Perthshire, Scotland, and was a descendant 
of an old and prominent family of that coun- 
try. His parents, William and Marjorie (Stu- 
art) Irvine, determining to make a home in the 
new world, crossed the Atlantic to the United 
States when their son Alexander was but four 
years of age and became residents of New York, 
William Irvine remaining a resident of the Em- 
pire state until his death. His wife, long surviv- 
ing him, removed to Canada, where she passed 
away at the age of ninety-seven years. She was 
connected with the royal family, and both she 
and her husband were members of the Presby- 
terian church. 

Plaving arrived at years of maturity Rev. 
Alexander Irvine was married in the state of 
New York to one of its native daughters. Miss 
Clarissa Harrington, who was descended from 
New England ancestry. They removed to Can- 
ada and during their residence there two chil- 
dren were born unto them. They afterward 
returned to the Empire state, but when Joseph 
W. Irvine was twelve years of age they went to 
Canada, whence they came to Illinois, in 1836. 
They first settled near Dixon, in Lee county, but 
after a short period removed to Ogle county, 
taking up their abode on the RoCk river, near 
Byron. Rev. Alexander Irvine secured a tract 
of land in Rockdale township from the govern- 
ment and began the development of a farm, but 
was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, 
his death occurring in 1840, when he was in 
the prime of life. His wife survived him until 
during the period of the Civil war, when she 
passed away at the age of sixty-two years. Their 
church relationship was with the Methodist 
denomination. Their family numbered four 
sons and four daughters. 

Joseph W. Irvine, the second in order, was 
a }'outh of seventeen when he came with his par- 
ents to Illinois. He had attended the public 
schools of New York and Canada, but had no 
educational advantages after he was twelve years 
of age. He became, however, a well informed 
man, adding to his knowledge year by year 
through reading, experience and observation. 
After putting aside his text-books he was 
employd in a store in Toronto, Canada, and sub- 
sequent to the removal of the family to Ogle 
county, Illinois, he assistd his father in the opera- 
tion of the home farm until twenty-two years of 
age, when he was married to Miss Electa Shel- 
don Parsons, a native of Massachusetts, in which 
state she spent her girlhood days. In early 
womanhood she came to Illinois, and her death 
occurred upon the farm in Ogle county, in 1856. 
She possessed many excellent traits of character 
that endeared her to a large circle of friends and 
was devoted to the welfare of her family. She 
had become the mother of five children : Edwin, 
16 



who is now a railroad mail agent, residing in 
Rockford, married Miss Mina Underwood ; 
Ellen C. is the wife of William Warburton, a resi- 
dent farmer of Buchanan county, Iowa ; Mary 
is the wife of Christian Burkholder, a dealer in 
agricultural implements in Sterling, Illinois ; W. 
Henn" is living with his sister in Sterling ; and 
one died in infancy. 

After losing his first wife Mr. Irvine was 
married, in Ogle county, to Miss Rebecca W. 
\\aggoner, in 1857. She was born in New Co- 
lumbia, Union county, Pennsylvania, on the 
23d of June, 1829. Her parents, Henry R. and 
Elsie (Woods) Waggoner, were natives of 
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, but at 
the time of their daughter's birth were living 
on the banks of the beautiful Susquehanna. Her 
father was of Pennsylvania Dutch lineage, while 
her mother came of Irish ancestry. They were 
married in Northumberland county and in order 
to provide for his family Mr. Waggoner fol- 
lowed mechanical pursuits. In 1848 he brought 
his family to Ogle county. Illinois, settling on 
a farm in Rockdale township, and after losing 
his first wife he wedded Miss Margaret Hensel. 
Subsequently he went to Mount Morris, this 
state, where he passed away March 5, 1869, 
when about seventy-five years of age and his 
second wife also died there. Mrs. Irvine was 
one of seven children and by her marriage be- 
came the mother of five children, but the young- 
est, W^ilson S., died in infancy. Charles Erancis, 
the eldest, married C. Blanche Swarthout and 
is secretary and treasurer of the Rockford Over- 
alls Alanufacturing Company, making his home 
in Rockford. George L., president of the Rock- 
ford Overalls Manufacturing Companv, married 
;\Iiss Nevada Miller, who died two months later, 
and he then married Hattie M. Swain. Elsie 
M. is the wife of C. Eugene Sovereign and thev 
reside in Rockford, ]Mrs. Irvine making her 
home with them. Mr. Sovereign is a member 
of the firm of C. E. Sovereign & Company, manu- 
facturers of neck yokes, leather washers and 
hardware specialties at No. 415-27 West State 
street and is very prominent in manufacturing 
circles here. He also represents one of the early 
families of the county and a sketch of his father, 
Israel Sovereign, is given elsewhere in this work. 

After his first marriage Mr. Irvine purchased 
a farm in Ogle county and was engaged in 
general agrcultural pursuits until October, 1869, 
when he removed to Rockford and became con- 
nected with what is now the Emerson Manu- 
facturing Company, being associated therewith 
for seventeen years. He was afterward with the 
AMlkins Knitting Factory for a few years and 
has been a promoter and stockholder in various 
other important business enterprises, sometimes 
activelv interested therein and at other times 



^^^ 



PAST AXl) I'KKSEXT OF WIXXRHACO COrXTY. 



havinc: lint financial investment. He was con- 
nected with the Rockford Boot & Shoe Com- 
pany, the Silver Plate Mannfacturing Com- 
pany, the Rockford Watch Company, the Rock- 
ford \\'atch Case Company and the Rockford 
Overalls Company. He was esteemed for his 
sound business judg:ment and keen insight into 
intricate business problems. He possessed a 
large fund of that ([uality which we call com- 
mon sense and his opinions were sound and his 
counsel reliable. For some time he was presi- 
dent of the Rockford Boot & Shoe Company 
but in the later years of his life lived retired 
and in a well earned ease spent his remaining 
days in a beautiful home in Rockford. 

In his political affiliation Mr. Irvine was a 
stanch republican and held several offices in Ogle 
county but was never an aspirant for political 
preferment. He and his wife were members of 
the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church, in 
which he served as a member of the official board 
and as trustee. He was one of the leading busi- 
ness men of this city and was very successful in 
all life's relations. He commanded the trust 
and good will of those with whom he came in 
contact and was never so busy but that he had 
time to accord to any one the courtesy of an 
interview and he also found opportunity to co- 
operate in movements for the moral development 
of the city. I\Irs. Irvine now makes her home 
with Mr. and Mrs. Sovereign, at X^o. 412 North 
Court street. 



ORLAXno F. CRILL. 

Orlando F. Crill, a retired farmer of Ogle 
county, became a resident of Rockford in 1900. 
He was born in Ogle county. May 30. 1850, his 
birthplace being his father's farm in Monroe 
township. He is a son of John J. Crill, who 
was born in Steuben county. New York, and 
with his parents came to Illinois in 1843, t'l^" 
family home being established in Monroe town- 
ship, where the grandfather, Henry Crill, fol- 
lowed farming for many years. As he pros- 
pered in his undertakings he wisely invested in 
land until he became the owner of about thirteen 
InuKlred acres, and this place is still in posses- 
sion of his descendants. In his family were nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, of whom 
two daughters and a son are now living — Mrs. 
Orbit, who resides on West State street, in 
Rockford ; Mrs. Stocking, of Rochelle ; and Har- 
vey Crill, living on Xorth .Main street. 

John J. Crill. a native of New York state, was 
alwnit nineteen years of age when he came to 
rninr>is, anfl he assisted in the arduous task of 
developing a new farm until twenty-one years 
of age, when he purchased a tract of land, upon 



which he spent his remaining days, developing 
it into an excellent farm i3ro])erty. He. too, be- 
came an extensive landowner, adding to his 
original ])urchase until he owned six hundred 
acres. His business judgment was sound and ac- 
curate and his investments were wisely placed, 
so that he realized a handsome financial return. 
He wedded Miss Margaret Keith, who was 
born in Marietta, Ohio, and they became the 
])arents of two sons and a daughter — M. J. Crill, 
who is living on Third street in Rockford; Or- 
lando F. and Mrs. M. J. Hardy, whose home is 
on Third street in Rockford. In his i)olitical 
views the father was a republican. He kept 
thoroughly informed concerning the questions 
and issues of the day and held the office of as- 
sessor, but was never active in seeking ]iolitical 
])referment. He and his wife were members of 
the Methodist church and their home was always 
the ])lace of entertainment for the ministers who 
visited the locality. Mr. Crill contributed most 
liberally to the support of the church and was 
(lee]ily interested in all that jiertained to the 
moral u|)building of the community. He died 
in the year 1888. and is still survived by his 
widow, who at the age of seventy-two years re- 
sides in Rockford with her son. M. j. Crill. 

Orlando F. Crill pursued a common-school 
education and his vouth was a busy one, for 
when not occupied with his text-books he as- 
sisted in the work of the home farm. He re- 
mained with his parents until twenty-two years 
of age. when he purchased a tract of land in the 
same locality, carrying on its improvement and 
cultivation until he traded it for the farm which 
he now owns. He has two hundred and fifty- 
seven acres of finely improved land in Monroe 
township, on which is a beautiful country resi- 
dence, substantial barns and all modern equip- 
ments, including windmills and tanks. There is 
running water on the place and in his farming 
operations Mr. Crill introduced all modern 
methods and imiirovements that facilitated his 
work and rendered his labors more available in 
the acquirement of a handsome competence. He 
kept a great amount of stock and this, too. 
proved a source of income. His farm is one of 
the best improved in Ogle county and he resided 
thereon until looo. when he took up his abode 
in Rockford. 

On the 17th of December. 1873. Mr. Crill was 
married to Miss Julia Matthews, who was born 
June I, 1852. in the state of New York, her par- 
ents being John T. and Elvira P. (Garvin) Mat- 
thews, who came to Illinois when their daughter 
was but five years of age. They had a family of 
six children — .Andrew, who died in New York 
city : Keziah, who died in the state of New 
York, in .\pril, 1885 ; Augusta, who became the 
wife of George Carr and died in Cherry Valley, 




MR. AND MRS. O. F. CRJLL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



269 



Illinois, leaving four children ; Harlow, who 
died in Ogle county, Illinois, and who was a sol- 
dier of the Civil war, serving for four years in 
the Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry : Jane, who be- 
came the wife of Hugh Carr, and died in Butler 
county, Iowa, leaving a daughter ; and Julia. 
Both Mr. and Airs. Matthews have now passed 
away. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Crill was blessed 
with four children, but they lost their eldest, 
Johnnie, who was born ( )ctol)er 4, 1874, and 
died February 28, 1875. Perry A., born March 
27, 1877, purstied his education in the common 
schools in Alonroe Center for a year and in the 
business college at Rockford for one term. He 
remained upon the home farm until twenty- 
three years of age and five years ago he entered 
the Manufacturers' Bank of Rockford as col- 
lector, assistant cashier and bookkeeper. In fact, 
he did any work that was needed to be done 
around the bank and liis capability made him a 
valued assistant. He remained there three 
years, at the end of which time he accepted a 
position in the office of the Edison Light Com- 
pany, where he continued for a year. He then 
went upon the road as traveling salesman for 
the .-Vmerican Stogey Company at a salary of 
twelve hundred dollars per year, and he makes 
his home with his parents. Edna Ruth, born 
May 10, 1883, was educated in a business col- 
lege and has also received considerable instruc- 
tion in music. Alarguerite Hazel, born October 
24, 1885, is a graduate of the high school of 
Rockford of the class of KJ05. 

While Air. Crill is practically living retired, 
he is a man of marked energy, indolence and 
idleness being utterly foreign to his nature, so 
that he can hardly content himself without some 
business interests, and has operated in real es- 
tate for himself and for the Eastern Investment 
Company. He deals in South Dakota lands and 
also in property here. A republican in his po- 
litical views, he has refused various offices that 
have been tendered him. preferring to give his 
attention to his business and social relations. He 
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica, and he and his wife attend the Methodist 
Episcopal church, of which their daughters are 
members. Their home is at No. 423 South 
Church street, and they are prominent and in- 
fluential people of the coninnuiitv, having won 
many friends in their connection with the social 
life of Rockford. 



WILLIAM THOMPSON. 

William Thompson, who for about fifteen 
years has served as township treasurer of Rock- 
ton township and is proprietor of a store in the 



village of Rockton, was born in England, in 
1832. His father, Richardson Thompson, was 
also a native of that country, and about 1834 
he crossed the Atlantic to America with his fam- 
ily, establishing his home in Canada, where his 
remaining days were passed. In his native 
country he had married Eliza Green, who was 
also born in England. He passed the Psalmist's 
allotted span of three score years and ten, reach- 
ing the age of seventy-three years, while his 
wife died in Canada at the very advanced age of 
ninety-two years. They were the parents of 
eight children, of whom William was the fourth 
in order of birth. Five of the mimber were born 
on the "merrie isle," while three were natives of 
Canada. Those still living are : William ; 
Thomas, a resident of Minnesota : Robert, who 
resides in Toronto ; and Mrs. Sarah Ann Win- 
ters, also living in Canada. Throughout his en- 
tire life the father followed the occupation of 
farming and thus jirovided for his wife and chil- 
dren. 

^^'illiam Thompson was only five years old 
when brought by his parents to the new world 
and was reared to manhood in Canada. Having 
arrived at adult age he entered business life 
there as a grain merchant and miller, carrying on 
the dual pursuit until about 1879, when he came 
to \Mnnebago county, Illinois, establishing his 
home in Rockton. Here he engaged in teaching 
school for three or four terms and in 1881 he 
became a factor in mercantile life, establishing a 
store which he has since conducted with con- 
stantly growing success, his business increasing 
year by year owing to his reasonable prices, his 
fair dealing and his progressive methods. He 
carries a well selected line of goods and his 
patrons find him obliging, courteous and con- 
siderate. He has thus gained a good living by 
the conduct of his mercantile interests and is 
well known as one of the leading business men 
of the village. 

In 1852 Air. Thompson was married to Aliss 
Elizabeth Davis, who was born in Canada, but 
came of .American parentage. They had three 
children, but Rachel Ann is deceased. Julia be- 
came the wife of John Alanning and had two 
children, Evelyn and Kate. Sarah Elizabeth be- 
came the wife of Hiram Baker and died, leav- 
ing two children, \\'inifred and Alae. The for- 
mer is now the wife of Frank Hueltner. of Alil- 
waukee, Wisconsin, and has one son, Frederick. 

Since becoming a naturalized American citi- 
zen William Thompson has never failed to cast 
his ballot for the men and measures of the 
republican party and for about fifteen years has 
served as township treasurer, while for a num- 
ber of years he was justice of the peace. He 
discharges his official duties with the same 
promptness and sense of conscientious obliga- 



270 



PAST AXD I'RF.SKXT OF WIN'NEBAGO COUNTY. 



tion that marks his private business career and 
he is much esteemed in Rockton wlicre he has 
manifested traits of patriotic and pubhc-spirited 
citizenship and has also made a creditalile name 
as a merchant and in private life. 



CHESTER E. BRIGGS. 

Chester E. Bri^g^s, deceased, was a represent- 
ative of a pioneer family in Winnebago countv 
and his business connections anil jiersonal quali- 
fications insured him a place of prominence in 
the public regard and made him a worthy citi- 
zen of Rockford. A native of Vermont his birth 
occurred in Jamaica, on the 19th of September, 
1852, his parents being Joseph \V. and Eliza- 
beth (Cressy) Briggs, who were also natives of 
the Green Mountain state, the father born in 
Dover, May 29, 1825, while the mother's birth 
occurred in Jamaica, April 14, 1820. The pater- 
nal grandparents were Calvin and Lucy (Wash- 
burn) Briggs, both natives of Vermont, where 
the grandfather carried on business. as a tanner 
and farmer. He spent his entire life in his na- 
tive state, after which his widow came west to 
Rockford on a visit to her son C. C. and other 
children and died in his home. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Calvin Briggs were representatives of old 
New England families and were relatives of 
Governor l'>riggs. of .Massachusetts, and of (Jov- 
ernor P. T. Washburn, of \ ermont. Joseph W. 
Briggs is the only survivor of a family of nine 
children and is now living a retired life in Rock- 
ford. He came to Winnebago county, in De- 
cember, 1855, settling on a farm in Berry town- 
ship, where he resided for three years. He then 
removed to Mil ford township for a short time. 
after which he ])urchased a farm in Cherry 
Valley township and continued the cultivation 
and improvement of that place for three years. 
On the expiration of that period he took up his 
abode in the city of Rockford. where he has since 
resided. His wife died here .September 24, 1900, 
and he now resides at No. 917 Kishwaukee street. 
He owns much valuable property in this city, 
having in former years made judicious invest- 
ment of his capital in realty which now com- 
mands a high price. He was one of the early 
members of the I'irst Congregati(jnal church 
here and has lived an upright, honorable life, 
commending him to the good will, friendship and 
confidence of th(jse with whom he has been as- 
sociated. Unto him and his wife were born a 
son and daughter, the latter being Maria E.. 
now the wife of Elwin W. L'handler. of the firm 
of Chandler Brothers, publishers, of Rockford. 
They had one son — Cressy ICKvin, who died 
March 24, 1897, at the age of ten years, and 
they arc now rearing an adopted son — Melvin 
Joseph, who was born November 30, 1892. 



Chester E. Briggs acquired his early educa- 
tion in the district schools of Cherry Valley 
township, having been brought to Winnebago 
county when in his third year. He continued his 
etiucation in the Rockff)rd high school. He was 
a youth of nine years when his parents removed 
from the farm to the city and while still a 
student he devoted much of his leisure hours to 
mechanical work, seeming to possess much 
natural ingenuity in this direction. He was 
ahva\s making brackets or other devices and 
after putting aside his text-books he began learn- 
ing the cabinet-maker's trade, securing a posi- 
tion with the Forest City F'urniture Company, of 
Rockford. He followed that pursuit for several 
years and then entered the employ of the bicycle 
works of this city, with which he continued for 
a brief period. He had saved his earnings and 
when the Co-operative Furniture Company of 
Rockford was established he became one of the 
stockholders and was made secretary and treas- 
urer of the company. He was thus engaged in 
business for himself for a few years and then 
sold his interests, after which he returned to the 
l'"orest City Furniture Company, with w'hich he 
remained for a few years or until his retirement 
from active business life. He was a skilled 
workman and in fact the company said that 
they never had a more efficient workman in their 
employ. He was very successful in his business 
dealings and as he accumulated money he in- 
vested in property, erecting the residence which 
is now occupied by his widow and son. This is 
located at No. 905 Kishwaukee street and ad- 
joins the home of Mr. Joseph W. Briggs. Mr. 
Briggs was also executor for the well known 
Britton estate for thirteen years. 

Chester E. Briggs was married twice. He first 
wedded Miss OUie A. Preston, a native of Cam- 
den, New Jersey, who was born July 5, 1857, 
and died in Rockford, March 7, 1892. There 
were two children by that marriage: Edwin C, 
who married Constance Fritz and resides in 
Chicago, where he is an instructor in the .\rmour 
Institute ; and Lewis P., who is at home with 
his stepmother and attends the Rockford Busi- 
ness College. In 1893 Mr. Briggs wedded Miss 
C. Elizabeth .\llen, a native of Gun Plains, Alle- 
gan coniitx. Michigan, and a daughter of Wil- 
liam .\llen, who was a farmer of that county 
throughout his active life. He died in Otsego, 
Michigan. The death of Mr. Briggs occurred 
February 27, 1903. .Mthough never an aspirant 
for public i)ffice he was a stanch advocate of 
republican |)rinciples and both he and his wife 
were meml)ers of the First Congregational 
church of Rockford. He was a man whose busi- 
ness integrity was above question and his life 
was manly, his actions sincere and his manner 
unaffected. He lived in Winnebago county for 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



271 



almost a half century and many of his stanchest 
friends were those who had known him from 
his boyhood days — a fact that indicates an honor- 
able career, worthy of confidence and respect. 



WILLIAM H. TOUSLEY. 

William H. Tousley, editor of the Durand 
Clipper, was born December 8, 1866, at Jefferson, 
Wisconsin. His father, William F. Tousley, was 
a native of Medina county, Ohio, and when a 
young man accompanied his parents to Wis- 
consin, settling at Fort Atkinson. He learned 
the printer's trade in his brother's office at Jef- 
ferson, Wisconsin, and afterward in connection 
with a brother established a job office at Fort 
Atkinson, Wisconsin, whence he later removed 
to Edgerton, in the same state. There Mr. 
Tousley and his cousin began the publication of 
the Independent and subsequently Mr. Tousley 
purchased his partner's interest and established 
the ^^'isconsin Tobacco Reporter. He was con- 
nected with the newspaper business throughout 
his entire life. He married Lenora Schmidt, 
who was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, 
in July, 1848. He died in 1881 and is still sur- 
vived by his widow who resides in Edgerton. 
They had four sons : William H. ; Frank H., 
who is living in Oelwein, Iowa, and has a son 
and daughter ; Jesse E., of Milwaukee, Wiscon- 
sin, who has one daughter; and George R., also 
a resident of Oelwein. 

William H. Tousley spent his youth in Jef- 
ferson and Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, remain- 
ing in his native county until 1878, when his 
parents removed to Edgerton, where his father 
established a paper. He learned the printer's 
trade there and followed it for a number of 
years as a journeyman, being employed in 
various cities until 1888, when he came to Rock- 
ford, working here on the Register-Gazette. He 
was foreman and linotype operator and con- 
tinued in that position until October 7, 1903, 
and then purchased his present office at Durand, 
since which time he has been editor and pro- 
prietor of the Clipper, having a well conducted 
newspaper office and giving to the public a bright 
and interesting paper devoted to the dissemi- 
nation of general news and to the furtherance 
of local interests. 

On the 14th of November, 1888, Air. Tousley 
was married to Miss Frances L. Zastrow, of 
Rockford. a daughter of Frederick and Minnie 
fChartier) Zastrow. Her father was born in 
Germany and when seven years of age was 
brought to the United States by his parents. In 
early life he learned the miller's trade, which 
he followed until a few years prior to his death, 
when he purchased a farm in Jeiiferson county. 



\\'isconsin, and thereon spent his remaining days, 
passing away at the age of fifty-six years. His 
wife was born in the United States and died 
during the early girlhood of Mrs. Tousley, 
whose brothers are Edward Zastrow, of Con- 
cord, Wisconsin ; Herman, who is living at Wet- 
more, Colorado : and Paul, who makes his home 
in the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Touslev have 
one daughter, Ruth Millicent, who was born in 
Rockford, January 23, 1896. The parents are 
members of the Evangelical Lutheran church 
and Mr. Tousley is a stanch republican, known 
as the champion of the party by reason of active 
work in its ranks and by his advocacy of its 
principles through the columns of his paper. He 
is a member of camp No. 61, M. W. A., 
and is now its venerable counsel. He 
also belongs to Shawbenee lodge, No. 146, I. 
O. O. F., of which he is secretary, and to Blue 
lodge, No. 302, A. F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. 
Tousley are both members of the Daughters of 
Rebekah. 



FRANK E. DARROW. 

Few men are more prominent or more widely 
known in the enterprising city of Rockford than 
Frank E. Darrow, a wholesale lumber dealer and 
the president of the Co-operative Furniture 
Company. The prosperity of any community, 
town or city depends upon its commercial 
activity, its industrial interests and its trade re- 
lations, and therefore the real upbuilders of a 
town are those who stand at the head of the 
leading enterprises. Mr. Darrow is justly ac- 
corded a place among the representative Amer- 
ican citizens, who while advancing his individual 
success also promotes the general prosperity. 

A native of New York state, he spent his youth 
in that part of the country, supplementing his 
early common school advantages by study in 
an academy. He came to Illinois in 1889 and 
has since engaged in the wholesale lumber busi- 
ness, his interests representing large invest- 
ment in sawmills and timber lands in the state 
of New York and in the south, in both of which 
he is extensively engaged in the manufacture of 
lumber. He is also the president of the Co- 
operative Furniture Company of Rockford. of 
which he is a large stockholder. The product 
of his mills in New Mexico and old Mexico and 
the south supplies railroads and furniture com- 
panies in Rockford and other points. Some of 
the finest timber in the country is to be obtained 
in New and old Mexico. The mills are sup- 
plied with band saws and the most modern ma- 
chinery in every particular and have a capacity 
of three hundred thousand feet per day. The 
lumber consists of oak, pine, gum and other 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



hardwoods and the vohimc ul husinoss annuahy 
conducted makes Mr. Darrow one of the lead- 
in<j representatives of the limibcr interests of the 
country. lie lias been watchfnl of every indica- 
tion ixiintini; toward success and to liini there lias 
come the attainment of a distinsjiiislied ])osition 
in connection witii the jjreat material inchistries 
of tile state, wiiile his affairs liave been so dis- 
cerninj^ly directed alonjj well defined lines that 
he seems to have realized at any point of progress 
the fidl !iieasiire of his possiliilities for accom- 
plishment at tiiat point. 



Hr.XRY WTT.T.I.XM PRICE. 

With the industrial and commercial develop- 
ment of Rockford, whereby the city has attained 
]>roininence as a leading commercial antl pro- 
ductive center of Illinois. Henry W. Price was 
clo.sely identified and although lie has passed 
away, the measure of giuid which he did in the 
world in this connection will not have ceased 
until the enterpri.ses with which he was associated 
are no longer a factor in business life here. 
.Moreover he maintained a reputation for in- 
tegrity and trustworthiness that made his name 
an honored one and his life history, too, is an- 
other exemplification of the fact that the road to 
success is oi)eii to all who have the will to dare 
and to do. .\t one time he was intercste<l in 
twenty different lines of business in Rockfonl 
but was most clo.sely connected with the manu- 
facturing interests. 

.\ native of Lakeville. Livingston count\. Xew 
Vnrk. born .May 22. 1837. he was a son of Wil- 
liam Henry and Margaret (Hayiies) Price, both 
of whom were natives of the Em]>ire state, where 
the father conducted business as a caqiciiter. 
builder and contractor. He resided in Lakeville 
until the fall of 1S37, when he came to the west, 
settling in Chicago, which city in that year was 
first incor])orated. He became identified with 
its building interests but later established a plan- 
ing mill and conducted the business with marked 
success. His patronage grew readily and he built 
other iilaning mills until his enterprise was the 
largest of that character in the citv. There he 
continued in business until 1841), when attracted 
by the discovery of gold in (."alifornia, he started 
for the Pacific coast but on the way became ill 
and died on the Isthmus of Panama. His widow 
afterward returned to the east and S])ent her re- 
maining da\s at the old home in I-ikeville. New 
York. 

Henry W. Price was indebted to the jtublic 
school system of his native state for the early 
educational privileges he receive<l and later con- 
tinuecl his studies in the Temi)le Hill .\cademv 



at Cieneseo, Xew York. He was pre-eminently 
a self-made man, who without any family or 
pecuniary assistance made his way from humble 
surroundings to a position of prominence that 
well justifies the use of the term "captain of 
industry" in connection with his name. He was 
thirteen years of age when his parents started 
for California, leaving him in Chicago. He .se- 
cured a position as errand boy and caretaker in 
a clothing store conducted by a Mr. Harris at a 
salary of two dollars per week and there his 
faithfulness and utility won him promotion until 
he was made clerk and finally became the leading 
salesman in the establishment. 1 le had the 
faculty of interesting customers, displaying the 
goods to the best advantage, and indeed 
possessed the traits of a natural born salesman. 
He occujiied the (losition for three years, at the 
end of which time his maternal grandfather, who 
was much attached to him. took him back to 
Gencseo, New York, and provided him with the 
means that enabled him ti> secure his academic 
education. 

\\ hile he was working in the store he and his 
mother managed to save three hundred and fifty 
dollars. .\lKiut the time he put aside his text- 
Iwoks he learned of the failure of a small shoe 
store in llutTalo, Xew York, and invested the 
capital which he had saved in the stock of shoes. 
Embarking in the retail shoe trade he was very 
successful in the conduct of the business until 
1860. when his store was destroyed by fire, to- 
gether with a part of the stock. He then de- 
termined to take the remainder of the stock to 
the west, believing that the advantages afforded 
in the Mississi]ipi valley were greater than he 
might enjoy in the east. He went direct to I-'rce- 
port. Illinois, but not liking that town never un- 
jiacked his goods there and came on to Rockford. 
where he oi)ened a small shoe store on the east 
side. Prosperity attended the new venture from 
the beginning and it was not long before he was 
enabled to establish a second store and eventually 
a third on W'est State street, so that he was the 
owner of three shoe stores in the city, having a 
large patronage that made his business very 
])rofitable. He continueil that business for .some 
vears. after which he traded his stock of sIkx^s 
for a stock of gloves and mittens and concen- 
trated his energies upon the glove and mitten 
trade. He hired a horse and buggy and assisted 
by his wife he visited all of the neighboring 
towns, selling his stock in small job lots until he 
had disjiosed of the entire amount at a good 
profit. Turning his attention to the wholesale 
trade as a dealer in gloves and mittens he opened 
a store at the corner of State and Wyman streets, 
purchased goods at Gloversville. Tohnstou and as 
far cast as I'oston and also in the hjiglish 



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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



275 



markets, and entered upon a prosperous era in 
the trade, finding it necessary to enlarge his stock 
from year to year in order to meet the growing 
demands of a constantly increasing patronage. 
His business assumed such proportions that he 
was justified in the erection of a large building 
on Wyman street, where he continued in the 
wholesale trade. At the same time he built a 
large factory at the corner of Peace and Wyman 
streets and began the manufacture of gloves and 
mittens, thus conducting both branches of the 
business throughout his remaining days. He em- 
ployed a number of men in both places and his 
house gained a wide reputation, his product find- 
ing a ready sale upon the market. He had as 
many as twenty salesmen traveling at one time 
and his trade reached from coast to coast and 
from Canada to the far south. He also spent 
much time upon the road himself in buying his 
stock and looking after the interests of his busi- 
ness. So extensive and important did the enter- 
prise become and so well known was he to the 
trade that he was called the "glove king." 

Mr. Price was a man of marked business dis- 
cernment and resourceful ability, watchful of 
opportunities and prompt in utilizing every busi- 
ness advantage that offered him a field for honor- 
able eflfort. He became interested in many other 
kinds of business here and the commercial and 
industrial circles of the city would be much 
abbreviated if it were not for the prominent part 
which he took in promoting the productive in- 
dustries and financial affairs of the city. He was 
president of the Rockford ^^'atch Factory and 
one of its large stockholders, was president of the 
Rockford Street Railway Company, president of 
the Rockford Silver Plate ^^'orks, a director in 
the People's Bank, a stockholder in the Nelson 
House, a director in the Rockford Insurance 
Company, financially interested in the Rockford 
Tack Factory and one of its directors and one 
of the charter members of the Rockford and 
Intcrurban Railway Company, so continuing up 
to the time of his death. He was likewise inter- 
ested in real estate and owned valuable property 
all over the city. He also held stock in other 
business enterprises here. He found in i8go that 
his interests were becoming too extensive and 
varied for successful management and made an 
assignment at a time when he was able to pay 
dollar for dollar. Such was the position which 
he held in the trust of his fellowmen that his 
creditors all assisted him in again starting in 
business and it was not long before he was once 
in control of extensive interests and many of the 
business enterprises mentioned above felt the 
stimulus of his activity and profited by his wise 
counsel and keen discernment up to the time of 
his demise. 



On the 20th of January, 1862, Air. Price was 
united in marriage to Miss Frances Irene 
\\^arner, a native of Bradford county, Pennsyl- 
vania, and a daughter of Myron and Harriet 
(Hurlbert) Warner, and a granddaughter of Dr. 
Adjionia \\'arner, who was one of the first 
physicians of Pennsylvania. Her father followed 
tarming throughout his entire life and made his 
home in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, until 
called to his final rest, at the age of eighty-six 
years, while his wife passed away at the age of 
eighty-two years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Price were 
born two children : Mrs. Maude St. Leon, who 
resides in Denver, Colorado, with her son, Harry 
Price, and who also has a daughter, Mary 
Daphne. The second daughter of Mr. Price, 
Mary Eugenia, died in July. 1870. The death 
of Mr. Price occurred very suddenly on the nth 
of May, 1903, a few days before the sixty-sixth 
anniversary of his birth. 

In his political affiliation Mr. Price was a 
stanch republican, who took an active interest 
in the party, its work and success. He belonged 
to Rockford lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Crusader 
commandery. No. 17, K. T. Both he and his 
wife held membership in the Episcopalian church 
but she is now identified with the Seventh Day 
Adventists. Mr. Price was an earnest Christian 
man and in his life exemplified a humanitarian 
spirit that awakened admiration and respect. At 
all times he commanded the esteem of those with 
whom he had business relations or who were em- 
ployed by him and those who came within a closer 
circle of a social acquaintance knew him as a 
most genial and companionable gentleman. His 
was a noble career from the fact that entering 
business life with the meager salary of two dol- 
lars per week he worked his way steadily upward 
to a place where he controlled business interests 
involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. He 
had a ready appreciation for opportunities and 
never failed to utilize the advantages that came to 
him and his name was a synonym for integrity 
in commercial transactions. His history is inter- 
woven with that of Rockford and while he has 
passed away his name is found upon the roll of 
honored dead. Men of prominence and in public 
life and whom the workl acknowledges as of real 
worth are not the military or political leaders but 
those who are controlling the veins and arteries 
of the traffic and exchanges of the world wherein 
rests the prosperity of town, county and nation, 
and Mr. Price contributed in substantial measure 
to the material upbuilding, growth and develop- 
ment of his adopted city. Moreover he was 
known as a citizen of genuine worth endeared to 
his associates by ties of strong friendship. 

Mrs. Price, well known in social circles of 
Rockford, was the first lady clerk in the postoffice 



276 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



of this city, for during the period of the Civil 
war she accepted that position for a man who 
desired to go to the front and slie acted in that 
capacity for eighteen months. In May, 1882, 
Mr. Price hiiilt the present residence where his 
widow now resides, at No. 929 North Main 
street, and it is one of the large and fine homes 
of the city. It is said that Mr. Price never had 
an enemy in the world but all men liked him and 
that he was popular with young and old, rich 
and poor. It is only men of the best qualities and 
characteristics who are thus esteemed and in 
Rockford he stood as a man among men. 
"His life was noble and the elements 
So mixed in him that .Nature might stand u]) 
And say to all the world 'This was a man.' " 



FRANK OSCAR SEGURD. 

Death often removes from our midst those 
whom we can ill afford to lose and such was 
the case with Frank O. Segiird, who when called 
from the activities of this life, was one of the 
progressive business men of Rockford, his labors 
contributing to its commercial progress and 
prosperity. He also was well known in p(3litical 
circles, while liis personal traits of character en- 
deared him to a large circle of friends. He was 
a native of Sweden but was only two and a 
half years of age when he came to Winnebago 
county with his ])arents. locating in Pecatonica, 
on a small farm, which his father had purchased 
near that village. P.oth parents still reside there. 
The father is a shoemaker by trade and fol- 
lows that pursuit in the village in addition to 
the management of his agricultural interests. 
He has two sons and a daughter, who arc yet 
living: Charles, who is engaged in the gro- 
cery business on Seventh street in Rockford; 
Godfrey, who is a farmer residing in Walker, 
Missouri : and .Anna, the wife of George 
Brewster, a caqienter. living in Pecatonica. 

In his boyhood and youth l-'rank (). Segurd 
attended the public schools and when a young 
man went to Rock Island, Illinois, where he 
was a student for one year. On his return to 
Pecatonica he was in the employ of J. B. Green- 
wood for five years and spent the year 1886 in 
Chicago. The following year he took up his 
abode in Rockford. where ho secured a position 
with W. W. Sawyer, one of the oldest drug- 
gists in years of connection with the trade in 
the city. He continued to clerk for Mr. Saw- 
yer for eleven years, or until 1897, when he em- 
harked in the drug liusiness on his own account 
at No. 530 South Seventh street, where he con- 
tinued up to the time of his death. He was 
situated at an advantageous corner and had a 
handsome well appointed store, carrying a large 



line of drugs, druggists' specialties and im- 
ported and domestic cigars. He likewise made 
a specialty of compounding medicines and filling 
prescriptions and was accorded a liberal patron- 
age not only by reason of his straightforward 
business methods but also on account of his 
genial and obliging manner and his pleasant dis- 
])i5sition. lie led a very busy life, having little 
time for recreation, finding that his business in- 
terests claimed his time, energies and talents to 
the full extent. He was also one of the stock- 
holders in the Rockford Undertaking Establish- 
ment, with which he was connected from its 
organization twelve years ago to the time of 
his death. 

On the 2d of October, 1890, Mr. Segurd was 
united in marriage to Miss Selma Elizabeth Borg, 
a native of Rockford, and a daughter of .\ndrew 
and Matilda (Carlson) Piorg, both of whom 
were born in Morlunda, Sweden. Tier father 
was at one time engaged in business in Rock- 
ford as a mason contractor and builder. He 
was born June 16. 1839, and was among the 
early emigrants from his land to the United 
States. He learned his trade in ( )skershaiu, 
and in the summer of 1854, when twenty-four 
years of age, took passage on a sailing vessel 
bound for New York city. They encountered 
severe weather and for four days were without 
food and water. Twenty-four passengers died 
from exhaustion and were buried in the sea, but 
at length the long hard voyage was over and 
Mr. Borg set foot on American soil in New 
York city, August 15, 1854. He then started 
for Chicago. He was entirely without money 
and had also lost his trunk so that literally he 
began life in the new world empty-handed. He 
was resolute and energetic, however, and soon 
found employment. A year later he determined 
to go to Kansas but in ])assiMg through Rock- 
fi>rd was so well pleased with the city that he 
resolved to make his home there. Other mem- 
bers of the family al.so came to this country. 
Three years after coming to this country Mr. 
Borg returned to his native land, where he 
wedded .\ima S. Carl.son. who died at the age 
of twenty-two years, only nine days after she 
and her husband had come to the United States. 
Later he wedded Ida M. Carlson, a sister of his 
first wife, and she also died at the age of twenty- 
two years, .^he left a daughter, .Sclma E., now 
the wife of Frank .^egurd. Mr. P>org was mar- 
ried in Rockhjrd to .\nna S. Bowman, who was 
born in Sweden, .-\ugust 4, 1852, and in 1864 
came to this city with her parents. There were 
eight children born of tiie last marriage, of 
whom four are yet living, .\lbert, Olivia and 
X'ictoria, twins, and Esther have passed away. 
Those who still survive are Edward, .\lbert A., 
Esther L. and ITurbert. 




FRAXK O. SEGURD. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



279 



The year following his arrival in Rockford 
Mr. Borg; began business as a mason contractor 
and builder and many of the substantial struc- 
tures of the city stand as monuments to his 
skill and enterprise. As liberal patronage was 
accorded him and his financial resources were 
thereby increased, Mr. Borg invested in property 
here and in addition to his own residence had an 
interest in the flats and residence at the corner 
of Fourth avenue and Seventh street. He and 
J. A. Bowman built the Royal block and the 
Bowman Borg building. He likewise became 
financially interested in a number of important 
business enterprises, being a stockholder in the 
Skandia Plow Company, a stockholder and di- 
rector in the Skandia Brick Company and a di- 
rector in the Union grocery store. His was a 
successful business career, in which diligence, 
effort and perseverance were crowned with a 
full measure of success. His political allegiance 
was given to the republican party and both 
he and his wife were members of the Zion 
Lutheran church. They remained residents of 
Rockford until called to their final rest, J\Ir. 
Borg passing away December 3. 1899. Air. and 
Mrs. Segurd have but one son, Floyd Oliver, 
born August 4, 1892. 

Mr. Segurd departed this life June 10, 1905. 
His widow still owns the drug store. He always 
took an active interest in politics and for manv 
years was an active worker and treasurer in the 
Rockford Republican Club. He was a trustee 
of the Zion Lutheran church for twelve years, 
and its treastirer for five years and Mrs. Se- 
gurd yet retains her membership with that or- 
ganization. She now resides at No. 622 Col- 
lege avenue and is prominent socially in Rock- 
ford. 'Mr. Segurd was well known, being one 
of the representative citizens here, and he al- 
ways had a kind word for all with whom he 
came in contact. He was also a man of liberal 
spirit and marked generosity and the poor and 
needy never appealed to him in vain. His 
fidelity in friendship, his trustworthiness in busi- 
ness and his honor in citizenship combined to 
make him a man deserving the esteem of all. 
while his life record is worthv of emulation. 



HON. CHARLES A. WORKS. 

Hon. Charles A. Works, who died very sud- 
denly at his home on College avenue in Rock- 
ford, on the evening of Alay 16, 1903, was a 
representative of one of the pioneer families of 
Winnebago county, his birth having occurred in 
Guilford township. May 4, 1848. His parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Works, were natives of 
the east and on coming to this county in 1836 



settled upon a farm in Guilford township, where 
they spent their remaining days. The records of 
the First Congregational church of Rockford 
show that Charles Works. Sr., was admitted to 
its membership on the 19th of May, 1837. 

Air. Works of this review was a public school 
student in his home district in Guilford town- 
ship and afterward in the east side high school 
of Rockford, where he completed a course in 
1868. He then entered Beloit College, at Beloit, 
Wisconsin, and was graduated with the class 
of 1873. His first experience in professional life 
was as clerk of the Illinois supreme court at 
Ottawa, where he remained until 1875 ^"d ''^ 
September of that year he was chosen sttperin- 
tendent of schools of La Salle, Illinois, where 
he continued his labors as an educator for two 
}-ears. He next entered the office of the circuit 
clerk at Ottawa as deputy, remaining there until 
the spring of 1878. During his entire residence 
in La Salle county he had devoted every avail- 
able moment to the study of law and in 1878 
was admitted to the bar, having qualified himself 
for the practice of his chosen profession. About 
this time he received the appointment to a posi- 
tion with the United States superintendent of 
Indian affairs at Yankton, Dakota. In January, 
1879, he entered upon the active practice of his 
profession at Rockford with W. D. StapHn as a 
partner, which continued for about two years. 
About ten years prior to his death he formed a 
partnership with Stanton A. Hyer, which rela- 
tion was maintained until his life's labors were 
ended. Mr. Works was recognized as a promi- 
nent member of the Rockford bar, preparing his 
cases with great thoroughness and presenting 
them before court or jury with great force and 
earnestness. He always impressed his juries 
with faith in the justice of his cause and his 
success made him one of the notable lawyers of 
this part of the state. In 1880 he was elected 
state attorney of Winnebago count}-, which posi- 
tion he filled with distinguished abilitv for twelve 
years, neither fear nor favor swerving him in 
the discharge of his duties. In 1892 he was 
elected a member of the state board of equaliza- 
tion of the old ninth congressional district and 
acted in that cajjacity for a period of thirteen 
years. 

Mr. Works was well known as an ardent re- 
publican and his championship to the principles 
of the party were an influential factor in its suc- 
cesses. He cast his first presidential vote for 
General Grant, in 1872. and ever afterward 
worked for the organization in its campaigns. 
In 1888 he was chosen as a delegate to the re- 
publican national convention, which nominated 
Benjamin Harrison for the presidency. He was 
excelled by few as an impromptu political speaker 
and because he had firm belief in his party plat- 



28o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



form and possessed beside a natural ^ift of ora- 
tory he never failed to leave a strong impression 
upon the minds of his auditors and frequently 
carried conviction to his hearers. He was also 
regarded as a safe political advisor, being wise 
and conservative in his political labors as well 
as professional life. 

In November, 1880, was celebrated the mar- 
riage of Mr. Works and Miss Eva Enoch, a 
daughter of Hon. .Abraham I. Enoch, one of 
the prominent citizens of Rockford at an early 
day. They became the parents of four children, 
Marion, Mabel, Helen and Charles Enoch. Mr. 
Works was a man of strong domestic tastes who 
found in his home most congenial surroundings 
and he was ever mitiringly devoted to the wel- 
fare of his wife and children. He had per- 
fected plans for a beautiful new residence on 
North Main street when called to his final rest 
and Mrs. Works has since carried out the plans 
and now has a fine home occupied by herself and 
children. Mr. Works was the only thirty-second 
degree Mason in Winnebago county. He be- 
longed to Rockford lodge, No. 102, A. F. & A. 
M., Winnebago chapter. No. 24, R. A. M., 
Crusader commandery. No. 17, K. T., Freeport 
consistory, S. P. R. S. and Tebala temple, A. 
.\. O. N'. M. S. He had also taken the thirty- 
second degree, an honor to which one must be 
elected and he likewise held membership in Rock- 
ford lodge. No. 64. B. P. O. E., and the Inde- 
pendent Order of United Workmen. He was 
a valued representative of these different or- 
ganizations and in their ranks his death was 
deeply regretted, while Rockford recognized its 
loss of a valued citizen, the bar a prominent 
member and his family a devoted husband and 
father. 



GILBERT F. COLBY. 

The Pecatonica News is a bright and newsy 
weekly, and has aided in no small way in pro- 
moting the interests of the village where it is 
pulilished. It is a successful representative of 
the people of the place where it is located and 
its value in the community can not be estimated. 
Tireless in its defense of the right, and fearless 
in its denunciation of the evils of the age, it has 
won an enviable reputation among the best peo- 
ple of the county and its ]3opularity is proved 
by a constantly increasing subscription list. 

The editor and publisher of this paper was 
born in Pecatonica, Winnebago county, Illinois, 
July IQ. 1881, the son of Nathan L. and Ella M. 
(Smith) Colby. 

The father, one of the founders of the Peca- 
tonica News and one who, during his life, was 
one of the most influential and best known resi- 



dents of the county, was born at Beloit, Wis- 
consin, December 20, 1854, the son of Nathan 
D. and Sybil W. (Pease) Colby. His parents 
came to Beloit in 1847 from Maine, being among 
the earliest settlers. His mother died in Beloit, 
on December 17, 1884, and his father's death 
occurred seven years later, July 12, 1891. In his 
youth he learned the trade of a printer in a 
priming cstalilishment at Beloit and gained a 
good education in the schools of his native city. 
In 1870 he went to Milwaukee, where he be- 
came a compositor on the Sentinel but the fol- 
lowing year removed to Davis, Illinois, and with 
his brother, William A. Colby, started a paper 
of their own. In December, 1872. it was moved 
to Pecatonica and established as the Pecatonica 
News. In 1880 he purchased his brother's in- 
terest and conducted the paper with marked suc- 
cess up to the time of his death. 

Mr. Colby was a stanch republican and filled 
various offices of trust, serving for five years 
as township clerk, also as village treasurer, 
])rcsident of the village board of trustees, mem- 
ber of the board of education, justice of the 
peace, and in September, 1898, he was appointed 
postmaster, being re-appointed in 1902. He was 
for many years chief of the fire department, 
])residcnt of the Electric Light Company and 
otherwise identified with the upbuilding of the 
community. In his social connections he was 
identified with the A. W. Rawson lodge. No. 
145. A. F. & A. M.. at Pecatonica: Crusader 
commandery. No. 17, Knights Templar, and 
Tcbala Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Rock- 
ford : Freeport consistory, at Freeport ; the 
luireka camp. No. 50, M. W. A. ; Monitor gar- 
rison. No. 19, at Pecatonica, and was at one 
time connected with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. His death occurred July 11, 1904, 
passing away very suddenly. 

The mother of our subject, known in maiden- 
hood as Ella M. Smith, was born in Ridott 
township, Stephenson county, Illinois, April 8, 
1859, the daughter of Gilbert F. and Helen M. 
(Shaw) Smith. She was educated in the coun- 
try schools and afterward taught school for a 
mimber of years. Her marriage, which was 
solemnized in Freeport. Sei)tembcr 15. 1880. was 
blessed bv the birth of three children, namely: 
Gilbert F.. born Tulv 19. 1881 : Claude A., July 
27. 1883: and Smith W., May 15. 1887. She 
was always a true and faithful helpmate to her 
husband and their unitcfl efforts brought them 
a competence which left her well provided for 
at the death of her husband. She still resides 
at the family residence in Pecatonica. 

The subject of our sketch obtained his edu- 
cation in the Pecatonica public school from 
which he was graduated in 1S97. ^^ then ac- 
cepted a position as assistant postmaster under 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



281 



his uncle at Union Grove, Wisconsin, which posi- 
tion he resigned a year later to take a similar 
position under his father in the Pecatonica post- 
office. In 1901 he was appointed to a position 
in the railway main service of the government, 
running first between Chicago and Dubuque and 
later from Chicago to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 
At the Lake Geneva postoffice, his terminal office, 
he became acquainted with Lena A. Voss, a clerk, 
and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Voss, with 
whom he was united in marriage, March 30, 
1904. Just prior to the death of his father, in 
July of the same year, he resigned from the rail- 
way mail service to assist him in the postoffice 
and printing office and at his father's death took 
up the management of the paper. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Colby was born, July 17, 1905, a son, 
Charles Nathan. 

Politically Mr. Colby is a republican and con- 
ducts the paper which he publishes in the in- 
terests of that party. He is at present a member 
of the village board of trustees and greatly in- 
terested in the welfare of the community. 



BENJAMIN BLAKEMAN. 

Benjamin Blakeman, a retired merchant and 
manufacturer, v,-ho has almost rounded the span 
of four score years, was born in Stratford, Con- 
necticut, June 12, 1826. The ancestors of the 
Blakemans emigrated from England to America 
in 1639. The grandfather was Zachariah Blake- 
man and the father was Treat Blakeman. The 
latter was born in Stratford, Connecticut, in 
1798, and was a man of affairs, active and enter- 
prising in business, and he died at the advanced 
age of ninety-two years. He married Hannah 
Birdsey, also of Stratford, Coimecticut. The 
great-grandfather of Mr. Blakeman in the ma- 
ternal line was the Rev. Nathan Birdsey, who 
settled in Stratford, Connecticut, in 1739, and 
attained the very advanced age of one hundred 
and three years and five months. 

Benjamin Blakeman, spending his boyhood 
days in the place of his nativity, acquired his 
early education in the public schools of Strat- 
ford, and afterward continued his studies in 
Bridgeport, Connecticut. He entered upon his 
business career as a salesman in a general store, 
and thinking to enjoy better business opportu- 
nities in the eastern metropolis, he went to New 
York city, where for two years he occupied a 
position as clerk. Later he bought and removed 
to a farm in his native town, on which he resided 
until 1856, when he came to Rockford, Illinois. 
Here he engaged in the lumber business associ- 
ated with Henry Plant, and afterward became 
a member of the firm of Blakeman, Upson & 



Company. His next business relationship was 
as senior member of the firm of Blakeman, 
Woodruff & Company, and afterward he was 
with William Dobson. He engaged in manu- 
facturing and supplying builders' material and 
continued actively in trade until 1898, when he 
disposed of his holdings to William Dobson. 

In the meantime Mr. Blakeman had made ex- 
tensive and judicious investments in real estate, 
and is to-day the owner of considerable valuable 
property in Rockford, including a number of 
good brick business houses and residences. He 
is also a stockholder in the People's Bank & 
Trust Company, on the board of its directory, 
and for several years was a director of the Home 
Loan & Building Company. Since severing his 
connection with the lumber trade, he has lived 
quietly, looking after his general business inter- 
ests and affairs, and amid comfortable surround- 
ings, and in the midst of many friends is enjoy- 
ing the fruits of his former toil. 

While residing on the farm in his native town 
Mr. Blakeman was married in 1848 to Miss Car- 
oline Fairchild, and unto them were born four 
daughters, namely : Anna C, widow of Dr. 
Thomas G. \ incent : Helen, the wife of Theron 
G. Pierpont ; Emma, the deceased wife of Al- 
bert D. Early, and Harriet E., who died in 1904. 
Mr. and Mrs. Blakeman are acceptable members 
of the Second Congregational church, to which 
they are liberal contributors, and he has been a 
deacon in the church for more than forty years. 
Their home is at No. 732 North Main street, 
and for years it has been noted for its gracious 
and attractive hospitality. 

Mr. Blakeman is an extremely well preserved 
man for one of his years. Nature is kind to 
those who abuse not her laws, and Mr. Blake- 
man has ever been strictly temperate in all of 
his habits, never using tobacco or intoxicants in 
any form, and molding his life in harmony with 
the principles that underlie an upright manhood. 
He earned for himself an enviable reputation as 
a careful man of business, and in his dealings 
was known for his prompt and honorable meth- 
ods which won for him the respect and un- 
bounded confidence of his fellowmen. Such a 
career should serve as an example for the young 
and an inspiration to the aged. 



WILLIAM BODINE. 

^^'illiam Bodine, following general farming on 
section 18, Harrison township, is a pioneer set- 
tler, the length of whose residence in Winnebago 
county is surpassed by few of its citizens at the 
present day, for he arrived here in January, 1840. 
He was born in the township of Southwold, in 



28^2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



the district of London, now in the province of 
Ontario, Canada. March 8, 1820, and is a 
son of Ahrani and Zelah (Taylor) liodine. 
the former of luiijlisli and the latter of I'Vench 
and ( iernian parenlatje. The father was horn 
in Xeu Jerse\. and his wife was a native of 
I'ennsylvania. In 1810 they removed to Canada, 
where he engaged in farming, and where they 
made their home until called to tlicir final rest. 
Mr. liodine (lejianing this life in June. 1846. 
when ahiuit sixty-five years of age. while hi> 
wife died in .\])ril. 18,^7. when about fifty years 
of age. They had a large family, and two of 
the sisters came to Illinois, a son of one of them. 
I'Vank I'elley by name, now residing in Rock- 
ford tnwnship. 

William I'.odine was reared in Canada, and 
there made his home until eighteen years of age. 
wiien he went to Michigan, where he spent 
fifteen months. He then removed to Joliet. Illi- 
nois, and in January. 1840. arrived in Winnebago 
county. .\ year or so afterward he settled upon 
the farm which is now his home, purchasing a 
claim <if S. S. Richards. .\fter spending the 
first summer at Roscoe Mr. IJodine took u]) his 
abode on this farm, and is now the oldest resi- 
dent of Harrison townshi]). He owns eightv- 
nine acres in the home place, besides sixty acres 
on section 7. Harrison township, and he has long 
carried on general farming and stock-raising, 
bringing his land up to its present high state of 
cultivation and making all of the improvements 
upon the place. It came into his pos.session just 
as it had left the hand of nature and the soil, 
naturally rich and jiroductive. under the culti- 
vation of .Mr. liodine has brought forth rich 
harvests which have amiually returned him a 
good income. 

in Harrison township, this county, Mr. Bo- 
wline was first married to Miss Harriet Sophronia 
Babcock, a native of New York, who died here 
in .August, 11846, leaving two children. Harriet 
Lenora. born September i. 1844. is the wife of 
.\lexander Tunks. of Clover, Portage countv, 
Wisconsin, and she is now a grandmother. 
George \V., who served in the Civil war. enter- 
ing the army as a recruit of the Fifty-fifth Illi- 
nois Infantry, died before joining his regiment, 
being then about eighteen years of age. For 
his second wife Mr. Bodine chose I'rances E. 
.Mlhright. of Winnebago county, who was born 
in Ohio, but was reared in .Michigan and in this 
state. She is now living at more than sevcntv- 
four years of age. There were eleven children 
by this marriage: ( )rin J.. Jacob, and Doris C. 
who died in infancy: Zelah. the wife of Daniel 
Dobson. a farmer of Harrison township: Jere- 
miah, a farmer, living in .Arkansas; Esther L., 
the wife of John M. Ilurd, who resides in Har- 
rison township; Charles Sumner, who died when 



twenty-one years of age; Laura Emeline, the 
wife of (ieorge M. Norton, a farmer and car- 
penter, residing near her father's farm; Arthusa, 
who is living at home: .\nna Loiza. the wife of 
l-"rank W'. Selden. living on the home farm with 
her father; Isaac, who died when about seven- 
teen years of age. 

Politically Mr. I'odine is a stalwart prohi- 
bitionist, and su|)i)orle(l the alxjlition party be- 
fore the war. He was the first boy who dared to 
step forward and sign the cold water ])ledgc in 
the town where he was born in the early days 
of temperance agitation, and he has always 
exerted his infiuence. both by precept and exam- 
ple, against the liquor traffic. He has served in 
some of the local offices of the townshi]). has 
been chairman of the board of trustees of the 
1-Veewill Baptist church and is an earnest 
Christian gentleman and highly respected citi- 
zen. Honorable principles and upright motives 
have actuated his life, and he receives the ven- 
eration and esteem which should ever be 
accorded those who have advancecl far on life's 
journey. Through sixty-five years he has lived 
in this county, and we of the twentieth century 
can scarcely realize the hardships, dangers and 
privations borne by the early pioneers who 
bravely met the struggles and difficulties inci- 
dent to settlement in a frontier region and 
planted the seeds of civilization which have 
l)rought comfort and prosperity at the present 
time. 



EDWARD TAYLOR. 

Edward Taylor, the secretary and treasurer of 
the Rockford Silver Plate Company, is a native 
of Massachusetts, his birth having there occurred 
in 1863. He pursued his education in the public 
schools and when quite young removed to Michi- 
gan with his parents, where he continued his 
studies. Later he returned to his native state, 
where he entered upon his business career as an 
employe in the Pairpoint Manufacturing Com- 
pany, of Xew Bedford. Massachn.setts. Tn 1891 
lie went to .'^an Francisco. California, where he 
established a branch business for his firm and 
after placing this upon a substantial footing he 
returned to the old Bay state, and subsequently 
accepted a position with the Holmes & Edwards 
Silver Company, of Bridgeport. Connecticut. He 
continued with that house until May, 1890, when 
he took charge of the Rockford Silver Plate Com- 
pany and here he became a stockholder in the 
enterprise and soon afterward was elected secre- 
tary and treasurer, which positions he has since 
filled in a most creditable manner, L'nder the 
management of Mr. Taylor a number of valuable 
improvements have been made. The business has 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



285 



been enlarged and the sales have been increased 
until the industry is recognized as one of the 
substantial productive enterprises of Rockford, 
contributing in no small degree to the com- 
mercial prosperity of the city. The works were 
established in 1883, having been removed to this 
city from Racine, Wisconsin. Local parties be- 
came interested therein and the company is 
capitalized for one hundred and twenty-five 
thousand dollars. The present officers are Hon. 
William Lathrop, president, and Edward Taylor, 
secretary and treasurer. A four-story building 
was erected especially for this business, was 
equipped with the latest improved machinerv and 
with steam power and about one hundred oper- 
atives are employed in the factory. They do all 
kinds of plating of tableware, cutlery specialties, 
and novelties. The majority of workmen are 
skilled in their line and the output of the house 
is of such a desirable character that a readv 
market is secured for the product at home and 
abroad. 

Mr. Taylor was married in 1889 to Miss 
Georgia H. Bradley, and they make their home 
at No. 962 North Church street. Mr. Taylor is 
prominent in Masonry, having attained the 
thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is 
popular socially as well as in business circles and 
in the latter has made a creditable name and an 
honorable record. His entire life has been de- 
voted to the line of activity which still claims 
his attention and by a thorough understanding of 
the work, close application, unremitting diligence 
and devotion to the interests entrusted to him he 
worked his way steadily upward and has achieved 
the success which classes him with the "captains 
of industrv" in this citv. 



JAMES M. S]\nTH. 



James AI. Smith, who carries on farming on 
section 35, Harlem township, where he has one 
hundred and sixty acres of land, was born upon 
this farm, June 24, i860, and has spent his 
entire life here. His grandfather, Daniel Smith, 
was a native of Argyleshire, Scotland, and 
became the founder of the family in this county, 
where he located in pioneer times. He died in 
Harlem township in 1843, while his wife, who 
bore the maiden name of ^lary Montgomery, 
and was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1800, 
survived him for thirty years and departed this 
life in 1875. ^^''^ members of their family were 
as follows : John, father of our subject : Rob- 
ert, who is now living in Rockford : Daniel, a 
resident of the village of Winnebago : Alexan- 
der, who died in Rockford in May, 1904 : .\rchi- 
bald, who died in his youth : William, who died 
17 



in Rockford in September, 1904; Flora, who 
died in 1847; Mrs. Jane Greenlee, living in 
Charles City, Iowa : and Mary Agnes, who died 
in 1845. 

John Smith was born in Argyleshire, Scot- 
land, July 21, 1826, and came with his parents 
to the new world. They left Campbellstown, 
Scotland, on the 4th of June, 1842, and landed 
at New York on the 4th of July. They then 
went by boat to Albany, thence to Buffalo by 
way of the Erie canal, by steamer from Buffalo 
to Chicago, and on by team to Winnebago 
county, the grandfather liiring teams to haul his 
family and goods to Harlem township. Reach- 
ing this location, John Smith purchased gov- 
ernment land and cast in his lot with the pio- 
neer settlers of this locality. Rockford at that 
time was but a small village, the business dis- 
trict being all on North Madison street, and 
there was no bridge across the river. .\ col- 
ored man conducted a restaurant and was also 
the banker of the little town. From pioneer times 
down to the present Mr. Smith has watched the 
development and growth of the county and has 
materially assisted in its progress by his efforts 
along agricultural lines. He is now a hale and 
hearty old gentleman, living in honorable retire- 
ment from business cares with his wife, their 
home being near that of their son, James. Mrs. 
Smith bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mont- 
gomery, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, De- 
cember 9, 1826, and was a daughter of James 
and Jane (Caldwell) Montgomery, pioneer resi- 
dents of Harlem township. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
were married December 12, 1852. and became the 
parents of the following sons and daughters : 
James AL, Daniel M., who is living in Rockford 
township, and wedded Catherine Brown, of Cal- 
edonia, Illinois, by whom he has one son ; Jane, 
the wife of James S. Reid, of Harlem township, 
by whom she has two sons and two daughters : 
Flora W.. at home with her parents ; and Marv 
E., the wife of Hugh McCarroll, of Battle Creek, 
Michigan, by whom she has one daughter. 

James M. Smith, whose name introduces this 
review, has always lived upon the old home- 
stead, where he yet resides. At the usual age 
he entered the public schools, and therein mas- 
tered the common branches of English learning. 
Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded 
Isabella Rawlston, a daughter of Thomas and 
Jane Rawlston, of Harlem township, the wed- 
ding being celebrated on the 20th of October, 
iQoo. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Smith is 
noted for its generous and genial hospitality and 
their farm is one of the finest in the county. The 
residence is a commodious and attractive house 
built in modern style of architecture, and in the 
rear stand good barns and outbuildings which 
in turn are surrounded by well tilled fields, giv- 



286 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



ing every indication of tlic careful supervision 
of a practical owner of good business judgment 
and enterprise. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smitli hold membership in Wil- 
low Creek Presbyterian church at .\rgyle, and 
in politics he is a stalwart re]niblican. active in 
support of the party. He is now serving as 
siipervisi)r of his township, anil for many years 
has been a member of the school board, doing 
effective service tor the cause of education, while 
in his other official duties he is ever found prompt 
and reliable. 



ROBERT G. I^IcEVOY. 

Robert G. McEvoy, a leading member of the 
Rockford bar, who served as coqioration counsel 
of the city, and was also assistant state's attor- 
ney for several years, was born in Prescott, Can- 
ada, in 1861, his parents being John and Mary 
McEvoy, who were natives of Ireland, .\fter 
coming to .Xmerica they settled in Canada, where 
the father engaged in farming until 1869. He then 
removed to Winnebago county, Illinois, and pur- 
chased a tract of land in Xew Mil ford township. 
on which he carried on general agricultural pur- 
suits until 1888. In that year he took up his 
abode in the city of Rockford, where he lived re- 
tired for ten years, or until his death, which oc- 
curred in February, 1898. His wife died upon 
the farm in Xew Milford. Of their children, 
seven are now living: William, James, Mrs. 
Rurritt. Samuel. John. Robert G. and .\Ibert. 

Robert G. McEvoy was only eight \ears old 
when his parents came to this county. He at- 
tended the public schools until he had acquired 
a good English education and then entered upon 
the study of law in the office of Judge -\rthur H. 
Frost, who was one of the first attorneys of 
Rockford, and is now upon the bench of the cir- 
cuit court, .\fter reading under the direction 
of Judge Frost, Mr. McEvoy was admitted to 
the bar in 1884, and located for practice in this 
city. He then entered into partnership with his 
former preceptor, and the relation was main- 
tained for fourteen years, the firm of Frost & 
McEvoy occupying a foremost position at the 
Rockford bar. .\t the end of that time Mr. 
McEvoy opened an office in the Forest Citv Na- 
tional Bank building, where he remained until 
his life's labors were ended. .\ liberal clientage 
was accorded him and connected him with much 
of the important litigation tried in the courts of 
his district. He was thorough and painstaking 
in the ])rei)aration n{ his cases, and in his rea- 
soning was cogent and logical, so that he won 
many verdicts favorable to his clients to whom 
hi< devotion was proverbial. 



.Mr. .Mcl'A'oy was married in Ruckford to Miss 
Ella Compion, a daughter of J. 11. and Hester 
X. Compton. Her father was an early settler 
of Rockford. \vho was engaged in agricultural 
im]>lement liusiness here for many years and then 
retired. He died in May. 1900. and his widow, 
now seventy-seven years of age, is residing in 
Rockford with Mrs. Youngberg, at Xo. ^2j In- 
de]iendence avenue. Mr. and Mrs. McEvoy be- 
came the parents of two daughters, N'era C. and 
luhia Alay, both residing with their mother. The 
father died July 20. 1904. and thus passed away 
a representative citizen of Rockford. 

In his ))olilical views Mr. Mcl-'voy was an 
unfaltering republican, and. keeping well in- 
formed on the questions and issues of the day, 
was enabled to support his position by intelli- 
gent argument. He served as alderman from the 
fourth ward for two terms, and his devotion to 
tlie public good found tangible evidence in his 
support of many aldermanic measures whereby 
the welfare and progress of the city were aug- 
mented. His social relations were with the 
Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen, the 
Mystic Workers, the Red Men and Royal Ar- 
canum, all of Rockford. He was a man of ca- 
pabliiy, of strong intellectuality, of lauilable am- 
bition and honorable ])urpose, and his success in 
his professional career was equaled by his pop- 
ularity among his friends. Mrs. McEvoy is a 
iiu'inher of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal 
cliurch. and she owns a nice residence at Xo. 420 
Winnebago street, where she and her children 
reside. She also has a nice summer home on the 
banks of Rock river, at the northern boundary 
of Rockford, where they spend the heated sum- 
mer season, and she also spends much of the 
winter months in the south. In addition to the 
residences which she occui)ies she also has other 
valuable property in Rockford, which returns to 
her a comfortable financial income. 



EDWARD P. CATLIX. M. 1). 

No history of Winnebago county would be 
complete w-ithout the life record of Edward P. 
Catlin. for many years a physician of Rockford 
and a representative of one of the oldest and 
most ])rominent families of the city. His father, 
too. practiced here for many years, and thus the 
name Catlin has long been associated with the 
medical fraternity of Winnebago county. Ed- 
ward P. Catlin was born in Chester. Ohio. July 
r, T837, his parents being Dr. .\rchibald and 
Miranda (Harwood) Catlin. The father was 
born in that part of Litchfield, which is now 
Winfield, Herkimer county, Xew York, his natal 
(lav beinsj' Sentonibir 8, 1801. He is descended 




ROBERT G. McEVOY 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



289 



from Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather, 
Roger CatHn, Sr., having been a soldier of the 
American army in the war for independence. 
Roger Catlin, Jr.. father of Archibald M. Cat- 
lin, was a native of Connecticut, and the father 
came originally of English lineage. Roger Cat- 
lin, Sr., removed from the Charter Oak 
state to New York, spending his last days 
in Herkimer county, and Roger Catlin, Jr.. 
became one of the pioneer settlers of 
that county, to which place he removed after 
being reared and married in Connecticut. In 
what is now the town of Winfield, Herkimer 
county, he purchased a tract of timber land, on 
which he built a log cabin, containing one room 
on the ground floor, and one above. As it was 
located in the center of the township, at the 
junction of five roads, he was frequently called 
upon to entertain the travelers to diti'erent parts 
of the county, and this led him to establish a 
hotel. His home, too, was often used as a meeting- 
place when religious services were held, and later 
he donated the land upon which a little church 
was built, and he took an active part in further- 
ing the intellectual, moral and material progress 
of his community. He continued to conduct his 
hotel and also carried on farming interests until 
his death, which occurred in 1813. He married 
Sarah Clark, a native of Connecticut, and a 
daug-hter of Deacon Clark, a pioneer ot 
Tompkins county, New York. After the death 
of her husband Mrs. Catlin was married again, 
and her death occurred in Winfield, New York. 
Archibald i\I. Catlin was only twelve years old 
at the time of his father's death, and he remained 
with his mother until her second marriage, after 
which he lived with an uncle in Plainfield town- 
ship, Herkimer county, assisting in the farm 
work when not attending the district schools. In 
1820 he started for the west, walking to C)lean 
Point, and thence going down the Allegheny 
river to Pittsburg, and by way of the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers to St. Louis, which at that 
time was a small town. He was in Missouri 
when it was admittd to the Union, and after- 
ward he removed to Madison county, Illinois, 
but a year later returned to JMissouri. where he 
worked in the lead mines until 1823. He then 
went again to New York. He had read medi- 
cine previous to his removal westward, and now 
resuming preparation for the profession he at- 
tended lectures at the Fairfield Medical College, 
in Herkimer county. Subsequently he became 
a student in the ofiice of Dr. Clark, of Winfield, 
and attended a course of lectures in the college 
at Castleton, \'ermont, in the winter of 1825-6. 
In January of the latter year he again entered 
Fairfield College, and was graduated with the 
class of 1827. After winning his degree he 
located for practice in \\'infield, New York, and 



for five years was a partner of Dr. Nathan Har- 
wood. He then removed to Chester, Ohio, where 
he continued in active practice until 1832, when 
he became a resident of Lorain county, that 
state, making his home there until 1838, which 
year witnessed his arrival in Rockford. He 
found a small village of little importance, stand- 
ing in the midst of a sparsely settled district, in 
which much of the land was still owned by the 
government. He built a home on the east side, 
where he purchased a lot, and from that time 
until his death continued as one of the most 
prominent physicians in his part of the state. He 
was one of the earliest members of the profes- 
sion in Rockford, and engaged in practice here 
for seventy years. He was honored and respected 
by all by reason of what he accomplished, and 
the effective work which he did for his fellow- 
men in alleviating human suffering. He was 
progressive in his methods, keeping in touch 
with modern progress in his chosen calling, and 
his life was indeed a busy and useful one. In 
his earlier years he bore the hardships which 
always fall to the lot of the pioneer physician, 
but later his practice was more largely confined 
to the city, and brought to him the remunerative 
return which was his just due. He died August 
28, 1892, at the very advanced age of ninety-two 
years, and his name was then added to the roll 
of Winnebago county's honored dead. 

In early manhood he had wedded ^Miranda 
Harwood, of Winfield, New York, a daughter of 
Dr. Nathan Harwood. His marriage took place 
in 1828, and she died in 1846. The following 
year Dr. Catlin married Sarah Morrill, a native 
of ]\Ieriden. New Hampshire, and a daughter of 
Rev. John Morrill, who was the first minister of 
the First Congregational church in Rockford, 
he and his two brothers organizing the church 
here. ]\Irs. Sarah Catlin survived her husband 
until 1902, passing away at the advanced age of 
eighty-four years. Dr. A. M. Catlin gave his 
early political support to the whig party, and aft- 
erward became a stanch republican. He acted 
as president of the first medical society ever or- 
ganized in A\'innebago county, and he and his 
wife held membership in the First Congrega- 
tional church. The world is better for his having 
lived, for his influence was ever on the side of 
right, progress and improvement, and his influ- 
ence was a potent factor in promoting the moral 
and intellectual development of his community. 

Edward P. Catlin was brought to A\'innebago 
county in 1838, when only about a year old, and 
his youth was passed in the village of Rockford, 
where he began his education in the common 
schools, passing through successive grades until 
he had completed the high school course. He 
then went to Meriden. Vermont, where he com- 
pleted an academic course by graduation from 



290 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



the Kimball Union Academy, and thus with 
broad literary knowledge to serve as tlie founda- 
tion for professional learning he mairiciilaicd in 
Rush Medical College, of Chicago, where he 
mastered the regular course, and was graduated 
in 1864. Not content, however, with his prepa- 
ration for his profession, he went to New York 
city, pursuing post-graduate work in the College 
of Physicians & Surgeons. He also attended the 
Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York 
city in 1865. 

Returning to Rockford after his graduation 
from Rush Medical College. Dr. Catlin entered 
upon practice here, and was thus engaged when 
in 1864 he enlisted as first assistant surgeon in 
the One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois In- 
fantry, with which he served for a year, or until 
the close of the war. I'ollowing his return lo 
the north he resumed his professional labors in 
Rockford, and with the exception of the period 
spent in college in New York he continued one 
of the active physicians of this city until his 
death. Anything which tended to bring to man 
the key to the complex mystery which we call 
life was of much interest to him. He carried his 
research and investigation into various fields of 
knowledge, and became one of the learned mem- 
bers of the medical fraternity in Winnebago 
county, having a knowledge that well equipped 
him for the iniporlant and resjionsihle duties 
which ever devolve ujion the medical ])racti- 
tioner. 

In i86f5 Dr. Catlin was married to Miss Mary 
H. Robinson, a native of Huron, Ohio, born in 
1840, her parents being Sylvester and Emily 
(Skinner) Robinson. Her father was a native 
of Connecticut, and her mother of New York, 
and he became one of the early settlers of Rock- 
ford, but remained only a few years. He ar- 
rived here in 1847, "I'lfl- entering into partner- 
ship with E. H. Potter was engaged in general 
merchandising until 1849. when he became at- 
tacked with the gold fever and started for Cal- 
ifornia, in which state his death occurred. His 
wife passed away in Rockford. Dr. and Mrs. 
Catlin became the parents of four children : 
Archibald M., who married Ella Riley, of Wash- 
ington, D. C, and is now engaged in the news- 
paper business in Chicago; Sanford R., a prac- 
ticing i)hysician of Rockford. where he repre- 
sents the third generation of the family in the 
medical profession and who luarried Mary H. 
Richings, of Washington. D. C. : Norman E., 
who is a member of the firm of H. H. & N. S. 
Robinson, of this city, and makes his home with 
his mother: an<l ICmily ll.'irwmid, who died in 
infancy. 

Following iiis marriage Dr. Catlin removed to 
Manteno, near Kankakee, Illinois, where he jirac- 
ticed for several years, and he was also surgeon 



for the Illinois Central Railroad Company at 
that place for a year. He then returned to 
Rockford. where he resumed practice, and was 
an active and eminent member of his profession 
in this part of the state until his death, which 
occurred Se])tember 26, 1904. He was a man 
of strong intellectuality, progressive views and 
noble purposes, and the high principles which 
actuated his life in all its relations made him a 
leading member of the medical fraternity, con- 
forming strictly to the highest ethics of the pro- 
fession. He held memhership in Nevius post, 
No. I, G. A. R., and gave his political allegiance 
to the republican party, and both he and his wife 
were members of the First Congregational 
church of this city. Mrs. Catlin still owns the 
old home, at No. 304 South Mrst street, where 
she and her son reside, and the Doctor's offices 
still remain upon the lot. She possesses many 
old family relics, including a rocking chair in 
which Mrs. .Archibald M. Catlin rode in the 
wagon when the family removed from Ohio to 
Rockford. in 1838. carrying her little son, Ed- 
ward P., in her arms. .\s has been stated, the 
name of Catlin is inseparably associated with 
the history of Winnebago county, and its rep- 
resentatives have ever been loyal in citizenship ; 
have held friendship inviolable, and have been 
found trustworthy and reliable in all life's rela- 
tions. 



BENJ.VMIN HERD .\.\d GEORGE PARKER. 

These two gentlemen, both now deceased, were 
lirominent citizens of Rockford, and, although 
neither engaged in business here, both spent their 
last days in the city, living retired until called 
to their final rest. Benjamin Herd was a native 
of Herkimer county. New York, was reared 
upon a farm, early becoming familiar with all 
the labor necessary for its cultivation, and in 
the district schools he acquired his education. 
He was married in Herkimer county to Miss 
.Mmira E. Sheldon, a native of that county, who 
came of Revolutionary ancestry, so that she is 
now one of the daughters of the Revolution. 
Following his marriage Mr. Herd engaged in 
farming on his own accoimt in Herkimer coimty 
and through his well directed labors, enterprise 
and ability wi)n creditable success. He made 
judicious investment in real estate, and became 
the owner of .several farms, continuing to en- 
gage in agricultural pursiu'ts in Herkimer 
county luitil i8(>8. when he came to the west and 
took up his abode in Rockford. The income 
derived from his projierty interests was sufficient 
to enable him to live retired, and he no more 
actively engaged in business pursuits but enjoyed 
a well earned rest here until called to his final 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



29 1 



home in 1893, when he had reached the venerable 
age of eighty-seven years. His wife survived 
him, passing away November 18, 1899. He 
ever took a deep interest in religious work and 
was junior warden of the Episcopal church of 
this city. His entire life was in harmony with 
his profession, and his fidelity to duty, his honor 
in business relations and his devotion to his fam- 
ily were numbered among his salient character- 
istics. 

There were four children born unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Plerd : Eugenia C, is a native of Herki- 
mer county, New York, and married Rufus 
Mills Parker, a native of Massachusetts, and a 
son of George and Catherine A. Parker. His 
father was born near Boston, Massachusetts, in 
1805, and resided in the east until 1869, when 
he took up his abode in Rockford and lived 
retired until his death in August, 1885. His 
wife passed away July 19, 1904. He was a 
republican in his political views, and both he and 
his wife held membership in the First Congre- 
gational church of Rockford. 

Venetia R. Herd, the second child of Mr. and 
Mrs. Benjamin Herd, is the widow of Major 
Alexander Walker, of Rockford, and resides at 
No. 410 South Third street. Ada is the wife of 
Henry Ellsworth, a commission merchant of 
Chicago. Eugene H., the youngest member of 
the family, died at the age of four years. 

Rufus Mills Parker was born in Massachu- 
setts, and came to the west at an early day, set- 
tling first in Joliet, Illinois, where he was en- 
gaged in the dry goods business for a few years. 
In 1867 he came to Rockford, where he married 
Miss Herd, and unto them were born three 
children : Lillian C, the eldest, is the wife of 
James Colville, a traveling salesman, represent- 
ing the Arcade Manufacturing Company of 
Freeport, Illinois. They reside in Rockford with 
his parents, and they have two children. Vio- 
letta is the wife of G. W. Anderson. Edith died 
at the age of four months. 

^Ir. and Mrs. Parker own and occupy the old 
Herd homestead, which is a beautiful residence, 
at No. 503 Catlin street. Both the Herd and 
Parker families are prominent in Rockford, their 
representatives being well known in social 
circles. 



ELMER E. HARRIS. 

Elmer E. Harris is the owner of a good farm 
of one hundred and five acres on section 14, 
Durand township, and upon this farm was born 
July 23, 1862. His father, Elisha Harris, was 
born in Steuben county. New York, July 19. 
1817. and there followed farming until 1837, 
when he came west to Pecatonica township. 



where he was employed for a short time. He 
then came to Durand township and entered a 
claim from the government, securing a farm 
which is now owned by his son Elmer. Here 
he spent his remaining days, devoting his time 
and energies to agricultural pursuits. He was 
married in early manhood to Calista C, daugh- 
ter of Scott and Lavina Robb. She was born 
in Ohio, July 22, 1823, and became a resident 
of Durand township in 1842. In August of that 
year she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Har- 
ris, and they traveled life's journey together for 
forty-one years, the wife and mother passing 
away August 19, 1883, while Mr. Harris died 
December 13, 1900. Their children were as fol- 
lows: Henry E., born November 27, 1843, is 
living in Seattle, Washington, and has three sons 
and a daughter. William Eugene, born May 8, 
1847, ^"d also a resident of Seattle, has three 
sons and a daughter. Lewis Frederick, born 
October 10, 1848, is living at Neil, Kansas, and 
has four daughters and a son. Charles E., born 
March 19, 1853, is living at Bartonville, Illinois. 
Willis Spencer, born Februan,' 18, i860, resides 
at Geneva, Illinois. Jesse F., born July 3, 1867, 
makes his home in Durand. Those deceased are : 
Erastus P., who was born January 25, 1844, and 
died in the hospital March 11, 1863, while serv- 
ing the Union as a member of Company H, Sev- 
enty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; Joseph 
Scott, who was born January 19, 1858, and died 
February 2, 1892; and Julia L., who was born 
April II, 1851, and died November 6, 1869. 

Elmer E. Harris has always lived upon the 
home farm in Durand township where his birth 
occurred and in the common schools he acquired 
his education. He received ample training at 
farm labor, for at an early age he began to as- 
sist in the cultivation of the home place, and 
was thus well qualified to assume its manage- 
ment when he began fanning on his own account. 

On the nth of April, 1888, Mr. Harris was 
united in marriage to Miss Eva Place, a daugh- 
ter of J. R. and Amanda (Morris) Place, of 
Durand township. She died December 23, 1898, 
leaving three children : Bessie A., born Septem- 
ber 18, 1889; Lloyd E., born February 28, i8()3: 
and Eva I., born November 26, 1898. For his 
second wife Mr. Harris chose Lois, daughter of 
Hawkins and Lydia (Gillem) Inoebritson, of 
Durand township, who were of English and Nor- 
wegian descent. She was one of six children: 
Annie, who married Earle Strauss, of Rockford, 
and has two children ; Lois, of this review ; John, 
living at Bremerton, Washington : Sherman and 
Shirley, twins, the former living at Bremerton, 
the latter in Durand township : and Alfred, who 
also lives at Bremerton, Washington. Mr. and 
Mrs. Harris have one son, Wayne J., born Sep- 
tember II, 1903. 



292 



PAST AND TRESEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



Mr. Harris is a nieinbcr of Shawbcnee lodijc. 
No. 146. I. O. O. 1*"., of wliich lie is a past iu)ble 
grand, and he likewise belongs to Uurand lodge. 
No. 302. .\. F. & .\. M., both of Diirand. In 
politics he is an earnest republican, and is now 
serving as assessor of his townshi]). while for 
six years he was road commissioner, lie and his 
wife hold membership in the Methodist dnirch. 
and are ])eople of genuine worth, whost many 
good (|nalities have gained them imqualitied con- 
fidence and trust of those with whom they have 
been associated. 



FRAXK 1;. CAMPBELL. 

Frank B. Campbell, one of the extensive land- 
owners of the county, now living in Pecatonica 
townshij). was born in Durand township, Jul}' 25, 
1846. His education was acquired in the public 
schools and he also attended the seminary at 
Durand, while an inmate of his father's home. 
His parents were Jeremiah and Cynthia (Hoyt) 
Campbell. The father came to Winnebago 
county in 1836. driving across the country with 
an ox team. He and his brother David entered 
land from the government and became pioneer 
residents of this |)ortion of the state. There 
w'ere only three houses in Rockford at the time 
of their arrival here and the entire countryside 
was largely as it had come from the hand of na- 
ture, the prairie being covered with its high 
grasses, while in certain districts stood the forest 
trees, amid which the sound of the woodman's 
ax had not lieen heard. He first entered his land 
at Dixon and built thereon a log house, which 
was afterward rei)laced by a frame residence. 
He hauled his grain to the Chicago market and 
on one trip to that city the entire expense of the 
journey was twelve cents, which he paid for milk. 
In cnnnection with general farming he engaged in 
the manufacture of cheese, which he sold at Min- 
eral Point, Wisconsin, and al.so at Galena. Illinois. 
He carried on the work of the fields and as his 
financial resources increased he bought more land 
initil a short time previous to his death, he was 
the owner of a valuable tract of four hundred 
acres which he sold to his son Frank. He was 
active and influential in community aft'airs and 
held all the different township offices, the duties 
of which he discharged with promptness and 
fidelity. In his political views he was a 
republican. His death occurred in Durand town- 
ship, .\pril 25. 1884, while his wife is now liv- 
ing in that township. He was twice married and 
by the first union had one son, Edward S.. who 
was born December 11. 1840. and died at the age 
of fifty-eight years. Tlie children of the 



second marriage were as follows : Romeo 
H.. who was born September 15. 1844, 
was married ami died at the age of 
fifty-seven years, leaving a wife and five 
children : Frank B. is the second ; Emma L., born 
June 10. 1850, died April 15, 1864; and Eva M., 
l)orn December 24, 1854, is the wife of Louis 
(ioodrich. and resides in I'renHHit. Nebraska. 

Mr. Campbell was reared to farm life and. as 
lx.'fore stated, was given good educational privi- 
leges. At the age of twenty years he bought 
his time from his father for one hundred and 
fiftv dollars and began farming for himself on 
five hundred and forty acres of land, for which 
he gave twelve hundred dollars ])er year rent. 
When twenty-one years of age. having made some 
mone\ in thv previous year, he purchased one 
hundred and forty-five acres, at twenty-five dol- 
lars per acre. This was largely covered with 
brush or timber and he bad to clear it before 
it was read)- for the plow. He afterwards 
rented his father's farm of four hundred acres 
for which he jjaid twelve hundred dollars per 
year, and subsequently he bought this tract of 
four hundred acres from his father, becoming its 
owner in 1865. He then removed into the old 
home and began operating his land, for which he 
had i)aid fifty dollars jier acre. That he worked 
diligently and prospered is indicated by the fact 
that within six years he had paid twenty thousand 
dollars on the jirojjerty and was thus the owner 
of the old homestead, which he had freed from 
debt. He continued farming with excellent success 
and has purchased more land from time to time 
imtilhis realty possessions at present comprise 
nineteen hundred and seventy acres. Upon his 
home place he has all modern improvements and 
a beautiful residence with hot and cold water and 
all modern improvements. It is surrounded with 
fine shade trees and is one of the most attractive 
features of the landscape. In his farm work. 
Mr. Campbell is systematic, determined and ca- 
])al)le and has carried forward to completion what- 
ever he has undertaken. He has been engaged 
(|nite extensively in feeding cattle and hogs, feed- 
ing alxiut two hundred and thirty head of cattle 
in the winter of 1904 and aboin three hundred 
head of hogs. He now has about two hundred and 
forty head of hogs and two hundre<l and twenty 
head of cattle. His oats crop in the year 1905 
was thirteen thousand Inishels in excess of what 
the renters got as their share. His wheat also 
\ields him thirty bushels to the acre and eleven 
acres were planted to that croji. In if)05 he 
raised fifty-six acres of oats, yielding sixty-six 
bushels to the acre. 

On the 29th of December, 1870. Mr. Campbell 
was united in marriage to Miss .-\rabelle .\dams. 
a native of the state of Xew York, and a daugh- 



^1 




'^f 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



295 



ter of Daniel D. and Olive Adams, also born in 
the Empire state, whence they came westward to 
Winnebago county about i860. Their only 
child was Airs. Campbell. Unto Air. and Airs. 
Campbell have been born the following named : 
Lula, born April 11, 1881, married Rufus Win- 
chester, a farmer of Durand township ; Ralph, 
born Alarch 2, 1885, and Roy, born April 19, 
1888, are both at home: while Rena, the first 
born, died in infancy. 

Mr. Campbell is a man of domestic tastes, de- 
voted to his family and considering no personal 
sacrifice on his part too great if it will promote 
the happiness or enhance the welfare of his wife 
and children. He has held some public offices 
but has no ambition in this direction, preferring 
that others shall fill the official positions. His 
support is given to the republican party. His 
life record illustrates the power and force of 
keen discernment, strong purpose and indefati- 
gable energy in the fields of business for through 
these means he has made for himself a place 
among the prosperous citizens of his native 
county. Buying his time of his father and re- 
ceiving no pecuniary assistance, as the years have 
gone by he has through his own ef-forts become a 
prosperous man and one whose success is 
equaled by the respect which is generously ac- 
corded him. 



BENJAAIIN D. GOLDY. 

Benjamin D. Goldy, who follows farming on 
section 3, Shirland township, where he owns 
eighty acres of finely improved land, has been a 
resident of Winnebago county since the spring 
of 1850. although for a brief period he was in 
the west. He was born in Elmira, New York, 
in 1830. his parents being Samuel and Alary Ann 
( Durham ) Goldy. who came to this county in 
the spring of 1850. The father was born in 
Penns>'lvania, and became a farmer of the Em- 
pire state, where he carried on general agri- 
cultural pursuits until his removal to the mid- 
dle west. He was married in the east to Aliss 
Durham, a native of Elmira, New York, whose 
father was a surveyor of that locality. As before 
stated, the year 1830 witnessed the arrival of 
Samuel Goldy and his wife in this county, and 
for six years they resided in Rockton township, 
after which they removed to the farm now- 
owned and occupied by their son Benjamin, the 
father having purchased this land upon coming 
to the county. Here he and his wife resided 
until called to their final rest, Mr. Goldy pass- 
ing away in January, 1865, when sixty-three 
years of age. while his wife died in 1890, at the 
a£fe of ei^htx-three vears. He was active and 



influential in community aft'airs, and served as 
commissioner of highways in Rockton and Shir- 
land townships for several }ears. In their fam- 
ily were six children : James, who went to Cal- 
ifornia in 1849, afterward lived for a number of 
years in Kansas, but eventually returned to Cal- 
ifornia, where his death occurred. John, who 
was a hatter by trade, learning the business in 
Elmira. New York, also spent four years as a 
sailor on whaling expeditions, and later he sailed 
on the Great Lakes for several j^ears. He served 
his country as a member of the Union army dur- 
ing the Civil war, and subsequently he was mar- 
ried and removed to Butler county, Kansas, 
where his death occurred. William, who learned 
the printer's trade in Elmira, New York, after- 
ward worked at Aurora and at Chicago. Illinois, 
and in the latter city was foreman of the job 
office owned by S. P. Rounds, in which office the 
first color work was probably done. He con- 
tinued to make his home in Chicago during the 
greater part of the time until his death. Airs. 
Elizabeth HoUister, the fourth member of the 
family, resides at Cresco. Iowa. Stephen D. 
died May 22. 1905, in Harrison township, this 
county, where he had resided for many years, 
engaged in raising bees and dealing in honey. 

Benjamin D. Goldy was a youth of nine years 
when he accompanied his parents on their re- 
moval to Winnebago county, arriving here in 
the spring of 1850. He resided in Rockton town- 
ship for six years, and since that time has prac- 
tically made his home in Shirland township. 
However, he spent some years on the plains in 
the west, going first in i860 and again in the 
early '70s. He secured a homestead in Adams 
county. Nebraska, proved it up and retained the 
ow'nership thereof for several years, but sold 
it some time ago. He now resides on section 3. 
Shirland township, where he owns a farm of 
eighty acres, which is productive and valuable 
land. 

At the time of the Civil war, however. Air. 
Goldy felt that his duty to his country w'as para- 
mount to all other interests in his life, and in 
1862 offered his services to the government, en- 
listing in Company D. Seventy-fourth Illinois 
Infantry, at Rockford. being mustered in and 
out at the same time as the entire regiment. Dur- 
ing a part of the three years, however, he was 
out of the service for a time on account of his 
ill health, but he re-enlisted and met the company 
at Chattanooga. He was never injured, although 
he participated in many important engagements, 
and he was mustered out at Nashville, Tennes- 
see, at the close of the war, and paid off at Chi- 
cago. He was always loyal to the cause he 
espoused, and upon the battle-fields of the south 
faithfully followed the stars and stripes until the 



296 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



flag of the Union was victoriously planted in the 
capital of the soutlu-ni Confederacy. 

Mr. Goldy was married first, in 1862, to Miss 
Harriet Stilwell, who was born in Shirland 
township, this county, and died in 1869, leaving 
three children: Hiram S., a farmer of Shirland 
township, whose daughter, Mrs. Judd, resides in 
Laona township ; William, of Seattle, \\'ashing- 
ton, who was for years engaged in the railroad 
busimss: and iuigene. a resident famur of Lin 
coin county. South Dakota, who is married, and 
has four sons. His property is a valuable farm 
of two hundred and forty acres. For his second 
wife Mr. (ioldy chose Miss \'elona Guptil. who 
was born in Rockton township. Wiiuiebago 
county, and is a daughter of John B. Guptil, one 
of the pioneer residents of this county, now de- 
ceased. His widow, however, still resides at 
Shirland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goldy have been 
born the following named : Mrs. Bessie Hulburt, 
who is living in Monroe. \\'isconisn : Floyd, a 
farmer, residing near Springfield, in Bonhomme 
county. South Dakota, who is married and has 
one child ; Stanley, who is bookkeeper in the 
Manufacturers' Bank at Rockford ; George, 
John, Samuel. Clarence. Robert and .Mice, all 
at liome. 

Politically Mr. Goldy is an earnest republican, 
having always given stanch supi)ort to the party 
and its j)rinciples. He has served as supervisor 
for eight or nine terms, and in various other 
local offices, and no trust reposed in hiin has 
been betrayed in the slightest degree. Socially 
he is connected with Nevius post. No. 1, G. A. 
R., at Rockford. became a charter member of 
Harrison camp. No. 684, M. W. A., and is now 
a member of the camp at Shirland. He attends 
the Congregational church in Shirland township, 
and his interest in the material, social, political 
and moral welfare of his community is that of a 
public-s])irited citizen who realizes possibilities, 
im])rovements and opportunities, and does what 
he can not only for his indivithial advancement, 
but also for the welfare of tin- general 
communitv. 



ARCHIBALD R. ARMSTRONG. 

.\rchibald R. Armstrong, one of the extensive 
landowners of Winnebago county, his farm 
comprising four hundred anrl eighty acres, was 
Ixjrn in .\lleghcny county. Pennsylvania, Febru- 
ary 16. 1852, and when about two years of age 
was brought to Illinois by his parents, .\rchibald 
ami Eliza (Xcwburn) .\rmstrong. The father 
was a native of Ireland, born in County Sligo in 
1815. Crossing the .\tlantic to .\merica in 1848, 
he mafle liis home in Petnisylvania and soon after- 
ward sent for his wife, whom he had married 



on the Emerald isle. She was born in 1813 and 
with her children she started for the new world, 
joining her husband and father here. They 
settled nead Pittsburg, where they remained un- 
til 1854, when they came to Winnebago county, 
Illinois, Rockford being their destination. Soon 
afterward Mr. Armstrong rented land in Owen 
township and the family home was established 
thereon. He also worked as a farm hand in the 
neighborhood until i860, when he purchased 
eighty acres of land and thus became one of the 
property holders of his locality. He worked per- 
sistently and energetically in order to make a 
good home for his family and acquire a comfort- 
able competence, and as the years passed he was 
enabled lo extend the boundaries of his farm by 
additional purchase until it comprised two hun- 
dred and forty acres. His remaining days were 
devoted to general farming and stock-raising and 
he deserved the respect and esteem which was 
uniformly accorded him because of what he ac- 
complished and by reason of the honorable meth- 
ods which he always followed in his business 
career. He died in 1893, and his wife departed 
this life in 1877. They were the parents of three 
sons and five daughters, and two sons and four 
daughters are yet living, namely : Catherine ; J. 
\\\, who married Martha Wishop ; Elizabeth, the 
wife of James 1 jlack ; Marie, the wife of Walter 
Wickes : Sarah, the widow of William A. Halley ; 
and Archibald R. Rebecca and James E. are 
deceased. 

Being but two years of age at the time of the 
removal of the family to Winnebago county, 
Archibald R. .Armstrong was reared in Illinois 
and through the iieriod of his boyhood and youth 
remained with his parents, .\fter attending the 
public schools he spent two years as a student 
in Professor Lownsbury's Business College, at 
Rockford. and was thus well equipped for life's 
practical and responsible duties. Following his 
marriage he located on a tract of land of eighty 
acres, constituting the nucleus of his extensive 
possessions. He realized that "there is no excel- 
lence without lalxir." and he persistently and en- 
ergetically sought to make his farm productive 
and his annual sales of crops added to his in- 
come and made it possible for him to extend the 
boundaries of his farm tmtil he is now the owner 
of four hundred and eighty acres of very valu- 
able land. .Ml of the improvements upon the 
propertv are his work and include substantial 
Imildings and every modern accessory. 

On the 28th of Decemlier. 1881, Mr. .\rm- 
strong was marrietl to Miss .\gnes Compton. a 
daughter of Wortman and Mary C\''anderhoflF') 
t'ompton, the former horn July 27. 1830. and the 
latter .\pril 14, 1833. They were both natives 
of New [ersev. and came to Winneliago countv 




MR. AND ^IRS. A. R. ARAISTROXG. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



299 



111 1855, settling tirst in Owen town- 
ship, after which they removed to Harri- 
son township, where Mr. Compton carried 
on business as a contractor and builder. He 
erected many substantial structures in this county 
and was well known throughout this part of the 
state as a reliable business man and representa- 
tive citizen. At the time of the Civil war he 
espoused the Union cause and enlisted as a mem- 
ber of Company D, Seventy-fourth Illinois In- 
fantry, and served until the close of the war. 
Following his return from the battle-field of the 
south, he again worked at his trade and later 
purchased a farm, which he made his home until 
1886, when he removed to Rockford, there living 
a retired life until called to his final rest C)ctober 
12, 1901. His wife survived him until July 28, 
1903. They had two children: Agnes, who was 
born Augaist 23, 1854; and Whitfield, born Jan- 
uary 14, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong also 
have two children, Charles E. and Mary L.. who 
are at home. 

Mr. Armstrong has served as a member of the 
school board, as town clerk, assessor and justice 
of the peace, filling the latter position at the pres- 
ent time, and in all of these offices he has dis- 
charged his duties with capability and fidelity. 
His political allegiance is given to no one party 
for he holds himself free to vote for the men and 
measure that he deems best worthy of his support. 
He favors the Methodists Episcopal church, of 
which his wife is a member, and he belongs to 
Owen camp. No. 616, JM. W. A. There have 
been no exciting chapters in his life record but 
the inherent forces of his character and his unre- 
mitting diligence have enabled him to gain a po- 
sition of affluence and win at the same time the 
good will and trust of his fellowmen by reason 
of the honorable methods he has ever followed. 



THOMAS M. BUTLER, M. D. 

Dr. TlKjmas M. Butler, of Rockford. who was 
born June 21, 1833, in Lycoming county. Penn- 
sylvania, was a son of Thomas and Hannah 
(Farr) Butler. In the paternal line he comes of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, while in the maternal line 
he is of English lineage, the Farr famil\' having 
been founded in America, however, prior to the 
Revolutionary war. Thomas Butler, Sr., was 
born in the north of Ireland, and came to Amer- 
ica when twelve years of age, settling in Penn- 
sylvania about 1790. He served his country in 
the war of 1812 as a member of General Hull's 
Brigade. Following the close of hostilities he 
returned to Pennsylvania, and was there married 
to LTannah Farr, whose people resided near the 
Potomac river. Their property was destroyed 



during the progress of the war, and the govern- 
ment afterward gave to the family one thousand 
acres of land in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. 
Mr. Butler became the owner of a farm in that 
locality, where he made his home until 1854, 
when he sold his property and came to Win- 
nebago county. Here he purchased a farm in 
Rockford township, and continued its further 
development and improvement up to the time of 
his death, which occurred in 1857. His wife 
long survived him, and died in 1891. Thev were 
the parents of nine children, three of whom died 
in Pennsylvania before the removal of the fam- 
il\- to the west. At the present time four sons 
and two daughters are yet living: John, a resi- 
dent of Ogle county. Illinois ; William F., who 
died in 1866; Ann, the wife of O. J. Cummings, 
of Winnebago county ; Thomas M. ; Bartlett F., 
also of this county ; G. C, who is living in Mar- 
shall county, Kansas ; Gillon T., who died at 
Clarksville, Butler county, Iowa, in the '90s : and 
^Margaret E., who is living in Winnebago county. 

Thomas M. Butler was a student in the dis- 
trict schools of Pennsylvania, and later attended 
an academy at Bloonisburg, that state, and after- 
ward the Lewisburg University. He pursued a 
scientific course preparatory to entering upon 
the study of medicine. He read medicine under 
the direction of Drs. Hill and Butler and later 
came west with his father. Subsequently he 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and continuing his 
preparation for the practice of medicine, was 
graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College 
in May, 1857. He then located for practice in 
Rockford, opening an office in this city in con- 
nection with J. B. McFatrich, with whom he re- 
mained for about a year. Dr. Butler then 
removed to Iowa, where he practiced for a time, 
after which he took up his abode in Jackson 
county, Illinois, where he continued in business 
for some time. He also taught school, and in 
1861 he came to Pecatonica. Winnebago county, 
where he continued in the active practice of 
medicine and surgery for sixteen years. In 1876 
he was elected clerk of the circuit court, in which 
capacity he served for three terms of four years 
each, thus spending twelve years in that office, 
to which he was chosen as the candidate of the 
republican party. In 1888 he removed to Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin, where he followed his pro- 
fession for two years, and later spent five years 
as a practitioner in Detroit. In 1895 he returned 
to Rockford, where he again opened an office, 
but about two years ago he retired from active 
life. He had enjoyed a large practice in many 
of the towns in which he had been located, and 
by careful husbanding of his resources had 
gained a handsome competence. 

Dr. Butler was married in Pecatonica, Sep- 
tember I, 1864, to Miss Adelaide A. Prouty, a 



300 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



daughter oi William L'. rruiiiy, who came to 
Rockford in 18(15, and was engaged in merchan- 
dising here until the lime of his death in 1878. 
He was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1844, 
and on coming to the west settled in I'ecatonica, 
where he was engaged in business until his 
removal to Rockford. His widow long sur- 
vived liim, and died in 1892, at the age of eighty 
years. Dr. and Mrs. Butler have had two chil- 
dren : Anna C, who was born in Pecatonica, May 
7, 1866. and is living at home : and W. H. P. 
Butler, who was born October 13, 1867, and was 
married in i8iji to Miss Mary Buker. He died 
November j8, 1894. He had served as clerk 
with his father in the circuit court, and in his 
business career was connecte<l with Lewis Lake 
and afterward with the Holland Abstract Com- 
pany. He had one child, Norman H., who is now 
fourteen years of age. 

Dr. Butler is a Mason, belonging to .\. W. 
Rawlson lodge of Pecatonica, and lie has also 
taken the Royal Arch and Knight Templar de- 
grees. He served as prelate in the commandery 
for ten years, was also eminent commander, and 
in his life has exemplified the beneficent spirit 
of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpful- 
ness and brotherly kindness. In politics he has 
been a republican since the organization of the 
party. Dr. Butler, in the practice of his profes- 
sion, rendered valuable service to his fellow- 
men. Without capital, wealth or influence to aid 
him in his ]>rofessional career, he placed his de- 
pendence upon his native intellectual force, his 
laudable ambition and his unfaltering energy, 
and these proved an excellent capital. His suc- 
cess resulted entirely from his close application 
and capability, and he is well known in Winne- 
bago county as one who justly merits the es- 
teem and confidence of all with whom he has 
been brought in contact. 



JOHN M. RHODES. 

Jolin M. Rhodes, who has served for twenty- 
one years on the l)oard of supervisors and has 
taken an active [)art in community affairs in Ros- 
coe, his native village, was born August 25, 1840, 
his parents being John J. and Pamelia (Wilson) 
Rhodes. The grandfatlier. Jolni Rhodes, a na- 
tive of Ireland, came to tlie new world after his 
marriage, bringing with him his wife and one 
child. His M-ife was a native of England. They 
settled in Oneida county. New York, the year 
of their emigration being 1795. Mr. Rhodes 
had been a carder in the woolen mills in his na- 
tive country and subsequently conducted a woolen 
mill in the Empire state. The father was a na- 
tive of the Empire state, liorn in 1803. while the 



mother's birth occurred in Canada, in 1806. \\'hen 
a young man John J. Rhodes learned the trade 
of carding in a woolen mill in the state of New 
York, and later with a younger brother went to 
Canada, where they conducted a woolen mill for 
several years. It was during their residence there 
that the parents of our subject were married, and 
in 1839 they came west to Illinois, remaining for 
about a year in Rockford. On the expiration of 
that period they took up their abode in Roscoe, 
where Mr. Rhodes built a sawmill. He also 
purchased land and in coimection with the manu- 
facture of lumber was engaged in pursuits upon 
the farm, which is now the property of his son, 
John M. The tract comprised alx^ut three hun- 
dred and forty acres and was largely imim- 
proved but the father, with characteristic energy, 
])laced his fields under a high state of cultivation. 
He was the first supervisor of Roscoe township, 
which office he filled for seven years to the entire 
satisfaction of his constituents. He was also 
justice of the peace for many years and his decis- 
ions were strictly fair and impartial. He was also 
highway commissioner and every trust reposed in 
him was faithfully performed. His political alle- 
giance was given to the whig party in early 
manhood and on its dissolution he espoused the 
principles of the new republican party and con- 
tinued one of its stalwart supporters until his 
death, which occurred in Roscoe, when he was 
fifty-six years of age. His wife survived him 
until about seventy years of age. They brought 
with them to Illinois three children, who were 
born in Canada, but only one is now living. Wil- 
liam, a resident of Worth county. Iowa. The 
iitlier memlx-rs of the family born in Illinois, 
who yet survive, are John M. and his sister, Mrs. 
Laura Sammons. the wife of .\mos Sammons. 

John M. Rhodes has made his home in Roscoe 
throughout his entire life. The pubic schools af- 
forded him his educational privileges and on the 
24th of Mav, 1861. in response to his country's 
need, he ofifered his services to the Union, en- 
listing as a private of Company B. Fifteenth Illi- 
nois Infantry for three years' service. He con- 
tinued with the command for about a month after 
the expiration of his term, being nnistcred out 
June 14. 1864. He went to the front under Cap- 
tain Hurlbut. who afterward rose to the rank of 
major general. The first battle in which he par- 
ticipated was the hotly contested engagement at 
Shiloh. where the men fell like flowers before a 
hailstorm, the regiment losing two hundred and 
fiftv-eight of its members in eight minutes. Mr. 
Rhodes had three bullets shot tlirough his clothes 
in that engagement. Later he participated in the 
battles of Fort Donaldson and the siege of Yicks- 
burg and in other engagements with his regiment, 
never faltering in the performance of any duty as- 
signed to him. 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



301 



When mustered out of the army Mr. Rhodes 
returned to his home in Roscoe, and was married 
on the 25th of August, 1864, to Miss Louisa 
Love., a native of Roscoe, and a daughter of 
Jahez Love, who was born in England 
but in his youth came to America, set- 
tling in Detroit, ^lichigan, whence he aft- 
erward came to this place, casting in his 
lot with its early settlers. He is now the 
owner of one hundred and ninety-seven acres of 
his father's old homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Rhodes were born three children, of whom two 
are living : Charles, now a veterinary surgeon, 
residing at Beloit, Wisconsin, married Miss Maria 
Lyford, a daughter of Dudley Lyford, of Ros- 
coe, and they have two children, Alice and John 
D. Mary is the wife of Clifford Wilcox, and had 
three children, Lee and Ethel, living ; and Arthur, 
who was killed by lightning August 9, 1893. He 
married Ella Cummings, and thev had one son, 
Ralph. 

Through much of his life Mr. Rhodes has been 
identified with agricultural interests but in 1900 
he went to Washington, D. C, and became one 
of the police officers in the capital, where he re- 
mained for a year. He was then appointed to a 
position in the internal revenue service, acting as 
special agent for three years, after which he re- 
turned to Roscoe. Prior to his residence in the 
national capital he was for many years justice 
of the peace and had also served on the board of 
supervisors for nine years at one time, and ten 
years at another time. He was the first native 
born son of Roscoe to be called to that office and 
upon his return from Washingfton he was again 
elected supervisor so that his service in the posi- 
tion covers twenty-one years altogether. No 
higher testimonial of his ability or of the trust 
reposed in him could be given than the fact that 
he has so long been retained in the one office. He 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, at Rock- 
ton, and of Nevius post. No. i. G. A. R., at 
Rockford. He has ever been a public-spirited and 
patriotic citizen, as true and loyal to his country 
in days of peace as when the war cloud hung 
over the land and he battled for the Union upon 
the contested srround of the south. 



MICHAEL C. KEATING. 

Michael C. Keating, a retired farmer resid- 
ing in Pecatonica, is a native of the Emerald 
isle, and in his life has displayed many of the 
sterling characteristics of the Celtic race, includ- 
ing the ready adaptability and unfailing enter- 
prise which have been strong elements in the 
success of the sons of Erin. He was born in 
Queen's county. Ireland, October 3. 1846, and 



was educated in \^'estcheste^ county. New York, 
and in the schools of Rockford. He came to 
America in March, 1848, with his parents, James 
and Winifred (Brannon) Keating. They were 
eight weeks in crossing the Atlantic to America, 
as passengers on a sailing vessel, which dropped 
anchor in the harbor of New York. Alichael 
Keating was then about a year and a half old, 
and the family lived in \\'estchester county for 
five years, after which they removed to Oswego 
county. New York, where they spent a 
}ear. Three children had been born in 
Ireland and three more children were 
added to the family in the Empire state. 
In 1854 the parents left New York, made their 
wa\' by boat to Detroit, Michigan, thence by 
canal to Chicago, and on by rail to Elgin. For 
a year the family home was maintained between 
Rockbridge and Elgin, and the father laid the 
track for the Fox River road and also worked 
on the old St. Charles Air Line. In the spring 
of 1855 he removed to Rockford, living in the 
city for four years, working on the water power. 
He then came to Pecatonica on the 27th of July, 
1859, and purchased a small lot on the north 
side of the river, after which he at once began 
to clear his land. There was a log house on the 
place in whch he and his family took up their 
abode. They had lost one daughter, Mary, while 
living in Rockford, and the youngest daughter, 
Margaret, died here in 1859. The father added 
to his land from time to time as his financial 
resources increased until he had about three hun- 
dred acres, constituting a valuable property. He 
was one of the early pioneer settlers of the 
county, industrious and honest, and he enjoyed 
the respect of all with whom he came in contact. 
He died at the age of seventy-two years and 
three months, while his wife passed away when 
about eighty-seven years of age. He and all his 
family were communicants of the Catholic 
church. 

Michael C. Keating accompanied his parents 
on their various removals and lived with them 
until they were called to the home beyond. He 
worked upon the home farm after coming to 
Winnebago county until the age of thirteen 
years, when he began earning his own living by 
working as a farm hand in the neighborhood by 
the day and month. He was employed by Sam- 
uel Derwent for two years, after which, in 1863. 
he began farming on his own account, and was 
thus engaged until 1864, when he could no longer 
content himself to remain at home while the 
LTnion was in peril, and enlisted in Company C, 
One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry, 
as a private. He was enrolled in the month of 
August, and went to Camp Butler, at Springfield, 
where he received his uniform. He then went 
to Brighton, Macoupin county, where the troops 



3°- 



I'AST AND I'RF.SKXT OF WI.W'EBAGO COUNTY. 



were drillet.! iiniil ordered to Alton on provost 
duty, remaininj; tliere for about tliree months. 
They next went to I'eoria on jirovost duty, Mr. 
Keating being tliere with nine others of his com- 
pany. Later he returned to Springfield, and on 
to Cain.), where he was on guard duly for about 
two months. He was next sent to New Orleans 
by boat to take part)lletl prisoners to the south, 
and was in that cit\' wlien the rebel ram ran the 
blockade. He afterward returned to Cairo, leav- 
ing there upon the day that President Lincoln 
was assassinated — .\pril 14. iS(>~,. when he re- 
porteil at Camp Yates, in Siiringfield. being mus- 
tered out there July 8, 1865. 

Returning to his home, Air. Keating engaged 
in farming again, and in connection w'ith his 
father purchased land and carried on general 
agricultural pursuits. As a companion and hel]}- 
niate for life's journey he wedded Miss Ellen 
Kennedy, to whom he was married June 20, 
1879. Her parents were Patrick and Ellen Ken- 
nedy, both natives of Ireland. The mother was 
twice married, having two children by her second 
marriage, but Mrs. Keating was the only child 
of the fir.st marriage. Iler second husband was 
Miciiael Russell, who is now living in Rockford. 
Mr. Kennedy died in 1854, while the mother of 
Mrs. Keating passe<l away in 1878. They were 
early settlers of Winnebago county, and arrived 
here in the '50s. Mr. and Mrs. Keating have 
two children, a son and daughter: James \V.. 
born h'ebruary 5, 1880, and Mary, born January 
30, 1881. The wife and niotiier jiassed away 
November 10. 1883, and her remains were in- 
terred in the Irish Grove cemetery. The daugh- 
ter Mary is now acting as her father's house- 
keeper, and they have a pleasant home in the 
village of Pecatonica. The son, James \V.. 
attended the public scIkjoIs in Pecatonica until 
twenty-one years of age. when he was graduated 
from the high school, after which he went to 
Chicago and entered the law department of the 
Northwestern University, from which he was 
graduated with the class of 11)03. He is now 
engaged in the practice of his profession in that 
city, and was formerly connected with Thomas 
Foley, a leading attorney there. The daughter 
was a student in St. Charles Sisters' School, in 
Chicago, completing the eighth grade work. Her 
mother died about that tiiue. and she then re- 
turned to i'ecatonica and com])Ieted her educa- 
tion by graduation in the high school here. 

Mr. Keating owns three hundred acres of 
well improved land, but is now practically liv- 
ing a retired life. His farm lies near the town, 
and the house thereon is situated about two miles 
from (he village. He and his family are com- 
municants of the Catholic church. In politics 
he is a republican, anrl has been a member of 
the town board and has been district schc«>l <lirec- 



tor for twelve years. He iias never sought or 
desired ofifice, however. |)referring to give his 
attention to his business afi'airs. He has always 
been a lover of fine horses, and at the present 
time owns four very fine specimens, two coming 
from Tennessee, one of these being a pedigreed 
animal. He worked hard from early boyjiood 
through long years, and his well earned ease is 
a fitting crown to his life of industry and well 
directed effort. 



HERVEY SEYMOUR CLEVELAND. 

Hervey Seymour Cleveland, who in practical, 
l)rogressive and profitable manner is following 
agricultural pursuits in Seward township, was 
born in Hebron, Washington county. New York, 
January 18, 1831, his parents being Job W. and 
.\lmira (Fenton) Cleveland. The father, born 
August 7, 1796, removed with his family from 
Washington county to Wyoming county, New 
York, about 1834 and spent his remaining days 
there, his death occurring July 7, 1870. His 
wife was born November 12. 1799, and died on 
the eighty-seventh anniversary of her birth. 
The\- were married in \"emiont but spent the 
greater part of their married life in the Empire 
state. Mr. Cleveland was a member of the 
Masonic fraternity and also the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. In his family were 
eleven children, of whom four are now living: 
VA'i. a resident of Rockford : William J., who is 
living in Seward ; Hervey S., of this review ; 
and Helen, the wife of Percival Joiner, whose 
home is in Wcthcrsfield. \\'voming countv. New 
\'ork. 

Hervey S. Cleveland, when three years of age, 
was taken by his parents to Wyoming county, 
where he acquired his education in the district 
schools. He remained at home until sixteen 
years of age, after which he worked in Leroy, 
New York, for three years, there learning the 
trade of a wagonmaker. Later he went to .\ttica, 
Wyoming county. New York, where he had to 
abandon work at his trade because it proved 
detrimental to his eyesight. In September. 1853. 
he came west to Winnebago county, where he 
remained until winter came on, when he went to 
.Monroe. Wisconsin, where he again resumed 
wagonmaking. However, he had purchased a 
tract of land of eighty acres where he now lives 
and began breaking the wild prairie, continuing 
the active work of the farm until 1855. when he 
returned to the state of New York to see his 
parents. He remained at home for three years 
and was married there on the nth of June. 1856. 
to Miss Annette Curtis, who was born in the 




/^ ,^ ^Ai-^^^^n^. ^ 




/^Ol^ , tfl-^^1^0<U^, /^/^It^^^^^^i^tnM, , 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



307 



town of Java, Wyoming county, New York, 
April 21, 1834. 

Witli his wife Mr. Cleveland returned to Win- 
nebago county in the spring of 1859 and during 
the summer lived in a shanty belonging to his 
brother but in the fall of that year erected a 
house and with strong purpose began the de- 
velopment of his farm and the improvement of 
his property. Later he purchased another eighty- 
acre tract of land and afterward bought sixty 
acres, continually adding to his property until 
he had two hundred and ninety-five acres of 
very valuable farm land. In the fall of 1887 he 
was visited by a disastrous fire, eleven buildings 
being destroyed, but soon he built his fine home 
in which he now lives and the substantial barns 
and outbuildings which give shelter to grain and 
stock. He was, up to the last five years, ex- 
tensively and successfully engaged in raising and 
feeding stock and he now has twenty head of 
cows upon his farm and raises from forty to 
sixty head of hogs each year. He was, however, 
a breeder of shorthorn cattle until he suffered 
so extensively from the fire. 

In 1891 Mr. Cleveland was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 26th 
of April of that year. Her standing in the com- 
mimity and in the regard of her many friends is 
perhaps best indicated by the following resolu- 
tions of respect. 

Whereas, It has pleased the Great Master 
of the Universe in His infinite wisdom to remove 
from our midst our beloved sister, Annette Cleve- 
land, therefore be it 

Resolved, That in the death of Sister Cleve- 
land this Grange has lost an earnest and 
energetic member, a woman endowed with those 
graces of mind and body which endeared her to 
all who knew her. 

Resolved, That while bowing submissively to 
the Divine Will we deeply deplore the loss of 
one who was to us a cheerful companion, one 
whose gentle habits and lovable qualities rendered 
her a desirable associate in our order. 

Resolved, That we offer our sincere sympathy 
to the bereaved family of the deceased in this sad 
hour of affliction. 

Resolved, That these resolutions be entered 
in our minutes and a copy of the same be sent 
to the family of the deceased and also a copy 
sent to the Grange News for publication. 
Laurence McDonald, 
John McDonald, 
Julia McDonald, 

Committee. 

Attest : John IMcDonald, Sec. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland were born five 
children: Myrtie, who was born January 5, i860, 
and died November 17, 1867; Alta C, who was 
18 



born February 20, 1862, and died November 16, 
1867; Lucas, who was born September 7, 1870, 
and died February 10, 1871 ; Amy, who was 
born November 24, 1881, and died the same 
day ; and Hervey, who was born March 27, 
1869, and is now conducting the home farm. 

For many years Mr. Cleveland has been and 
at the present time is a member of the school 
board and the cause of education finds in him a 
warm and helpful friend. He has also been a 
member of the directors of the Winnebago 
Farmers' Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance 
Compan\- of Wimiebago and Seward townships, 
which was incorporated February 5, 1875. tie 
belongs to the Knights of the Globe and is a 
supporter of the Congregational church, whicn 
he has attended for manv years. 



JAMES H. BABCOCK. 

James H. Babcock, who has placed his 
capital in the safest of all investments — real 
estate — and is now an extensive dealer in lands in 
Illinois and the Dakotas, is a native son of this 
state, his birth having occurred in Stephenson 
county, near Freeport, in 1861. His parents 
were E. N. and Harriet (Dunn) Babcock, who 
became early settlers of Stephenson county, 
where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits 
and became one of the prosperous farmers of his 
neighborhood. 

In the usual manner of farm lads of the 
period James H. Babcock spent his boyhood 
days. He began his education in the district 
schools and afterward enjoyed the benefits of 
instruction in the higher schools of his county. 
When his education was completed he turned 
his attention to farming and stock-raising, 
which he carried on quite extensively, and while 
still living upon his farm he became interested 
in real-estate operations. He is seldom at fault 
in mattters of judgment concerning the value of 
property and is thus enabled to make judicious 
investments and profitable sales. In 1901 he 
removed to Rockford, where be opened a real- 
estate office and is now devoting his time and 
means to investing in and selling western lands. 
He is now the possesor of large tracts, having 
a valuable farm of about thirteen hundred acres 
in Dakota which is a grain farm devoted to the 
raising of wheat, it being situated in the midst 
of the great wheat and corn belt. He also owns 
several farms in Minnesota aggregating eight 
hundred acres, which are well stocked with thor- 
oughbred Hereford cattle, many of them being 
registered. This farm is conducted largely un- 
der his own supervision with the aid of a num- 
ber of employes. He is likewise interested in 



3o8 



PAST A\D PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COLXTV. 



valuable land in Iowa, and his holdinjjs in Illi- 
nois return to him a jjood income. He has prop- 
erty in the city of Cliica^o. three good farms in 
Kansas and also land in Wisconsin. 

In 1887 Mr. Babcock was married to Miss 
Jennie E. Steele, of Stephenson county. Illinois, 
antl they have a son and daughter. Ralph and 
Marie. The family home is at No. 1535 East 
Slate street. Without special educalit)nal or 
financial advantages to aid him in the outset of 
his career Mr. Babcock has steadily worked his 
way ujjward. The successful men of the day 
are they who have planned their own advance- 
ment and have accnm])lished it in spite of many 
obstacles and with a certainty that could have 
been attained only through their own efforts. 
This class of men has a worthy representative in 
James H. Babcock, who in his active life has 
ever displayed a weight of character, a native 
sagacity, a far-seeing judgment and a fidelity of 
purpose that commands the respect of all. 



TIMOTHY P. HL'RNS. 

Timothy P. Burns, interested in general agri- 
cultural pursuits on section 29, Burritt township, 
where he owns and cultivates one hundred and 
sixty-nine acres of land, was born in this town- 
shij) January 2t,. 1867. His father, Tobias Burns, 
is a retired farmer, living in Rockford. The fam- 
ily is of Irish lineage, and was established in the 
United States by John and Julia (Shaughnes- 
scy) Ihirns, who came to this country in 1850. 
accom])anied by their family. After si)ending 
about four years in New York they made their 
way westwart to Winnebago county, where they 
resided until called to their final rest. John Burns 
passing away in October, 1873, while his wife 
died in June, 1890. In their family were eight 
children, and of the seven daughters all are now 
deceased with the exception of Mrs. James Mor- 
rissey. of Belvidere. Illinois. 

The only son, Tobias Burns, was born in 
County Carlow. Ireland, and is now about sev- 
enty-five years of age. He came with his parents 
to America, and through many years was iden- 
tified with agricultural interests in Wimiebago 
county, his success being attributable entirely to 
his own labors. He was married in Rockford in 
i860 to Miss Mary Doyle, who was born in 
County Kilkenny, Ireland, in October, 1842, her 
parents being Timothy and Elizabeth (Ryan) 
Doyle, natives of County Carlow, Ireland. They 
came to the new world in 1850, and after living 
for four years in Rochester, New York, removed 
to Rockford, where Mr. Doyle died in February, 
1866, his wife, however, surviving until Novem- 
ber I, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Burns began their 



domestic life upon a farm, and from Ajiril, 1864, 
until March, 1902, resided on .section 22, lUirritt 
ti>wnsliii), where the well directed labors of Mr. 
Burns won him a gratifying ])rosperity. More 
extended mention of this worthy cou])le is given 
on another page of this work. 

Timothy P. Burns, of this review, was reared 
in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, 
no eveiU of special im])ortance occurring to vary 
the routine of work, study and play for him in 
his boyhood days. .Vrriving at years of matur- 
ity he sought a companion and helpmate for life's 
journey, and was married on the 13th of Jan- 
uary. 1898, to Miss Margaret E. Shehan, a 
(laughter of Phillip and .\nn Shehan. of this 
county. She is a graduate of the high school of 
Winnebago of the class of 1892, and taught 
school for several terms, being known as one of 
the most successful teachers of the county. She 
was thus engaged up to the time of her marriage. 
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Burns has been 
blessed with three children: William Shehan, 
born September 15. 1899; Philip, born August 2, 
1901 : and Tobias, born in ( )ctober, 1904. 

.\t the time of his marriage Mr. Burns left 
the old homestead farm on which he had been 
reared, and of which he had acted as manager 
in the early years of his manhood and took up 
his abode upon the farm which is now his home, 
comprising one hundred and sixty-nine acres of 
land on section 29, Burritt township. Here he 
is now successfully carrying on general agri- 
cultural pursuits, his life being characterize<l by 
mu'emitting diligence and perseverance. In 
community affairs he is interested, and for sev- 
eral terms he has served as school director. His 
political allegiance is given to the democracy, 
and he and his wife are communicants of St. 
Mary's Catholic church in Rockford. 



WILLIAM A. POWELL. 

William A. Powell, interested in general farm- 
ing on section 27, Wimiebago township, is num- 
bered among the pioneer settlers of the county, 
having resided here since 1854, and the changes 
which have occurred have left their impress on 
his memory, so that he is well informed concern- 
ing the history of this section of the stale as it 
has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken 
on all the improvements and advantages of an 
advanced civilization. A native of Pennsylvania, 
Mr. Powell was born in Chester county in 1844, 
his parents being Lewis and Mary (Hallowell) 
Powell, who arrived in Rockford in the spring 
of 1853. They resided about a mile and a half 
west of Weslfield Corners for a year, at the end 
of which time Lewis Powell purchased the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



309 



eighty-acre tract of land upon which W. A. 
Powell now resides. He began improving the 
farm, which up to that time had but little work 
done thereon. His labors were effective and prac- 
tical, and as the years passed his work wrought a 
very gratifying transfonnation in the appearance 
of the place. The house which he first iDuilt has 
been moved back on the farm and is now being 
used as a wood house. Later he purchased the 
eighty-acre tract just east of his original farm on 
section 26 and this is also owned by William A. 
Powell, who likewise has ten acres of timber land 
on section 34, Winnebago township. Lewis 
Powell continued to carry on general farming 
on the old homestead up to the time of his death, 
which occurred March 17, 1899, when he was 
eighty years of age, his birth having occurred in 
Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1818. 
The family is of English lineage. Mr. Powell 
gave his political support to the democracy and 
served as a school director and in other local 
offices, taking an active and helpful interest in 
the affairs of the township. He desired public 
improvement and progress along lines that would 
prove of practical benefit and he did his full share 
in promoting the welfare of his community. He 
and his wife were members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Winnebago. Mrs. Powell, whose birth 
occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 
1821, died in this county January 31, 1888, when 
about sixty-six years of age. 

Howard Powell, the brother of our subject, 
was for some years engaged in farming in Win- 
nebago township. He was born in Chester 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1851, and died July 3, 
1873, soon after his marriage to Miss Delia 
Bunn, who still resides in this county. One sis- 
ter, Anna ^^lar}-, born here in 1858, married 
Leonard Greene and resides at Pomona, Cali- 
fornia. 

William A. Powell was but nine years of age 
when the family came to Illinois, and since his 
tenth year he has resided upon the farm which 
is now his home. He was reared to agricultural 
pursuits, being trained to the practical work of 
the fields under the direction of his father, who 
early impressed upon his mind the value of in- 
dustry and integrity in active affairs of life and 
in the years that have passed these lessons have 
borne rich fruit in a successful and creditable 
business career. As before stated, he owns the 
old family homestead, his landed possessions ag- 
gregating one hundred and seventy acres. The 
farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of 
land that is rich and productive, and in addition 
he has a ten-acre timber tract. Everything about 
his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, and 
from the time of early spring planting until crops 
are harvested in the late autumn he gives careful 
supervision to his farm work and is prosperous 
in all that he undertakes. 



Mr. Powell was married to Miss Angeline 
Hollenbeck, a native of Schoharie county. New 
York, and a daughter of Henry and Eva (Zim- 
mer) Hollenbeck, who came to Winnebago 
county in 1857 and located on section 22, Winne- 
bago township, the fami now owned by M Hol- 
lenbeck, a brother of Mrs. Powell. Her father 
died March 23, 1894. In his family were nine 
children : Catherine, Miner, Sylvester, John, 
Eliza, ;\lary, Luther, Millard, and Angeline. Mr. 
and Mrs. Powell have two sons, both born upon 
the home farm: William W., born July 21, 1870, 
who follows farming near his father and who 
married ]\Iiss Rachel Patrick, of the village of 
Winnebago, by whom he has three children, 
Lewis. Clara and Anna ; and Clifford, born July 
9, 1880, still at home. 

Politically Mr. Powell is a democrat and has 
served as school director. He has always taken 
an active interest in political affairs in his town- 
ship and is interested in the great issues and 
questions which divide the two parties. His wife 
is a member of the Congregational church of 
^Vinnebago, and both have a wide acquaintance in 
the county where they have long resided, Mr. 
Powell having for more than half a century made 
his home within its borders, so that from pioneer 
times down to the present he is familiar with its 
history. 



JOHN FITZGERALD. 

John Fitzgerald, following the occupation of 
farming on section 17, Rockford township, owns 
here one hundred and twenty-three acres of land, 
and is numbered among the pioneer residents of 
the county, having settled here on the 15th of 
;\Iarch. 1859. He was born in county Wether- 
ford, Ireland, about four miles north of Youghal 
Harbor, July 23, 1838, his parents being Edward 
and Bridget (Mountain) Fitzgerald, both of 
whom died in Ireland. They were farming peo- 
ple, and on the Emerald isle they reared their 
family of six children, of whom John was the 
second in order of birth. Of that number 
Michael still resides in Ireland, while Thomas is 
living in Rockford and James died in New Jer- 
sey. The daughters, Mary and Ellen, have also 
passed away. 

John Fitzgerald came to America when nine- 
teen years of age, landing at Quebec, Canada. 
A week later he went to Toronto, where he re- 
mained until November of that year (1857). 
He then traveled through New York, visiting 
New York city and also Philadelphia. Making 
his way westward he worked on the Kenosha 
division of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road for a little time. He then went south, 
spending two years in that section of the coun- 
try but at the outbreak of the war he returned 
to Rockford. 



3IO 



I'AST AND PRESENT Ol' W IXXl-.l'.At .c) COLXTV. 



Here in 1862 Mr. Fitzo^tTakl enlisted as a 
member of Company A, Ninetieth Illinois In- 
fantry, called the C'hica.iro Irish Lesjion, under 
command of Colonel ( )'.Mera. Me was mustered 
into service at Chicago at Camp Dunne and the 
re.tjiment was with the Sixteenth Army Corps 
until ordered to \icksburs:. when they were at- 
tached to the Fifteenth Army Corps. Mr. Fitz- 
gerald particijiated in the battles at Jackson. 
\'icksbur^ and Mission Ridsje. .\t the last named 
he was wounded and was sent to the lu>spital. 
where he remained for six months, after which 
he served with the invalid corps. When the 
war was over and his aid was no longer needed 
he was mustered out at Indianajiolis. Indiana, 
July 3, 1865. He had been seriously womided 
in the leg by two bullets. 

Mr. Fitzgerald at once returned to Rockford 
and has since resided in Winnebago county. He 
was married here to Miss Anna Kearney, a native 
of County Carey, Ireland, who came to this coun- 
try in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald have nine 
cliildren living and one deceased : .\gncs. the wife 
of Martin Duane, of Boone county, Illinois, and 
the mother of eight children ; Edward, a resident 
farmer of Rockford township : Mary, who has 
taught school for the past fourteen years in 
Winnebago county and is now residing with her 
brother Edward : Mark J., who resides on a farm 
just south of Rockford and is married and has 
two children : Catherine, the wife of James 
Radmond, of Rockford : Anna, the wife of Wil- 
liam Drohan, of Rockford township; John, who 
died at the age of twenty-two years ; Margaret, 
Patrick W. and Clara, all at home. 

Politically Mr. Fitzgerald is a democrat where 
national questions and issues are involved, but at 
local elections he votes independently. Socially he 
is a member of Ncvius post. No. i, G. A. R., at 
Rockford and also belongs to the .\ncient Order 
of United Workmen. lie is likewise a member 
of St. Mary's Catholic church of Rockford. 
Throughout almost his entire business career he 
has followed farming and his success is the di- 
rect outcome of his well directed labors, his 
splendidly improved farm being the visible evi- 
dence of his life of enterprise and untiring ac- 
tivitv. 



PROFESSOR P. R. WALKER. 

Pelcg Remington Walker, for more than 
twenty-one years city superintendent of the 
schools of Rockford and widely acknowledged as 
one of the most capable educators representing 
the public school system of the state, is a native of 
Brooklyn. Windham county, Connecticut, where 
liis birth occurred on the 1st of July. 1835. He 
was but four years of age at the time of the re- 
moval of the familv to East Brooklvn, now 



Danielson, where he pursued his education in the 
district schools until twelve years of age, after 
which only the winter months were devoted to 
study, while the summer seasons were given to 
farm work. .Ambitious, however, for further 
educational development he resumed his studies, 
in the West Killingly academy, attending during 
the fall and winter terms of 1850. 

In November, 1852. Professor Walker entered 
u|)on the ])rofession whicii he has made his life 
work as teacher in the North Higelow district 
in Hampton, Connecticut, and in the following 
sunnner he engaged in car|)entering in connection 
with his father. He taught in the south parish 
school in Killingly in the winter of 1853-4, and 
at that time began preparation for a college 
course, attending school through the following 
winter, but in the spring of 1855 he was forced 
to abandon his cherished plan, because of troubles 
with his eyes, occasioned by an attack of measles. 
He became a resident of the middle west in April, 
1856, when he accomjianied his father's family 
(Ml their removal to .^cott township, Ogle county, 
Illinois, and in the fall of the same year he was 
elected to the ])osition of teacher in Lynnville for 
seven months. When summer came he engaged 
in breaking prairie and was thus identified with 
the early agricultural developments of the county, 
but the winter found him installed behind the 
teacher's desk in the Sniith-Woodburn school, 
in Byron, Illinois. 

His work in the schoolroom has been so satis- 
factory that he resolved to devote his life to the 
professi(3n and that he might be still better quali- 
fied he pursued a course in the Normal I'niver- 
sity at Bloomington. Illinois, being graduated 
therefrom in June. 1861. He taught at Dement 
the following year, but feeling that a higher duty 
called him — his duty to his country — he put aside 
personal considerations, and on the 12th of 
August. 1862. joined the boys in blue of Com- 
pany K. Ninety-second Illinois Infantry, as a 
private. The regiment was sent to Camp Fuller 
and from that point left for the scene of hostili- 
ties. October 10. 1862. The regiment was 
mounted in July. 18^)3. and supplied with repeat- 
ing rifles, and with his command Professor 
Walker particijiated in the advance on Chat- 
tanooga, was with Hooker at Lookout Mountain, 
saw the battle of Mission Ridge, was with Sher- 
man in Kilpatrick's Cavalry, from Chattanooga 
to .\tlantic and on the march to Savannah. He 
was slightly wounded when approaching Raleigh 
but otherwise escaped uninjured. He was pro- 
moted successively to sergeant, first sergeant and 
lieutenant and was in connnand of his company 
during the last year of the war. Conscious of 
having faithfully performed his duty to his coun- 
try, he then returned to his home to resume the 
l)ursuits of civil life. 




p. R. WALKER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



313 



Before leaving the army Professor Walker had 
been engaged to teach the Dement school, leaving 
there only after eight years to accept a still better 
position in Rochelle, Illinois. Twelve years were 
passed in the latter city and a further onward 
step was made when he accepted the preferred 
superintendency of the city schools of Rockford. 
The public school system of this city is largely 
a monument to his life work. He was continu- 
all)' sought for work in institutes. He has 
inaugrated new and i.iractical ideas and by his 
own zeal and enthusiasm have inspired the 
teachers to their best work. Rockford has every 
reason to be proud of her schools — and her 
schools owe their excellence and advanced posi- 
tion to his efforts. He keeps in touch with 
modern thought relative to his profession through 
regular attendance at the National and State 
Teachers' Associations and for several years he 
served as treasurer of the latter, and in 1890 
he was its presiding officer. He has also been 
the president of the Northern Illinois Teachers' 
Association and a member of the state board of 
education for more than twenty years and his 
name in educational circles stands as a synonym 
for progress and practical work in the public 
schools. 

Professor Walker's fraternal relations are with 
the Grand Army of the Republic. He married 
Miss Martha E.' Webb, of New York, and with 
their daughter they reside at No. 716 North 
Church street — the center of a cultured society 
circle. 



DA\'TD P.. PENNIMAN, M. D. 

Dr. David 1!. Penniman, engaged in the prac- 
tice of medicine in .Argyle and Harlem township, 
was born June 9, 1867, at Woodburn, Macoupin 
county, Illinois. His paternal grandfather, David 
Penniman, was a native of New Hampshire, born 
June 12, 1786, and died in North Bloomfield, 
Ohio, July 26, 1858. His ancestors came from 
New England and from Maryland, representa- 
tives of the name living in New England as early 
as 1630. The maternal grandfather of the Doc- 
tor was a soldier of the American army in the 
war of 1812. The father. Dr. Alexander B. Pen- 
niman, was born in Rutland, New York, 
April II, 1824, and in his youth accom- 
panied his parents to Bloomfield, Ohio, 
where they lived for a number of years. 
During that period he pursued his literary 
education in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, 
after which he took up the study of medicine in 
the Eclectic College, at Cincinnati. Ohio, from 
which institution he was graduated. He located 
for practice in Canada, remaining there for three 



years, after whch he removed to southwestern 
Missouri, where he also practiced for three years. 
He next went to Woodburn, Illinois, where he 
followed his profession with excellent success for 
a quarter of a century, after which he took up 
his abode in Oberlin, Ohio, in order that his 
children might enjoy the benefits of education 
afiforded in that city. For five years he continued 
in practice there or until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1887. In early manhood he had wedded 
Sarah Barton, who was born in Jacksonville, Illi- 
nois, Januaryio, 1833, and was a daughter of 
John H. and Mary (Reid) Barton. Mrs". Penni- 
man still survives her husband and is now living 
with her son David in Argyle. The other mem- 
bers of the family are: Rev. Alford Penniman, 
who is pastor of the Congregational church at 
Ravenswood, Illinois ; and Ira, who is director 
of music in the First Congregational church in 
Omaha, Nebraska. 

Dr. Penniman, of this review, spent the first 
fourteen years of his Hfe in the place of his na- 
tivity and then went with his parents to Oberlin, 
Ohio, where he continued his education, studying 
for eight years in the preparatory school and col- 
lege. He was graduated from the latter with hon- 
ors and afterward removed to Chicago, Illinois, 
where he entered upon the study of his profession 
in the medical department of the Northwestern 
University. When he was graduated and re- 
ceived his degree he located for practice in Spring 
Valley. Illinois, and on the 28th of September, 
1893, he took up his abode at Argyle, where he 
has since followed his profession with excellent 
success. He has now an extensive patronage 
from among the best Scotch families of this local- 
ity, and his thorough understanding of the prin- 
ciples of medicine, combined with a conscientious 
devotion to his chosen life work, makes him one 
of the most capable, as well as one of the most 
successful physicians of this part of the count}'. 

On the 13th of September. 1893, Dr. Penniman 
was married to Miss Corda Shively, of Shelby, 
Iowa, a daughter of Joseph Shively, now living in 
Dayton, Ohio. Her father was a soldier of the 
Civil war, serving, in Company H, of the Tenth 
Kentucky \^oIunteers. Her mother died when 
Airs. Penniman was about six years of age. The 
latter was born February 14, 1868, and unto the 
Doctor and his wife have been born two children : 
Lawrence W., born January 28, 1895 ; and Al- 
ford. born January 28, 1902. 

Dr. Penniman is a member of the Masonic 
lodge at Roscoe, the Modern Woodman camp at 
Caledonia, Illinois, and also is connected with 
the Mystic Workers at Argyle. In politics he 
is a republican and he takes an active and help- 
ful interest in the cause of education, doing ef- 
fective service in that line as a member of the 



3 '4 



FAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



school board. He and his wife are ineinlxTS of 
the Willow Creek Presbjteriaii church at Argj'Ie 
and he is a member of the boLrd of sessions. A 
gentleman of culture, of capability in his profes- 
sion and of practical ideas concerning the vital 
questions of life in man's physical, intellectual 
and spiritual nature, he stantls as the champion 
of all that is worthy and has commanded the 
confidence and good will of his fcllowmen by 
his genuine personal worth. 



LEWIS B. GREGORY. 

Lewis B. Gregory, who was interested in the 
erction of the first sawmill on Rock river and 
the building of the first dam, and who is now 
coimected with various corporations of the city, 
having financial interests therein, although he is 
largely living a retired life, was born in Seneca 
county, New York, March 28, 1820, and is a 
representative of one of the old families of New 
England. His grandfather, Sanuiel Gregory, 
was a native of Connecticut, and there spent his 
entire life as a farmer, dying at an advanced age. 
He luarried a lady of Connecticut, who survived 
him for a number of years and died at the home 
of one of her children, at the age of eighty-seven 
years. Both grandjiarcnts were active members 
of the Methodist church, doing all in their power 
to extend its influence and promote its growth. 

Their son, the Rev. I larry Gregory, was born 
in Danbury, Coiuiecticut, and was reared among 
the hills in that section of the country. When a 
young luan he removed to Seneca county. New 
York, where he was united in marriage to Miss 
Hannah I'arnum, a native of that locality. They 
began their domestic life there, and after several 
years removed to Niagara county. New York, 
where Mr. Gregory began active work in con- 
nection with the ministry of the Methodist 
church. From that time until his death, which 
occurred in Canandaigua, New York, in 1879, 
when he was eighty-four years of age, he was 
engaged in proclaiming the gospel, and his influ- 
ence was a potent force in the development of 
his denomination. He served his country as a 
soldier in the war of 1812, liecame a stanch advo- 
cate of the abolition cause and took an active 
part in suppressing slavery. His political sup- 
port was given to the whig ])arty until the re- 
|)ulilican party was formed to prevent tiie further 
extension of slavery, when he joined its ranks. 
His wife died in New York about twenty years 
]>rinr to the death of her husband. They were 
the ])arenls rif eight children, fnur of whom are 
yet living and are marrieil. 

Lewis IJ. Gregory was quite young when his 
parents became residents of Lockport, New 



York, and later he accoiupanied the family on 
their removal to Lima, Livingston county. He 
supplemented his early educational privileges by 
study in the seminary there, and subsequently he 
began teaching, following that profession in the 
east for several years. He was a young man of 
twenty when he arrived in Rockford, and for 
two and a half years he continued his active con- 
nection with the teacher's profession, being one 
of the early educators in this part of the state. 
Quick to recognize a business opportunity and 
to utilize it, he became a factor in industrial in- 
terests by joining others in the erection of the 
first sawmill built on Rock river at this place. He 
was also connected with the building of the first 
clam, and was associated in other progressive 
movements which have been of material benefit 
in the u])building and improvement of the city. 
At the present time he is laying out into town 
lots the land which he purchased here in 1845. 
A man of wise council and keen discrimination 
in business matters, his co-operation has been 
sought in the conduct of a number of important 
enterprises here, and the value of his council 
has been demonstrated in the success which has 
attended many enterprises with which he has 
been associated. He is now a stockholder and 
director in the Burial Case Company and a 
stockholder and vice-president of the Air Brush 
Company, which has developed an extensive 
business during the ten years of its existence. 

In Rockford was celebrated the marriage of 
Lewis B. Gregory and Miss Lucy E. Spafford, 
who was born in St. Lawrence county. New 
York, December t8, 1831, her parents being Dan 
and Julia (Galloway) Spafford, who were early 
residents of Rockford, coming here in 1844. Her 
father was coiuiected with the printing business 
here through a long period, and was well kumvn 
as a pioneer resident of the county. He and his 
wife had a very wide acquaintance, and were fa- 
miliarly called "Cncle" and "Aunt" by their 
man\- friends, who entertained for them the 
wanucst regard. I'.oth lived to an advanced age, 
and Mrs. S])aft"orfl was a consisteiU member of 
of the I'^piscopal church. They had a large 
family, incluiling Mrs. Gregory, wlio was a lady 
of iiuiate culture and refinement, her good (luali- 
ties of heart and mind wimiing her the love and 
esteem of all who knew her. She was a member 
the I'reshyterian church, and died in that faith 
at her home in this city, July 2, 1888. She had 
become the mother of six children, of whom 
Charles died in infancy. Those still living are: 
Edward, a plumber of the firm of S])ringer & 
Gregory, who luarried Evaline Chancy, and after 
her death chose Laura J. Potter for his wife: 
Carroll S., who was educated in Heloit. Wiscon- 
sin, and is now a plumber of that city, where he 
married Jennie Waterman ; Lewis L., who wed- 




<^^^aajt^ ^^r^^^2^^>^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF \\'INNEBAGO COUNTY. 



317 



ded Sarah Throckmorten ; and is a successful 
practitioner of medicine in Chicago ; Kittie C, 
the wife of George N. Safford, Uimberman, of 
Rockford ; and George B., who is bookkeeper for 
the Love Manufacturing Company, of Rockford. 

On the 7th of December, 1893, Mr. Gregory 
married Airs. Sarah A. Stambro. widow of Ira 
Stambro, and a daughter of John Grain. She 
was born in Alabama, but in early life removed 
to Memphis, Tennessee. By her first marriage 
she has one daughter, Henrietta, now the wife of 
Frank L. Cleveland, of Rockford. 

Mr. Gregory has now passed the eighty-fifth 
milestone on life's journey. His has been an act- 
ive and useful career, in which much time has 
been devoted to his business interests, and yet 
he has found time and opportunity to co-operate 
in measures for the general good. He has long 
been an advocate of temperance principles, and 
casts his ballot for the men and measures of the 
prohibition party. .America is a self-made coun- 
try, and those who have created it are self-made 
men. It is to this class that Mr. Gregory be- 
longs, for he came to the west when twenty 
years of age. with no capital, possessing how- 
ever, a laudable ambition and strong determina- 
tion. He realized that there is no excellence 
without labor, and he resolutely set to work to 
achieve a fortune through persistent, earnest 
purpose. He has always manifested a lively in- 
terest in and given a helping hand to every move- 
ment for the benefit of his city and has also been 
very helpful to young men just beginning the 
battle of life — never forgetting his own early 
struggles. He is genial, courteous and chival- 
rous, and a fast friend to those who have enjoyed 
his confidence. In all of his business enterprises 
he has been eminently successful, and by those 
who know him has been regarded as exception- 
allv sure and conservative. 



TOHN BLACK. 



John Black, whose business ability finds visible 
evidence in his well improved farm, which has 
been acquired from his own efforts and improved 
through his own labors, was born in Sligo county, 
Ireland, July 31. 1846, his parents being Charles 
and Eliza (Hall) Black. The father, who was 
born in Sligo county, November 21, 1821, died 
on the 6th of November, 1902, while his wife, 
who was born in October, 1824 passed away Oc- 
tober 21, 1893. The year 1846 witnessed Mr. 
Black's emigration to America. He landed in New 
York, made his way to Philadelphia and after- 
ward to Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he 
lived for ten years. He had been married in 
1839, and after a residence of two years in the 
new world, during which time he became con- 



vinced that he could provide a better living for 
his family in this country, he sent for his wife to 
join him in 1848. They arrived in Winnebago 
county, Illinois, in 1856, and after a residence 
here of two years, Charles Black purchased one 
hundred and twenty acres of land while subse- 
quenth- he bought an additional tract of one hun- 
dred and twenty acres. He built thereon a house 
and at once began breaking the raw prairie. Not 
a furrow had been turned or an improvement 
made upon the place when it came into his posses- 
sion. He was one of the pioneers settlers of the 
community and he did as others had to do to 
meet the hardships and trials incident to life on 
the frontier. In addition to raising grain he also 
engaged in the raising of cattle, horses and hogs, 
and was actively identified with agricultural pur- 
suits until the last fifteen years of his life, when 
he lived retired. He was known as an energetic, 
hard-working man, persevering in all that he did, 
and his labor formed the basis of a richly merited 
and gratifying success. Unto him and his wife 
were born twelve children, of whom eleven are 
still living: James, who married Miss Elizabeth 
Armstrong, b\- whom he had five children, is now 
carrying on fanning in Brown county, Kansas. 
Edward, who married Miss Mary Chapman, and 
has five children, resides at Jessup, Iowa. John 
is the third of the family. William, who married 
Miss Amelia Gephard, and has six children, is 
engaged in g-eneral farming in Owen township. 
G orge. who wedded Miss flattie Hullet, and 
has thirteen children, is carr\-ing on gen-eral farm- 
ing in Owen township. Annie is the wife of 
Edson Miller, a resident of Madison, South Da- 
kota, and they have three children. Charles, who 
married Miss Agnes Mc?^Iichael, and is living in 
Owen township has five children. Charlotte re- 
sides on the old homestead. Samuel B., who is 
married and has five children, makes his home in 
Brown county. Kansas. Eliza is the wife of E. 
O. Campbell, of Owen township, and they had 
six children, of whom four are living. Lorenzo 
D., who lived to the age of twenty-four years, 
married Miss Mary Harvey and had three chil- 
dren. Louise is living on the old homestead in 
Owen township. 

John Black was onlv about two years of age 
when brought by his mother to America. He 
was reared under the parental roof, and was a 
youth of ten summers when the family removed 
to Winnebago county, where he has since lived. 
He continued under the parental roof until 
twentv vears of age and gained practical ex- 
perience in farm work, so that he was well quali- 
fied to carry on a similar business for himself, 
when at the age of twenty years he began farming 
on his own account. He took up his abode on 
the place where he yet resides, but at that time 
it was open prairie without improvement or culti- 



3>8 



PAST A\D PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY 



vation. All of tlic buildings ii])oii the place 
stand as monuments to his enterprise and ])ro- 
gressivc spirit, and the well tillecl fields are the 
evidence of his life and thrift and industry. He 
has worked persistently, his labors giiided by 
sound judgment, and in all that he does he is 
eminently practical. He owns five hundred and 
eighty acres of land in Winnebago county and 
one hundred am! twenty acres in Rock county. 
Wisconsin. 

On the 4th of September, 1870, Mr. Black was 
married to Mi.ss Lucy Chapman, a daughter of 
Edom and Gertrude Chapman, in whose family 
were eight children, of whom five are yet living: 
Minerva became the wife of Thomas Liddle. who 
died May 16. 11)04. leaving three chililren. who 
with the mother resides in Owen township. .Mrs. 
I'.lack is the next of the family. Elmer is mar- 
ried anil lives in P.utte. Montana, and has three 
children. Eiunia is the wife of Frank King, of 
Rockford. and has one child. Jeremiah is de- 
ceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. lUack has 
been blessed with eight children, of whom all are 
yet living: George, who married .\gncs Pom- 
eroy, and has three children, is engaged in farm- 
ing in the town of Rockton. Lena and P>aze are 
at home. John, who married Miss P.essie Fair- 
child, and has one child, is also a farmer in the 
town of Rock-ton. Jay. who wedded Miss Mar\ 
Gilmore, is engaged in farming near P)eloit, Wis- 
consin. Minerva is the wife of .-\lbert .\shland. 
of Rockt<in township. Edom and Charles are at 
home. 

.Mr. P.lack has Ixx'n called to public office, hold- 
ing all of the difTcrcnt jiositions in the town ex- 
cept that of clerk, and at this writing he is super- 
visor. He belongs to Rockton lodge, No. 74. A. 
F. & .\. M.. and Rockton chapter. No. igo, R. .\. 
M. He contributes to the support of the Meth- 
odist l-",])isco]ial church and gives his ])olitical 
allegiance to the rei)ublican party. 



(}. W. COLLINS. 



G. W. Collins, who originated and conducted 
the first Farmers' Institute in Wimicbago coimty. 
and who has ever stood for im])rovement and 
progress in agricultural circles, is now living on 
section 5. fiuilford townsliip, where he has one 
hundred and twenty-six acres of well improved 
laivl. It has been his home since the sjiring of 
1X58, and the excellent buildings upon it stand 
as monuments to a life of well directed and in- 
tense activity. Mr. Collins is a native of the 
Empire state, his birth having occurred in Lewis 
county, in 1834. His ])arents were Sylvester and 
Betsv (Glasgow") Collins. likewise natives of 
New York. On leaving that state they removed 
to Hillsdale countx. Michigan, in 1844, and there 



spent their remaining days until the father and 
mother departed this life about ten years ago. 
In their family of four sons and three daughters, 
all are yet living and five of them are residing in 
Hillsdale coiuily. .\notlier son. Charles, who 
formerly engaged in farming, is now living a 
retired life in ( )klahoma. 

(i. W. Collins has s|xmU almost his entire life 
in the middle west, being a youth of ten years 
when his parents removed to Michigan. He 
there remained until he had attained his majority 
and his ])reliminary education. ac(|uired in the 
common seiiools. was su])])lemented by one year's 
study in tlie Slate I'niversity of .Michigan, at 
.Vnn .\rbor. lie then entered active business life 
on his own account and at the age of twenty-six 
years was married to Miss Eliza Hart, a daugh- 
ter of I'Vcderick and .Sylvia Hart, of (iuilford 
township. Her i)eo|)le were also from the Em- 
igre state and they came to Winnebago county in 
1854. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Collins 
was blessed with three children : Rufus. a prac- 
ticing physician of Chicago who is a graduate 
of the schools of P.eloit and of the Chicago 
.Medical School, since which time he has followed 
his ])rotession for fifteen years, is now married, 
havitig a wife and one daughter: Howard, who 
follows farming in Harlem township, is married 
and has one daughter: and ICva M.. a graduate 
of the Rockford high school, is at home. 

^Ir. Collins arrived in this county in the fall 
of 1855. and in the siiring of 1858 settled u])on 
his jiresent farm on section 3. (iuilford townshi]). 
All of the improvements u])on his place are 
evidences of his handiwork and of his practical 
]>rogressive spirit. He has erected new buildings, 
ineluding a good residence and substantial barn 
and buildings for the shelter of grain and slock. 
He carries on general farming and everything 
about his ])lacc is ke])t in excellent condition. 
Politically he is a democrat, who for seven years 
re])resented (iuilford townshi]) as su])ervisor. 
He has also held various local offices, doing 
everything in his jiower to conserve the public 
welfare. His interest in ai;ricultural progress is 
evidenced by the labor which he jierformed in 
behalf of the first I'armers' Institute in Win- 
nebago county, which lie organized and con- 
ducted. His religious views are in accord with 
the Christian Cnion church of Rockford. He 
has ever worked for high standards in agri- 
cultural life and his own farm is an excellent 
example to those who live near him. 



MOSES i;artlf.tt. 

Moses Bartlett, deceased, whose record was the 
chronicle of successful accomplishment in the 
business world and of respect and honor gained 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



319 



in private life by reason of the strong and sterling 
traits of his character, came to Rockford in i860. 
He belonged to the class of representative Ameri- 
can men, who in promoting individual interests 
also advanced the general welfare and Rockford 
profited by his business efforts in the promotion 
of her industrial and commercial activity. Mr. 
Bartlett was bom in New Hampshire. His par- 
ents were likewise natives of that state, where 
they spent their entire lives, the father engaging 
in mercantile pursuits there up to the time of his 
death. Moses Bartlett was reared upon the home 
farm and the district schools of his native county 
afforded him his educational privileges. When 
he had become proficient in the knowledge of 
the common branches of learning he began teach- 
ing school, successfully following the profession 
for a few years in New York. He then removed 
to Whitby, Canada, where he was also a teacher 
for a short time and it was during his residence 
there that he was first married. While living in 
Whitby he married Miss Fannie Hall, of that 
village, and there were three children torn unto 
them : Harvey, who was at one time engaged 
in the milling business in Rockford and is now 
deceased: Esther, the wife of John Nichols, and 
a resident of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin ; and 
James, a traveling salesman residing in Evans- 
ville, Indiana. The son Harvey was the first of 
the family to come to Rockford, arriving' about 
1859, ^fter which he purchased a flour mill and 
the careful conduct of his interests gained very 
his death in 1867. 

Following his marriage Moses Bartlett con- 
tinued to engage in teaching school in Canada 
for several years, and then with the capital which 
he had acquired through his own economy and 
industry he embarked in general merchandising 
in Whitby, conducting a store at that place for 
several years. He afterward removed to Rock- 
ford in i860 and entered into partnership with 
his son in the milling business, which they con- 
ducted on the wholesale plan, eng-aging in the 
manufacture of flour throughout the Civil war 
and until the son's death in 1867. Later Mr. 
Bartlett retired from active business life but in- 
dolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his 
nature and he could not content himself without 
business interests. It was then that he became 
a stockholder in the Winnebago Agricultural 
Company on Wyman street, manufacturers of 
carriages. His partner is that enterprise was Mr. 
Hall, and they entered the business in 1876. Mr. 
Bartlett was chosen president of the company and 
continued at the head of the enterprise for several 
years, making it a profitable concern which took 
rank with the leading manufacturing interests of 
the city. It was during that time that he was 
chosen vice-president of the Winnebago National 
Bank, in which institution he served for several 



years, and he also became president of a water 
power company, of Rockford, and afterward was 
its vice-president. He also invested in real estate 
in this city and was the owner of valuable prop- 
erty. His varied business interests were ably 
conducted by him for a number of years and he 
was actively associated with manufacturing in- 
terests until 1878, when he gave up all participa- 
tion in business affairs and lived retired until his 
death. Whatever he undertook he carried for- 
ward to successful completion. He was a man 
of keen insight into business conditions, readily 
recognizing and utilizing an opportunity, and by 
the careful conduct of his interests gained very 
gratifying success. 

Having lost his first wife Mr. Bartlett was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Foster, a native of Marcellus, 
New York, and a daughter of Silas H. and Fan- 
nie (Smith) Foster. Her father was a fanner 
and tanner. He spent his entire life in Marcellus 
and in Warsaw, New York, his death occuring 
in the latter place. His widow afterward came 
to Rockford and resided with Mrs. Bartlett until 
called to her final home in 1881. The death of 
Mr. Bartlett occurred in April, 1879. His 
political views were in accord with re- 
publican principles but he was never an 
aspirant for office. Although not a mem- 
ber he served as a trustee in the West- 
minster Presbyterian church and was also a 
teacher in the Sunday-school here. He became 
one of the leading and well-to-do business men 
of Rockford, and was very liberal with his means 
for promoting movements for the general good. 
With a capacity and experience that would have 
enabled him to fulfill any trust to which he 
might be chosen he never sought to advance him- 
self in office but was content to do his duty where 
he could and leave the office-seeking to others. 
He was, however, in full sympathy with all the 
great movements of the world about him and 
watched the progress of events with keen interest. 
He was recognized by those who knew him as a 
man of kindly heart, of sterling worth, pure 
and incorruptible in all his business and social 
relations. 

In 1 881 Mrs. Bartlett gave her hand in mar- 
riage to Ira J. Nichols, of Chicago, who was born 
at Lake George, New York, and went to the for- 
mer city in childhood. He afterward took up 
the study of law and both he and his brother were 
admitted to the bar there. He also engaged in 
the real-estate business there. In an early day 
he predicted the great growth and improvement 
of Chicago and invested his money in property 
in South Chicago and Englewood. This rose 
rapidlv in value and he became very successful. 
Both he and his brother devoted a part of their 
time to legal practice and he also operated in real 
estate until his death, which occurred about a year 



320 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



after his marriage, or in 1882. while he was living 
at the corner of Sixty-first street and W'eiitworth 
avenue. His remains were interred in the ( )ak- 
wood cemetery. Mrs. Nichols continued to re- 
side in Chicago for several years thereafter, or 
until 1894, when she returned to Rockford to 
make her home. She now owns and resides in 
the old i'artktl residence at No. 303 drove street 
— a beautiful homeland her sister. I'rances E. 
Foster, resides with her. She is well known here 
in society circles and is a luemher of the West- 
minster I'reslnterian church. 



ISAAC SWAR'rnOUT. 

Isaac Swarthout, a resident of the village of 
Harlem, was horn on the 26th of December. 1832, 
his parents being Ralph 15. and Catherine ( \'oor- 
heis) Swarthout. The father was born in 
Dutchess county. New York, and was of Penn- 
sylvania Dutch descent, while the mother was 
born in the state of New Jersey and came of 
similar ancestry. The former died at St. Charles, 
Illinois, in February, 1869, and the latter on the 
1 0th of March of the same year. They had \x- 
come residents of Winnebago county in 1850 
and after a brief period spent in Rockford the 
father purchased a farm in Cherry \'alley town- 
ship anfl for a number of years devoted his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits. In their family 
were the following named : James \'., who died 
from wounds sustained in the army while serv- 
ing the Union cause as a member of a New York 
regiment ; Rali)h H., who is living in Rockford, 
Illinois, and who served for four years in the 
Eighth Ohio Cavalry in the Civil war : I'lenianiin 
L., who was a member of Company E, One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry and 
died in St. Oiarles. Illinois, during the period of 
the Civil war Irom disease contracted in the 
service : Luther, who (lie<l at the home of his 
parents while on a sick furlough, being at the 
time a member of Company E, One Hundred and 
Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry: Edwin, who 
died in Rockford a few years after the close of 
hostilities, his health having been broken down 
by his army service: Mrs. .Mary Ann Wyckoff, 
who is living in Seneca county. New York: Mrs. 
Martha .S. .Martin, who became the wife of Sid- 
ney Martin, of Rockford, and died alxiut fifteen 
years ago: Mrs. .Sojihia .S. Warman. who died in 
Rockford about forty-five years ago: and Mrs. 
Lois (ioldeii. who died in 1859. 

Isaac Swarthout, whr)se name inirnduces this 
review, remained in the place of his nativity until 
eighteen years of age, ac<|uiring his education in 
the ])ublic schools and in a business college. He 



then accompanied his parents on their removal to 
Rockford. Illinois, in 1850. and after two months 
s])ent in the city the father purchased a farin in 
C"herry X'alley township. Mr. Swarthout of this 
review assisted in the cultivation of the home 
])lace for two years and then removed to Chi- 
cago, where he was engaged in the pump and 
lightning rod business, his territory extending 
between Chicago and Centralia, Illinois. He fol- 
lowed that pursuit for seven years, at the end 
of which time he took up his abode in the city 
of Rockford and continued in the sale of pumps 
and lightning rods with territory between Rock- 
ford and Galena. Illinois, for two years. Through 
the succeeding two years he was engaged in 
farming at St. Charles, Illinois, but put aside 
business considerations in order to respond to his 
country's call in August, 1862. 

The history of the Swarthout family is a re- 
markable one concerning its military record, the 
brothers all espousing the Union cause and doing 
active service on the battle-fields of the south. 
Isaac Swarthout joined the boys in blue of Com- 
pany E. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Il- 
linois Infantry, with which he served for three 
years, mostly in the .-\nny of the Tennessee. 
He was under General Grant until after the sur- 
render of \'^icksburg and later was under com- 
mand of General Sherman in the .\rmy of the 
Cumberland, serving in the campaigns of Nash- 
ville. Chattanooga and .\tlanta. His regiment 
was assigned to the Fifteenth .\niiy Corps, Gen- 
eral John .\. Logan commanding, and went with 
.Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and 
through the Carolina campaign, marching from 
!>avannah, Georgia, to Richmond. \'irginia, and 
thence to \\"ashington, D. C where they par- 
ticipated in the grand review, the most celebrated 
military pageant ever seen on the western hemis- 
phere. .\t Washington transportation was fur- 
nished to the regiment to Chicago but the muster 
out occurred in the capital city. Of the original 
ten himdred and ten men who formed the One 
Hundred and Twenty-.seventh Illinois at the be- 
ginning of its service in 1862 but ninety-five were 
mustered out at Washington, D. C, the others 
having been killed in battle, died from di.sease or 
discharged because of disabilitv prior to that 
time. Mr. .Swarthout participated in seventeen 
of the most important engagements of the war 
beside many skirmishes. .A week prior to the 
surrender of \'icksburg he became ill with 
typhoid fever and after the surrender of the city 
be was taken to the hi>s]iital at Memphis, being 
there graiUed a furlough. He returned to his 
home in St. Charles, Illinois, and by the exten- 
sion of his furlough for thirty days he reinained 
at home for about three months. He then re- 
joined his regiment at Larkinsville, .Mabama, and 




ISAAC SWARTHOUT AND FAMILY' 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



323 



continued at the front until hostilities had ceased 
and the flag of the Union was planted in the 
capital of the Southern Confederacy. 

Following his return home Mr. Swarthout se- 
cured employment in a foundry in St. Charles, 
Illinois, where he remained for three years and 
in 1868 he removed to a farm in Harlem town- 
ship, on which he spent five years. In Septem- 
ber, 1872, he located in the village of Harlem, 
where he embarked in general merchandizing and 
was also appointed to the position of postmaster. 
He conducted his store until December 6, 1904, 
when he sold out the business and resigned the 
position of postmaster because of failing health. 
He had been very successful as a merchant and 
had carefully conducted his efforts along honor- 
able and enterprising business lines, so that a 
liberal patronage was accorded him and he gained 
thereby a gratifying competence. 

On the 27th of August, 1862, a few days after 
his enlistment. JNlr. Swarthout was married to 
Miss Louise Austin, of Rockford, Illinois, a 
daughter of Edward and Harriet Austin. Her 
parents were born in England and the father died 
in Beloit. Wisconsin, thirty-five years ago. The 
mother, whose maiden name was Harriet Martin, 
died in the village of Harlem eight years ago at 
the very advanced age of ninety-two years. They 
had three daughters : Mrs. Swarthout ; Mrs. 
Sabina Bishop, of Beloit, Wisconsin ; and Mrs. 
Catherine Fabrick, of Harlem. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Swarthout have been born the following 
named. Edward R., born June 18, 1867. in St. 
Charles. Illinois, is now living in Hampden, 
North Dakota, where he is engaged in banking 
and in the real- estate business. He married 
Miss Caroline Coad. of Park River, North Da- 
kota, and has two children, Bernadine and Emma 
A. May L., born September 26, 1869, is the wife 
of W. L. Whipple, then of Rockford but now- 
living at Mount Moriah, Illinois, where he is 
pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. They 
have three children : Louis, Leonard A. and 
Ruth. Harriet A., born March 29. 1871, is the 
wife of Fred A. Hart, of Harlem township, and 
they have two children, Harold L. and Char- 
lotte. 

Mr. Swarthout is a member of Nevius post. 
No. I, G. A. R., of Rockford, and thus main- 
tains pleasant relations with his old army com- 
rades. In politics he has always been a re- 
publican and his official service covers thirty-two 
years as postmaster at Harlem, eight years as 
justice of the peace, twenty-five years as town- 
ship clerk, and a number of years as a member 
of the school board. His duties have been per- 
formed with marked promptness and fidelity and 
no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed 
in the slightest degree. He is now living in well 
earned ease at his pleasant home in Harlem, 



having for many years been connected with either 
agricultural or commercial interests whereby he 
has won a creditable and gratifying measure of 
success. In all matters relating to the general 
good he is true and loyal, manifesting the same 
patriotic spirit that he displayed when he wore 
the blue uniform of the nation upon the battle- 
fields of the soutli. 



HUGH GREENLEE. 



Hugh Greenlee, a retired farmer now residing 
at No. 637 North Winnebago street, Rockford, 
was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in March, 
1 83 1, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Mitchell) 
Greenlee. He has resided in this countv for 
thirty-nine years. In 1859 he came with his par- 
ents to Illinois, the family home being established 
in Caledonia township, Boone county. The 
father purchased a farm there and continued to 
make his home upon that place until his death, 
which occurred in 1868. when he was sixty-nine 
years of age. His wife long survived him and 
passed away in 1885. at the age of eighty years. 
This worthy couple had a large family, of whom 
three sons and four daughters are yet living. 

Hugh Greenlee spent the greater part of his 
boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity 
and was educated in the common schools there. 
After coming with his parents to Illinois at the 
age of nineteen years, he resided upon the home 
farm in Boone county until 1867. when he came 
to Winnebago county, having purchased one hun- 
dred and twenty acres of land in Winneliago 
township. .Since that time he has splendidly 
improved the property, enclosing it with a fine 
hedge fence, placing his fields under a high state 
of cultivation, keeping his buildings in good re- 
pair and adding all modern equipments and ac- 
cessories. Year after year he carried on general 
farming with excellent success, and as time passed 
he accumulated a very gratifying competence. 
He still owns this farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres and it returns to him a good rental, 
but in 1904 he put aside the active work of the 
fann and took up his abode in Rockford. where 
he is now living retired. 

Hugh Greenlee was married in Winnebag'o 
county to Miss Jane Smith, a daughter of James 
Smith, who resided in \\'innebago township. Her 
father came here about 1855 but died a year later, 
his wife surviving him for several years. Mrs. 
Greenlee was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, about 
sixty years ago, and by her marriage she became 
the mother of two sons and a daughter: James 
S., who is employed at Shirley's wholesale gro- 
cery house in Rockford ; Nellie, at home ; and 
Albert, who is in the employ of Frank Pitney, of 
Rockford. 



324 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



In his political views Mr. Greenlee is a demo- 
crat and has served as school director and in 
other local positions. He is a member of the 
First Presbyterian church, of Rockford, and is 
now enjoying life, being able to secure many of 
its comforts and some of its luxuries. For years 
he worked earnestly and persistently, gaining the 
sure reward of consecutive endeavor when guided 
by sound judgment. 



WILLIAM S. CALDWELL, M. D. 

Although Dr. William S. Caldwell never re- 
sided in Rockford he had an extensive acquaint- 
ance among the best people of the city, as he 
lived in the neighboring town of Freeport from 
1879 until his death and was one of the promi- 
nent, influential and well known citizens of that 
place, having an extensive practice, which was 
accorded him by many residents of Freeport and 
Stephenson county and also extended to Win- 
nebago county. A native of Charlottesburg, 
North Carolina, he was born August 28, 1832. 
His father. Dr. William Caldwell, was also a suc- 
cessful practicing physician. He lived in the 
south for many years, belonging to a prominent 
old family of that section of the country and 
was an own cousin of John C. Calhoun. After 
practicing for a long period in North Carolina, 
he removed to Vicksburg, Kalamazoo county, 
Michigan, where he continued in practice up to 
the time of his death, his skill and efficiency 
being widely acknowledged in the liberal patron- 
age which was accorded him. 

Dr. William S. Caldwell was a student in the 
l)ublic schools of his native state and after his 
father removed to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, 
he entered upon preparation for the protession 
in the office and under the direction of his 
father. He also attended private schools in the 
town of Kalamazoo until he had completed his 
course in medicine and received the certificate 
whicli pennitted him to practice. In 1856 he left 
Kalamazoo county, removing to the town of 
Elizabeth in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he 
opened an office and entered upon the active work 
of his profession. It was during his residence 
there that Dr. Caldwell was united in marriage 
to Miss Caroline 1!. Ilutcliins. / 

Dr. Caldwell continued to practice in Elizabeth 
for fourteen years, after which he removed to 
Warren. Illinois, where he practiced for six years 
witli excellent success. On the expiration of 
that period, in 1877. he went abroad, remaining 
in Europe for two years, and upon his return to 
his native land, in 1879, he settled at Freeport, 
Illinois, where he engaged in practice through- 
out his remaining days, being accorded a very 



liberal patronage. He was careful in the 
diagnosis of a case and seldom at fault in mat- 
ters of judgment concerning the outcome of dis- 
ease or of complications that might arise. His 
skill was widely acknowledged and he continu- 
ally promoted his efficiency through study and 
investigation, having a deep scientific as well as 
liumanitarian interest in his profession. In ad- 
dition to his practice he was recognized as a 
representative and valuable business man of Free- 
port and was connected with many important 
enterprises there. In connection with D. C. 
Stover he organized the State I'ank of Freeport, 
which is the largest institution of that character 
in the city and remained connected therewith up 
to the time of his death. He also assisted in the 
organization of a bank in Sioux Falls, South 
Dakota, and he dealt quite extensively in real 
estate there. He possessed keen business sagacity 
and unfaltering enterprise and carried forward 
to successful comjiletion whatever he undertook. 
In politics he was a stanch rei)ublican, thoroughly 
in sympathy with the principles and policy of the 
liarty, yet he never sought or cared for office for 
himself. He belonged to the Masonic lodge and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Free- 
port and had many friends in these fraternities. 
He was also widely known in Rockford, where 
he gained the favorable regard of many with 
whom he came in contact. His business activity, 
his professional efficiency and his public spirit 
made him a valued citizen of the community in 
which he long made his home and, his well 
directed efforts brought him a financial return 
that classed him with the wealthy residents of 
Freeport. Mrs. Caldwell is now a resident of 
Rockford. 



CHARLES W. SANDERS. 

Charles W. Sanders, living retired in Rock- 
ford, was born at New Haven. Connecticut, Octo- 
ber I, 1835, his parents being Carmie and Susan 
(Brooks) Sanders, the former a native of Con- 
necticut and the latter of England. Mrs. San- 
ders came with her parents to .\merica in 1835, 
the family settling in Otsego. New York. In 
1845 C"armie .Sanders brought his family to this 
state, taking uj) his abode in McHenry county, 
where he remained for some time. Three sons 
of the family were soldiers in the Civil war and 
all are vet living: William Henry, being a resi- 
dent of Chicago: Ebenezer .\.. of .Aurora. Illi- 
nois: and Levi L.. of Rockford. 

Charles \\'. Sanders, whose name introduces 
this review, was a youth of ten summers when 
he came with the family to Illinois. His educa- 
tion was acquired in the public .schools and he 
lived at Franklinville for some time and also spent 




■//,„'/''/, „/,'/„, //\ //// 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



327 



some time at Belvidere, Illinois, being employed in 
various ways in those two places. In 1857 he 
took up his abode permanently in Winnebago 
county but had been here several times before. 
Here he engaged in teaming for a number of 
years and for twenty-one years he was in the shops 
of the John P. Manny Company. He then went 
upon the road as a traveling salesman for that 
house and later retired from active business with 
a comfortable competence secured through his in- 
dustry, economy and well directed efforts. He 
owns the home where he resides at No. 1426 
Charles street and also the house adjoining and 
here he has lived since 1863. When he took up 
his abode here his house was all surrounded by 
farm land but the growth of the city has made it 
in one of the populous residence districts. 

In 1857 Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to 
Miss Melisse D. Scott, a native of Schenectady 
county, New York, born in 1829, and a daughter 
of Jesse D. Scott, a cousin of General Winfield 
Scott, of the Empire state. Her mother bore the 
maiden name of Hannah Tollman and was also 
born in New York. She died when forty-eight 
years of age. while Mr. Scott reached the ad- 
vanced age of ninety-three years. They were the 
parents of thirteen children, who lived to man- 
hood or womanhood, and in the family were five 
sons who became loyal defenders of the Union 
in the Civil war. namely : John S.. now deceased : 
Cornelius, a resident of Manchester, Iowa ; Aris- 
tides and Allen, both deceased ; and Demosthenes, 
who resides in Harrison county, Ohio. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have one child. Sue E., 
who for seven years has been deputy in the of- 
fice of the county clerk of Winnebago county. 
In his political views Mr. Sanders is independent, 
but is the champion of progressive measures and 
advocates all movements for the general good. 
He is a self-made man, who without any family 
or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his ca- 
reer has worked his way steadily upward to suc- 
cess. He has been so honorable in conduct, so 
fair and reasonable in his views that his opinions 
carry weight among his neighbors and friends, 
thus making him a man of influence in the com- 
munitv. 



DAVID BEATSON. 



David Beatson, living on section 14, Burritt 
township, where he is successfully engaged in the 
cultivation of a farm of two hundred and eight 
acres, was born on the 12th of April, 1848, in the 
town of Florida, Montgomery county. New 
York. His father, AA^illiam Beatson, was a native 
of Scotland, born in December, 181 1, and in early 
youth he crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident 
of New York state. In 1849 he removed from 
19 



New York to Illinois, arriving in Burritt town- 
ship in the fall, accompanied by his family, at 
which time he settled on section 23, now known 
as the McSweaney farm. There he lived until 
the spring of 1873, when the present home was 
purchased. He devoted his entire life to agri- 
cultural pursuits and passed away on the 7th of 
June, 1883. in Rockford. His wife, who was 
born in March, 1814, died in Rockford on the 
/th of June, 1896. In addition to our subject 
their children were as follows : George, born in 
Scotland, November 27, 1836, died in Rockford, 
September 20, 1898, leaving a widow and eight 
children. John, born in Scotland in 1839, is now 
living in Rockford. but his wife died in April, 
1905. leaving four daughters. Jeannette, born 
in Scotland, April 7, 1841, is the widow of E. H. 
Wemple and is living in Rockford with her three 
children. Ellen, born in New York in 1846, died 
on the old home farm in this county in 1865. 
Agnes, born in New York in 1846. is the wife of 
Louis M. Hickox, of Rockford, and they have 
four sons. David is the next of the family. Caro- 
line, who was born in Burritt township in 1850, 
is the wife of J. N. Lillie, a resident of Rock- 
ford, and they have six children. Julia, born in 
1852, is living in Rockford. 

David Beatson, whose name introduces this 
record, was little more than a year old when 
brought by his parents to Winnebago county and 
upon the home farm in Burritt township he was 
reared. He continued with his parents until 
twenty }-ears of age. when he went to the west 
and was employed on the construction of the 
Union Pacific Railroad Company in Wyoming 
and LTah. He remained there until November, 
1868, when he went to Colorado, where he re- 
sided until September, 1869. He then returned to 
Illinois, where he continued until the early winter 
of 1872, at which time he made his way to Kansas 
and took up a homestead claim from the govern- 
ment. After proving up this property he again 
took up his abode in Burritt township, living with 
his parents until the spring of 1873. He then 
went to California, where he spent a little more 
than a year and returning to Winnebago county 
in 1874 he has since continuously devoted his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits here, having now 
a valuable farm of two hundred and eight acres 
of very rich and productive land, which he has 
placed imder a high state of cultivation and 
which returns to him golden harvests each year. 

On the loth of January. 1877, ^Ii"- Beatson 
was united in marriage to Miss Emma Comstock, 
a daughter of Levi and Matilda Comstock, of 
Burritt. Her father was born 'May 3, 1812, and 
died in Rockford. June 24, 1884, while his wife, 
whose birth occurred in Berkshire county, Massa- 
chusetts, August 15, 1810, died in 1898 at the 
home of her daughter, Mrs. Beatson. The latter 



328 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



was born in Saratoga county. New York. Au- 
gust 17, 1850, and was brought by her parents to 
this county in 1859, since which time she has 
lived in Burritt townsliip. Mr. and Mrs. Beat- 
son have become the parents of four children : 
Clyde E., bom November 28, 1878; Ethel M., 
who was bom October 29, 1879, and was married 
on the 9th of March. 1904. to Frank Kasch, a res- 
ident farmer of Durand township; Earl II., bom 
April I. 1884: ami Irene, born February 17, 1889. 
In his i)')litical affiliation .Mr. ISeatson is a re- 
publican, interested in the success of his party, 
and he gives inflexible support to its principles. 
He has served as a .school director for the pa.st 
nine years and the cause of education finds in 
him a friend, whose labors have been effective in 
promoting the welfare of the schools. 



WILLIAM BROWN. 



William Brown, well known in Pecatonica and 
other sections of Winnebago county, was born in 
Northani])t<)n county. England, May 22, 1831. 
His father. Richard Brown, worked for an Eng- 
lish company for about sixty years and aided in 
building the Prince .Mbert canal. He cut big limbs 
from the trees in the Wittleboro forest al»ut 
fifty miles from London and they were used in the 
construction of the canal. The forest was about 
six miles s<|uare and there were about three thou- 
sand deer running wild there. These thev caught 
in nets, and many of them were jnit in Queen's 
park, in London. In his old age Mr. Brown was 
a pensioner of the English government, having 
practically S])ent his entire life at work on the 
canal in one position and another. Both he and 
his wife lived to be more than eighty years of 
age. 

Their son, \\'illiam Brown, had little opportu- 
nity to attend school and is practically a self- 
educated as well as a self-made man. In his 
early youth he peddled fruit, worked in a brick- 
yard and was also employed on the Prince Albert 
canal, tending locks in the city of London, for 
the canal extended twelve miles through the city 
and on to the basin at the opening. His duty 
was to close and open the gates when the boats 
came in from the east at flood-tide. Mr. Brown 
also worked at farming in England, but at length 
becoming convinced that he would have better 
business opportunities in the new world, he bade 
adieu to friends and native land and completed 
his arrangements to seek a home in .\merica. 

Taking passage on a sailing vessel at Liver- 
pool bound for New York city Mr. Brown was 
six or seven weeks in crossing the .Atlantic. He 
then went u]) the Hudson river l)y boat to .Mbany 
and from there made his wav into the country 



where he secured work as a farm hand. One of 
his early experiences, however, was being pois- 
oned by ivy. Later he went to L'tica, New York, 
Ijy stage and on into the pine woods of Madison 
county, that state. He worked as a farm hand 
for thirteen dollars per month through the sum- 
mer season and in the foUnwing winter worked 
for his board. In the spring he was paid sixteen 
dollars i)er month in a ho]j-yard but yet not con- 
tent with his location, because he believed he 
could do better elsewhere, he came in the fall of 
that year to \\'innebago county, going first to 
Rockford and later to Pecatonica, where he se- 
cured cmi)loyment in a butcher sho]). Soon after- 
ward he began conducting a meat market of his 
own and for many years he has been one of the 
heaviest buyers and shipijcrs of stock at this 
point — a fact which indicates a consecutive prog- 
ress and success in his business career. He has 
bought and sold many hundred acres of land and 
at the present time he owns sixty-five acres within 
the city limits of Pecatonica and is also owner of 
the stockyards at this place. 

Mr. Brown was united in marriage here to 
Miss Matilda Peterson, a native of Sweden. Her 
father. Charles Magnus Peterson, was born in 
.Sweden. May 13. 1817. and was married in that 
country. With his wife. Johanna, lie came to 
America in 1S54, and they were therefore auKjng 
the early settlers of the county. The father 
bought the land that be now owns at Twelve Mile 
Corner on the state road. .Some of the farm has 
since been laid out in town lots and it was thnutjht 
that a village would be built thereon, but this hope 
was not realized. The mother died October 8. 
1891. In the family were si.x children, who catue 
with their parents to .America. Mrs. Matilda 
Brown, who was born May 28. 1832. died in 
1900: Orphia. born May 30, 1877. is the widow 
of Peter Lindolf. and resides in Minnesota. Em- 
ilv is the wife of S. .\. Johnson, of Rockford. 
Anna S. is the wife of L. Collins. Augusta Al- 
bertina. lx)rn November 2, 1847, is now caring 
for her father. She learned the millinery trade 
and conducted a store in Rockford for twenty- 
five vears and employed from five to eight girls, 
during which time she l)ought most of her goods 
from D. B. Fisk. of Chicago, and she is now 
keeping house for her father. John, born .\ugust 
3. 1850. died in Rockford .\tigust 24. 1854. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown have become the parents of 
nine sons and three daughters. Six of the sons 
are vet living and are actively engaged in busi- 
ness. Charles R.. a resident of Clark. Nebraska, 
is married and has one daughter, Florence. John 
is the owner of an extensive ranch in Colorado, 
on which he has about eight hundre<l head of 
cattle, mules and horses. He is also married. 
Fred, living in Clark. Nebraska, married Maud 
McClain and thev have two children. William W. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



329 



and Edwin. He is now buying and feeding stock 
and is also conducting a store at Clark. Alfred 
I., extensively engaged in buying and selling 
horses and also in merchandising in Clark, Ne- 
braska, married Sophia Morgan, and has one 
daughter, Mildred. Joseph, engaged in buying, 
feeding and shipping cattle at Seward, Nebraska, 
shipped two hundred and fifty head from that 
place to New York city and thence by the Ohio 
steamship of the Wilson line. Mr. Wilson also 
shipped two hundred and twenty-five head at 
the same time and thus they sent out twentv- 
eight carloads from Seward on that occasion. 
William Henr}', living at Seward, Nebraska, is 
conducting a meat market and is feeding cattle 
and horses. He was interested with his brother, 
Joseph, in the shipment of cattle to Deadford 
docks, at London, England. Mr. Brown of this 
review went with that shipment of cattle from 
Seward to New York city, but there took pas- 
sage on a steamer of the White Star line, from 
which he landed in Liverpool and thence made 
his way by train to London. He afterward went 
to Yadley, where he spent several days with his 
brothers and friends, returning thence to Dead- 
ford docks, where he remained until the cattle 
shipped by his sons had been sold. He left 
Seward, May 27, 1903, and returned home on 
the 2d of July. The daughters of the Brown 
family are all deceased and the mother has like- 
wise passed away, her birth occurring March 
28, 1832, and her death on the 12th of May, 
1900. The daughter Hannah, born Septem- 
ber 25, 1864, died May 10, 1886. One son, 
George W., born March 8, 1866, died on the 
29th of April, of that year. George O., born 
May 16, 1867, died on the 20th of September fol- 
lowing. Cora M. and Nora M., twins, were born 
December 15, 1872, and the former died on the 
23d and the latter on the 31st of the same 
month. 

Mr. Brown has never sought or desired public 
office. His first presidential vote was cast for 
Abraham Lincoln and he has always supported 
the candidates whom he has believed best 
qualified for office. 



DAVID A. STURTEVANT. 

David A. Sturtevant, who has risen from a 
humble clerkship to rank with the successful and 
leading merchants of Winnebago county, con- 
ducting a well equipped store in Roscoe, was 
born in Oneida county, New York, in 1825. His 
father, Cephas Sturtevant, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts and never came to the west but retained 
his residence in New York up to the time of his 
death. He was a mason, following that trade as 



a means of livelihood throughout his active busi- 
ness career and passing away in Madison county, 
New York, at the advanced age of eighty years. 
He married Elizabeth Lawrence, also a native of 
Massachusetts and they became the parents of 
ten children who reached mature years, David 
A. Sturtevant being the ninth in order of birth 
and the only son now living. He has one sur- 
viving sister, Susan Pearl, a resident of Rock- 
ford. 

David A. Sturtevant spent the days of his boy- 
hood and youth in New York, acquiring his edu- 
cation in the public schools and in the fall of 
1846 he came west to Illinois induced to this step 
by the fact that he had a sister living in Roscoe. 
He had previously learned the shoemaker's trade 
in the east and he resumed work in that line on 
arriving in Roscoe. For ten years he followed 
his chosen vocation and was then obliged to re- 
linquish work on the bench because of ill health. 
He rented land in Roscoe township and for five 
or six years carried on general agricultural pur- 
suits, after which he spent one year in California, 
working in the mines. It was in 1857 that he 
crossed the plains to the Pacific coast, attracted 
by the discoveries of gold in that far western 
country. Upon his return to Roscoe in 1859 he 
again resumed shoemaking, to which he devoted 
his energies until after the outbreak of the civil 
war. 

Mr. Sturtevant had been an interested witness 
of events in the south, had noted the growing feel- 
ing of unrest and had resolved that if an attempt 
was made at secession he would strike a blow in 
defense of the Union. Accordinglv he became a 
member of Company H, Second Regiment of 
Illinois Light Artillery. His old friend, Dr. 
Ransom, of Roscoe township, who was a surgeon 
in the army, secured his detail for dutv at the 
hospital but ill health eventually forced Air. Stur- 
tevant to retire from the amiy and he returned 
to Roscoe, where the following year he secured 
a clerkship in the store of A. D. Lawrence, his 
brother-in-law, who was proprietor of a dry- 
goods establishment. He remained as a salesman 
there for three years, at the end of which time 
I\Ir. Lawrence removed to Iowa and I\Ir. Sturte- 
vant purchased the store, which he has since con- 
ducted. He has one of the oldest concerns of 
the village both as regards years and in the length 
of his continuous connection with mercantile in- 
terests. He has a well appointed establishment, 
having" closely studied the needs and wishes of 
the public and by reason of his fair dealing, his 
earnest desire to please his patrons and his en- 
terprising methods, he has won a creditable 
measure of success. 

]\Tr. Sturtevant has been married twice. He 
first wedded Susan M. Wood and they had two 
children, Frank and Hattie. The former married 



330 



PAST AND PRESENT OF W IXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



Bertha Eakin, of Illinois, and has ihrcc children. 
JJert, Louisa and Lcnorc. Hattit is the wife of 
George Wiggins. In 1863 Mr. Sturtcvant was 
again married, his second union being with Har- 
riet E. Lawrence, a native of Xew York, a daugh- 
ter of Judge L. \V. Lawrence, of llelvidere, Illi- 
nois, who went to tliat town in an early day. 
They have three children : Alaude, Blanche, the 
wife of Giles Baldwin ; and Marie, who married 
Fred P.lackington and has three children, Ralph. 
Letta and Feme. 

Mr. Sturtevant and his familv are members of 
the Methodist church and are people of the high- 
est respyectability, their lives being permeated by 
principles which work for good citizenship and 
for upright character. In his political views 
Mr. Sturtevant has been a stalwart republican 
since the organization of tlie party and for three 
years served as tax collector of Roscoe township. 
In 1881 he was appointed ]iostmaster of Ro.scoe 
by President Garfield and was retired by Presi- 
dent Cleveland in 1885. but when the republicans 
again came in power he was appointed by Presi- 
dent Harrison and continued in office altogether 
for seven years. He has been notary public for 
twenty years. He belongs to the Masonic frater- 
nity of Roscoe and is one of the most respected, 
influential and prominent citizens of the village. 
There is indeed nnich that is commendable in his 
life record and he is justly entitled to the confi- 
dence and respect so uniformly tendered him. 



HON. RUFUS C. BAILEY. 

Hon. Rufus C. Bailey, who for thirty-two 
years has served with honor and distinction as 
the county judge of Winnebago couniv. a public 
service unparalleled in the history of Illinois, was 
born in Auburn, Maine, July 28, 1833. His 
])arents were Moses and Anne (Chandler) 
Bailey. The father was born in Minot, Maine, 
and spent his entire life in that state, ])assing 
away when the Judge was about seven years of 
age. wliile his wife, who was a native of Yar- 
mouth, Maine, also lived in the Pine Tree state 
imtil her death, which occurred about 1853. 

Judge Bailey attended successively the com- 
mon schools of his native city and Auburn and 
Water\'ille (Maine) Academies, wherein he pre- 
pared for college. He then matriculated in 
Amherst College and completed the scientific 
course by graduation with the class of 1855. Im- 
mediately afterward he sought a home in the 
great and growing west, with firm faith in its 
future and a desire to utilize its business con- 
ditions so that his own career might be cmwned 
with success. Taking up his abode in Rock- 
ford, he was then engaged in railroad engineer- 



ing, in which he cunliiuied until 1857, being 
employed on the Kenosha & Rockford Railroad. 
Becoming imbued with the desire to attain some- 
thing better, he entered upon the study of law 
in 1858 in the office of Lathrop & Brown and 
after thorough and systematic preliminary read- 
ing was admitted to the bar on the 18th of 
.\ugust, i860. He immediately entered upon 
the practice of his profession as a member of 
the law firm of Lathrop & Bailey, which had a 
contiiutous and successful existence of twelve 
\ears. In the meantime he was elected as a 
clerk and acted in that capacity for five years 
when associated with Mr. Lathrop in the prac- 
tice of his profession. He was also city at- 
torney for the year 1863 and in 1873 he re- 
ceived the republican nomination for the posi- 
tion of county judge and by re-election has been 
continued in the office for thirty-two consecu- 
tive years, an official record unparalleled in 
length of service in the state. It would be 
tautological to enter into any series of statements 
showing him to be a man of marked capability 
or of a special fitness for office, for these have 
been shadowed forth between the lines of this 
review. His decisions are regarded as models of 
judicial soundness and he presides over his court 
with a dignity and impartiality that awakens re- 
spect for the law and for the office to which one 
must look for the protection of human rights, 
privileges and liberties. 

()n the 5th of (October, 1885. Judge Bailey 
was married to Mrs. Emma L. Faulkner, nee 
Trufant. who died .\pril 11, 1905. Prominent 
in Masonrv. he belongs to Rockford lodge, A. 
F. & .\. M.. Winnebago chapter, R. A. M.. Cru- 
sader commandery. Xo. 17, K.T., the consist- 
ory, in which lie attained the thirty-second de- 
gree of the Scottish Rite and the Mystic Shrine. 
He served for about six years as eminent com- 
mander of the commandery. He also belongs to 
the Benevolent and iVotective Order of Elks 
and is identified with the Christian Union. While 
on the bench he is dignified and reserved. Those 
who know him in his home life find him a most 
social and congenial companion and the circle 
of his friends is almost co-extensive with the 
circle of his acquaintance. 



JOHN BARRETT. 



John Barrett was well known in Rockford for 
nearly a quarter of a century and had a wide ac- 
quaintance among the early settlers of the city, 
taking up his abode here in J 868. He was a na- 
tive of County Limerick. Ireland, born Novem- 
ber 24, 1838. and his parents were Edward and 
Margaret CNoonan") Barrett, who were likewise 




JUDGE R. C. BAILEY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



333 



natives of County Limerick, where they spent 
their entire lives. The father was a tailor by 
trade and always followed that pursuit in order 
to provide for his family. 

John Barrett was educated in the Catholic 
schools of his native country and acquired a gfood 
education there. When a )oung man he began 
to learn the shoemaker's trade and throughout his 
entire life that continued to be his source of live- 
lihood. As a companion and helpmate for life's 
journey he chose Miss Margaret Hayes, also a 
native of Ireland, born December 29, 1841, and 
a daughter of Hall and Mary (Downey) Hayes, 
also natives of the Emerald isle. His father al- 
ways followed farming and died in the land of 
his nativity, after which the mother emigrated to 
America and spent the remaining da\s in the 
home of her son, Thomas Hayes, in Tracr, Tama 
countv, Iowa. After his marriage Mr. Barrett 
continued to work at the shoemaker's trade on 
the Emerald isle until 1868, when with bis family, 
then numbering wife and five children, he crossed 
the Atlantic to the United States. Landing in 
New York citv, he came direct to Rockford and 
invested in town property here, after which he 
owned a shoe shop on East State street at the 
southeast corner of Madison street. There he 
worked at his trade for nearly a quarter of a 
centurv or imtil his death, which occurred June 
16, 1892. 

Mr. and Mrs. Barrett became the parents of 
ten children, of whom six were born in Ireland : 
Catherine, who died July 7, 1900, was the wife 
of Joseph L. Schmauss, who is now secretary and 
treasurer of the Schmauss Company, the largest 
wholesale and retail dealers in meat in Rockford. 
Marv is the wife of George Schlenk and resides 
in this citv. Edwin died in Ireland at the age of 
six months. IVfargaret and Hannah P.. are at 
home with their mother. Ann died in Rockford 
June 24, 1879, John J., who married Katherine 
F, Hickev. resides in Rockford and is captain of 
hose company No. 2 of the city fire department. 
William died September 17, 1891. Edwin, who 
conducts a large fire and life insurance business 
with offices at No. 124 South Main street, also 
resides with his mother. Elizabeth, who died 
October 6, 1904, was the wife of Walter Mc- 
Guire, a member of the IMcGuire Hardware Com- 
pany of Rockford. 

]\Tr. Barrett always took a very active part in 
politics and was a stanch democrat. He held mem- 
bership in St. James' Catholic church, of which 
his wife and family are also communicants. He 
was a hard-working man, honest and upright and 
was quite successful. In the early davs of his 
residence here he purchased the entire block 
upon which his widow now resides, and as the 
citv has grown and developed this became very 
valuable property and much of it has since been 



sold as city lots. They still own and retain pos- 
session of the old Barrett home, however, at No. 
1303 Benton street, where Mrs, Barrett and three 
of her children still reside, and the family is well 
known here. Mrs. Barrett is now rearing her 
grandson, Edwin Barrett, whose father, William 
Barrett, is now deceased. Her daughter-in-law, 
Mrs. Katherine Barrett, also owns a nice home 
on a part of the Barrett addition to this city. 



HENRY W. STEVENS. 

Henry W. Stevens, interested in general agri- 
cultural pursuits in Owen township, is one of 
the worthv citizens that England has furnished 
to Winnebago county. His birth occurred in 
London, October 9, 1852, his parents being- 
Henrv and Mary Ann Stevens, who had but two 
children, the daughter, Rosa, coming to this 
country with her brother, Henry. The parents, 
however, both died in the old country. 

Henry W. Stevens spent the first twelve years 
of his life in his native land and was a student 
in the public schools there. He landed at New 
York citv, whence he afterward made his way 
to Belvidere, Illinois, and subsequently he came 
to Winnebago county, living in Rockton township 
until about thirteen years ago. He first earned 
his living bv working as a farm hand by the 
month and persistently and energetically he con- 
tinued his labor until his work had brought him 
a goodlv sum of money. He then purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of land in Rockton town- 
ship, partially improved, and for ten years gave 
his attention to its further cultivation and devel- 
opment. He followed both farming and stock- 
raising, and on the expiration of a decade he 
bought eightv acres of land in Owen township, 
whereon he has since lived, having now an ex- 
cellent farm here. He has built a new and mod- 
ern residence and has made all that he possesses 
through his industrv, for he started out in life 
for himself a poor boy. He has bought and fed 
hosrs and cattle and in his various business pur- 
suits has gained a creditable and gratifying meas- 
ure of success. 

Mr. Stevens was married December 22. 1881, 
to Miss Diantha. daughter of Daniel and Mar- 
p-aret (Calkins) A^an Wicklin. Her father was 
born September 18, 1827, on Long Island, New 
York, and came to Illinois in the earlv '40s. He 
worked as a farm hand near Crvstal Lake until 
about t8s7, \vhen be removed to Minnesota, 
where he lived for two vears. He then returned 
to IMcHenrv countv. Illinois, settling near Wood- 
stock, and throughout his entire life he followed 
agricultural pursuits, molding his life according 
to the sTolden rule and doing unto others as he 



334 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COIXTV 



would have them do unto him. He passed away 
in April, 1867, and the motlier of Mrs. Stevens 
departed this life December 4, i860. The remains 
of both now rest in the family burial ground near 
Crystal Lake. Mrs. \'an Wicklin was born De- 
cember 4, 1835, and was married in 1854. She 
had two children : Cerroland, who was bom 
February 25, 1855, and is a carpenter living: in 
Rockford; and Mrs. Stevens, boni May 26, 1859. 
After lusinij: his first wife Mr. \an Wicklin mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Sawyer and they had two chil- 
dren : Cora, now deceased ; and Mary, who is 
livint; in Rockton. 

Tlie marria.sfc of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens was cel- 
ebrated December 22, 1881, and has been blessed 
with two daughters: Mabel G., born December 
22, 1885; and Ida E., born July 8, 1888. Both 
have attended the public schools, and the latter 
is now attending business college. Mabel G. is 
the wife of Rayniund S. I'.radt, of Shullsburg, 
Wisconsin. Mr. Stevens has never sought or de- 
sired public office as a reward for party fealty, 
but is recognized as a stanch and unfaltering ad- 
vocate of republican principles. He belongs to 
Owen camp. M. W. A., and both he and his wife 
are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal 
clun-ch. 



EDWIX R. 1 1 ALLEY. 



Edwin R. Halley, following the occupation of 
farming in Owen township, was born at Rock- 
ton. Winnebago county, February 20, 1856, his 
parents being William and Christian (Mackie) 
Halkv. The father was born in Fifeshire, Scot- 
land, alwut twenty miles from Edinburgh, on the 
4th of June, 1818, and acf|nircd a common school 
education. He became a resident of this county 
in 1838. when about twenty years of age, and 
lived for a year and a half near Rockton. He 
then settled in the village in February, 1840. He 
was a tailor by trade and followed that pursuit, 
also handling ready-made clothing, and he con- 
tinued in that business for twenty years, meeting 
with splendid success by reason of the liberal 
patronage which was accorded him. He then 
])urcbased five hundred acres of raw prairie land 
in r)wen township which he improved, making 
a splendid property. He planted many trees u])on 
his place and also raised trees from the seed. His 
farming operations were also attended with suc- 
cess and, making additional ])urchases, he had 
at one time more than one thousand acres of land. 
He was a worthy pioneer settler of this locality, 
aiding greatly in the reclamation of the wild land 
for the purposes of civilization, and his efforts 
contributed in substantial measure to the progress 
and improvement of the locality. His fellow 
townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, fre- 



quently called him to office. He was the first 
town clerk in Rockton township, also served as 
supervisor and assessor and was likewise justice 
of the peace. He was one of the first supporters 
of the whig party in the country and cast his 
ballot for William Henrj- Harrison. On the 
organization of the new republican ])arty he be- 
came one of its stanch advocates and voted for 
Abraham I.incoln. He was married, December 
6, 1846, to Christian Mackie, who is now living 
at the age of ninety-two years. In their family 
were three children. William A., who was born 
in Rockton in 1 85 1, married Miss Sarah Arm- 
strong and had one child. His death occurred 
June 6, 1895. Annie M. became the wife of John 
Wishop and died in December. 1894. leaving one 
son. 

Edwin R. Halley, the other member of the 
family, began his education in the public schools 
and for two years was a student in Professor 
Lownsbury's Ijusiness College at Rockford. He 
was reared to farm life, spending his boyhood 
days under the parental roof, his parents remov- 
ing from Rockton to the farm in i860. He has 
always been identified with general agricultural 
pursuits and stock-raising and he is now the 
owner of four hundred acres of fine land which is 
well improved and constitutes one of the best 
farms of this locality. He also has a half interest 
in three hundred and twenty acres in Rockton 
township. 

Edwin R. Halley was married, .\ugust 24, 
1887, to Miss Ida Cowan, a daughter of John and 
Maria (Judson) Cowan. Her father, who was 
bom Xovember 10, 1810, at Rowe, Massachu- 
setts, died Xovember 9, 1891, at the age of 
eight v-one years, while his wife, whose birth 
occurred in X'ew P.erlin. Chenango county, Xcw 
York, February 27, 1818, died on X'ovember 7, 
1894. When only two years old the father was 
taken by his parents to Watertown, Xcw York, 
where he lived mitil he attained his majority, 
when he located in Xew P)erlin. There he was 
married and worked at the cari)eiUer's trade 
while later he established his home in Rochester. 
Xew York, where he again followed building 
pursuits. He next became a resident of Xaples, 
Xew York, and in i8.:;3 he removed to the mid- 
dle west, settling at Winslow. Stephenson county. 
Illinois. He was one of the pioneers of that lo- 
cality and entered from the government a tract 
of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. He 
broke the raw prairie and began the work of im- 
provement there by building a log cat)ii.. In 
connection with his farming pursuits he also 
worked at the builder's trade and contracting 
until 1854, in which year he removed to N'nra. 
Jo Daviess county. Illinois, where he built a home 
and settled in order that his children might en- 




/VatU/^/^ '^^ <■ ''^ 



'-iUJl 



ci.4^\^i^ 



J^^M. 



7 




MRS. WILLIAM HALLEY 
AOED 92 YEARS 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



339 



joy the advantages of the town schools. He 
purchased forty acres near the town which he 
used for pasturage, also raising some com 
thereon. His last years were spent in honorable 
retirement from labor. Both he and his wife 
were devoted members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church and were worthy people, enjoying in 
full measure the confidence and good will of 
those with whom they were associated. Jn his 
political views Mr. Cowan was a stanch re- 
publican. It was on the 13th of January, 1833, 
that he wedded Maria Judson, at New Berlin, 
New York, and they became the parents 01 tliree 
sons and seven daughters. Five of the family 
are yet living. Cornelius, who was born Janu- 
ary 20, 1834, married Lemyra Steere and they 
had seven children, of whom three are now living, 
Emery, Lucia and Louise. Philo J., born Janu- 
ary 24, 1846, married Miss Elizabeth Welty and 
they have three living children. Helen E., born 
February 17, 1848, is the wife of Walter Stickney 
and has three sons and two daughters living. 
Louisa, born Jime 21, 1843, '^ the wife of T. W. 
Young and has four surviving daughters. 

Mrs. Halley, the other member of the Cowan 
family, was reared in her parents' home, where 
she remained until her marriage. There has been 
one child by this union, Helen C, born July i, 
1889. Mr. and Mrs. Halley have always lived 
upon the farm, where they now have an attractive 
home, and in social circles in the community they 
occupy an enviable position. 

Mr. Halley holds membership with Rockton 
lodge. No. 74, A. F. & A. M., which is one of 
the oldest Masonic organizations in the state. He 
likewise belongs to Rockton chapter. No. 190, R. 
A. M., and both he and his wife are members of 
Starlight chapter. No. 404, O. E. S., while Mrs. 
Halley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. His political support is given to the re- 
publican party and he has been supervisor and 
assessor of Owen township. He now has a valu- 
able farming property and in its control displays 
excellent business ability, executive force and 
keen discernment. He has led a busy and useful 
life and is justly accounted a representatiye 
farmer of Owen township. 



EUGENE E. DAVIS. 

A city which owes its upbuilding and derives 
its income from its manufacturing interests al- 
ways attracts to it men of inventive genius, who 
are prominent in the world of mechanical con- 
struction — men whose labors are of the utmost 
value to the world at large by reason of the fact 
that they have and are producing many labor-sav- 
ing devices, which also produce a finished product 



at less cost and time than hitherto had been done. 
Eugene E. Davis brought to the manufacturing 
city of Rockford a skill and ability, which in the 
line of manufacturing and invention, made him 
one of the valued representatives of industrial 
life here. 

A native of Herkimer county, New York, he 
was born March 30, 1855, and was a son of 
Benjamin C. and Catherine Davis. His mother 
died in Buffalo, New York. The father, also an 
inventor, was connected with manufacturing in- 
terests during the greater part of his life and 
manufactured many household articles, devoting 
his energies to the business until his retirement. 
He now makes his home with his niece in Oneida 
county. New York, and has reached the age of 
about eighty years. 

After attending the common schools in his na- 
tive county Mr. Davis began working for his 
father, who at that time was engaged in the manu- 
facture of sash and blinds. He soon learned the 
use of tools and the principles upon which ma- 
chinerv was propelled and thus laid the founda- 
tion for his labors in later life. Desirous of seek- 
ing his fortune in the west, he left home at an 
earlv age and went to Michigan, where he was 
employed in different factories for a few years, 
when he came to Rockford. Mr. Gent was then 
the owner of the water power here and Mr. Davis 
entered his employ, but after a short time he se- 
cured a situation with the Emerson Manufactur- 
ing Company, now controlling the largest manu- 
facturing plant in the city. Mr. Davis became 
the patent expert on binders for the company. 
During that time William W. Eurson, who is 
mentioned elsewhere in this work, and who is 
president of the Burson Knitting Company of 
Rockford, was connected with the Emerson Man- 
ufacturing Company, and he, too, is an inventor 
of wide reputation and superior ability. When 
he formed the Burson Knitting Company Mr. 
Davis entered his employ and soon both Mr. 
Davis and Mr. Burson went to Chicago, where 
thev worked as inventors for the Deering Har- 
vester Companv. After a short tim- they re- 
turned to Rockford and Mr. Davis was made 
superintendent of the machinery department of 
the Burson Knitting Company, in which impor- 
tant position he remained for many years. 

While in Chicago Mr. Davis met and married 
Miss Elida Campbell, a native of Bath, New 
York, and a daughter of John M. and Elizabeth 
CHalleck) Campbell, the latter a member of the 
well known Halleck family and a descendant of 
Fitz Green and General Halleck. Mr. Campbell 
was a brother of the late Lieutenant-Governor 
Campbell of New York. Of Scotch descent, he 
was an earlv settler of Steuben county. New 
York, where he successfully carried on farming 
all his life, his death occurring in that county. 



340 



I'AST AND PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



His widow afterward removed to the west, re- 
siding in Chicago for a number of years, and 
after her daughter's marriage she came to Rock- 
ford, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Davis 
imtil called to her final rest. She died May 26, 
i8<>8. and her remains were interred in the ceme- 
ter}- here. Mr. and .Mrs. Davis had no chihlrcn 
of their own l)ut ado|)tc(l her ne|)hew, Donald 
Patterson Cam])lKdl, who was born May 23, 1893, 
and is now a student in the Kent .school. 

Following his return to Rockford and the sev- 
erance of his connection with the Piurson Knit- 
ting Company. Mr. Davis went to Canton, ( )hio. 
He had formed the ac(|uaintance of James I'.aird. 
an inventor, working under .Mr. Davis. .Vlmut 
iqoo he accepted the position of su]X'nntendent 
of the Canton Roll .Machine Comjiany, of Canton. 
Ohio, and persuaded Mr. Davis to go to that 
city and take charge of the i)lant. .Accordingly 
in .\]iril, iijoi. Mr. Davis left the P.urson Knit- 
ting Companv and went to Canton. ( )hio. where 
he entered the service of the above mentioned 
firm. Becoming ill. however, he died after about 
ten months spent there, passing away in Canton 
on the loth of March, u>02. His remains were 
then brought back to Rockford for interment. 
He possessed superior ability along mechanical 
lines and his inventive genius was far beyond 
the average. Mr. llurson .said of him that he 
was a natural horn inventor, and no more skilled 
f)r active man was ever in his employ. 

Mr. Davis was a stanch re])ublican in his po- 
litical views and was always interested in the 
questions and issues of the day relating to the 
welfare of state and nation. He read extensively 
and kept well informed on all matters of general 
moment. .Mthough not a member he contributed 
generously to the supi)ort of the First Presbyte- 
rian church here, and took an interest in its work. 
Mrs. Davis now belongs to this church, and she 
owns a beautiful home at Xo. i loi South Church 
street, where she and her family reside. The 
death of the husband and father was deeply felt 
not onlv bv his immediate family, but also by 
his manv friends here, and while to all he was a 
genial, courteous gentleman, it was in the inner 
circle of his own home that his be.'it traits of 
character were most often seen. 



SYLVESTER B. WTI.KIXS. 

Sylvester B. W'ilkins. a retired merchant and 
manufacturer of RrK'kford. comes of English line- 
age, tracing his ancestrv back to Bray Wilkins, 
the progenitor of the familv in the new world, 
and the son of I-ord J. Wilkins, of Wales. Bray 
W'ilkins came to .America in 1630 and represent- 
atives of the family lived in the Xew England 
states through many succeeding generations. 



Cooley Wilkins, the grandfather of Sylvester B. 
Wilkins. was an early settler of Guilford, Ver- 
mont, and married Polly Crandall. Their son, 
Joshua L. Wilkins, was born in Chenango county, 
Xew York, in 1799, and became one of the pros- 
perous men of that locality. He wedded .Mary 
Stowell. who was also of English lineage, and 
the representatives of the name who crossed the 
.Atlantic liecame ])ioneer residents of Xew Eng- 
land. The Wilkins family was represented by 
seven members in the Revolutionary war. 

.Sylvester I?. Wilkins is also a native of the 
Em])ire state, his birth having occurred in Che- 
nango county, Xew York, .March 24. 1833. He 
was reared to farm life and Ix^gan his education 
in the district schools, while later he enjoyed the 
benefit of instruction in the schools of I'.ingham- 
ton, I'roome counlv. Xew \'ork. IK- made his 
home u])on his father's farm until he attained his 
nineteenth year, when he started out in life on 
his own account, accepting a clerkshi]) in a gro- 
cery store at iiinghaniton. where he remained for 
some time. In 1857 he became interested in 
manufacturing s])okes and belt work for wagons 
in P)inghamton, and later was identified with in- 
dustrial interests in Milton. Pennsylvania, where 
he remained for twelve years. In iS'h^ he came to 
Rockford, where he entered upon the manufac- 
ture of bolts for agricultural implements, build- 
ing u\) an extensive business in this regard, his 
])roduct being sold to manufacturers of agricul- 
tural implements throughout the western states. 
He furnished them upon order and continued 
active in the conduct of this important productive 
industry from 1869 until I Sip. when he retired 
from the active management of the business. He 
did not confine his efforts entirely to this line, 
however, for other enterprises felt the stimulus 
of his co-operation and benefited by his wise coun- 
sel, lie was for some time connected with the 
knitting industries of Rockford. and in i8<>2 he 
became interested in the Chicago Hosiery Com- 
panv, of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Being one of the 
incor])orators of the company, he continued his 
connection therewith for a number of years and 
is still one of the stockholders. The works which 
were for some time located in Rockford were af- 
terwards removed to Kenosha. 

In 1861 Mr. Wilkins was united in marriage 
to Miss Jane G. Goodlander. of .Milton, Pennsyl- 
vania, and a daughter of Giristopher and Mary 
(Osmond) Goodlander. They became the parents 
of a ,s<in and two daughters: George L., of 
Chicago, who is identified with the New York 
Life Insurance Company ; Mary R., the wife of 
George X. Holt, of Paris, and a highly accom- 
plished musician, who is now receiving instruc- 
tion from some of tlie most noted teachers in 
Europe: and Ruth C. who is a teacher of do- 
mestic .science. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



341 



Mr. Wilkins in his political views is a pro- 
nounced republican, taking great interest in the 
success of his party, yet never seeking office for 
himself. He has ever been a follower of tem- 
perance principles and is a strong advocate of 
prohibition measures. He belongs to the E. W. 
F. Ellis lodge. No. i66, A. F. & A. M., and to 
Winnebago chapter. No. 24, R. A. M., and he and 
his wife are members of the Court .Street Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, to which he has long been 
a liberal contributor. He is public-spirited and 
thoroughly interested in whatever tends to pro- 
mote the moral, intellectual and material welfare 
of Rockford. .'\ man of distinct and forceful in- 
dividuality, of broad mentality and matured judg- 
ment, he has left his impress upon the industrial 
world. For years he was an important factor in 
the development of business enterprises in Rock- 
ford and through this means he contributed in 
substantial measure to the general improvement. 
Now in the evening of life there has been vouch- 
safed to him a rest from further labor and the 
unqualified confidence and admiration of his fel- 
lowmen are also accorded him by reason of his 
success and the honorable methods he has ever 
pursued. 



WILLIAM H. SCHOONMAKER. 

William H. Schoonmaker, following farming 
on section 20, Winnebago township, where he has 
made his home for the past fifty-three years, this 
being the place of his birth, was born May 5, 
1852, his parents being Henrv and Marv fLown) 
Schoonmaker, who came to Winnebago county, 
November 26, 1838, from West township, Albany 
county. New York. It was in that locality that 
the parents were reared and married, and at the 
time of their removal to the west they had but 
one child, Cornelia .A.nn, who was born November 
26, 1837. On coming to Illinois they established 
their home in Rockford, and they resided in Win- 
nebago county from 1838 until called to their 
final rest. Henr^' Schoonmaker worked at Rock- 
ford on the first dam built there. He secured a 
claim on the west side of the river where Burr 
Brothers' store now stands, but because of his 
health he was forced to leave the water side and 
located on the prairie. He remained for a time 
both at Westfield and Byron and then took up 
a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on section 
20, Winnebago township, where he successfully 
carried on farming, extending the boundaries of 
his land until at the time of his death he owned 
three hundred and twenty acres. He had no 
funds when he arrived at Rockford, in fact, was 
utterlv penniless and borrowed fifty cents from 
his sister-in-law, Margaret Lown, who had ac- 
companied them to Illinois. Margaret Lown af- 



terward became the wife of W. W. Smith, of 
Freeport, and died in 1903, at the advanced age 
of eighty years, while Mr. Smith passed away in 
1904. Mr. Schoonmaker, although without capi- 
tal, possessed strong determination and energy, 
and these qualities enabled him to overcome the 
difficulties and hardships of pioneer life and work 
his way steadily upward until he became a sub- 
stantial farmer, having a valuable property which 
supplied him with all the comforts and many of 
the luxuries of life. He died August 20, 1872, 
at the age of sixty-two years, four months and 
six days, while his wife passed away April 12, 
1892, at the ripe old age of eighty years. Both 
died upon the old home farm, which is now owned 
and occupied by their son William. In his po- 
litical relation Mr. Schoonmaker was a re- 
publican and all his sons have become ad- 
vocates of the same party. He served as 
school director for many years and also 
filled other local offices. He was a reliable citi- 
zen, and both he and his wife were held in the 
highest esteem. In their family were eight chil- 
dren: The eldest daughter, Cornelia Ann, be- 
came the wife of Edward Hobson, and is now 
living in Winnebago township, but Mr. Hobson 
died about nine years ago : Emmeline, born Au- 
gust ID. 1840. is the wife of Adam Branagh, and 
resides at Chicago Heights ; John, born April 2, 
1842, now resides on Montague street, in Rock- 
ford ; Margaret N., born September 14, 1849, be- 
came the wife of Henry Warner, and died in 
Winnebago, March 16, 1883 : David, born Sep- 
tember 18, 1847, resides at Stineton, Oklahoma : 
William H. is the next of the family: Charles E., 
born March 27, 1857, is now a retired farmer 
living in Winnebago ; and Mar\- Ellen, born 
March 9, 1863, married Robert IMcDonald, by 
whom she has nine children, and her home is at 
Treton, Sioux county, Iowa. 

William H. Schoonmaker was reared and has 
alwavs resided upon his present farm, and the 
care and cultivation of the place has fully claimed 
his time and attention. He has a finely improved 
property of eigthy acres, the fields being under 
a high state of cultivation, so that he annually 
harvests good crops. The house was built about 
forty-six years ago, but he has since rebuilt and 
added to it at dififerent times. It is, however, one 
of the old landmarks of the county and has been 
a mute witness of the great changes that has oc- 
curred as Winnebago county has progressed from 
pioneer conditions to an advanced civilization. ^ 

In 1873 Mr. Schoonmaker was married to Miss 
Melinda B. Taugher, who was born in Peca- 
tonica, December" 5, 1853, and is a daughter of 
James and Man- C. (Swift) Taugher, who came 
to Winnebago township when their daughter was 
but six months old, so that she was reared in this 
locality. Her father, now residing in the village 



342 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



of Winnebago at the age of seventy-two years, 
was burn in Ireland, in April, 1833. After coming 
to Illinois he worked on the railroad for many 
years and he is now the owner of some property 
in the village of Winnebago, beside a good farm 
in Wisconsin. He came to Winnebago county in 
1833 with his parents, and in early life he learned 
blacksmithing. but followed railroading for many 
years, acting as section foreman at Winnebago 
for sixteen years. His wife died February 10, 
1887, wlien more than sixty-one years of age. 
Mrs. Schoonmaker was one of eleven children, 
but only three are now living. Her elder sister, 
Hannah, born June 27,. 185 1. became the wife of 
Michael Mc.Mahon. who died May 5, 1904, while 
she now makes h-^r home in Butler county, Iowa ; 
the other sister, Maria, born October 18, 1858, 
is the wife of Frank Booth, and resides at Rock- 
ford. The other members of the family arc all 
deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker have become the 
parents of five daughters : Mary, born Noveiiil^er 
23, 1874, married Emery James and died August 
31, 1896, at Winnebago, leaving one child, 
William E. ; Jennie, born March 7, 1878, is the 
wife of Edward McDonald, a fanner of Winne- 
bago township, and they have had three children, 
Morrill .\ndres and Lester Martin, living, and 
James, deceased ; Laura E.. born August 2^,. 1881. 
Winnie, born July 17, 1884, and Nellie, born 
April 27. 1890, are all at home. 

Mr. Schoonmaker is a stanch republican, but 
has always refused to Ix-come a candidate for 
office. His wife is a member of St. Alary's Cath- 
olic church at Rockford. Throughout his entire 
life he has lived upon the farm where his birth 
occurred and vvhicli is endeared to him through 
the associations of his youth as well as those of 
later manhood. He has found in the operation 
of his land opportunity for the exercise of good 
business ability, and through his unflagging in- 
dustry has gained a desirable measure of suc- 
cess. 



JOHN SEARL. 



lohn Searl, now retired from active business 
life and residing just outside the city limits of 
Rockford. where he owns a tract of land of fifteen 
acres, upon which he has built a fine home, also 
has other realty possessions in Winnebago 
county, being the possessor of a fine farm of two 
hundred and thirty acres on section 0, Rockford 
township, which land he has rented for several 
years. He came to Winnebago county in 1850 
from his native country of England. His birth 
occurred in Cornwall, in 1833, his parents being 
Walter and .Xnn (Pliilp) Searlc. both of whom 
diefl in England, but three of their children came 



to the new world. The brother of our subject, 
Walter Searl, located in Winnebago county about 
1850, and for a time followed his trade of car- 
pentering but afterward gave his attention to 
farming. He died about ten or twelve years ago, 
leaving three sons and a daughter, all of whom 
were born in this county — John F., William, 
Frank and .\nnie. — all yet residents of Rockford. 
The sister, Sarah, became the wife of William F. 
Matthews and is now residing in Rockford. 

John Searl spent his early youth in England, 
where he acquired his education in private 
schools and when a young man he crossed the 
.\tlantic to the new world. ho])ing to find better 
business advantages in .\merica, where advance- 
ment is more quickly acquired and returns fol- 
low more readily upon the exercise of industry 
and cnter])rise. He is a carpenter by trade and 
followed that inirsuit both in Canada and in Win- 
nebago county. Removing from the Dominion 
to the United States he took up his abode in this 
counts' where about twenty years ago he pur- 
chased his present farm and for a long period 
he continued actively in its o|)eration and im- 
provement. He has made his home at his present 
residence, however, for a long period and at this 
writing is leaving the farm work entirely to 
others, receiving a good rental from his land 
which is rich and valualile and in his present 
home he has fifteen acres of land well laid out 
and adjoining the city limits of Rockford so that 
while enjoying the advantages of a rural home he 
also can secure those of city life with little 
effort. 

Mr. Searl was united in marriage to Miss 
^laria Wilcox, a native of Cornwa-11. England, 
their wedding I>eing celebrated at Beloit, W'iscon- 
sin, in 1853, but he made his home in Rockford, 
however. Mrs. Searl departed this life about 
nine vears ago. when more than sixty years of 
age. In politics Mr. Searl has always been a 
repul)lican, giving his support to the party since 
Ix'coming a naturalized citizen of the L^nited 
States. The hojic that led him to seek a home 
in America has been more than realized and he 
has never had reason to regret his determination 
to cross the .Atlantic for here he found the busi- 
ness opportunities he sought and which are al- 
wavs open to voung men of ambition and deter- 
mination. Thus making the most of his ad- 
vantages he steadily worked his way upward to 
a position of afiluence. 



ST, MARY'S PARISH. PECATONICA. 

St. ^fary's Parish, at Pccatonica. had its first 
house of worship erected in 1841. From that date 
mitil 1 87 1 the ]>arish was served by pastors from 
Galena. Freejiort and Rockford and the first per- 




MR. AND MRS. JOHN SEARL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



345 



manent pastor was appointed in 1871. The 
churches in the parish inckule St. Alary's. at 
Pecatonica, built in 1882 by Rev. John Ryan ; St. 
Thomas, at Seward, built in 1870 by Hon. L. 
McDonald; St. Mary's, in Durand, built in 1869 
by Rev. M. Hauley ; and St. Patrick's, at Rock 
Run, in 1895, by Rev. M. J. Sullivan. 

St. Mary's parish is the most expensive in the 
archdiocese, of Chicag'o, being thirtv-eight miles 
long and about twenty miles wide and including 
parts of Ogle, Winnebago and Stephenson coun- 
ties, Illinois. The list of its permanent pastors is 
as follows: Rev. Father Birch, 1871-75; Rev. 
Charles O'Callahan, D. D., 1875-78; Rev. M. 
Welby, 1878-79; Rev. John E. Shanahan, 1879- 
83 ; Rev. John H, Ryan, 1883-86 ; Rev. Richard 
McGuire, 1886-90; Rev. Thomas Kearney, 1890- 
94 ; Rev. Michael J. Sullivan, 1894-99 ; and Rev. 
Michael Cotter, 1899. 

Rev. Charles O'Callahan, D. D.. the second 
permanent pastor, was born in the city of Cork, 
Ireland, and was graduated from the famous Uni- 
versity of Propoganda, at Rome, Italy. He was 
a distinguished theologian and classical scholar, 
a cultured gentleman and a most zealous priest. 

Rev. John H. Ryan, another pastor, was born 
in County Tipperary. Ireland, and his first ap- 
pointment after his ordination was to Pecatonica, 
where he built St. Mary's church. He was well 
liked by all classes in the community and did a 
good work here. While attending the sick in the 
parish he caught a severe cold and died from its 
effects, his remains being interred in the Catholic 
cemetery at Seward. 

Rev. Michael J. Sullivan, the date of whose 
appointment to St. Clary's parish, in Pecatonica, 
was 1894, was the builder of St. Mary's rectory 
and also of St. Patrick's church, at Rock Run, in 
1895. The present house of worship there is 
the third that was erected. The first, which was 
built in 1849, is now used as a barn on the Matt 
Redd farm, while the second, built in 1862, is 
now a barn on Anthony Mullarkey's farm. The 
present church is the most beautiful in the sur- 
rounding district. In 1899 Rev. Father Sullivan 
was promoted to an important parish in Chicago. 

Rev. Michael Cotter, the present pastor, was 
appointed in June, 1899, '^''"^ '''^^ greatly improved 
the parish grounds by cement sidewalks and shade 
trees, shrubs and flowers until the lawn is the 
most beautiful in Pecatonica. 



MRS. GEORGIANA B. GLOVER. 

Mrs. Georgiana B. Glover, the widow of John 
W. Glover, resides in Owen township, where she 
has a good farm. She was born May 31, 1840, 
in Lewiston, Delaware, her parents being Isaac 



and Elizabeth ( Waples) Mariner, both of whom 
were natives of Lewiston, Delaware. They came 
from the east to \^'innebago county in 1850, and 
for a number of years the father followed the 
occupation of farming, but eventually purchased 
a home in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he died on 
the 31st of May, 1898, at the age of eighty-one 
years. In his family were but two children. Mrs. 
Glover ; and Joseph, who was born in 1842. 

Georgiana B. ^lariner spent her girlhood davs 
in her parents' home, and on the loth of Octo- 
ber, 1865, gave her hand in marriage to John W. 
Glover. He was a son of Thomas Glover, who 
was born in Manchester, England, and was mar- 
ried there to Miss Anna Collier. His death 
occurred w hen he had reached the age of seventy- 
eight years, and his wife died at the age of sev- 
enty-five years. They were the parents of three 
children, of whom John W. was the eldest. The 
sisters were Jane Ann, who died at the age of 
fifty years ; and Isabella, the wife of Luther W. 
Kendall, of Beloit, Wisconsin. 

John W. Glover arrived in Winnebago county 
when seventeen }-ears of age and worked with his 
father at Roscoe spinning cotton, for they had a 
cotton mill there. Later he went to Rockton, 
where he was engaged in the painting business 
and eventually he began farming, following that 
pursuit from 1856 up to the time of his death, 
which occurred July 31, 1893, when he was in his 
sixty-third year. He had eighty acres of land 
when he turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits and subsequently he added a forty-acre tract 
to his farm. He was an industrious man and 
made for his family a good home with the as- 
sistance of his estimable wife, who was indeed 
a worthy helpmate to him. They lived in an old 
stone house in which the death of Mr. Glover oc- 
curred, and because of his industry, perseverance 
and capable business management in former years 
he was enabled to leave his family in comfortable 
financial circumstances. 

Mr. and Mrs. Glover were the parents of eleven 
children : Mary Ann, who was born September 
17, 1866, and died September 4, 1894; Jane Ann, 
born March 17, 1868; Thomas, born July 25, 
1869 : Annie Belle, born April 6, 1871 ; Isabelle, 
born November 6, 1872; Nellie J., born June 11, 
1874; Katie E., born July 25, "1876: John W., 
born March 28, 1878; Fanny, born October 11. 
1880; Frank M., born August 24. 1884: and 
Janette, born February 5. 1887. 

]\Ir. Glover was called to some public offices, 
serving his township as justice of the peace dur- 
ing the last seven vears of his life, while for four 
vears he was a school commissioner. The cause 
of education found in him a warm friend and 
as justice of the peace he rendered excellent serv- 
ice, being always fair and impartial in his de- 
cisions. He was a member of Rockton lodge, 



346 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



No. 74, .\. 1". & .\. M., for forty years and at 
the tinu' of his death was its oldest representative. 
He was laid to rest with Masonic honors, for he 
had been a devoted and faithful member of the 
craft, and in his life had exemplified its benefi- 
cent spirit. He had settled a number of estates 
and was a man in whom implicit confidence was 
reposed. He had many friends in Rockfonl and 
throutrhout tlie entire county and was honored 
by all who knew him. Mrs. Glover now belongs 
to the Eastern Star lodge of Rockford. and her 
daughters Mrs. Belle Styler, Fanny and Nettie 
H.. are also members. She is a lady whose circle 
of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle 
of her acquaintance. 



(-.EORGE J. WUXDER. 

George J. W'lmder. one of the best known 
German-. \merican citizens of Rockford, who 
for many years figured in business circles here 
and Iiccame a wealthy man so that in his last 
vears he was enabled to live retired, was born 
in Bavaria, Germany, July 4, 1827. His par- 
ents, Michael and Louisa (Karner) W'under, 
spent their entire lives in Germany, making their 
home upon a farm, where the father died at the 
age of sixty-three years. His wife long sur- 
vived him and retained her mental and physical 
faculties almost unimpaired up to the time of 
her death, which occurred in 1886, when she 
was eighty-four years of age. They were both 
members of the Methodist church. In their 
family were but two sons, the younger being 
Martin Wunder, now deceased, who owned and 
occupied the old homestead in Bavaria. Ger- 
many. 

George J. Wunder. who was six years his 
brother's senior, was reared to farm life in the 
fatherland, hut the liope of bettering his financial 
condition led him to cross the Atlantic to .Amer- 
ica, and when about twenty-seven years of 
age he sailed for New York, wlierc he 
arrived on the 28th of August, 1834. He 
was accompanied by a cousin and the 
voyage was maile on a sailing vessel which was 
forty-two days upon the trip. Mr. Wunder was 
in very limited financial circumstances when he 
arrived in the United States. He at once made 
his way across the country to Chicago, having 
at that time a cash capital of only five dollars. 
That was the year of the great cholera epidemic 
in that city. Sir. Wunder secured a position in 
a Inmberyarrl owned by Seeley Perry, one of 
the old lumber merchants of that city, with whom 
he remained for two years, after which Mr. 
Perry drove with a team across the country to 
Rockford, in 1856, accompanied by Mr. Wun- 



der. The latter then engaged in the lumber 
Iiusiness in Rockford for seventeen years, being 
one of the early re])resenlatives of that line of 
activity in the city. Later he turned his atten- 
tion to farming in Rockford township and con- 
tinued the tilling of the soil for a short ])eriod. 
but found that he was not as successful as an 
agriculturist as he was in commercial lines. He 
therefore returned to Rockford, where he was 
engaged in the dairy business for a short time. 
He then re-entered the employ of the old lumber 
firm with which he had formerly been connected 
antl to that work devoted his energies until i860, 
when he went to California by way of New 
York and the Isthmus of Panama. He was quite 
successful during the few years which he spent 
on the Pacific coast, but failing health caused 
him to return and in 1864 he again took up his 
abode in Rockford. lie then rented land for 
some years and with the money saved during 
the period in which he cultivated his farm he 
began dealing in sand. A few years later he 
embarked in the dairy business, which claimed 
his attention for four years and then for two 
years thereafter he lived retired. Later he en- 
gaged in buying and shipping horses and in 
1876 he became a wholesale dealer in beer and 
also did a retail bottling business. He was agent 
for and sold the first Milwaukee beer in Rock- 
ford and was one of the pioneers in the bottling 
business here, his ice house and wholesale house 
being located at No. 131 2 Charles street. He 
conducted the business with constantly growing 
success for fifteen years and then, having ac- 
cumulated a very gratifying fortune, he re- 
tired to private life, enjoying a well earned rest 
throughout his remaining days. 

Mr. Wunder was married in 1856. in Chicago, 
to Miss Louisa Kadcrli. a native of Berne, 
Switzerland, who came to America in 1854. Her 
parents both died in the land of the .Vlps. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wunder had but one child, Carrie, 
who is now^ the wife of .\lfred E. Giggey, a 
dealer in fine wines and liquors at No. 316 East 
State street, who for the |)ast twenty years has 
resided in Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Giggey now 
make their home with Mrs. Wunder and they 
have one child, .\lfred. who was born lanuarv 
8. 1898. 

.\fter taking up his abode in Rockford Mr. 
Wunder made a visit to Germany, in 1884. look- 
ing again u])on the scenes amid which his boy- 
hood, youth and early manhood were passed and 
renewing acquaintances and friendships of 
former years. He was well content, however, 
to return to .America, having formed a deep at- 
tachment for the laud of his adoption, to whose 
welfare and interests he was ever Knal. In the 
community in which he lived his support could 
ahvays be counteil upon to further progressive 



^ 




1 


^^ 


^ 




F -" 


.- 




^ 


■ 







t 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



349 



measures. He bore a striking resemblance to 
the typical figure used to represent our country 
and his friends therefore familiarly and af- 
fectionately called him Uncle Sam. 

His early political allegiance was given to the 
democracy but he afterward became a stanch 
republican. He was a charter member of the 
Germania Society in Rockford, and he had a 
very wide circle of friends here. As he pros- 
pered in his business career he made judicious 
investment in real estate and was the owner of 
valuable property all over Rockford. Though 
he advanced in years he was always young in 
spirit, delighting in the companionship of the 
young. He had excellent eyesight, never using 
glasses. He was of a genial, jovial manner, of 
kindly spirit and deference for the opinion of 
others, of broad sympathy and those with whom 
he once came in contact entertained for him 
warm regard and strong friendship because of 
his sterling personal traits of character. He died 
February I, IQ04, when in his seventy-seventh 
year, and thus passed away one of the old Ger- 
man-American citizens of Rockford. Mrs. 
Wunder now owns a nice home at No. 618 East 
State street, where she resides together with Mr. 
and Mrs. Giggey and their son. Both ladies 
are prominent in social circles here. Mrs. Wun- 
der now spends much of her time in traveling" 
and has visited many points of interest in this 
country. 



BENJA^IIN C. SHER:\IAN. 

Farming interests of Harrison township find 
a worthy representative in Benjamin C. Sherman, 
whose valuable tract of land of one hundred and 
thirty-one acres on section 21 indicates careful 
supervision and practical farm methods . Back 
to pioneer days his residence extends for he ar- 
rived in this county in 1847. He was born in 
March, 1836, in Grafton county. New Hampshire, 
his parents being Benjamin and Sallie (Cowen) 
Sherman, who arrived in this county in the fall 
of 1847, taking up their abode on the farm now- 
owned by their son Benjamin. The father was 
born in Lisbon, X^ew Hampshire, in 1806, and 
was a son of Benjamin Sherman, who was also 
born in the east, either in Connecticut or New 
Hampshire. The father of the last named was a 
native of Connecticut and with his fatnily removed 
to the old Granite state. Mr. Sherman, of this re- 
view, is undoubtedly a relative of General 
William T. Sherman, of Ohio. His mother, ^Irs. 
Sallie Cowen Sherman, was born in Lisbon. New 
Hampshire, in 1805, and was a daughter of 
Zachariah Cowen, who died in that state in the 
late '40s. Throughout his entire life, Benjamin 
Sherman, father of our subject, carried on gen- 
20 



eral agricultural pursuits and became a pioneer 
farmer of \Mnnebago county, aiding in develop- 
ing the natural resources of this part of the state, 
and finding upon the broad prairies of Illinois 
ample opportunity for the successful conduct of 
agricultural interests. His wife died in 1853 and, 
surviving her for thirty years, he passed away in 
1883. In their family were six children, the 
daughters being Mrs. Mary A. Jameson, who 
died in Florida : Eliza, who died in childhood in 
New Hampshire; Mrs. Laura Brown, who died 
at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and was buried there ; 
Mrs. Arvesta Pease, now living in Beloit, Wis- 
consin : and Mrs. Hannah Hathaway, whose 
home is in Eau Claire. 

Benjamin C. Sherman, the only son of the 
family, spent the first eleven years of his life in 
the state of his nativity and then accompanied 
his parents on their removal to Illinois, remain- 
ing in Winnebago county between the ages of 
eleven and twenty-two years. He then went to 
California, in 1858, and to some extent engaged 
in mining during the seven years of his residence 
on the Pacific coast. He returned in 1866 to 
^^'innebago county and purchased the home farm 
in Harrison township, whereon he has since lived. 
He has the unique record of having walked the 
entire distance to Los Angeles. California, and 
his experiences in the far west would prove a 
most interesting chapter in his life history if 
given in detail. Since his return he has worked 
at farm labor on the old homestead, his fields 
resulting in the development of a splendid prop- 
erty, and he now owns one hundred and thirtv- 
one acres on section 21, Harrison township, which 
yields him a good living as the reward of his 
earnest and persistent labor. 

Mr. Sherman married Miss Nancy A. Logan, 
whose people were among the earliest settlers of 
A^'innebago county. Her mother belonged to the 
Blake family, also pioneer residents here, their 
home being established at Rockton, and Mrs. 
Sherman was born at Rockton about sixty years 
ago. Unto our subject and his wife have been 
bom five children : William, who resides on th€ 
farm owned by his father on section g, Harrison 
township; Harry C., who is a farmer, residing in 
Franklin, ^linnesota, and married a Miss Sher- 
man : Mrs. Man- Bratt. who resides at her 
father's home and has one child. John, now seven 
years of age ; Mrs. Alice Geildseth, of Durand, 
who has a daughter, Eveline : and Ezra, who is 
working another of his father's farm in Shirland 
township ; he married Miss Etta Bennett and they 
have three children, Allen, Alice and Edward. 

'Sir. Sherman is now the owner of four hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land, of which two hun- 
dred and twenty acres lies in Shirland and 
the remainder in Harrison township. He 
has been verv successful since locating here 



350 



PAST AXD TRKSEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTV. 



in iSW), placiiijj liis dcpciKlence upon tlie 
subslantial t|ualilies of iinfaltcrinj^ iiuliistry, 
guided by i)ractical coninion sense. He has 
been watchful of opportunities pointing to 
success and by tiie careful husbanding of his 
resources, by judicious investment and the profit- 
able sale of his farm ])roducts he has won a very 
gratifying measure of prosperity. In politics he 
is independent without desire for office, and while 
in California he served as sheriff. Socially he 
is connected with the Grange and the Farmers' 
Mutual IJenevolent Association, and his wife is 
a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Society. 
^Irs. Sherman was born in Kockton township, 
and it will be interesting in this connection to 
note something of the history of her people who 
are prominent pioneer settlers here. Her parents 
are John and Rachel ( Blake) Logan. Her father 
came from Michigan in the "30s, and his brothers, 
Robert and James Logan, had settled in this 
county prior to that time. John Logan followed 
farming and made his home at Kockton up to 
the time of his death, which occurred December 
10, i872,when he was fifty-one years of age. 
His wife was born in North Carolina and came to 
\\'innebago county with her parents, David and 
Nancy (Bowman) Blake, who located in Rockton 
township near the village of that name in 1833. 
They afterward removed to Iowa alxiut 1850, 
locating in Decorah, where Mr. Blake died, and 
subsequently his widow returned to Rockton, 
where her deatli occurred about 1865. They were 
the parents of eight children: Amos, who died 
at Rockton : .Mlison. who died on the plains while 
en route to California and was buried near the 
Humboldt river ; Elizabeth, the wife of Robert 
Logan, of California; Eleanor, w'ho married Al- 
bert Hewlett ; Rachel, who married John Logan ; 
Emeline, who became the wife of Samuel Drake 
and died at Rockton, Illinois ; Adeline, who mar- 
ried Guy Hewlett and died in Chicago; and 
David, who died in North Dakota, in 1904, at 
the age of seventy-one years. 



HARLOW E. BLAKE. 

Harlow K. Blake, a native son of Winnebago 
county, wlio, in the enjoyment of a well earned 
ease, is living retired in Pecatonica, was born 
in what was then Howard township, but is now 
Durand township. May 2. 1847. 11 is parents 
were John and Miranda (Barker) Blake, who 
were married in the fall of 1841. The father was 
born in Franklin county, X'ermont, March 31, 
1812, and was of English descent. He became 
a pioneer resident of \\'innebago county, where 
for many years he energetically and successfully 
carried on agricultural ])nrsuits. He cast liis 
first presidential vote for William Henry Harri- 



son, and on the dissohnion of the whig party, 
became a stanch republican. He was a member 
of the Methodist E|)iscn])al church, and his gen- 
uine worth was recognized by his fellow towns- 
men, who called him to a number of local offices 
of honor and trust. In his family were six chil- 
dren: Milan A., who is married and has five 
cliililren : Harlow E. : .\ndrew S.. who is married 
and has four children: Henry J.: Mary A., the 
wife of A. A. Mcinre. and tlie mother of three 
children ; Sarah .\.. the wife of I'rank Anshutz, 
a resident of Iowa. 

Harlow E. Blake ac(|nired his education in the 
])ublic schools and attended the normal school in 
Durand. lie also worked on his father's farm 
in his youth and devoted his time between the 
labors of the fields and the duties of the school- 
room until twenty-two years of age. .About that 
time he was married to Miss Lydia Corwin. a 
daughter of Captain P.. I-", and Betsy Corwin, 
the former born ( )ctober 28. 1810. and the latter 
on the 13th of July, 1813. They were married 
December 31, 1839, and came to Rockford, where 
Captain Corwin established a brickyard, the first 
enterprise of the character started in the county 
seat. Later he removed to the vicinity of Peca- 
tonica, his home bein.g about three and a half 
miles north of the village. There he entered 
government land, securing one hundred and sixty 
acres, on which he built the first brick house 
in the townshi]3. burning the brick and making 
the lime for the building. He was one of the 
pioneer settlers of the community, broke the raw 
])rairie, cut the timber and hewed out the lum- 
i)er used in the construction of the barn. He also 
si)lit the shingles for the roofs of his buildiiigs 
and burned the brick for the first brick building 
erected in Pecatonica. in addition to general 
agricultural ])ursuits he conducted a cooper shop 
on his farm and made barrels for the shipment 
of ])ork and beef. 1 le also made hnndreds of 
Hour barrels, which he sold in Rockford, Galena 
and Freeport. He continued in the coopering 
business for forty years or more, and at times 
did shoemaking for his own family. His busi- 
ness interests were thus varied and extensive. 
He possessed marked mechanical ingenuity, as 
well as mifailing enterprise and strong jiurpose, 
and his labors were attended with a gratifying 
measure of success. His death occurred in Dur- 
and township, and the community thereby lost 
one of its representative citizens. In the family 
were seven children : E. W.. born September 
4, 1842; Mar(|uis L. ; .Ksenath. born Xoveniber 
J2. 184"; .\massa, born April 27, i84<): Mrs. 
Blake, born March 21, 1852; Lucy J., December 
31, 1855; and Franklin S., March 19, 1859. 

Following his marriage. Mr. Blake began 
farming on the old homestead, which he operated 
for five years, ami then returned to Poweshiek 
county, Iowa, wiiere he purchased a farm, on 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



351 



■which had been built a log house. He lived in 
that cabin for a winter and then erected a more 
substantial and commodious residence. His at- 
tention was given to the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his land, and he transformed it into a 
valuable property. He took with him to Iowa 
ten cows and some other stock and carried on his 
farm work and stock-raising along progressive 
lines. After living in that state for four or five 
years he returned to this county, settling in Dur- 
and township, where, in connection with his 
brother, he rented four hundred acres, belonging 
to Mr. Pettingill. For about three or four years 
they conducted business there, carrying on an 
extensive dairy. They had sixty-five milch cows, 
but at length decided to sell out, and held a sale, 
receiving thirty-six hundred dollars for their 
stock, reserving, however, ten head of the best 
cows, also four head of horses and some of the 
farm machinery. The brothers then began feed- 
ing cattle, and they had at one time two hundred 
and fifty head. They shipped their stock to the 
Cliicago market and continued the business for 
about three years, at the end of which time Har- 
low E. Blake sold his interest to his brother and 
removed to North Dakota, purchasing a hotel 
at Grafton, in connection with Daniel Norton. 
He continued as the landlord there for two years 
and then traded his interest in the business, in 
1881, for one hundred and forty-six acres of 
land in Dakota. Taking up his abode there, he 
carried on farming for eight or ten years, mak- 
ing a specialty of the raising of wheat and bar- 
ley. He then rented the farm, retaining the 
ownership, however, until 1904, when he sold 
the property. About 1890 or 1891 he returned 
to the old homestead in Winnebago county, 
whereon he resided until February, 1902, when 
he retired from farm life and took up his abode 
in Pecatonica, where he has since made his home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Blake have become the parents 
of six children : Maud E., the wife of Fred Sal- 
isbury, a resident of Freeport, Illinois, by whom 
she has two children : .\ndrew J., who married 
Mate Arnold and died in 1903, leaving three 
children ; Roy R., at home ; Pearl, the wife of 
Blake Hamilton, of Pecatonica ; Ralph W^, who 
is living in California ; and Walter H., at home 

Mr. Blake served as trustee of the village of 
Pecatonica in 1904, faithfully discharging his 
duties, and while living in Iowa and also in Pe- 
catonica he served as school director, being a 
member of the board for about twelve years. His 
political allegiance has always been given to the 
republican party. He is prominent in the Odd 
Fellows society, of which he has been a mem- 
ber since 1879, and he has passed through all of 
the chairs in Pecatonica lodge. No. 173. He 
joined the order, however, in Shawbena lodge. 
No. 146, at Durand. His life has been an active 



and busy one, and now he is enjoying a well 
earned rest. He has visited many parts of the 
country and is especially thoroughly familiar 
with the middle west, its possibilities and its 
business conditions. His personal traits of char- 
acter are such as have gained him warm friend- 
ship, and he deserves mention among the lead- 
ing native sons of the county. 



ALVA B. DAVIS. 



Alva B. Davis, a worthy representative of agri- 
cultural interests in Harlem township, living on 
section 20, now owns and operates one hundred 
and sixty acres of land. He was born June 13, 
1857, in Burritt township, his parents being 
George B. and Samantha (Place) Davis. The 
Davis family is of Welsh lineage and the father 
of our subject was born in New Brunswick, Can- 
ada, while the mother is a native of the state of 
New York, born in 1838. Mr. Davis, coming to 
Winnebago county as one of its early settlers, re- 
sided for some time in Burritt township, and 
about 1858 removed to Owen township, where he 
resided for ten years. He then returned to Bur- 
ritt township and for a long period was identified 
with agricultural interests in this part of the 
state. His death occurred in 1904, when he was 
seventy-four years of age. His widow still sur- 
vives him and resides in Burritt township. Their 
sons are : Alva B. ; Adelbert B., of Burritt town- 
ship, who is married and has two sons and a 
daughter ; Frank E., of Burritt township, who has 
three sons and four daughters : George also a resi- 
dent farmer of Burritt township : and Guy, who 
died in 1905. The daughters of this familv are: 
Mrs. Adelle Andrews, who resides in Burritt and 
has one daughter; May, who is living upon the 
old homestead in Burritt township ; and Mrs. 
Ellen Davis. The maternal grandmother is yet 
living, her home being in New Milford township, 
and has attained the extreme old age of one hun- 
dred and three years. 

Alva B. Davis was only about a year old when 
his parents went to Owen township and after ten 
years he returned with them to Burritt township, 
where he lived tintil he attained his majority. 
He then started out in life on his own account, 
working as a farm hand until his marriage, which 
was celebrated on the i6th of July. 1879. Miss 
^Iar\- A. ^^''eatherhead. of Harrison township, be- 
coming his wife. Her parents were James R. and 
Nancy (Fisher) Weatherhead, and the latter died 
during the infancy of her daughter. Mr. and 
I\Irs. Davis took up their abode in Burritt. where 
they lived for a year and then removed to Laomi 
towndiip. where they resided for two years. The 
succeeding sixteen years were spent in Harrison 
township, and in the spring of 1901 they came 



35^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINXEBAGO COUNTY. 



to Harlem township, and have since resided on 
section 20, where Mr. Davis owns a valuable 
and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres. He carries on general as:ricnltural pur- 
suits and the neat and thrifty appearance of his 
place is indicative of his careful supervision and 
practical methods. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis was blessed 
with three children: Lee ^\ ., born Octol>er 20, 
1883: Dale L.. horn November 24. 1886; and 
Fay B., born January 24, 1890. Mrs. Davis was 
born October 19. 1854, in Harrison township, 
and has been a devoted wife and mother. Mrs. 
Davis holds membership in Willow Creek Pres- 
byterian church at .Vrcjyle, and he belongs to 
Harrison camp, M. \\'. .-\. His political alle- 
giance is given to the republican party and for 
one year he served as road commissioner in Har- 
lem township, but has never sought or desired 
office, his business cares claiming his time and 
attention, while his earnest labor and perseverance 
have been the salient factors in his prosperity. 



TOHX SECUR. 



John Scgur at the age of seventy-six years is 
living a retired life in Rockford, where for nearly 
a half century he has made his home, having 
taken up his abode here in 1857. \ native son 
of New England, his birth occurred in Granby, 
Connecticut, July 6. 1820. and his parents, Orlean 
and .\mret (Dean) Segur, were both natives of 
that state. His paternal grandparents were Au- 
gustus and Elizabeth (Tuller) Segur. The 
former located in Connecticut in early life and 
was extensively engaged in farming there, own- 
ing over three hundred acres of land. He al- 
ways devoted his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits and he passed away in the Charter Oak 
state at the age of seventy-six years, while his 
wife reached the extreme old age of ninety-six 
years. She was a daughter of Eli Tuller, one of 
the heroes of the Revolutionary war. 

Orlean Segur made his home near Canton. 
Connecticut, where he engaged in farming for 
many years and during the last thirty years of 
his life he lived retired at Simsbury. Connecticut, 
where he passed away in October. 1872. His 
widow survived him until November, 1882, when 
she too died in Simsbury. One of her brothers 
is still living, Orlando Dean, who is a retired 
carpenter and merchant and makes his home in 
Simsbury at the very venerable age of ninety- 
one years. Mr. and Mrs. Segur were the par- 
ents of six children, of whom two .-^ons and a 
daughter yet survive, the second being John of 
this review. Dighton, who is now eighty-one 
vcars f)f age, is still engaged in carriage manu- 



facuiring in West Suffield. Connecticut. Ellen 
is the widow of Moses 1). Humphrey and re- 
sides with her brother John in Rockford. Mr, 
Humphrey was descended from English an- 
cestry and became a resident of Connecticut in 
early life. Throughout his business career he 
carried on farming near Sim.sbury. Connecticut, 
and there his death occurred in 1897. 

John Segur obtained his education in the 
coiumon schools of his native town and on 
leaving home he went to New Hartford, 
Connecticut, where he became acquainted 
with Freeman Graham and went to work 
for him to learn the machinist's trade, 
following that pursuit until 1855. In that 
year Mr. Segur came west with the Graham 
family and settled at Beloit, Wisconsin, where 
he and Mr. Graham worked at their trade for 
two years and in 1857 both came to Rockford. 
Mr. Segur then secured a position in the em- 
ploy of Emerson & Talcott, the predecessors of 
the Emerson Manufacturing Company now con- 
trolling the largest manufacturing plant in 
Rockford wherein agricultural implements are 
made. Mr. Segur continued to work for that 
hou.se as a machinist for several years and was 
then promoted to the position of foreman of the 
machine shops, in which capacity he served for 
twenty years, so that his term of service in the 
employ of the firm covers thirty-five consecutive 
years. At the end of that time he was accident- 
ally injured and lost the sight of one eye and be- 
cause of this he retired from business. 

In the meantiiue through his frugality Mr. 
-Segur had added year by year to his capital and 
had invested his savings in valuable property in 
Rockford. which in 1887 he exchanged for his 
present home on Clifton avenue, where he now 
owns twenty-two acres of land. This is situ- 
ated in the city limits in the southern part of 
Rockford and he has made many improvements 
thereon, having a beautiful home, .'\lthough he 
has retired from his trade indolence is utterly 
foreign to his nature and he can not content him- 
self in idleness, so he gives his time to light 
farming and thus manages to keep busy. The 
city, however, is building up very rapidly around 
him and he expects soon to divide his twenty-two 
acres into town lots and thus make an addition 
to Rockford. 

While living in the east Mr. Segur was mar- 
ried to Miss Jane Trowbridge, a native of Bark- 
haiusted, Connecticut, and a daughter of James 
Trowbridge, who was a carpenter by trade in 
early life and afterward became general agent 
for D. B. Smith & Son, large cotton manufactur- 
ers of Connecticut, with whom he continued 
throughout the remainder of his business career. 
Mrs. Segur died in Rockford, .'^eptember 7, 
1900. There was a son and daughter by that 




JOHN SEGUR. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



355 



marriage : James, who was born in New Hart- 
ford, Connecticut, married Nellie O'Connor and 
is a machinist by trade now residing in Du- 
buque. Iowa, where he is occupying the position 
of superintendent with the A. Y. McDonald 
Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of 
pumps, having resided in that city for twenty 
years. Sarah A., born in New Hartford and 
now living at 1103 South Main street, Rockford, 
is the widow of Judge J. C. Carver, of Rock- 
ford, whose history and ]xjrtrait are given on 
another page of this work. 

Mr. Segur has never been an office seeker 
nor sought reward for party fealty but has long 
given an unswerving support to the republican 
party. He has held membership with the 
Masonic fraternity since January 12. 1851. and 
after coming to Rockford was made a charter 
member of Ellis lodge, A. F. & A. M. He also 
belongs to the Royal Arch chapter. His sister, 
Mrs. Humphrey, is a member of the Winnebago 
Street Methodist Episcopal church and she re- 
sides with her brother at No. 171 5 Clifton 
avenue. Mr. Segur is a self-made man of strong 
purpose and firm determination and these quali- 
ties have enabled him in an active business career 
to steadily work his way upward. He came to 
Rockford empty-handed and all that he now 
possesses has been obtained through his earnest 
labor and judicious use of his means. He is 
well known among the pioneers of the city and 
county and justly merits the esteem which is 
uniformly extended him. Rockford has long 
been his home and he is therefore a witness of 
much of its growth and progress, his mind form- 
ing a connecting link between the past when it 
was a small and unimportant village and the 
present when it has become one of the leading 
commercial and manufacturing centers of the 
Mississippi valley. 



GEORGE FRANKLIN. 

George Franklin may truly be called a self- 
made man, as the prosperity which he now en- 
joys is attributable entirely to his earnest labor 
that year after year has brought him a good 
living and enabled him to add annually to his 
income, until he is now the possessor of a com- 
fortable competence. He is one of Winnebago 
county's native sons, whose birth had occurred 
in Durand township March 17, 1851. His father. 
Charles M. Franklin, came to this county about 
1837 or 1838, and cast in his lot with the pioneer 
settlers of Durand township. He secured a tract 
of timber land and at once began its develop- 
ment. This was a frontier settlement, and there 
were many hardships and privations to be en- 
dured. He had to haul his grain to Mineral 
Point, Wisconsin, that being the nearest market. 



and he also took his farm products to Chicago. 
At Rockford there were only a few houses, and 
some of the now thriving towns and villages of 
the county had not at that time sprung into ex- 
istence. As the years passed, his continued ef- 
forts wrought a marked transformation in his 
land, and his farm became a valuable property. 
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and in his political views was a whig. 

George Franklin pursued his education in the 
public schools near his father's home. He was 
a hard-working, industrious young man, and 
when his labor had brought him a sufficient sum 
of money he made purchase of a farm of eighty 
acres in Burritt township, to the improvement 
and cultivation of which he devoted his energies 
untiringly until 1887. He then sold that farm 
and removed to C)wen township, where he pur- 
chased one hundred and eighty acres of land, 
upon which he now resides. He has here a well 
developed property, improved with modern equip- 
ments, while the fields return to him golden har- 
vests for the care and labor he bestows upon 
them. 

On the 13th of February, 1878, Mr. Franklin 
was united in marriage, at Burritt, by the Rev. 
John Wilcox, to Miss Emma Jane Swindells, a 
daughter of John and Susanna (Statham) Swin- 
dells, both of whom were natives of England. 
Thev crossed the Atlantic to America on a sail- 
ing vessel, "The Washington," which weighed 
anchor at Liverpool on the 21st of March, 1849, 
and reached Boston harbor a month later. They 
continued to reside in Boston until 1857, and 
thence came to Rockford, where the father soon 
afterward died. They were the parents of three 
children : \Mlliam J.. Margaret Ann and Mrs. 
Franklin. After losing her first husband. Mrs. 
Swindells was married on the lOth of October, 
1859, to Richard Lightfoot, and they had one 
son, Nathaniel. Mr. Lightfoot was born in the 
county of Cornwall, England, January 29, 1824, 
and came to .\merica in 185 1 upon a sailing ves- 
sel, leaving Plymouth, England, and landing at 
Quebec. The voyage was a tempestuous one of 
eight weeks and four days. Not long after 
reaching the new world. l\Ir. Lightfoot made his 
way to Winnebago county. Illinois, where he soon 
afterward rented land and began farming on his 
own account. Later he purchased land, for which 
he paid twenty dollars per acre. He was one 
of the pioneers of this county, and contributed 
in substantial measure to its early development 
and improvement. In 188 1 he built a residence 
about a quarter of a mile from his old home, 
and there spent his last days in retirement from 
labor. 

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin have become the par- 
ents of seven children. Susie is the wife of Cas- 
sius Zuck. a draftsman living in Rockford, and 



35" 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



they have one child. Carroll .M. married Cora 
Salisbury and resides in Rockford. Edith B. is 
the wife of .Mbert Ziick, of Kansas, and they 
have one child. \\'alter is living at home. Ber- 
tha J. is liie wife of Lorenzo H. Crowell, Jr. 
Irnia and George M. are also at home. 

Mr. Franklin is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and has led a life in harmony 
with his professions. In politics he is a repub- 
lican, having long supported the party. He has 
spent liis entire life in this county, where he is 
well known as a reliable and honorable business 
man. 



PENN W. RANSOM, M. D. 

Dr. Penn W. Ransom, a specialist in the 
treatment of many diseases and the founder and 
proprietor of The Ransom Sanitarium at Rock- 
ford, is a native son of Winnebago county, his 
birth having occurred in Roscoe, May 4, 1857. 
His father, Dr. Giles P. Ransom, was a native of 
New York, born January 13. 1824, and tradition 
says that the family was founded in America by 
three brothers who came to this country from 
England. The great-grandfather, Daniel Ran- 
som, was born in New England, and in early 
days left N'ermont to become a resident of New 
York. He devoted his entire time and attention 
to agricultural ])ursuils and passed away in Wyo- 
ming county. New York. 

Dr. Daniel Ransom, the grandfather, whose 
birth occurred in Windham county, Vermont, 
s])ent his youth upon his father's farm, but be- 
lieving that he would find the professional life 
more congenial than agricultural pursuits he 
entered upon the study of medicine in Oneida 
county. New York. Later he removed to Erie 
county and subsequently spent eight years as 
a practitioner of medicine in Union City, Penn- 
sylvania. The year 1844 witnessed his arrival 
in Illinois, and he successfully engaged in prac- 
tice in iielvidere until failing health caused him 
to abandon the arduous duties of the profession. 
In early manhood he married Miss Elizabeth 
Willard, who was born in Westfield, Connecticut, 
and was a daughter of Samuel \\'^illard. Both 
spent their last days in tiie home of Dr. Giles 
P. Ransom, of Roscoe. the grandfather there 
passing away in 1870. and his wife in 1874. 
They were the parents of si.x children : Erasmus 
D., Alzina, Giles, Cynthia, Samantha E. and 
Loretta II. 

When a mere youth Dr. Giles P. Ransom 
joined a party of emigrants en route for the 
Rock river valley. This was in 1843. He 
walked the greater part of the distance and se- 
cured a position as a teacher of a three months' 
term of .school in Poplar Grove. I'ioneer con- 



ditions existed everywhere throughout this por- 
tion of the state. .\t that time twenty-five cents 
postage was required upon each letter, and so 
scarce was money that often this amount had 
to be borrowed from some neighbor before the 
letter could be procured from the postoftice. Dr. 
Ransom obtained a position as postmaster at 
Belvidere and was well known in connection 
with the pioneer progress and development of 
his locality. He began reading medicine with 
Dr. Ames, and after the removal of that gen- 
tleman to Roscoe, Dr. Ransom also went to that 
place in January, 1845, ''"^ entered upon prac- 
tice there. He was graduated from the Rush 
Medical College of Chicago in 1850, and his 
professional service called him to all parts of 
Winnebago county. In 1862 he entered the 
United States service as assistant surgeon of 
the Second Illinois Light .Vrtillerv, which posi- 
tion he resigned a year later on account of ill 
health. He ranked high in his profession and 
was for some time one of the oldest physicians 
of the county in the years of continuous prac- 
tice here. He married Mahala Jenks. in March. 
i860, and in his social relations Dr. Ransom was 
well known as an exemplary Mason. 

Dr. Penn W. Ransom, whose name intro- 
duces this record, is a high school graduate, and 
in the line of his chosen calling enjoyed excel- 
lent educational privileges. He first read medi- 
cine with his brother. Dr. Wilmot L. Ransom, 
and afterward entered the Chicago Medical Col- 
lege, now the medical department of the North- 
western University, from which he was gradu- 
ated with the class of 1879. He entered upon 
practice at .\urora. Illinois, where he remained 
for seven years and then, coming to Rockford, 
established The Ransom Sanitarium. It is situ- 
ated a mile north of the city on the east bank 
of the Rock river in a most beautiful grove and 
amid attractive surroundings. The buildings 
have been designed especially for the use to 
which they are put. The spring water is clear 
and possesses valuable medical qualities. It 
was in 1S87 that Dr. Ransom purchased the 
building, which is a large frame structure con- 
taining twenty well furnished rooms. It .stands 
in the midst of eight acres of ground adorned 
with fine shade trees, beautiful walks and drives. 
The sanitarium is o|)])osite Harlem park and the 
Chautauqua .\ssembly grounds, which each 
year attracts thousands thereto. The Kenosha 
division of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road i)asses within a few rods of the house, also 
the Rockford. Beloit & Janesville Interurban 
passes the place, making easy access to Rockford 
and points north. The visitors to the sanilariinn 
mnnber from nineteen thousand ])ersons annually, 
and Mrs. Ransom, a most accomplisiied -lady, 
presides over the institution and also attends to 







y^^f 



yyr ^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



359 



much of the business in connection with its con- 
duct. Dr. Ransom gives his attention to his 
practice, making a specialty of the treatment of 
mental and nervous diseases. He utilizes only 
such measures and means as are known to and 
endorsed by the profession, including electro- 
thermal, hot air and plain baths, salt glow, oil 
inunctions, massage, and other lines of bath 
treatment in connection with medicine, surgery, 
diet and rest. He is assisted by a corps of well- 
trained nurses and attendants and The Ransom 
Sanitarium is splendidly equipped for carrying 
on this work. 

In 1884 Dr. Ransom was married to Miss 
Sarah C. Brown, of Rockford, Illinois, a daugh- 
ter of Lewis Brown and a representative of one 
of the old families of this county. Dr. Ransom 
has a very wide acquaintance and is a most 
genial gentleman whose cheering presence in 
the sick room is like a ray of sunshine dispelling 
gloom. He follows nature's methods of healing 
in all of his practice and also keeps in touch 
with the most advanced methods of the medical 
and surgical science. 



WILLIAM DALES. 



William Dales, long connected with interests 
that made Rockford a manufacturing center and 
one of the best business cities in Illinois, allied 
his interests with those of Winnebago county at 
an early day in its development, when Rockford 
was a small village. As the years passed by his 
recognition of business opportunities and intense 
and well directed business activity were felt 
along many lines and his efiforts proved of com- 
mercial value, not only to himself, but also as a 
factor in Rockford's prosperitv. 

A native of Delaware county. New York, he 
was born October 14, 1821, his parents being 
Samuel and Susan (Walker) Dales, both of whom 
were natives of Orange county. New York. The 
father was educated for the ministry, but after his 
marriage he settled in Delaware county, New 
York, where he began farming, which vocation 
he followed throughout his remaining days. His 
widow afterwards made her home with her chil- 
dren and died at the home of her daughter in 
Monroe, Wisconsin. 

The educational advantages which William 
Dales received were only such as were afforded 
by the common schools, but all through life he 
used his advantages to the best opportunities, and 
in this lay the secret of his success. He worked 
on the home farm in his youth and prior to his 
first marriage he began learning the carpenter's 
trade, at which he worked for some time in the 
east. Before his second marriage he came west 



to Illinois, taking up his abode in Rockford in 
the spring of 1852. It was a small place but he 
foresaw the rapid and substantial development 
of the west and wisely concluded to try his for- 
tune in this part of the country. His first work 
in the city was the superintendency of the carpen- 
ter or construction work on the machine shops, 
now the largest building on the water power. He 
also superintended the carpenter work on many 
of the fine residences of the city of an early day, 
including the home of Judge Church and others. 
At length he abandoned building operations and 
entered into partnership with W. D. Trahern, 
under the firm name of Trahern & Dales, and 
thev began the manufacture of threshing machines 
and farming implements of all kinds. While thus 
engaged he also traveled quite extensively, 
selling the machines to the outside dealers. Later 
the firm began the mantifacture of pumps and 
the Trahern Pump Company is still conducting 
a prosperotis business in Rockford. On retiring 
from the firm, Mr. Dales began an independent 
business as the manufacturer of the Dales wind- 
mill, his factory being located on Sotxth Main 
street, where he employed a large number of 
men in the manufacture of the output which was 
sold all over the country. He had soon devel- 
oped a paying business and he continued opera- 
tions in that line for several years or until he 
had manufactured enough to supply the trade for 
some time. He then began the manufacture of 
plows in connection with Mr. Derwent and this 
claimed his attention for a number of years or 
until his health began to fail, and for about ten 
years he was unable to do any active business save 
the collecting for the firm and the supervision of 
the repair work. It was very reluctantly that 
he retired from the field of active industrial and 
commercial life, for indolence and idleness were 
utterly foreign to his nature, but he was at length 
compelled to do so, and he lived retired until his 
death, July 18, 1892. His business career was 
characterized by untiring industry and persever- 
ance, and in his vocabulary there was no such 
word as fail. If he undertook to do a thing he 
did it. He was a man of action rather than the- 
ory, and while he planned his work carefully, he 
was also prompt and determined in its execution. 
Mr. Dales was married first in Delaware county, 
New York, to Miss Margaret McQueen, a native 
of New York, in which state her parents always 
lived, her father engaging in farming there. Mrs. 
Dales died in the county of her nativity a few 
years after her marriage. There were two chil- 
dren, Elizabeth and Walker. The former is the 
wife of Jesse Robertson, a retired carpenter of 
Monroe,' Wisconsin, and the latter died at the 
home of his grandmother in Monroe, Wisconsin, 
at the age of three vears. Mr. Dales was mar- 



360 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



ricii in the town of Coiirlrif^hl. Uclawaro county, 
New York, to Miss Nancy E. Dales, a distant 
relative and a native of that county. Ixirn April 
II, 1823. her ])arents Ix'inp Alexander and Ra- 
chel ( Dibble) Dales, the latter born in Columbia 
count V and the fonncr in Orange county. New 
York. Her father was a fanner there and in 
Delaware county, and died on the farm in the 
latter county, where he had so long resided. His 
wife also passed away there. There were three 
children l)orn of the second marriatje : Raljjh E., 
who married Isabelle Rincv . is an electrician of 
Rockford. John, a successful physician of Sioux 
City, Iowa, married Gertie Locke, and after her 
death wedded Marie Peterson. Lillian, a teacher 
in the Kent school of Rockford, resides with her 
mother. 

Mr. Dales was well known to the early settlers 
of the city and iiad many friends anioncf the pio- 
neer settlers of Rockford and W'iiniebas^o county. 
He was a stanch republican and his friends fre- 
quently suggested to him a candidacy for office, 
but he would never consent to accept a nomina- 
tion. He attended the Pre.sln-terian church, to 
which Mrs. Dales and her daughter belong, and 
he was always in sympathy with movements for 
the jiublic good. He rejoiced in the upbuilding 
and improvement of Rockford. where be resided 
for almost forty years, passing away July 18, 
1 89 1. Mrs. Dales now occupies a nice home at 
No. c>oi South Winnebago street, where she and 
her daughter reside. This has been in i)ossession 
of the Dale family for nearly half a century, a 
part of the building having been erected by Mr. 
Dale in iSsCi. It then stood in the midst of the 
hazel brush, there lieing only three houses in the 
neighborhood, where now stand many beautiful 
homes, constituting an attractive residence dis- 
trict of the citv. 



JOSEPH W. FAULKXF.R. 

Joseph W. Faulkner, deceased, was for many 
years closely associated with agricultural inter- 
ests in Winnebago county, and spent his last 
years in Rockfonl. He was a native of England, 
horn in liedfordshire. his natal day being Janu- 
arv 3. 1834. His parents. John and Mary (Read) 
Faulkner, were also natives of the same county. 
and while they resided in England became the 
parents of seven children, with whom they 
started for .America in the early '50s. crossing the 
.\tlantic in a sailing vessel, which, after a voy- 
age of seven weeks, dropped anchor in the har- 
bor of New ^'ork. The father, accompanied by 
his wife and children, made his way at once to 
Chicago, and by team proceeded to Winnebago 
countv. for the era of railroads had not yet 



come, an<l travel at tiiat time was done by stage 
or private conveyance. The family home was 
established in Seward township, where few set- 
tlements had been made by early jiioneers, but 
nnicb of the land was still in ])ossession of the 
government, and John l-'aulkner entered a claim 
which he at once began to clear and improve. 
In the course of time this became a valuable farm 
])ro])erty, and he was classed with the substantial 
agriculturists of his locality. He continued a 
resident of the county throughout his remaining 
da\s. his last years being spent in the village of 
Winnebago, where lie ile])arted this life in 1884, 
after having attained the age of three score and 
ten years. He erected the first warehouse in 
Winnebago and for some time was engaged in 
the grain business, owning a large elevator there. 
His wife has since jiassed away in Rockford. 
rhe\ were both members of the Methodist 
church, took an active ])art in its work and con- 
tributed liberally to its su])|x)rt. Mr. l-'aulkner 
was well known in his home locality as "Uncle 
Johnnie." a term which was indicative of the 
confidence and love re])osed in iiim. His life was 
ever ni)right and honorable, and he left his fam- 
il\- an nntarnislied name. Unto him and his 
wife were born fifteen children. 

loseph W. i'';mikner. the eldest son and sec- 
ond diild of tlie family, attended the public 
schools of England to a limited extent, but his 
education was largely acquired in the night 
schools there. He came with his parents to 
.America and in early life assisted his father in 
the arduous task of developing a new farm. He 
was freipiently sent to Chicago, where all of the 
farm ])roducts were marketed. He learned the 
value of industry and economy in the active 
atYairs of life, and those traits of character were 
alwavs manifest by him and proved the basis of 
the success which he attained. He was married 
in Rockford to Miss Catherine Falconer, a na- 
tive of Rosshire, Scotland, born in 1836, and a 
daughter of Hugh and Catherine Falconer, who 
came to .\mericH about 1842. making their way 
direct to Chicago, after which ihev drove across 
the country with ox teams to Wimiebago county. 
Thev, too. were among the early settlers of this 
part of the .state, and experienced all the hard- 
slii])s and trials incident to jiioneer life. Rock- 
ford at that time c<Mitained only a few log bcnises 
and nnich of the land was still in possession of 
the government, having never been claimed by 
the white men for the purjioses of civilization. 
They first settled in the village of Centerville, 
but afterward Mr. I'alconer |)urchascd a farm 
in Winnebago township, where he carried on gen- 
eral agricultural |)ursuits until his death. His 
widow afterward lived with her daughter. Mrs. 
Faulkner. uiUil she was called to her final rest. 
Their first home was a log cabin, which had no 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



361 



board floor, but later this was replaced by a 
comfortable residence, for Mr. Falconer pros- 
pered as the years went by, displaying in his life 
the sterling traits of character of the Scotch race. 
His wife was seventy-three years of age at the 
time of her demise, and both she and her husband 
were devoted members of the Congregational 
church. Mr. and Mrs. Falconer became the par- 
ents of two daughters. Mary A. is the wife of 
James F. Bennett, and they reside with her 
mother. Mr. Bennett is a ladies' tailor, conduct- 
ing an extensive business at No. 302 West State 
street, and they have two children, Ethel F. and 
Josephine. Katie L. Falconer is the wife of J. 
F. Hollenbeck, a hardware merchant at No. 1030 
South Main street, in Rockford, and they have 
two children. Vera May and Joseph. 

On the 24th of March. 1887, Mr. Faulkner re- 
tired from the farm and removed to Rockford, 
where he enjoyed a well earned rest. His life 
had been most active and enterprising, and in 
his farming operations he was practical and pro- 
gressive, so that the soil under his cultivation 
became very fertile and productive and his farm- 
ing interests brought him very gratifying suc- 
cess. In politics he was active, supporting men 
and measures, rather than party. He served as 
road commissioner in his township for several 
years, and was always interested in whatever 
pertained to the welfare and progress of his com- 
munity. He displayed many commendable traits 
of character that gained him the favorable re- 
gard of his friends, and his life record is espe- 
cially noteworthy from the fact that he owed his 
prosperity entirely to his own labors. Mrs. 
Faulkner and her family are all members of the 
Second Congregational church of Rockford. She 
owns a nice home at No. 1204 South Main street, 
where she resides. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and 
their family living with her. She also owns the 
old home farm of about one hundred and three 
acres of very rich and arable land, and this 
brings to her a good income. 



THOMAS H. BROWN. 

Thomas H. Brown, living retired in Rockford, 
but for many years an active and enterprising 
agriculturist of Winnebago township, was born 
near Benson, in Rutland county, Vermont, Feb- 
ruary 8, 1835. His parents were .\rthur and 
Jane (Dougand) Brown. Their family con- 
sisted of seven children, only three of whom are 
now living: William, residing in Vermont; 
Thomas H. and Hamilton W., who live in Den- 
ver, Colorado. 

Thomas H. Brown spent the first nine years 
of his life in Vermont, and then came to Illinois 
with Martin Root and his family, with whom 



he remained until twenty-one years of age. He 
acquired his education in the common schools 
of Du Page county, Illinois, and on attaining 
his majority began farming on his own account. 
Two years later he removed to Winnebago 
count)', where he lived continuously since. 

About 1875 he became the owner of a tract of 
land of one hundred and ninety-six acres, and 
has since had valuable landed holdings in the 
county. He now owns two hundred and forty- 
five acres of fine land in Winnebago township, 
and his farm is well improved with good equip- 
ments and all modern accessories. He removed 
to Rockford in 1861. and since that time has re- 
sided continuously at his present home at No. 
114 Rockton avenue. 

Mr. Brown was married in 1871 to Miss Caro- 
line E. Holcomb, who was born in Ohio in 1845 
and is a daughter of Talcott and Jeanette Hol- 
comb. Of their two children, the elder, Her- 
mon H., died in 1888, at the age of fourteen. The 
younger, Pembroke H., was educated in the high 
school of Rockford, and also received liberal in- 
struction in music. He is now living with his 
parents in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Brown at- 
tend the Christian Union church. In politics Mr. 
Brown is a republican, but has never sought or 
desired office. Although he has led a quiet life, 
it contains lessons that might well be followed, 
for he has always been reliable in his dealings 
with his fellowmen and faithful to the duties of 
citizenship that have devolved upon him. 



FRANK E. THOMAS. 

Frank E. Thomas, chief of the Rockford fire 
department, was born in Greenville, the county 
seat of Darke county, Ohio, June 23, 1863, his 
parents being John and Melinda (Clapp) 
Thomas, also natives of Ohio. For many years 
the father was a contractor and builder of the 
Buckeye state, and in later life he removed to 
Chicago, where he was employed on the con- 
struction of a five-story building, from which 
he fell and was instantly killed in the year 1881. 
His wife yet survives him. and is living in Rock- 
ford with her son Frank, being now in her sev- 
enty-sixth year. The family of this worthy coit- 
ple numbered six children, but only three are yet 
living, the surviving daughters being Mrs. A. F. 
Hale" and Mrs. J. C. Duell, both of Rockford. 

Frank E. Thomas was a lad of seven sum- 
mers when he accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Chicago, in 1870, and in that city he 
completed his education as a public school stu- 
dent. Putting aside his text-books, he entered 
the employ of Field, Leiter & Company. He was 
first employed as messenger and cash boy and 



362 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



was advanced from time to time, until he be- 
came inspector of goods, remaining; with that 
liouse as a trusted and efficient employe until he 
attained his twenty-first year. In this way he 
gained a practical knowledije of the dry-goods 
business and at the same time it was good school- 
ing for him in tlie matter of mingling with men. 
In 1885 he came to Rockford, and for one year 
was employed as watchman by the Forest City 
Furniture Company. In February, 1SS6, how- 
ever, he became connected with the I'iockford fire 
department, and, proving his efficiency, was 
elected captain of Company No. 1. In 1901 he 
was appointed chief of the fire department, and 
is a most capable official, having the department 
well organized and doing elTective service. He 
is cool and collected in times of danger, watchful 
of the interests of the city and of the individual 
in the line of his duty and his service has won 
him high encomiums. 

In 1887 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Ida 
Erickson, a daughter of John Frickson. of Rock- 
ford, and they have two children, Lillian M. 
and Robert F., who are high school students 
here. The family home is at No. 614 Whitman 
street, and Mr. Thomas has social relations with 
Rockford lodge. No. 102 A. F. & .\. M., and 
with the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. 



GEORGE RICHARD ATKINSON. 

George Richard Atkinson, well known in busi- 
ness circles of Rockford as a merchant tailor, was 
born September 19, 1835, in Cockermouth county, 
Cumberland, England. His parents were Joseph 
and Ann (Anderson) Atkinson, the former a 
native of England and die latter of Ireland. The 
father died when the son was a small child. He 
had been connected with a factor)- whose prod- 
uce was Cumberland tweed. George R. .Atkin- 
son, the eldest of the family, remained a resi- 
dent of his native land until about nineteen years 
of age, when in 1858 he crossed the Atlantic to 
the new world. -At the age of twelve years he 
had entered upon an appreiuiceship to the tailor's 
trade, serving a term of four years and when he 
had mastered the business he decided to seek 
his fortune in .America, hearmg that better wages 
were paid for all such work in the new world. 
Accordingly he made arrangements to leave his 
native land and secured passage on the sailing 
vessel, James Bell, which was si.x weeks in mak- 
ing the voyage to New York city. He then 
went up the river to .\Ibany, New York, where 
he began working in a tailoring establishment, 
spending a brief period in that city. I'.ecause 
of the f:ii-t that his uncle, Thomas Chambers, 



lived in Montreal, he made his way to the latter 
]ilace and entered the employ of his uncle who 
was conducting a store there. .After six months, 
however, he went to Portland, Maine, in order to 
see the Prince of Wales depart for England. He 
did not return then to Montreal but retained in 
Portland for a year and in i860 went to Boston, 
where he met the lady who become his wife — 
Miss Julia .Ann Haqjcr, a resident of Wilton, 
Franklin county, Maine, her birth having oc- 
curred near Farmington, that state. Her father 
was Colonel James C. Harper, a veteran of the 
Mexican war. who served under General Win- 
field Scott. 

Mr. .Atkinson continued a resident of Boston 
until 1864. when he went to Alaine on a visit. 
I^ter he returned to P)Oston but in the meantime 
he had heard much of Qiicago and its advantages 
and determined to make a visit to the western city. 
There he met a friend who was living in Rock- 
ford and induced him to come to this place in 
1864. \Miile in Boston he had learned the cut- 
ting business and had become an expert workman 
in that line and after arriving in Winnebago coun- 
ty he secured a position as a cutter with the firm 
of David. Wallach & Com[)any, remaining with 
that house for five years. He then determined 
to embark in business on his own account and 
carried out the plan in the year 1869. In Janu- 
ary, 1900, he again embarked in business on his 
own account at No. 304 South Main street in 
the Ncl.son building. Here he has since remained 
and now enjoys a libral patronage accorded him 
by his fellow townsmen, also a large trade which 
comes to him from surrounding cities. That 
his business has reached extensive proportions is 
indicated by the fact that he now employs four- 
teen men throughout the entire year. In style, 
finish and worknianshiji the products of his tailor- 
ing establishment arc of su])erior grade anil as he 
is reasonable in his prices and honorable in his 
dealings his patronage has continually increased 
initil it has reached gratifying proportions. 

Mr. Atkinson was married on the ist of Janu- 
ary, 1863. and he now has a beautiful home at 
1215 National avenue. He belongs to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, his membership being in the Star 
of the Fast lodge, and he has attained the thirty- 
.second degree of the Scottish rite. He is like- 
wise connected with the Mystic Shrine and in 
politics he was a democrat until if^^Ci. since which 
time he has supported the republican party. Dur- 
ing the years which mark the period of his busi- 
ness career he iias met witli gratifying success 
for he is a self-educated as well as a self-made 
man. .After coming to .Ainerica he attended night 
school in .Albany and made the most of his op- 
|xirtnnitics as the years passed by. During the pe- 
riod of his residence in Rockford he has won the 




GEORGE R. ATKINSON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



365 



good will and respect of many of the best citizens 
here. Concentration of purpose and persistently 
applied energy rarely fail of success in the accom- 
plishment of any task, and in tracing the career of 
Mr. Atkinson it is plainly seen that these have 
been the secret of his rise to prominence. 



LEVI B. FULLER. 



Levi B. Fuller, who resides immediately west 
of Rockford on Montague road, and gives gen- 
eral supervison to his farms, which he has 
rented, was born in Geneseo county. New York, 
February 12, 1834. His father, John Fuller, 
who was born in 1800, came to Rockford in 1838, 
and purchased the claims now owned by his 
son Lemuel, after which he returned to the Em- 
pire state. The following y-ear, however, he 
iDrought his family to the west and settled on 
section ig. Rockford township. There were four 
children: Lemuel, Levi B., Charles and Nancy. 
John. Lucy E. and Eliza J. were born in Illinois. 
The last named became the wife of Harvey In- 
galls and died in Rockford township in 1877. 
John Fuller contiiuied to make his home in Win- 
nebago county until his death, which occurred in 
October. 1858. when he was fifty-eight y^ears of 
age. In early days he was very active and in- 
fluential in politics, and his opinions carried 
weight in the councils of his party. He im- 
proved the claims which he purchased and be- 
came an extensive landowner, having at the time 
of his death about one thotisand acres. He al- 
ways followed farming, and his enterprise and 
well directed effort constitvited the basis of his 
prosperity. In early manhood he wedded Lucy 
\Mlder. who, like her husband, was a native of 
Massachusetts. They were married in Pittsfield, 
that state, and ;\Irs. Fuller, long surviving her 
husband, died in Winnebago county. December 
13, 1895, at the age of eighty-eight years. Henry 
Fuller, an uncle of Mr. Fuller of this review, 
was a very prominent citizen of Chicago, and 
built the first street railway there. 

Levi B. Fuller was reared in ^^'innebago 
count}- and acquired his education in the com- 
mon schools. His advantages in that direction 
were somewhat limited, but reading, observation 
and experience have largely broadened his knowl- 
edge. He was trained to the active work of the 
farm, assisting his father in the labors of field 
and meadow in earl\- bo}hood days, and for 
many years he continued to actively engage in 
agricultural pursuits. He was also engaged in 
the grocery and produce business for a quarter 
of a century, and he bought and shipped poultry 
for about twenty-five years. He has now been 
retired from regular business interests since 1877, 



but he still owns two farms in the county, and 
gives his general supervision to their improve- 
ment and cultivation. 

Mr. Fuller was married in Bradford. Chicka- 
saw county, Iowa, to Miss Anna A., daughter of 
Zenas and Maria (Carpenter) Thomas, a 
native of Pennsylvania. They became the parents 
of five children, of whom only two are living: 
Levi S., who was formerly credit man in 
Appel's store in Rockford, is now occupying a 
good position in Chicago. He married Esther 
\N"ells. Frances E. is at home. The three chil- 
dren who have passed away were Franklin S.. 
Emma E. and Ida E. All were natives of Win- 
nebago county. 

Politically, Mr. Fuller is a republican, having 
never faltered in support of the party since he 
attained his majority, and he has served as alder- 
man of Rockford, representing the fifth ward. 
He is a worthy representative of a prominent 
pioneer family, and his own sterling traits of 
character make him a leading citizen here, en- 
joying in large measure the good will and con- 
fidence of those with whcmi he has been asso- 
ciated. 



DANIEL DOBSON. 



Daniel Dobson, now serving for the fourth 
term as justice of the peace in Harrison town- 
ship and energetically carrying on farming oper- 
rations on section 30. was born in Lancaster- 
shire. England, in October. 1841, his parents 
being Henry and Sarah (Bird) Dobson, both of 
whom were natives of England, whence they 
crossed the .\tlantic to America in 1849. They 
resided in Connecticut until 1857, when they 
came to this county, the father carrying on 
agricultural pursuits here tmtil retirement from 
business life. In the east, however, he had been 
connected with the manufacture of paper. In 
1868 he put aside the cares of the farm and 
removed to Rockford. where he lived in quiet 
and honorable retirement from labor until 1878, 
when at the age of sixty-three years he passed 
away. His wife died in 1871. at the age of sixty- 
five years. In their family were ten children : 
Thomas, now deceased : Abram, living at Chi- 
cago Heights, Illinois : James, who died in Da- 
kota : Henry, of Rockford : Daniel of this re- 
view : Mrs. John M. Smith, of the village of 
Winnebago : Ann and Martha, who have passed 
away, and two who died in infancy. 

Daniel Dobson was about eight years of age 
when he accompanied his parents on the voy- 
age across the Atlantic to the new world, and 
was a youth of sixteen when he arrived with 
the family in Winnebago county. He has since 
resided in Harrison township, with the exception 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



nf ilircc years spent in the army. Watching 
with keen interest the events llial proceeded the 
Civil war. he cnHsteil as a nienilier of Company 
A. Seventy-fourtli UHnois Infantry, and served 
for three years, being mustered out at Spring- 
field on the 9th of July, 1865. He served in the 
.\nny of the Cumberland and was never se- 
riously injured, although he was slightly wound- 
ed at Stone River. Faithful to his duty, he fol- 
lowed the banner of the L'nion on many southern 
battle-fields, and when its supremacy was estab- 
lishetl he returned to his home, resinning farm- 
ing pursuits in this county. 

In 1868 Mr. Dobsun was united in marriage to 
Miss .'^usan Moate, wlio died about 1895 leaving 
three children: Mrs. Frank Ilerrick. who is liv- 
ing in Harrison township; Mrs. Herbert Lillie, a 
resident of P)Urritt township; and George W., 
who died in 1899, at the age of twenty years. For 
his second wife Mr. Dobson chose Miss M. 
Zelah P.odine. a daughter of William P>odine, 
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. 
Politically a republican, Mr. Dobson has always 
kept well informed on the questions and issues 
of the day, and is thus able to support his posi- 
tion by intelligent argument. He has served 
in various townshii) offices, was school director 
for eighteen years, has been township trustee 
for three terms, was supervisor for one term, 
is now serving for the fourth term as justice 
of the peace, and in fact has been continuously 
in one official position or another, discharging 
with marked capability the duties that have 
devolved upon him, and thus manifesting the 
same loyalty to his country that he displayed 
when upon southern battle-fields he aided the 
Union cause. He maintains pleasant relations 
with his old army comrades through his mem- 
bershi]) in Xevius post. No. i, G. A. R., at 
R'ickford. and he is also connected with the 
Modern Woodmen camp at Harrison, while his 
religious views are indicated by his membership 
in the Methodist Episcopal church. 



ELIJAH B. GUILFORD. 

Elijah 1!. Guilford, the oldest living settler in 
\\'innebago county to-day, has been a witness 
of almost the entire growth and development of 
this section of the state and no history of the 
locality would lie complete without the record of 
Win Port 55 vbgkf|j cmfwyp 

his life. For a long period he was actively con- 
nected with agricidtural interests and has also 
followed mechanical pursuits, but now in the 
evening of life is living retired in Pecatonica 
township. He was horn in Worcester county, 
Massachusetts, .\pril 21, 1824, and when about 



four years of age left that place, his parents re- 
moving to Genesee county. New York. The 
father, John Guilford, died when the son was a 
small boy, so that the latter does not remember 
seeing his parent, 

Mr. Guilford of this review left the Empire 
state in company with his mother and her three 
brothers, Ephraim. \\'illiam and James Sumner. 
They started westward with a two-horse team 
but traded the horses for four head of o.xen and 
with the o.x-team proceeded on their journey. 
They arrived in \Vinnebago, Illinois, Septem- 
ber 19, 1835, and here they traded one yoke of 
oxen for land, securing a claim on which a log 
house had been built. It stood on the bank of 
the Pecatonica river, but the family were almost 
drowned on account of the high waters, Mr. 
Guilford's mother being carried out of the house 
by one of her brothers, for the cabin was en- 
tirely surrounded by the river. They lived upon 
their original claim for seven years or until 1842, 
when the government opened a land office at 
Dixon, .\bout that time they took up their 
abode upon a farm at Twelve Mile Grove. All 
three of the brothers purchased land upon which 
they settled. They were typical pioneer resi- 
dents and underwent all of the hardships in- 
cident to establishing a settlement on the frontier. 
Tile greater part of the land was still unclaimed 
and could be had for a nominal price. Fphraim 
Sumner built a house at the grove and after 
selling that place built another. He also con- 
structed a gristmill a mile and a half west, it 
l)eing the only mill in this part of the coimty. 

Elijah P>. Guilford worked for his uncle until 
about twenty-four years of age. The uncle 
bought and sold inore land than any other real- 
estate dealer of the county and at one time was 
the ow-ner of fifteen hundred acres. Eventually 
he removed to Rockford. where he practiced law, 
making his home in the city for a number of 
years, after which he returned to the farm. He 
was the second postmaster at \'anccboro, which 
was on the old stage line between Chicago and 
Galena, and he held all of the offices in his town- 
ship, including that of justice of the peace. 
While serving in that capacity he at one time 
time swam the river in order to marry a couple 
and received fifty cents for performing:: the cere- 
mony, but when he returned home he found that 
he had married the couple out of his jurisdic- 
tion. On another time when crossing the river 
driving some oxen he lost control of his team 
and they landed on one side of the river, while 
he and the wagon box were left on the other 
side. He sought and found shelter, however, in 
a log cabin, where he spent the night. His last 
days were passed in Rockford and w'hen he was 
called to his final rest the county lost one of its 
most prominent pioneer settlers, a man who had 




M<-§^^^^ 










~^^^ ^,^.1^ <£.oc^^n^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



371 



tlone much for the early improvement, upbuild- 
ing and development of this section of the state. 

In his youth Elijah B. Guilford became 
familiar with all of the hardships, labors and 
privations of frontier life. He continued to 
work at farming and in various wa)'s assisted his 
uncle. At length, however, he began life on 
his own account, starting out with forty acres 
of prairie land and forty acres of timber land. 
Upon the farm he built a little house, which was 
ultimately replaced by his present residence. 
He has planted all of the trees upon his farm, 
both fruit and shade trees, and the various im- 
provements are the work of his hands and in- 
dicate a life of earnest labor and untiring ac- 
tivity. He would go to the fields in the early 
morning and continue his labors until the sun 
had set and as the years passed by and he pros- 
pered he kept adding to his land until he had 
at one time four hundred and sixty-five acres, 
but he has given away most of this, retaining 
possession, however, of a good farm property, 
which returns him an income sufficient for all 
his needs and in fact such as supplies him with 
the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. 

On the 2d of December. 1849, Mr. Guilford 
was married to Miss Alary Jane Butler, at Free- 
port. She was born at Alden, New York, No- 
vember 10. 1828. Her father. Stephen Butler, 
was born January 23, 1800, in Whitestown, 
(?)neida county. New York, and died March 25, 
1 881, his death occurring in Chicago, while his 
remains were intered in the cemetery at Peca- 
tonica. After traveling life's journey together 
for nearly a half century Mr. and Mrs. Guilford 
were separated by death, the wife being called 
to her final home on the 8tli of October, i8<)8. 

Mr. Guilford has liad in many respects an 
eventful life. In 1857, accompanied by his wife, 
he started for Pike's Peak, going as far as Blue 
river, where they remained for two years. 
About 1867 he went to St. Louis by boat and 
ultimately reached Fort Benton. It required 
seventy-six days for the steamer Favorite to 
make the trip up the river, for they had to haul 
the boat over the sand bars by attaching ropes 
to the shore. Mr. Guilford spent one winter 
and two summers at Fort Benton, where he was 
largely engaged in mining, getting out the tim- 
bers for the mine and also doing underground 
work. He likewise made a hay press and fol- 
lowed blacksmithing there. He has given more 
or less attention throughout his entire life to 
mechanical pursuits and has always maintained 
a workshop on his farm. Possessing excellent 
mechanical ingenuity he was enabled to keep his 
farm machinery and his buildings in good 
repair. 

Mr. (luilford is a member of A. \\'. Rawlson 
lodge. No. 145, A. F. & A. M. Although he 
usually votes the democratic ticket and adheres 
21 



to the principles advocated by Jackson and Jef- 
ferson, he does not consider himself bound by 
party ties and has often voted for men of the op- 
posite party, incltiding Abraham Lincoln. He 
was a visitor at the W'orld's Columbian Ex- 
position in Chicago and also attended the Rail- 
way Appliance Exposition in Chicago. The 
Guilford family has long been known in Win- 
nebago county and the name is inseparably con- 
nected with its history. Mr. Guilford's mother, 
who was born in 1800, was well known because 
of her medical skill and her services were often 
in demand by her neighbors and friends through- 
(jut the county. Guilford township was named 
in her honor. Mr. Guilford, as a pioneer set- 
tler, did much for the early development and 
improvement of this part of the state and his 
mind carries a picture of pioneer days with all 
of its hardships and privations, its joys and 
its pleasures, and he can relate in a very in- 
teresting manner many anecdotes of the early 
times. 



GEORGE O'BRIEN. 

George O'Brien, living on section 19, Burritt 
township, is one of Winnebago county's native 
sons, his birth having occurred in Rockford, De- 
cember 25, 1851. His father, Patrick O'Brien, 
was born near Dublin, Ireland, about 1819, and 
came to the laiited States in 185 1. Two years 
later he took up his abode on a farm on section 
19, Burritt township, having up to that time 
lived in Rockford, and his death occurred upon 
the old homestead farm in October, 1881. He 
wedded Mary McMahon, who was also born 
near Dublin, in the year 1821, and she passed 
away on the farm in Burritt township about 
1875. George O'Brien is the eldest son of the 
family. The others are as follows : Margaret, 
who was born in Ireland in 1848. is the wife of 
John Bailey, formerly of Burritt township, but 
now of Rockford. by whom she has six children. 
John, who was born in 1853, is married and liv- 
ing in Rockford. He wedded Margaret Maloney, 
of Pecatonica, and has six children. James was 
born in 1855. ^"d is living in Rockford. Thomas, 
l)orn in 1857, makes his home in York, Ne- 
braska, and is married and has five children. 

George O'Brien was in his second year when 
his parents removed from Rockford to the home 
farm in Burritt township near his present place 
of residence, and he has since lived in this town- 
ship, devoting his entire life to agricultural pur- 
suits, which he has carried on successfully. He 
wedded Miss Mary Murphy, a daughter of John 
and Ellen Murphy, of \Vinnebago county. Her 
father was born in County Wexford. Ireland, 
May 30, 1 83 1, and died in Rockford, May 29, 



^7^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



1892. wliilc Iiis wile, wlm horc tlic maiden name 
of Kllen Ik'haii. was Ixini in County Wexfonl 
in \i<2(i. and now makes her liome in Rockford. 
Their chililren were as follows: Thomas W.. 
who resides in Winnebago and is married and 
has eipht children : John W., also livinj^' in Win- 
neha.vTo, who is married and has six children: 
Mrs. Anna Dolan. of Rockford: Mrs. Ellen Mc- 
Donald, oi Seward, Illinois, who has four chil- 
dren : .Mrs. Kate Murphy, who died in i8t;3 : 
and Mrs. ( >'l>ricn. the wife of our subject. She 
was born March 3. 1857. and on the 3rd of Feb- 
ruary, 1880. jjave her hand in marriajje to (ieortje 
()'l!rieM. They now have twelve children, 
lieortie, born November 29, 1880, was married 
January 11, H)05, to I'elle Milne, of llurritt, 
where they now reside: .Mary, born January 1, 
1882: Neilie, born February 14. 1883; James, 
born November 21. 1885: John, June 18, 1887; 
I'lorence. July 24, 1889: Marjjaret, November i, 
|8<K): Ra\niond, September 20, 1892: \'incent, 
January 28, 1894: l.oretia. May i, 1895: Ifjna- 
tius. July 21. i8c)8. and liernice. .\pril 29, 1901, 
are all at home. 

Mr. ( )'l!rien has always carried on sjeneral 
farminji. and his place is well imjiroved and 
briui^s to him a t^ood return in large crops. In 
politics he has always voted the straigth demo- 
cratic ticket, and for the past five years he has 
served as schocil director. He and his family- 
are communicants of St. Mary's Catholic church 
of Rockford, and he is well known in his com- 
munity as an industrious, enterprising agricul- 
turist. For more than a half century he has 
lived in IJurritt township and has seen many 
changes that have occurred as pioneer conditions 
have given way to the improvements of an ad- 
vanced civilization. 



N. 1'. WILSON. 



N. P. Wilson, engaged in farming, resides on 
section ^z, (Juiltord twonship, where he has 
seventy-eight acres of land that is finely im- 
I)roved with modern equipments. He is a native 
of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in 
Clarion county, in 1858, his parents being John 
and .Margaret ( Moore) Wilson, both of whom 
died in Pennsylvania, where they followed the 
occu]iation of farming. 

.\. P. Wilson was reared in the Keystone state, 
and in iiis youth attended the common schools. 
He afterwards came west to Illinois, settling in 
iWxjne county, and he also resided for three 
years in Ogle county before coming to Winne- 
bago county in 1885. In that year he located 
on his present farm, known as the old San<lers 
place, and he has always followed agricultural 



pursuits. He works ])ersistently and energetic- 
ally and his farm is now returning him a good 
income. .\t one time his attention was largely 
given to gardening and dairying, but he now 
tills the fields in the cultivation of the cereals 
best adapted to the soil and climate and has 
.seventy-eight acres of rich land highly culti- 
vated. Upon the place he has made many im- 
provments and altogether the farm is a model 
property, lacking none of the facilities which are 
found on the best farms of the middle west. 

While residing in Ogle county. Mr. Wilson 
was united in marriage to Miss Minnie (i<irdon, a 
daughter of William C. and Mary ( Foulk ) Cor- 
don, who were early settlers of Illinois, taking 
u]) their abode in Ogle county about 1846. The 
mother died in that county May 23, i8<;5. and 
Mr. Gordon now makes his home with Mr. 
Wilson. He was born in Clearfield county, Penn- 
sylvania, November 13. 1828, a son of Patrick 
Gordon, who was born in Ireland of Scotch 
parentage. Patrick Gordon was reared, however, 
on the Emerald isle and in early manhood went 
to England, whence he afterwards sailed for 
.\merica. While living in Center county. Penn- 
sylvania, he wedded Eliza Cook, who was born 
in Lancaster county, that state, and subsequently 
they established their home in Clearfield county, 
where Mr. Gorilon became owner of one hundred 
and seven acres of land, making that ])lace his 
residence until 1846, when he came to Illinois, 
settling in Monroe townshijj. Ogle county. That 
the district was largely wild and unimproved is 
indicated by the fact that he entered a claim from 
the government but he was not long permitted 
to enjoy his new home for his death occurred 
in Noveiuber of the same year. His widow, 
long surviving him, passed away in Oregon, at 
an advanced age. 1 hey were the parents of nine 
children, and with one e.xce])tion all reached ma- 
ture years. 

William C. (Gordon .s])eiit the days of his boy- 
hood and youth in the county of his nativity and 
came to Illinois with his parents, making the 
journey by team and canal to' Pittsburg and 
thence down the (~)hio and up the Mississippi 
rivers. Following his arrival in the state he be- 
gan earning his own living by working as a farm 
hand by the month and was thus engaged until 
1852, when attracted by the discovery of gold 
in California he made the journey, crossing the 
])lains to the Pacific coast, accompanied bv James 
Kiddell. They left Peru. Illinois, in .\pril of 
that \ear and eventually reached their destina- 
tion in safety although the journey was a long, 
difficult one. The only white jieople living Ix*- 
tween the Missouri river and California at that 
time were missionaries and soldiers, and the Mor- 
mons who has established their colonv at Salt 



> 



r 

< 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



37z 



Lake City. Mr. Gordon was employed at min- 
ing at four dollars per day and later he received 
seventy-five dollars per month and his board. 
He remained in California until 1854, when by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama he returned to his 
home in Illinois. In the meantime he had sent 
money back to this state with which to purchase 
the interests of the other heirs in the eighty 
acres of land which his father had left in Ogle 
county. He continued to work as a farm hand, 
however, until 1857, when he liuilt a home upon 
his farm and took up his abode there, residing 
upon that place until 1864. In that year he sold 
out and purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
of land in Spring twonship, where he lived for 
two years. Once more selling his farm, he pur- 
chased two hundred acres lying in Ogle county 
along the boundary line of De Kalb county and 
he cultivated that place until 1883. when he 
rented it and purchased seventy-nine acres in 
Guilford township. There he made his home 
until 1888 and placed many improvements upon 
that property. In the year mentioned he placed 
his son-in-law in charge of the farm, while he 
moved to a farm in Guilford township, com- 
prising twenty-eignt and a half acres within half 
a mile of the city of Rockford. 

In 1864, Mr. Gordon was married to Mary 
( Foulk ) Steele, a native of Cumberland county. 
Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Peter and Susan 
(Schowalter) Foulk, natives of Bucks county 
and Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, respectively. 
Her parents lived in Cumberland county for some 
time after their marriage and later removed to 
Perry county, whence in 1851 they came to 
Illinois. 

Mr. Foulk followed farming in Stephenson 
county for some time and later purchased land 
between Ogle and De Kalb counties. He next 
took up his abode in Black Hawk county, Iowa, 
where he carried on general farming for a number 
of years, after which he lived retired in Waterloo, 
Iowa, until his death in 1887. His wife survived 
him until the following year. Their daughter 
Mary first became the wife of Cadwallader Steele, 
who died in 1854, leaving a son, Frank P. Mr. 
and Mrs. Gordon had one daughter, Minnie J., 
now the wife of N. P. Wilson. They also lost 
three children, of whom one died in infancy, 
Emma at the age of three years, and Ida May 
when she was seventeen years of age. Since the 
death of his wife Mr. Gordon has come to make 
his home with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, with whom 
he now resides. 

Mrs. Wilson was married in Boone county, 
Illinois, and by her marriage has become the 
mother of seven children: John \\'.. a resident 
of Rockford, employed in the Emerson manu- 
facturing plant ; Earl C, M. Grace, N. Pearl, 



(den G., Blanche and Rose, all at home. N. P. 
Wilson is a republican and he belongs to the 
Central Christian church. He has a wide and 
favorable acquaintance in W'innebago county, 
where he lias now lived for twenty years and in 
his business affairs he has met with gratifying- 
success. 



HENRY L. BAKER. 

Henry L. Baker, deceased, was numbered 
among the early settlers of Winnebago county, 
becoming a resident of this section of the state 
in 1838, at which time his father's family settled 
in Owen township. He was born in Upper Can- 
ada August 12, 1827, and was a son of Dr. Dan- 
iel and Nancy (Reed) Baker. The father was 
born in the state of New York, and the mother 
in Boston, Massachusetts, and after their mar- 
riage they removed to Upper Canada, where Mr. 
Baker engaged in farming until 1838. He then 
went with his family to Winnebago county, set- 
tling on a farm in Owen township, on wdiat was 
known as the old Dr. Baker place. He was a 
physician, having studied medicine in the east 
in his earlv life, and became one of the first prac- 
titioners in this county. He practicd here in 
Owen township, and also engaged in farming 
throughout the remainder of his days. He died 
(in the old homestead farm there June 15, 1868. 
His widow afterward removed to Rockford, and 
spent her last days in the home of her son Henry, 
passing away January 19, 1874. 

Henry L. Baker was only ten years old when 
brought by his father to this county, and in his 
youth he attended the district schools near the 
home farm. He was ambitious to learn, and was 
always at the head of his class. When not busy 
with his books, he assisted his father in the work 
on the farm, until the latter's death, after which 
he purchased the home property from the other 
heirs. He continued to reside upon the farm 
until his health failed, and he was an enterpris- 
ing, practical and prosperous agriculturist. .\t 
length he retired to private life, removing to the 
city of Rockford ^larch 7, 1873. He was in 
hopes that his health might be benefited by his 
rest, but he grew gradually worse, and passed 
away on the nth of September, 1873. 

Mr. Baker was married in Iowa to Miss Cas- 
sandra Cottrell, a native of McLean county, Illi- 
nois, born March 11, 1837. Her parents were 
William and ]\Iargaret (Ellington) Cottrell. 
Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother 
of Kentucky, and throughout his entire life he 
followed farming. He removed from his native 
state to Illinois, and afterward to Iowa, finally 
settling on a farm in Kansas, where both he and 



3-6 



I'AST AND PRESEXT OF WIWEBAGO COUXTV. 



liis wife died. .Mr. and .Mrs. I'.aker w i.m\- the 
parents of four children: Daniel \\ .. who 
wedded Mary S. (jorhani. and is a carpenter, re- 
sidinij at Xo. 120(> I'arnielee street, in Rockfonl: 
.Alice is the wife of William Jenks. a farmer re- 
sidiiii^ near Kuckford : Marietta is the wife of 
E. L". I'.easlcv. of Wisconsin: and William H. 
married (ieorg^ia Countryman, and they reside 
with her mother in Rockfonl. .Mr. Countryman 
iKinji in the em])loy of Mart & I'a^e. Tliey have 
three children. Clyde, (llenn and Marguerite. 

Mr. I'.aker was interested and active in com- 
munity affairs, and his fellow townsmen, rccog- 
nizinjj his worth and ability, called him to ])ublic 
office. He served in several township positions 
in ( )wen township, and was a stanch rei)ul)lican 
in |)olitics. lie helonged to the .Masonic fraternity 
in Rtickford. and ho and his family attended the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He was a man re- 
liable in business, and his energy, close ap])lica- 
tion and strong ])urpose enabled him to become 
a prosperous farmer, and one wdiose success was 
well merited. His death was deeply regretted 
by many friends, and most of all by his family, 
for he was a devoted husband and father. 

Since her husband's death .Mrs. I'.aker has sold 
the farm, which C(jm])rised one hundred and fif- 
ty-eight acres of land, and purchased her present 
home in Rockford at Xo. 1440 lllaisdcll street, 
where she resides with the family of her daugh- 
ter. She e.xpccts to make Rockford her ])erma- 
net home, and she is well and favorably known 
here. 



W I 



[. X. (.ARRRTT 



Will X. (iarrett, the ])resent assessor oi Ciuil- 
ford township, who has capably served in other 
official positions, re])resents one of the old and 
])rominent pioneer families of Winnebago county. 
The farm which he owns has been in |)ossession 
of the family since it was entered from the gov- 
ernment by his grandfather. TlKjmas ( iarrett, 
during the administration of John Tyler as presi- 
dent of the L'nited States in 1841. Thomas dar- 
rett was tlie first shoemaker of Rockford and re- 
mained in that city, working at his trade for 
about two years, after which he removed to the 
farm. He there continued to follow^ shoemak- 
ing to Some extent, but gave much of his atten- 
tion to the cultivation and improvement of his 
land, developing a good farm projjcrty, upon 
which he resided up to the time of his death, 
which occurred in June. 1873. when he was sev- 
enty-six years of age. His wife was Margaret 
Kervish. who died in I'ebruary. i8-_v They 
were both natives of the Isle of Man, and they 
came to .-\merica in 1827. settling first at I'aines- 
ville. I )bio. where they lived tmtil 18^8, when 



tiiey removed to j\(]ckf(ir(l. and .Mr. ( iurrcU thus 
became identified with its business interests as 
proprietor of its first shoe shop. I'oth he and 
his wife were members of the Methodist church. 

Thomas (iarrett. father of our subject, was 
born on the Isle of Man in 1827, and was there- 
fore an infant when brought by his parents to 
the new world. His boyhood and youth were 
passed in t )hio and in Winnebago county, and in 
early life he learned the trade of blacksmith and 
wagon-maker in Rockford, serving his appren- 
ticeship under Henry .Morton. Later he worked 
for the firm of I'rink & Waller, of the stage 
Company, being employed by them for several 
years at Rockford as an e.x])ert shoer of horses. 
Later he followed his trade in Xew Milford for 
eighteen years before locating on his farm and 
his last years were sjjent upon the old home- 
stead, his attention being given to agricultural 
pursuits. He dietl here January 19. 1900. when 
about seventy-three years of age. He had been 
married in ( )hio on the 6th of June. 1852, to 
Miss Mary .\nn Radcliffe, who was born in Le- 
roy. Lake count\-. ( )hio. in January. 1833. her 
|)arents being Thomas and Mary ( Kervish ) 
Radcliffe. .She was reared in ( )hio uj) to the- 
lime of her marriage, and then accompanied iier 
husband to Rockford. and she now resides ui)on 
tile home farm with her son Will, who is an (juK 
chil.l. 

Will X. (iarrett was reared in Milford until 
1871, when his parents removed to a farm in 
(iuilford townshi]3. He sup])lemenle(l his early 
educational jirivileges by study in Rockford llusi- 
ness College and the Commercial liistitute there, 
after which he took up farming, which he has 
Cfintinuously followed lo the present time. He 
was marrieil at Cherry X'alley, on .Xew Year's 
day of 1878. to Miss Carrie 11. Crosby, who w'as 
luirn there in 1861, her parents being Sidney and 
Julia (Daggett) Crosby. Her mother was born 
at Xewburg, I'oone county. Illinois, May 28, 
1840. and is now residing in Iherry X'alley. Her 
father was a native of the lvm])ire state, born 
near Schenectady. Xew York, in 1831. and com- 
ing thence to Xewburg, IJoone county, Illinois, 
when a young man. He was a car()enter by trade 
and followed that ]>ursuit until his death, which 
occurred Se]itember 13, Kpi, in C'herrv N'alley. 
where he resided continuously from the lime of 
his marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby were the 
parents of six children, of whom Mary died in 
infancy about twenty-six years ago. 'The others 
are .\. E. Crosby, who is living in norlhern Xe- 
braska : Mrs. (iarrett: l-llizabeth. the wife of 
I'" rank ( iarrett. of Cherry \alley : I lenry F., of 
.Sw^ift county, Minnesota: and (ieorge, who is 
living with bis mother in Cherry Valley. The 
maternal grand])arents of Mrs. (iarrett were .\sa 
ami I'.lizaluth (llarnes) Daggett, who went to 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, 



377 



Boone county, Illinois, in 183(1, where AIv. Dag- 
gett engaged in farming. They had previously 
been residents of Connecticut. The grandfather 
died January 8, 1848, at the age of fifty years, 
while liis wife died Jnly i. 1891. at the age of 
eighty-three years. 

Air. and Airs, darrett have become the par- 
ents of four children : .Vlma B., the wife of 
Thomas Norton, living on her father's farm, and 
now the mother of two children, Gladys and 
Dorothy, both l)orn in Rockford ; Thomas A., at 
home ; Julia, who died Alarch 5, 1902, at the age 
of sixteen years ; and Robert E., who died Alarch 
13, 1897, at the age of six months. Air. Garrett 
is a member of the local county and state granges 
and is secretary of the county grange. He also 
belongs to the Alasonic fraternity at Cherry Val- 
ley, and in politics is a stalwart republican, rec- 
ognized as one of the leaders of his party in Win- 
nebago county. He has for. many years held of- 
fice, serving in most of the township positions. 
He was township clerk for several years, was 
justice of the peace for twelve years, was school 
director for tv\'elve years, and has recently been 
elected for a second term to the office of assessor. 
He has very often served as a member of the 
election board, the town hall being located on his 
farm. In public affairs he is active, and his 
laljors have been far-reaching and beneficial, his 
devotion to the general good being above ques- 
titin. He yet resides upon the old family home- 
stead, comprising one hundred and ten acres of 
land, which has been in possession of the family 
since entered from the governemnt by his grand- 
father. 



JOHN H. DA\T^Y. Jr. 

The farming interests of Winnebago county 
find a worthy representative in John H. Davey, 
Jr.. whn is successfully carrving on general ag'!- 
cultural pursuits on section 31, Rockford town- 
ship. He has been a resident of the county 
since the i8th of June, 1854, coming to Illinois 
from Canada, to which country he had removed 
from England. Fie was born in Cornwall. Eng- 
land, September 18, 1846, his parents being John 
and Sarah (Wellington) Davev. both of whom 
spent their last days in Rockford township, the 
father's death occurring in 1896, when he was 
seventy-six years of age, while his wife passed 
away in 1894, when seventy-four years of age. 
John Davey worked on the old Galena Railroad 
during the first year of his residence in Illinois, 
receiving only ninety cents per day for his serv- 
ices, and during the succeeding thirteen years 
and a half he worked in the Bartlett flouring 
mill. He then purchased eighty acres of land, 
now owned by his son, ]. H. Davey, ]t.. and to 



the development and improvement of that place 
he devoted his energies throughout his remain- 
ing days. From the time he became a natural- 
ized American citizen he gave an unfaltering 
support to the republican party, and warmly 
espoused its principles. Both he and his wife 
commanded the esteem of all who knew them, 
being people of the highest respectabilit)'. 

John H. Davey, Jr., their only child, was a 
young lad in his eighth year when brought by 
liis parents to Winnebago comity. He began 
his education in the schools of England, but. wa; 
mostly educated on the east side of Rockford, 
being a student under Professor Freeman. He 
always remained with his parents upon the old 
homestead farm, rendering to his father in his 
boyhood days such assistance as his age and 
strength permitted. Later he performed a man's 
full duty upon the place, and he has since con- 
tinued the operation of the farm, which com- 
prises at present one hundred and thirty-five 
acres of finely improved land. All of the pres- 
ent buildings have been erected by him, and he 
has made many other substantial improvements, 
including the building of fences, the careful cul- 
tivation of his fields and the use of the best 
machinery in the care of his crops. 

Air. Davey was married in this county to A'liss 
Elizabeth Berridge, who was born in Williams 
county, Ohio, in 1848, and is a daughter of 
Charles and Harriet (Ager) Berridge, but the 
latter died during the early girlhood of Airs. 
Davey. The Berridge family were from Bed- 
fordshire, England, and located first in the state 
of New York, whence they removed to Williams 
county. (Jhio, subsequently becoming residents of 
La Grange county, Indiana, where the father of 
Mrs. Davey died. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion and the old homestead is still in possession 
of the family. There were six children, but only 
three are living: Elizabeth, the wife of our sub- 
ject; Charles, of La Grange county, Indiana, 
and Airs. Alary Arver, of Steuben county, Indi- 
ana. Tliose who have passed away are Airs. Jane 
Notstine, who died in the spring of 1905, and 
Henry and Simon, who died in Indiana. Airs. 
Davey came to Rockford on a visit in 1869, and 
three years later was married. Two children 
have blessed this union : S. J., who at the age 
of twenty-five years conducts the home farm, 
and Florence P., who is nineteen years of age, 
and is yet with her parents. 

In politics Air. Davey is an earnest repub- 
lican, but has little aspiration for office, having 
refused to accept various positions of trust and 
honor, which would have been conferred upon 
him had he consented. He has, however, served 
for the past sixteen years as trustee of New A'lil- 
ford township, and in this regard has done much 
for the material improvement of the county, 



3/8 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



favoring progressive measures al all times, and 
doing mucli for the schools, the public highways 
and all improvements that tend to promote the 
general welfare, lie and his wife and children 
are devnted and loyal members of the Centennial 
Methodist Ei)iscopal ciuirch of Uockford. 



IvDWWRD J. IIOFI'.M.W. 

Edward J. Hoffman, deceased, was one of 
the large manufacturers of Rockford. He w-as 
prominent among the business men of the city. 
where for a long period lie was closely identi- 
fied with the history of commercial jjrosperity 
here as a representative of one of its most im- 
portant business interests. He was a man of 
keen discernnient and sound judgment and his 
executive ability and excellent management 
brought to the concern with which he was con- 
nected a large degree of success. As the presi- 
dent and treasurer of the Rockford Frame and 
Fixture Company and also as the president and 
treasurer of the Cream City Mirror Plate Com- 
pany his name was known far beyond the limits 
of this county and was an honored one on com- 
mercial paper. 

A native of Prooklyn. .\ew York, Mr. Hoff- 
man was born January 15. 1863, a son of Joseph 
and Catherine Hoffman. The father was an 
engineer, and was killed in a railroad accident 
when his son, Edward J., was only four years 
of age. The mother died in Philadelphia, I'enn- 
sylvania. in 1904. Following his father's death 
Edward J. Hoffman went to live with an aunt 
who resided near Pirooklyn, Xew York, and 
there he attended the public schools and also 
studied at nights, thus acquiring a good educa- 
tion. When nineteen years of age he went to 
Boston. Massachusetts, where he secured a po- 
sition in the glass department of a lantern fac- 
tory, being there employed for some time. He 
afterward olitained a situation in lioston as a 
beveler and smoother in a inirnjr factory, and 
became an expert in that line. His efficiency and 
ability were so pronounced that he was pro- 
niotefl to the position of foreman in the factory 
at the age oi twenty-one. but when he had acted 
in that ca|)acity for a brief ])eriod lie decided 
to try iiis fortune in the west, and made his way 
to Chicago, wliere he was em])loyed in flifferent 
mirror works for a few years, becoming one 
of the most ex])erienced and capable rejjresent- 
atives of the tra<le. He afterward removed to 
Milwaukee Wisconsin, where he began business 
on his own account by the establishment of a 
small factory for the mamifaclure of mirrors. 
In this enter])rise he was associated with Henry 
Rich ancl John ( letzingor and tlu'\' (.ii'j.ii^ed in 



the business for a few years. It was then that 
P. .\. Peterson and H. H. Robinson, of Rock- 
ford, were desirous of securing the services of 
some one in Rockford to take charge of the 
Rockford Mirror Plate Works, and Mr. Hoff- 
man and Mr. Getzinger were offered the ])osi- 
tions. .Vccepting the jjroiiosition made them 
they came to Rockford and brought with them 
several of their best workmen and through the 
joint efforts of these men the Rockford I'rame 
and Fixture Com])any was organized as well as 
the Cream City Mirror l^late C()mi)any. of both 
of which Mr. IIofTman was made i)resident. The 
business increased rapidly from the beginning, 
and soon the old plant was sold and a new one 
erected. In 1898 Mr. Hoffman ])urchased the 
interest of his partner, Mr. Getzinger, with 
whom he had been associated up to that time, 
after which he became president and treasurer 
of both com])anies, and so continued up to the 
time of his death. The plant is a very extensive 
one and an anne.x has recently been built. It is 
located at the corner of Fourteenth avenue and 
Twenty-second street, and is one of the most 
extensive and important industrial concerns of 
the city. I-",m])loymenl is furnished to several 
Inmdred operators in the factory, together with 
ni,in\ office employes and traveling salesman. 
Since the death of Mr. Hoft'man his widow has 
succeeded him in the presidency of the two con- 
cerns, while J. .\. Carlstrom is treasurer and 
general manager. Frank Carlston assistant man- 
ager and .\. Erickson shi|)ping clerk. l)is]ilay 
rooms are maintained by the company in Xew 
York city. Chicago and Grand Rapids, Mich- 
igan, and the output of the factory is shipped 
from coast to coast and also to European mar- 
kets. They manufacture all kinds of ornamental 
furniture, and a glance at their catalogue, or 
better still, a visit to their warerooms shows 
that the company are producers of some of the 
finest goods in their line in the country. 

Mr. Hoffman was not only a manufacturer, 
but was also an inventor, and gave to the world 
the finest glass polishing machine ever made. 
.\fter perfecting his invention he had the ma- 
chine manufactured, and it is now in u.se in the 
Rockford factory and in the factory in Milwau- 
kee, Wisconsin. It was this invention which 
gave Mr. Hoffman his start in life, as he was 
very successful with it and realized a handsome 
])rofil u])on the work. 

Edward J. Hoffman was fir.st marrieil to 
l,izzie Mitcliel in Xew York city, and they had 
three children : Louis E., who is now attending 
St. Mary's .Academy, at St. Mary's. Kansas : 
fTenry O. and Catherine E., at home. For his 
second wife. Mr. Iloft'man married Miss .\nna 
G. Leber, a native of Xew York city, and a 
daughter of William and .\nna Leber. Her 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, 



381 



father removed to the west in 1879 and now re- 
sides in Rockford. where he is occupying a good 
position with the Cream City Mirrow Plate 
Company. He and his wife reside at No. 523 
East street. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were 
born two children : Margaret G. and Marion V., 
both with their mother. 

In 1902 Mr. Hotfman met with an accident in 
the breaking of the fork of his bicycle, from 
which he was rendered unconscious, and from 
which he never recovered. He was ill for a 
year and a half, and received the best medical 
treatment in the west, after which he was taken 
to the Geneva Sanitarium at Geneva, Illinois. 
While there he grew rapidly worse, and died 
on the 14th of February, 1904. Thus was ended 
a life of intense usefulness. In politics he was 
a republican, and was a prominent member of 
the Knights of Columbus of Rockford. He 
alwavs took a great interest in church work, be- 
ing a devout Catholic, and both he and his wife 
were members of St. James Catholic church. 
He also held membership in Germania Society 
of Rockford, and in his family he was a most 
devoted husband and father, his interest center- 
ing at his own fireside. He stood as one of the 
most prominent citizens of Rockford, having in- 
stituted one of its most modern industrial enter- 
prises. The safe, conservative policy which he 
inaugurated commended itself to the judgment 
of all, and secured to the company a patronage 
which makes the volume of trade transacted over 
its counters of great importance and magnitude. 
The prosperity of the company is certainly due 
in a large measure to Air. Hoffman, who planned 
the business methods, along which the enterprise 
is still conducted. It has been truthfully said 
that the man who pays each week over his coun- 
ters a large force of employes does more for his 
country than he who leads armed forces forth to 
battle. This was what Mr. Hoffman did, fur- 
nishing employment to many workmen, and thus 
contributing in substantial measure to the com- 
mercial activity and prosperity of his adopted 
city. He was alert and enterprising, and was, 
moreover, notably prompt and reliable, and his 
business career was such as any man might be 
proud to possess, awakening the admiration of 
his associates and of the general puljlic. 



JOHN S. PARKER. 

John S. Parker, a practical and enterprising 
farmer, living on section 28, Harlem township, 
is a native of New York, his birth having oc- 
curred in A'ienna, Oneida county. December 10, 
1 83 1. His father. Linns Parker, was born in 
Litchfield, Connecticut, in July, 1790, and when 



a young man removed to New York, settling in 
Oneida county when it was a wild and unim- 
proved region, in which many Indians still 
resided, while wild beasts roamed in the forests. 
In March, 1853, he came to Winnebago county, 
Illinois, where his remaining days were passed, 
his death occurring at the old homestead on the 
26th of November, 1876. His wife, who was 
born in Clinton, New York, April 17, 1799, died 
in Vienna, Oneida county, New \''ork, Februarv 
6, 1842. Their children were: Whitman Par- 
ker, who died in 1839; Herbert R., of Rockford, 
who was born in May, 1834, and is married and 
has a son and four daughters, and John .S.. of 
this review. 

The last named spent the days of his minor- 
ity in his native county, and in his youth acquired 
a public-school education and worked upon the 
farm. In April, 1853, he left Oneida county and 
traveled to Buft'alo by way of the Erie canal. 
There he took passage on a steamer which car- 
ried him to Chicago, and he landed on the 2d 
of May, 1853. The journey from Chicago to 
Rockford was made by rail over the Chicago & 
Galena road, Rockford being then the terminus 
of the line. He came to Harlem township where 
his family had preceded him by a few months, 
and purchased the farm where he now lives. He 
has since made his home in this locality, and is 
accounted one of the successful agriculturists of 
his communit^^ Upon his farm stands an old 
building that was known as the Buckhorn Tav- 
ern in very early days, having been built eightv- 
five years ago. There have lived upon the place 
six generations of ]\Irs. Parker's family. 

On the 1 2th of December, 1866, John S. Par- 
ker was united in marriage to Miss Anna Bar- 
tholomew, of Harlem township, a daughter of 
Edwin and Lemira (Wilder) Bartholomew, who 
were pioneer settlers of the community. The 
father was born in the state of New York, Sep- 
tember 16, 1821, and died in }ilay, 1853, while 
the mother, who was born in Jericho, A'ermont, 
August 14, 1826, died in June, 1848. Mr. Bar- 
tholomew made an overland trip to California 
at the time gold was discovered on the Pacific 
coast, and returned in the same way after a year 
spent there. In 1839 he had sailed around the 
world on a whaling ship that left the harbor of 
New Bedford, ]\Iassachusetts. Mrs. Parker was 
born July 20, 1846, in Harlem township, and by 
her marriage has become the mother of the fol- 
lowing named: James W., born January 31, 
1866. married Lula .\. Fowler, of Lena, Illinois, 
and is living in Roscoe. They have one daugh- 
ter, Welthy Louisa, born June 7, 1868, is at 
home. Eben S. Parker, born September 19, 
1877, is living with his parents. John R.. born 
January 31. 1875, died August 14, 1889. Charles 
H.. born September 5. 1887. is also at home. 



.?82 



TASr AXn PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Mr. and .\lr.s. I'arkcr arc well known in ll 
locality where they re.^ide. and have a large cir- 
cle of warm friends. I le ha.s always carried on 
general agricullnral jjursuits. and while there 
have been no exciting chapters in his life rec- 
ord his history yet displays many sterling char- 
acteristics that have won him commendation and 
respect. In jjolitics he has always been a demo- 
crat, and served for ten years as township asses- 
sor, for one year as collector, and for several 
terms as school director. He and his family 
attend the services of the Methodist l'"i)iscopal 
chnrch at I larlem. 



KdlU-KT (n.INFR. 



Robert Oliver, at one time sheriff of Winne- 
bago county, and now living retired at (k^t. 
North Avon street, after active comiectioTi with 
agricultural interests in Harrison townshi]i, was 
born July 4. 1838, in County Down. Ireland, a 
son of Adam and Mary ( )liver. His father was 
a fisherman and boat-builder, and came to Amer- 
ica in 1848 with his famil\ , establishing his 
home near Rochester, New York, .\fter coming 
to this coinitry he engaged in farming on a small 
scale. In his family were five sons and fov.r 
daughters, of whom two son.^ and three daugii- 
ters are yet living: James, who is a weallliy 
farmer of Harrison township, Winnebago coun- 
ty, owning between three and iour hundred 
acres of valuable land : Robert, of this reviijw . 
Marv Jane, the wife of James Gilmore, of Rock- 
ford : Martha, who is the widow of \\'illiam Mil- 
ler, and resides in South Dakota ; and Eliza, the 
wife of T. W. Allen, also living in South Da- 
kota. The jiarents. removing from New York 
to Illinois, both died in Harrison township, this 
county. 

Robert ( )liver was only eleven years of age 
when, with his ])arents. he came to the I'nited 
.States, antl he lived in the vicinity of Rochester. 
New York, until he had attained his majority, 
jjursning his education in the jjublic schools of 
that city. In i860 lie came with the family to 
Winnebago county, and on the <>th of Septem- 
ber of the following year in response to his 
Cfumtry's call he enlisted as a member of Com- 
])any C, Fift\-tifth Illinois X'olnnteer Infantry, 
which company carried the cr)lors of the regi- 
ment. His commanrl was assigned to the I-'irst 
P.rigadc, Second Division, I'ifteenth Armv 
(."orps, .\rmy of the Teiuiessee. At its organiza- 
tion he was made corporal, was ])rr>moted to 
sergeant May I. i8f>2: first sergeant, .'^e])tember 
I, 1862; next lieutenant to rank from .Novem- 
ber 26, 18^^(2. and after veteranizing was commis- 
sioned captain on the iith of August, 1864. Me 



lewas slightly wuunded at Siiiloh and was seriously 
injured in the right shoulder at I'.entonville. 
North (,'art)lina, March 20. 1865, and later was 
mustered out with his regiment. lie |)artici- 
])ated in thirty-two battles, and was for one hun- 
dred and twenty-seven days under fire. The 
regiment went out with nine hundred and eighty- 
seven men and officers, was furnished with one 
hundred and eighty-five recruits while in the 
south, and came home with only two hundred 
and thirty-nine members. Those who read be- 
tween the lines will gain a story of hardships 
in battle and of uian\' difficulties and privations 
borne until the ranks were so greatly dissemi- 
nated that there were scarcely more than enough 
men to make up two companies. The I'ifty-fifth 
Illinois Regiment marched thirty-three hundred 
and forty miles, traveled by rail twenty-eight 
hundred and seventy-five miles and by water 
fifty-eight hundred and fifty miles. Captain Oliver 
was in the battles of Shiloh, Russell House, the 
siege of Corinth. Chickasaw liayou. Arkansas 
Post, Snyder's P)lufF, Champion Hill, \'icksi)urg. 
Jackson, Mississippi: Tuscumbia, Alabama: 
Mission Ridge, Kenesaw ?iIountain, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro. the march to the sea. Fort Mc.M- 
hster. Savannah, South F.disto river, Charleston, 
Columbia and Ijcntonville, and was present at 
the surrender of ( iencral Johnston. He was 
mustered out at Little Rock, .\rkansas, August 
14, 18^)5. and was finally discharged at Chicago, 
on the 24th of August, 1865. 

luillowing the close of the war Captain Ol- 
iver came to Rockford, and in three days began 
feeding a tjireshing machine, working on the 
machine until fall, while the following spring 
he began farming. He rented land in Harrison 
townshi]! for three years, after which his father- 
in-law ]iurchased one hundred and twenty-two 
acres, selling it to Captain ( )liver on time. He 
also began buying other land, adding to his 
pro])ert\' until he became the owner of about 
four hundred acres. lie contimied his active 
farming operations until i8()i. meeting with 
sjilendid success in his undertakings, and then 
renting his land he removed to Rockford. where 
he has since resided. He now owns a fine home 
at No. 603 North Avon street, together with two 
hundred and thirty-three acres of fine land, well 
im])roved, in Harrison towushi]i and one Inm- 
<lre(l and sixty acres of good land in North D;i- 
kota. 

On the 2rnh of March. 1866. Captain ( )liver 
was married to Miss Jane .Atkinson, of Harrison 
township, who was born in 1840, and is a daugh- 
ter of William Atkinson, who died in 1<)03, at 
the very venerable age of ninety-one years. He 
had served as su])ervisor of Harrison township 
for seventeen consecutive years, and was a very 
prominent, influential citizen, true to every tnist 




ROBERT OLIVER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



38s 



reposed in him and active and prosperous in his 
business career. Mr. and Mrs. Ohver became 
the parents of three sons and a daughter: Wil- 
liam G., born May 26, 1868, who married Ida 
Higginbotom, and is a farmer residing in North 
Dakota; Robert C., born October 7, 1870, who 
married Pearl Lilly, and lives in North Da- 
kota ; Guy T., born September 26, 1873, who 
married Floy Shepherdson, and, like the others 
of the family, makes his home near McClusky, 
North Dakota; and Irma C, born April 10, 1881, 
the wife of S. H. Ijuchanan, of Rockford. Illi- 
nois. 

Captain (Jliver is a stalwart republican, in- 
terested in his party and its welfare, and he has 
been called to a number of public positions of 
honor and trust. He served as supervisor of 
Harrison township for four years, as assessor 
for eleven years, and in Rockford has been road 
commissioner of his township for four years, 
occupying the position at the present time. In 
1894 he was elected sheriflf of the county, and 
filled that position for four years, discharging his 
duties without fear or favor. He is a member 
of Nevius post. No. i. G. A. R.. of Rockford. and 
also of the Modern Woodmen camp and the 
Masonic lodge. All he possesses has been ac- 
quired through his own efforts, and his life his- 
tory stands in splendid exemplification of what 
can be accomplished when one has the will to 
dare and to do. He found, as others may, that 
earnest labor is the basis of prosperity, and is 
the only means whereby honorable success can 
be attained. He is highly esteemed in his com- 
munity, enjoying in full measure the good will 
of those with whom he has been associated. 



EMANT'EL STOVER. 

Emanuel Stover, deceased, was never a resi- 
dent of Rockford or Winnebago counties yet 
had many friends and acquaintances here because 
his home was always in neighboring towns and 
his family have resided in Rockford since i8gi. 
He was born in Franklin county. Pennsylvania, 
xA.pril 7, 1828, his parents being Jacob P. and 
Elizabeth ( Emmert ) Stover. The father was a 
native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and the 
mother's birth occurred in Washington county. 
Maryland. He remained during the greater part 
of his life in the place of his nativity, and 
always devoted his time and energies to farm- 
ing. Both he and his wife have now passed 
away. They were the parents of eleven children, 
but only three are now living, namely: Daniel. 
a retired manufacturer residing in Freeport. 
Illinois ; Mitchell, who owns a large fruit farm 
in Alaliama. where he makes his home ; and Mrs. 
Alargaret Middlekauf, a resident of Lyons, 
Kansas. 



Emanuel Stover olstained his education in the 
common schools of his native county and assisted 
in the work of the home farm during the period 
of his boyhood and youth. When he became 
of age his father gave him a farm in Carroll 
comity, Illinois, and he took up his abode thereon. 
Not long afterward he sought a companion and 
helpmate fc.ir life's journey, and was married 
there to Miss Sarah I. Moffitt, who was born 
in Carroll county, being one of the first white 
children born there. Her parents were Garner 
and Alary J. (Davis) Moffitt, both of whom were 
natives of Virginia. Her father cast in his lot 
with the first settlers of Carroll county, where 
he was engaged in farming until his death, 
which occurred when he was forty-nine years 
of age. His wife, long surviving him, died at 
the advanced age of eighty-two years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stover had a family of four children ; Car- 
rie Elizabeth, who died at the age of four years 
and six months : Robert, who married Edith Hull, 
and resides in Warren, Ohio, where he is super- 
intendent of a machine shop ; Porter, who died 
at the age of eighteen months ; and Frank G.. 
who married Annie Draper and was a prominent 
dentist of Rockford for a number of years, but 
has recently removed to Jonesboro, Arkansas, 
where he is now engaged in practice. 

Following his marriage Mr. Stover removed 
to Freeport, Illinois, where with his brother Dan- 
iel, he engaged in manufacturing machinery of 
all kinds, and they continued business there for 
many years. In fact Daniel is still interested in 
the enterprise. It was during that time that Mr. 
Stover was elected a member of the thirty-fifth 
general assembly of Illinois, serving in the lower 
house of the state legislature for two years. He 
proved so capable an official that he was re- 
elected for a second term of two years, and he 
left the impress of his individuality upon the leg- 
islation enacted while he was a member of the 
assembly. He afterward removed to Lanark, 
Illinois, where he organized a life insurance com- 
pany, and toward the close of the war in 1864 
he became a member of the Union army, enlist- 
ing as second lieutenant of Company B, Seventy- 
first Illinois Infantry. He served for six months 
but was ill in the hospital much of that time, and 
was discharged in Chicago in 1865. He then 
returned to Lanark, Illlinois. where he again took 
up the life insurance business in which he con- 
tinued up to the time of his death. He passed 
way April 24, 1890, at the age of sixty-two 
years and seventeen days. In politics he was a 
republican, and while he never sought office in 
the way most politicians do, he was ever loyal 
to the interests of his party, and when honored 
with ])olitical preferment was ever true to his 
duty. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen, 
also the Workmen lodge, and the Independent 



386 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Order of Odd I'Vllows. all of [.aiiark, Illinois. 
He was likewise a nicniber of the Christian 
cluirch of Lanark, and was a man of benevo- 
lent, kindly spirit, who ever jjave a helping' hand 
to the poor, lie had fjreat sympathy for the nn- 
fortnnate in distress and did whatever he could 
to promote the comfort and hai)])iness of his fel- 
lowmen. In his home. t<x). he (Iis])layed the ijen- 
tle and atTcctionate side of his nature, and lie 
was uniformly a favorite amonj,' his many friends 
and ac(|naintances. His death carries to his fam- 
ily the comfort that lie leaves behind him an 
imlarnished name and the record of a career in 
which they can take unalloyed satisfaction. In 
1891 Mrs. Stover sold her ])roperty in Lanark 
and removed to Rockford. now residing: at \o. 
713 Elm street. She is a very consistent member 
of the Central Christian church, and takes an 
active and helpful part in its work. 



THOMAS A. DEXXRV. 

Thomas A. Denney. whose history is that of a 
self-made man, risiiifj from a humble financial 
position to one of affluence thronj;!} well directed 
aTid earnest effort, is now living in ( )wen town- 
ship. He was born on the ist of Aujjust. 1834. in 
Janesville. Rock county, Wisconsin. His parents 
were Aaron and Jane (Mains) Denney. The 
father was born in r.clfast, Ireland, in 181 1. and 
was of Scoth parentage. In 1847 he crossed the 
Atlantic to .Vmerica, attracted by the improved 
business opportunities of the United States. 
Landing in New York city, he there remained 
for about five or six years, after which he 
made his way westward to Wisconsin, settling in 
Janesville, where he resided for a year. He then 
removed to Dane county, where he entered eighty 
acres of land, upon which he erected a log house. 
The land office at that time was at Mineral Point. 
He was one of the pioneer settlers of his locality 
and exjierienced all of the liardships and ]iriva- 
tions of pioneer life, but through determined ]>ur- 
pose overcame these and in due course of time 
securefl the comforts known to a more advanced 
civilization. As he ]iros|)ered in his business af- 
fairs he extended the boundaries of his farm until 
he had two hun<lred acres of rich and productive 
laufl, and in the '7ns he erected thereon a com- 
modious and substantial residence tr» replace liis 
pioneer home. He had taught school in the early 
days in the winter montlis and made grnid use of 
every opportunity to provide for his family. He 
Acted as town clerk for twenty-one years and was 
township superintendent of schools for a long 
period. In the early days the townships were ver\- 
large, but he assisted in dividing them, and he 
tof>k an active and heljiful part in many matters 



of progress ami improvement in his locality. Mr. 
Deimcy gained more than local reputation as a 
writer and was always a great reader. kee])ing 
in touch with the trend of modern thought and 
also becoming familiar with many of the lx?st 
works of literature. When a boy he committed 
to memory ])oems which he never forgot through- 
out his entire life. His political allegiance was 
given to the democracy and he advocated the prin- 
ciples ])ronnilgated by Jefferson. He died June 
iS. i8i)j5, at his home in Dane county, Wiscon- 
sin, and thus passed away one of the most honored 
and respected pioneer residents of that portion of 
the state. His widow, who was Ixirn in 181 7, 
is .still living and now makes her home with her 
son Thomas, who is the elder of the two children 
born of this familx. The daughter. Eliza. Ixirn 
December 7, 1857, is the wife of Robert Steel, 
of Mitchell county, Iowa, and they have two chil- 
dren. 

Thomas A. Denney was but an infant when 
taken by his parents to Dane county. Wisconsin, 
and in his youth he worked upon the home farm, 
assisting his father to pay off the indebtedness 
upon the place. When this was done he liegan 
saving his money and ultimatelv he purchased 
eighty acres of land, while later he bought his 
sister's and mother's interest in the old home farm, 
residing thereon until the s]iriiig of i8<;4. when he 
sold the ])roperty and crossed the line into \\'in- 
nebago comity, taking up his abode in Owen 
township. .\t that date he purchased his present 
fami coniiirising one hundred and sixty acres of 
good land. It is a desirable property, the fields 
being under a high state of cultivation, while 
many modern improvements have been placed 
thereon. 

On the 26tli of October. 1883. Mr. Denney was 
m-irried to Miss Martha H. Fitton. a daughter of 
John and Charlotte (Pilling) Fitton. both natives 
of England, whence they came to .\merica at an 
I'lrly day, Mrs. Fitton living in this country about 
twentv years prior to the arrival of him who after- 
ward became her husband. Mr. Firton worked 
for his uncle in early manhood, and following his 
marriage he rented land for a time until he was 
able to ])nrcliase a farm of eighty acres. Tfc then 
sold out an<l bought a farm of two hundred 
acres, sjiending his remaining days thereon, en- 
vaged in the raising of grain and stock uj) to the 
lime of his death, which occurred when he was 
between fifty-five and sixty years of age. In his 
famih were seven children, of whom six are liv- 
ing: Tames. Cicorge. Martin. Julia, .\melia and 
Jennie. Fraternally the father was connected 
with the Odd Fellows society, and in his political 
\iews he was a republican. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. 
Deniiev have been born five children: Robert A.. 
Alice II.. Jennie M.. Everett A. and Willard. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



387 



In politics Air. l_\-niiL-y has ahvavs been a 
stanch repnl)hcaii. and he lield various local offices 
while residinj:;- in Vermont township, Dane countv. 
He was chairman of the town board during the 
last eleven years of his residence there and was 
president of the school board for twenty-one 
years. In early manhood it was his desire to 
study medicine and follow a professional career, 
but on account of his father's financial condition 
he remained at home, assisting him in paying off 
the indebtedness on the farm. He managed to 
acquire a good education, however, by reading, 
observation and experience, supplemented bv a 
retentive memory. He has always been a strict 
abstainer from licjuor and tobacco and has done 
much to further the temperance cause. His life 
has indeed been honorable and upright, actuated 
by principles which develop upright manhood and 
which in every land and clime awaken confidence 
and inspire respect. 



AA^ILLIAM STOTHARD. 

William Stothard. who was connected with the 
business interests of Rockford as a representa- 
tive of the merchant tailoring trade, became a resi- 
dent of the city in 1853, when it was a small 
town. He was the second tailor who settled here, 
and through long years he was interested in busi- 
ness, being widely known for his efficient work- 
manshi|i and honorable dealings. He was born 
in Yorkshire. England. July 5. 1820. His father, 
Marmaduke Stothard. spent his entire life in Eng- 
land, as did his wife. In the common schools of 
his native country William Stothard obtained his 
education, and when a young man he left his 
parents' home and went to London, where he 
learned the tailor's trade. His parents and rela- 
tives were then all living in a small town near 
Manchester, and after completing his apprentice- 
ship William Stothard removed to that place, 
where he worked until 1848. when on the 
twent\-eighth anniversary of his birth he 
sailed for America. The voyage was a 
long and tedious one, as he embarked on 
the 5th of Julv and it was the 27tli 
of .Aueust when he landed at New York 
city. He at once went west to Buffalo, New 
York, where he secured employment as a mer- 
chant tailor, occup}-ing a position there until 
1S53. Thinking that he might have still better 
opportunities in the middle west he came to Rock- 
ford, and with the exception of three years spent 
in Genoa. Wisconsin, he remained a resident of 
this city until his demise, and was continuously 
connected \\ith tailoring here. 

Before leaving his native countr\- Air. Stothard 
was married to Miss Ann Newbolt. a native of 
England, who died in Bufifalo. New York. There 



were three children of that marriage: Marma- 
duke. who was a railroad man. living in Rock- 
ford, and died in Wisconsin ; Emma, deceased ; 
and one that died unnamed. Mr. Stothard was 
again married, his second union occurring in Buf- 
falo, the lady of his choice being Miss Julia Mc- 
Nally. Her birth occurred in Dublin, Ireland, on 
the 31st of August, 1826. Her father. James Mc- 
Nally. was a farmer of the Emerald isle, and died 
there during the early girlhood of his daughter, 
who afterward came to the United States with her 
mother, wdio departed this life in Rockford. There 
were eight children born unto Mr. Stothard by 
his second marriage, all natives of this city, 
namely : William, now deceased ; Jennie, who 
owns one of the leading millinerv stores of Rock- 
ford. located at No. 103 West State street, where 
she conducts a large business ; Mary, the wife of 
Charles Hinckley, of Aurora. Illinois, bv whom 
she has three children. George, Blanche and 
Charles ; John, deceased ; Thomas, who died in 
infancy ; Jidia, deceased ; Elizabeth, the wife of 
Guy Cutting, a resident of Rockford, by whom 
she has three children. Bertha, Harold and Fran- 
cis : and Sarah, the wife of Charles T. Boswell. 
a member of the firm of C. T. Boswell & Com- 
pany, druggists at No. 325 East State street. 
Thev reside with Mrs. Stothard and have two 
children, L'larence and Bernice. 

After coming to Rockford Mr. Stothard work- 
ed at his trade, being employed as cutter most of 
the time, this perhaps being the most particular 
department of the business. For a brief pe- 
riod he abandoned tailoring and became the land- 
lord of the Rockford House, but soon returned 
to his trade and conducted a large business. He 
prospered in his undertakings as the years went 
by and the hope that led him to seek a home in 
America was therefore realized. He found here 
business conditions which were favorable for men 
of ambition, willing to work, and through his 
persistency of purpose and capability he secured 
a good return for his labor. His early political 
support was given to the democracy, but during 
the last five years of his life he voted the repub- 
lican ticket, having become convinced that the 
principles of the republican party contained the 
best elements of good government. He was a 
member of the Masonic fraternity of Rockford. 
and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit 
of the craft. He was a man of intelligence, al- 
ways interested in the leading questions and issues 
of the day. kept well informed on all matters of 
general moment and devoted his leisure hours to 
reading. This trait of his character made him 
an entertaining and companionable gentleman 
and won for him the friendship of many with 
whom he came in contact through social and 
business relations. He died January 15. 1900. 
after a residence in Rockford covering nearly 



3^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXKBAC.O C.UL'XTV. 



a lialf ci-'.itiiry, during wliicli linic ho witnessed 
many changes as the city emerged fnim village- 
hduti and tcK)k on all tlie evidences of a metropoli- 
tan center. He delighted in the progress of the 
city and county and in as far as possible aided in 
the work of public ini|)rovement. Mrs. Stothard 
and her family are all members of the Centennial 
Methodist Episcopal church. She owns a i>leas- 
ant home at Xo. 512 W'ahnU street, and with her 
resides Mr. lioswell and his family. 



\\II.1.1.\.M A. ll.\LLEY. 

William .\. Ilalley. who died in Rockford <in!y 
a few months ago. belonged to one of the pioneer 
families of Winnebago county and was born in 
the village of Rockton. May 18, 185 1, his par- 
ents being William and Christina (Mackie) Hal- 
ley. The father came to this county in 1838, 
when the now pojnilous city of Rockford con- 
tained only a few houses, and he then believed 
that Rockton would become the larger town of 
the two. He therefore removed to that town- 
shi]). He was born in Fifeshire. Scotland, about 
twenty miles from Edinburgh, on the 4th of 
June, 1818, and ac(|uired a common school educa- 
tion, lie became a resident of this county in 
1838, when alxxit twenty years of age, and lived 
for a year and a half near Rockford. He then 
settled in the village in February, 1840. He was 
a tailor by trade and followed that i)ursuit, also 
haiiilling ready made clothing and he continued 
in that business for twenty years, or until i860, 
meeting with splendid success by reason of the 
liberal patronage which was accorded him. He 
then purchased five hundred acres of raw prairie 
land in ( )wen townshi)) which he improved, mak- 
ing a splendid ])ropcrty. He |)lanted many trees 
upon this j)Iace and also raised trees from the 
scefl. His farming ojjerations were also attended 
with success and, making additional purchase, he 
had at one tiine more than one thousand acres of 
land. He was a worthy pioneer settler of this 
locality, aifling greatly in the reclamation of the 
wild land for the purposes of civilization and his 
efforts contributed in substantial measure to the 
])rogress and improvement of the locality. His 
fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and 
ability, fre(|uently called him to office. He was 
the first town clerk in Rockton township, also 
served as supervisor and assessor and was like- 
wise justice of tlie peace. He was one of the 
first supporters of the whig party in the country 
and cast his ballot for William Henrv Harrison. 
On the organization of the new republican partv 
he became f>ne of its stanch advocates and voted 
for .Abraham Lincoln. He was married Decem- 
ber 4. 1846. to Christina Mackie. who is now 
living at the age of ninety-two years. In their 



family were three chilren. They live m me same 
house with their son, T. R. Ilalley, a prosperous 
farmer of Uwen township. 

William A, Ilalley was a stutlent in the public 
.schools of Rrjckton in his early youth but was 
only nine years of age when his parents removed 
to Owen township and he afterward became a 
public school student in Rockford, thus acquir- 
ing a good education. In his boyhood days he 
assisted in the operation of the home farm in 
Owen townshi]) and later he began farming on 
his own account. Subsequent to his marriage he 
purchased land in that townshi]) and was en- 
gaged in its cultivation and in the improvement 
of the farm until about 1900, when he suffered 
from ill health and gave up hard work. He was 
not afterward actively engaged in general agri- 
cultural ]jursuits but continued to make his home 
u])on his farm and suiiervisc its operations until 
March. 1905. when he removed to Rockford. 

Tn 1883. \Ir. Halley was married to Miss Sarah 
J. Armstrong, a native of Owen township, 
and a daughter of Archibald and Eliza 
(Newburn) .\rmstrong, both of whom were 
natives of Ireland, whence they came to 
.\merica. settling first in Pennsylvania. They 
afterward left the east and at an early day 
became residents of Winnebago county, taking u]) 
their abode in Owen township, where the father 
was actively engaged in farming until his later 
years, when he lived retired until his death in 
1893, when he was seventy-seven years of age. 
His wife passed away in 1877. at the age of sixty- 
two years, and further mention of them is made 
on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. 
Halley became the ])arents of one daughter. 
.Mice, who is now a student in Rockford and re- 
sides with her motlur. 

.\s before stated. .Mr. Ilalley continued to en- 
gage in farming from the time of his marriage 
until his removal to Rockford. His health grew 
worse in the city until on the 6th of June. 1905. 
he ])asse(l away. He voted with the republican 
])arty but had no desire for office, his attention 
lieing given during his active business life to his 
farming interests, whereby he acquired a hand- 
.some com])etencc, being thus enabled to leave 
his family in very easy financial circumstances. 
His widow owns a nice home at X11. 1523 School 
street and yet owns the old homestead farm of 
four hundred acres in Owen township, which is 
said to be one of the finest in the count v. 



ROBERT MEYER. 



The growth of Rockford has been marvelous, 
es|)ecially along manufacturing lines, until the 
city is to-day one of the leading productive cen- 
ters of the middle west. In the control of cxten- 




''C^ 




PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAlJO COL'XTY, 



391 



sive and important interests are men of marked 
enterprise, keen discernment, executive force and 
splendid business ability, and to their labors the 
development of Rockford is due. Mr. Meyer, a 
representative of this class, is now general man- 
ager for the Rockford Glass Bending Works, the 
only enterprise of this character in the state. 

A native of south Germany, he was born in 
1862, and, having acquired his education in the 
schools of the fatherland, he afterward learned 
his trade in that country, becoming familiar with 
all departments of glass manufacturing. He 
came to America in 1877, then a youth of fifteen 
years, and has followed glass bending continu- 
ously since. He removed to Rockford from St. 
Louis, where he had previously followed his 
trade. In that city he was with the Western 
Glass Bending Company, and also the Oyer Glass 
Bending Company, and his long experience well 
qualified him for the work which he undertook 
in Rockford. He located here in April, 1899, 
establishing his plant, which is the only one of 
the kind in the state. It was built after the com- 
pany was organized and they now have three 
furnaces, which are in constant operation, being 
run night and day. Employment is furnished to 
about twenty-five men, and the output of the fac- 
tory finds a ready and profitable sale on the mar- 
ket. The plant is located at the corner of Tenth 
avenue and Tenth street, and j\Ir. Meyer has en- 
tire charge of the business, which he is develop- 
ing along modern lines and in conformity with 
strict commercial ethics, so that the house sus- 
tains a very enviable reputation. 

In 1884 Mr. Meyer was united in marriage, in 
St. Louis, to Miss Sophia Schmidt, and thev 
have six children : Henry, who is employed in 
the glass works, is married, and resides in Rock- 
ford : Otto, who is also working at the factory; 
Lena. Robert. Emma and Albert, all at home. 
Politically, ^Ir. Meyer is a republican, interested 
in the success and welfare of his party, but never 
desiring office as a reward for party fealty. He 
belongs to Rockford lodge. No. 689. I. O. O. F., 
and his religious views are in accord with Prot- 
estantism. The family home is at Tenth avenue 
and Tenth street, and I\Ir. and Mrs. Meyer have 
made many friends during their residence in 
Rockford. and Mr. Meyer has won for himself 
favorable regard in business circles here. 



MILTON TODD. 



Milton Todd, a self-made man, who has be- 
come a large landowner with holdings in Rock- 
ford, Owen and Harrison townships, makes his 
home on section i, Burritt township, on a tract 
of land of one hundred and seventy acres. He 
was born September 6, 1847, his parents being 



Jonathan and Hannah P. (N'adakinj Todd. The 
father was bom in New Jersey, April 20, 1826, 
while the mother's birth occurred in Wayne 
county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 181 9. Thev 
came to the west in 1855, and the father bought 
the homestead farm in Harrison township. 
Throughout his active business career he carried 
on general agricultural pursuits, and he passed 
away April 13, 1871, being long survived by his 
wife, who died January 5, 1894. In their familv 
were the following named : George R., who is 
living in Harrison township and has three chil- 
dren ; Daniel, a resident of Burritt township, who 
is married and has two children ; Mrs. Marilla 
Mofifatt, the wife of R. N. Mofi'att, of Harrison 
township ; and Milton. 

The last named, a native of Liberty Corners, 
Somerset county, New^ Jersey, was a lad of about 
eight }'ears when brought by his parents to the 
west, and upon the home farm in Harrison town- 
ship he was reared, early becoming his father's 
assistant in the labors and duties that fall to the 
lot of the agriculturist. He lived in Harrison 
township for twenty-eight years and then re- 
moved to his present home on section i, Burritt 
township, where he has resided for twenty-two 
years. In his farm work he has prospered, and 
as the years have gone by he has added to his 
possessions, becoming the owner of one hundred 
and seventy acres. He has for some time made 
a specialty of growing seed com and of manu- 
facturing syrup. At the present time he is prac- 
tically living retired, leaving the active work of 
the farm to his son, although he gives general 
supervision to the place. Working persistently 
and energetically year after year, his rest is now 
justly deserved, and his extensive possessions are 
the visible evidence of his life of well directed 
industry. 

On the 2d of July, 1879, Mr. Todd was married 
to ]\Iiss Eliza K. ]\icDougall. of Burritt township, 
a daughter of D. C. and Jessie B. McDougall. 
Her father was a native of Perthshire, Scotland, 
and became a resident of Harrison township, this 
county, in 1851. Soon afterward, however, he re- 
moved to Burritt township, and as the years 
passed became an extensive landowner. He is 
now living a retired life in Rockford, possessing 
a handsome competence that enables him to enioy 
all the comforts and many of the luxuries that 
go to make life worth living. He wedded Jessie 
B. Patterson, who was born in Scotland. Thev 
were married in that country, and the year 185 1 
witnessed their removal to the United States. 
Mrs. McDoug-all. however, departed this life on 
the home farm in Burritt township. ]\Iay 15. 1900. 
In their family were the following named : John 
McDougall, a resident of Burritt township, who 
married Kate McGonegal. and has five children ; 
Tames McDougall, of Shirland township, who 



39-' 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



married Ellen Al. Scott, and has tlirce children ; 
Arthur .McDougall, of Burrilt township, who 
married Isahelle Lidell, and has five children ; and 
Jennie, who became the wife of S. B. Wallace, 
and died July 23, 1892, leaving two children. 
The other member of the family is Mrs. Todd, 
who was evlucated at Lownslnirg- Academy in 
Rock ford and followed teaching from the age of 
eighteen to twenty-three years. Of the four chil- 
dren born to .Mr. and Mrs. Todd, Ella J. died at 
the age of ten years and Arthur died at the age of 
fourteen years. Those still living are: Jessie 
M., who was born in Harrison township, Septem- 
ber 6, 1880, and is the wife of J. .M. Harcourt. of 
Rock ford : and Ira D.. who was torn January 14, 
1883, and is living at home, largely relieving his 
father of the work of the farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. Todd belong to a progressive 
class of people who believe in living in the pres- 
ent and not in the past, and who are continually 
abreast with the modern march of progress and 
improvement. They have many warm friends in 
the community and are highly esteemed by all 
who know them, while the hospitality of their 
own home is greatly enjoyed by many. Mr. Todtl 
is an ardent republican in his political views, and 
for sixteen years has served as school director, 
while for nine years he was justice of the peace, 
discharging his duties in a manner strictly fair 
and impartial, so that his official service has been 
creditable to himself and satisfactory to his con- 
stituents. 



FRANK M. BAUDER. 

Frank M. Bauder, residing in New Milford, 
where he is engaged in farming and in the raising 
of early garden products, came to this county in 
October, 1854, from Fort Plains, Montgomery 
county. New York. He was there born and was 
only a year and a half old when brought to Illi- 
nois by his parents. Peter G. and Julia A. 
(Allen) Bauder, who on emigrating to the west 
brought with them a number of fine sheep. They 
si)cnt their remaining days in Winnebago county 
and for a number of years resided at Rockford. 
but afterward returned to New Milford, where 
they passed away, the father dying July i, 1903. 
at the advanced age of eighty-five years, while 
his wife died on the "th of December, 1900, at 
the age of eighty-two. He was a farmer and 
stockman, raising and handling sheep and wool, 
lie bought wool for a numl)cr of years, finding 
this a profitable department of his business in- 
terests. He owned the farm on section 23 and 
26. New Milford township, that is now the prop- 
erty of his son, Frank M. Bauder, having about 
one hundred and twenty acres of rich land. He 
became well known as an extensive stock-dealer 



and for years he attended the dairy state fairs in 
Iowa and Illinois, exhibiting his high grade and 
thoroughbred sheep. He did much to improve 
the standard of sheep raised in this section of the 
country and thereby greatly promoted the pros- 
perity of the agricultural class. In his family 
were four sons: J. J., who is now living re- 
tired in New Milford; George M., who is en- 
gaged in the livery business in Chicago ; Charles, 
who was killed by being thrown from a horse 
in his boyhood days in New York ; and Frank M. 

Frank M. Bauder was reared in this county, 
living on the home farm in New Milford town- 
ship for over fifty years. Having acquired a 
conunon-school education he started out in life 
on his own account and whatever success he has 
achieved is due entirely to his own cff'orts. He 
was married here to Miss Mary J. Graham, who 
was born in northern Ireland and is a daughter 
of \\'illiam and .\gnes fPieggs) Graham, who 
came to Kishwaukee, this county, about 1858 and 
has since resided here. Her father was a farmer 
and shoemaker by trade, and his death occurred 
about 1885, when he was sixty years of age. 
His widow, now more than eighty years of age, 
still resides in this county. Mrs. Bauder was one 
of a family of six daughters and four sons, of 
whom eight are living: Hugh, a resident farmer 
of Cherry \'alley township: William John, of the 
same township ; Mrs. Sarah Cassidy. of that town- 
ship : Mary J.: Thomas, of New Milford; Mrs. 
Maggie Lacy, of Davis Junction, Ogle county ; 
Mrs. .-Vsa Kinson ; George, a farmer of New Mil- 
ford ; Jennie, who died at the age of three years ; 
and Jeannctte. who died in infancy. 

Politically Mr. Bauder is a republican, who 
has served as school director and in other local 
offices. His wife is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and both are well known in 
the locality where they have long resided. In 
his business affairs. Mr. Bauflcr has proposed and 
in connection with general farming he has been 
engaged in the poultry business for a number of 
years, handling several breeds of fine chickens, 
including Cochins. Brahmas and Leghorns, which 
he has exhibited at the St. Louis and Chicago 
fairs and also in Iowa, winning various pre- 
miums. He formerly devoted considerable 
attention to the raising of Poland China hogs and 
he is now engaged also in the raising of vege- 
tables for the market. His business interests are 
well conducted and he is now a prosperous resi- 
dent of his localitv. 



SOLOMON JENKS. M. D. 

No history of Roscoc township would be com- 
plete without mention of Dr. Soliimon Jenks. 
who was the pioneer physician in his part of the 




MRS. F. M. BAUDER. 





P. G. BAl'DER. 



MRS. P. G. BAUDER. 




F. M. BAUDER. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



395 



county. He was born in N'crniont in 1796, and 
when about six or seven years of age accompa- 
nied his parents on their removal to Rhode 
Island, where he was reared to manhood. He 
supplemented his public school education by a 
course of study in the medical school at Pitts- 
field. Massachusetts, and. following his gradua- 
tion, he sought a field of labor in the middle 
west, going first to Ohio, where he continued in 
active practice for some time. He was married 
in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and soon afterward 
came to Illinois, arriving in Winnebago county 
in 1839. He was the first physician to locate in 
Roscoe township, and for several years he prac- 
ticed there, meeting the usual experiences of the 
physician upon the frontier, who, because of the 
sparsely settled district, must needs take long 
drives under the summer's sun or through the 
winter's cold, counting no personal sacrifice too 
great if it would enable him to advance the wel- 
fare of his fellowmen by reason of his profes- 
sional skill and abilit}-. 

Dr. Jenks was married to Miss Lydia Walker, 
a native of North Adams. Massachusetts, and 
they became the parents of fourteen children, in- 
cluding Mrs. Ransom, of Roscoe, who was the 
fifth member of the family, and to whom we are 
indebted for the material furnished for the sketch 
of her parents. One son of the family. Captain 
George W. Jenks, -who raised a company at Van- 
dalia, Illinois, for service in the Civil war, was 
commissioned its commander. (3f the fourteen 
children only three are now living: Mahala. 
who became Mrs. Ransom ; Mrs. Gertrude Bill- 
ings and Mrs. Alma Lawrence. Mahala was 
married to Dr. G. P. Ransom, of whom mention 
is made in connection with the sketch of Dr. Penn 
W. Ransom, of Rockford. on another page of this 
work. 

Dr. Jenks departed this life in Roscoe in 1842. 
at the age of forty-six. while his wife, returning 
to Ohio, died in Saybrook. Ashtabula county, at 
the age of fifty-six years. They were worthy 
pioneer people of this part of the state, and are 
yet remembered by some of the earliest settlers 
of \\'innebago countv. 



ELLIS ANDREW 



Ellis Andrew, retired from agricultural pur- 
suits and now living in Rockford, was born 
in England in 1838, his parents being William 
and Hannah Andrew, who in 1846 made their 
way across the briny deep to the new world, 
landing at Rhode Island, wdiere they remained 
for four years. During that time the father came 
to Burritt township, Winnebago county, and pur- 
chased thirty acres of land from the government. 
He then returned to New England, and in i8^o 



brought his family to Illinois, settling upon the 
little farm which he had prepared. He spent 
his remaining da3's in Burritt township, and a» 
the years went by his labors were not only prac- 
tical and progressive, but also profitable, and 
he became the owner of two hundred and sixt\' 
acres of land. Both he and his wife were inden- 
tified with the church of England. Thev were 
the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine 
reached years of maturity, while Ellis and three 
sisters are now living, namely : Airs. Chapman, 
who resides on Winnebago street in Rockford ; 
one living in Missouri ; and another in Iowa. 

Ellis Andrew acquired but a limited education, 
for when only eight years of age he began earn- 
ing his own living, and has always followed 
farming. He remained at home until twenty- 
eight years of age, and in 1866 was united in 
marriage to Miss Ellen Rudd, who was born in 
Erie count}-, New York, November 5, 1842, her 
iiarents being Joel and Caroline (Estee) Rudd. 
The father was born in Aliddletown. \'irginia, 
February 7, 1794, and the mother in Salem, New 
York, February 4, 1807. In 1846 Mr. and Mrs. 
Rudd removed to the west, and the former fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits in Burritt township, 
where he owned and operated sixty acres of 
good land up to the time of his death, which 
occurred February 25, 1856. He was survived 
by his wife until February 17, 1874. His three 
daughters are all living, namely : Airs. E. 
Cushman. a resident of Rockford ; Mrs. Clarissa 
( )akley, of Durand ; and Airs. Andrew. Unto 
our subject and his wife have been born two 
sons. Lewis J., born January 2, 1869. was a 
student in Oregon, Illinois, for three years, and 
afterward attended the Chicago Dental College, 
from which he was graduated in April. 1899. 
since which time he has practiced in Rockford. 
having an oflice at the corner of Wyman and 
State streets. Charles A., born October 3, 1870, 
and attended college in C)regon, Illinois, for a 
year. He married Aliss Bertha A. Davis, of Bur- 
ritt township, and has one child, Verna L.. born 
Alav 22, 1902. He is now successfully follow- 
ing farming in Burrit township. 

After his marriage Air. Andrevv of'this review 
engaged in operating land on the shares from 
1866 until 1874 and in the latter year his mother- 
in-law died, after which he purchased a farm of ' 
sixty acres which she had previously owned, and 
of which he retained possession until a short time 
ago, when he sold to his son. He kept adding 
to it from time to time until the farm comprised 
one hundred and seventy-five acres, and of this 
he still has one hundred acres, but in 1899 he 
retired from active business life and took up his 
abode in Rockford, where he rented a house for 
four years, and then in 1903 bitilt the home 
which he now occupies at No. 837 North Hors- 
man street. 



396 



PAST AXn PRESENT OF WTXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



Voting with the rqnibHcan ])ariy. .Mr. .\ii- 
drcw keeps well iiifonned on the (Hiesticnis and 
issues of the daw and has served as highway 
commissioner and constable. He is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at- 
tends the Court Street Methodist church, of 
which his wife is a member. Tie gained the 
greater part of his projjerty through his own 
efforts, and his life record ])roves the force and 
value of industry and perseverance in the active 
affairs of life, lie is not only a self-made, but 
also a self-educated man, and keeps thoroughly 
informed concerning the leading questions and 
interests of the day. lie was but eight years 
of age when he came with his jjarcnts to Amer- 
ica, and for more than a half century he has 
resided in Winnebago county. 



.\RTEMUS C. TIIORNE. 

.\rtemus C. Thorne is the present townsliijj 
clerk of Winnebago township, and also the vil- 
lage clerk. He has filled the former position for 
thirty-three years, and no higher testimonial of 
his capability and fidelity could be given than 
the fact that he has so long been retained in 
office. lie has lived in Wiimebago county since 
1858, locating at that time in Durand, where he 
resided for one year, since which time he has 
made his home at Winnebago, lie is a native 
of Oneida county. New York, born in 1848, his 
parents being C. .\. and Angelinc ( Grii)])en ) 
Thome, who came to Winnebago county, where 
they resided for several years, and here the 
father died in 1859. The mother afterward re- 
moved to Nebraska, spending her last days in 
Fairmont, where her death occurred in 1879. I" 
their family were two daughters. Mrs. Chambers 
Atwood, now living in Rawlins county, Kansas, 
being the only survivor with the exception of 
the subject of this review, who is the only son. 
Mrs. Celestia Treadwell died in Nebraska. A. C. 
Thorne was about ten years of age when he be- 
came a resident of W'inncbago county, and since 
1864 he has lived in the town of Winnebago. He 
was a youth of only sixteen when, in 1864, he 
responded to his country's call for troo|)s, enlist- 
ing in Company I, One Hundred and Fortieth 
Illinois Infantry. In February, 1865, he joined 
Com|)any F, ( )ne Himdred and h^ifty-sixth Illi- 
nois infantry, and was discharged as second 
lieutenant. Returning to the north when the 
country no longer needed his aid, he settled in 
Winnebago, and for the past thirty-five years he 
has been engaged in carpentering. In this way 
he has aided in the construction of many of the 
leading structures in the town and surrounding 
districts, and he has through his business, official 



and social relations become well acquainted with 
])racLically every resident of the township. He 
lias long been a recognized leader in the ranks 
of the re])ublican party, ami has served on the 
election board of the town for the past thirty- 
four years. He has for a third of a century been 
township clerk of W'innebago township, .Tnd at 
this writing is also filling the position of village 
clerk. 

In i8(>8 Mr. Thorne was united in marriage 
to Miss Martha Benedict, who was born in the 
western part of New York, near Auburn, and 
came to this county in 1865. They have three 
daughters and one son, the last named being C. 
.\. Thorne, who is a conductor on the Chicago 
& Northwestern Railroad. The daughters are 
Mrs. L'. (i. Dennison. whose husband is a drug- 
gist of Winnebago: Mrs. B. Faulkner, whose 
husband is a farmer of Seward township : and 
Mrs. E. J. Foley, whose husband is agent for the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company at 
("lilberts, Illinois. Fraternally Mr. Thorne is 
])rominent. being a valued reijresentalive of va- 
rious lodges. He holds membership relations 
with tile Masons, Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica, the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of the 
(ilobe and the Good Teiii])lars, and he is also 
a member of the Neviiis ])ost. No. I, G. A. R., 
of Rockford. I lis wife holds membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and the family at- 
tend services there. Mr. Thorne certainly needs 
no introduction to the readers of this volume, 
being .so well known here, and he is a popular 
citizen, whose good (jualities have gained him 
warm regard, the circle of his friends being 
almost co-extensive with the circle of his ac- 
quaintance. 



ROBERT FALCONER. 

Robert Falconer, deceased, for many years a 
farmer of Winnebago township, was practical in 
his methods, successful in his work. He was 
born in Rosshirc, Scotland, February i, 1832, and 
with his parents, Hugh and Catherine (McDon- 
ald) Falconer, came to America in 1848, being 
at tliat time about sixteen years of age. The 
family was established in Rockford township, 
Winnebago county, and about seven years later, 
in 1855. they removed to Winnebago township. 

Robert Falconer remained under the parental 
roof through the period of his minority, aided 
his fatlier in the work of the home farm and ulti- 
mately came into possession of the old family 
homestead, to which he added until he owned the 
one hundred and fifty-three acres which are now 
in possession of his widow. His father, Hugh 
Falconer, died January 8, 1867, being long sur- 
vived bv the mother, who passed away December 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



397 



15, 1885. ^[r. Falconer, as a companion and 
helpmate for life's journey, chose Aliss Anna 
Ross, who was born in Rosshire, Scotland, in 
July, 1853, one of nine children of Crawford and 
Catherine (McDonald) Ross, both of whom died 
in Scotland in 1903, when more than eighty years 
of age. Mr. and Airs. Falconer became the 
parents of seven children : Robert H.. born No- 
vember 5, 1876; Donald, October 23, 1878; Jessie, 
August 10. 1880; Ross, JMarch 31, 1882; Mar- 
garet, April 14, 1884; Catherine J., April 20. 
1886; and Joseph E., November 6, 1891. All 
are still at home with their mother save Jessie, 
who is now the wife of Cassius Gardner. 

Throughout his entire business career Robert 
Falconer followed the occupation of farming, and 
liis place became finely improved and was success- 
fully operated. It is a valuable tract of land, and 
he was thus enabled to leave his family in com- 
fortable circumstances. His political views ac- 
corded with republican principles and he did all 
in his power to promote the growth and insure 
the success of his party, yet he was never a poli- 
tician in the sense of ofifice-seeking. However, 
for over twenty-four years he filled the postion 
of school director in district 98, formerly district 
No. 5. He attended the Congregational church, 
of which Mrs. Falconer and most of her children 
are members. His death occurred April 18, 1899, 
upon the old homestead farm, and was the occa- 
sion of deep regret, not only in his immediate 
family but also among his friends, for he had 
gained a wide and favorable acquaintance during 
the long years of his residence here, covering a 
period of more than half a century. Mrs. Fal- 
coner, with the aid of her sons, now operates 
the farm, which is a well equipped property, con- 
ducted along modern lines of agricultural devel- 
opment. 



AUGUST \y. LARSON. 

August W. Larson, the senior member of the 
firm of A. W. Larson & Company, meat dealers 
of Rockford, has been a resident of this city 
since 1890. He was born in Vestergotland, Swe- 
den, in 1873, his parents being Lars and Christina 
CKling) Johnson. The father was a carpenter 
by trade and followed that pursuit in Sweden 
up to the time of his death, which occurred in 
1887. His widow still survives and is living in 
Rockford, at the age of seventy-eight years. She 
came to the LTnited States about fifteen years ago 
and has since made her home in this city. In 
the family were eight children, all of whom are 
yet living, namely : Charles, who is employed 
in the car shops of the Illinois Central Railroad : 
Gustafif, an upholsterer and furniture dealer liv- 
insr in Kewanee, Illinois ; Mrs. Anna Eklund. of 



Rockford ; Hulda, the wife of C. A. Carlson ; 
Alfred, who is superintendent and president of 
the Co-operative Furniture Company of Rock- 
ford : Robert, who is a cabinet-maker by trade 
and is a stockholder in the Co-operative Furni- 
ture Company ; Albert, who is in the grocery 
store of P. O. Anderson & Company ; and 
August W. 

In taking up the personal interest of August 
W. Larson we present to our readers the record of 
one who has made consecutive advancement since 
entering upon his business career empty-handed 
at an early age. He was educated in the common 
schools of Sweden and after coming to America 
learned the trade of wood-car^-ing. He was a 
young man of seventeen years when with his 
mother he crossed the Atlantic to America and 
became a resident of Rockford. Realizing that 
in America where labor is not hampered by caste 
or class he might have better opportunities for 
business advancement, he resolutely set to work 
here to gain a start in life and after working at 
his trade for some time he embarked in his present 
business in 1897, now having a large meat market 
at No. 620 Seventh street, where he is associated 
with August Eklund. They have built up an 
excellent business and are now prospering, having 
a commodious, comfortable and model market. 
Their business methods, too, are such as to com- 
mend them to the confidence and patronage of the 
public and their worth in trade circles is widely 
acknowledged. 

]\Ir. Larson was married to Miss Hulda Eng- 
lund. who was born in Indiana, in 1875, 3^"d is a 
daughter of Charles Englund, who now resides at 
No. 1723 Qiarlotte street, Rockford. They have 
two children, Leroy William and Florence Irene, 
aged respectively four and two years. The family 
home is at 1007 Sixth street, and their residence 
is a very attractive and pleasant one. Mr. Larson 
is connected with the ]\Iission Tabernacle, — which 
indicates his religious views, and his political sup- 
port is given to the republican party. He is a 
strong advocate of temperance principles and of 
all movements that tend to alleviate mankind. 
His own life is honorable and upright, actuated 
by high motives and commendable principles. He 
is firm in support in what he believes to be right 
and stands for justice and truth in man's rela- 
tions with his fellowman. 



STEPHEN W. TANNER. 

In this enlightened age when men of energy, 
industrv and merit are rapidly pushing their way 
to the front, those who bv their individual efiforts 
have won favor and fortune may properly claim 
recoErnition. Years ago when the west was enter- 



398 



PAST AXn I'Rl-.Sr.XT OF W IXXl'.r.ACo CorXTV 



ing ui)oii its era of growth aiul development and 
Illinois was laying its foundation for the future 
prosperity there came to Rockford from all parts 
of the county men of sturdy independence, pos- 
sessing strong determination to succeed. Among 
this number was Stephen W. Tanner, who became 
a well known manufacturer of Rockfortl, en- 
gaged in the manufacture of all kinds of leather 
goods. He took up his abode in this city in 
1866 and his business record was in hannony 
with the spirit of the tiiues — characterized In- un- 
faltering energy and consecutive advancement. 
Horn in I,ondon, England, he represented an old 
family of that country. His parents came to 
.'Vmerica during his early youth and settled in 
Canada. The father was a veterinary surgeon, 
and engaged in the practice of his jirofession in 
Canada throughout the remainder of his days, his 
wife also departing this life there. 

S. W. Tanner was a student in the district 
schools, in addition to those of Canada, where 
his father resided, l)Ut was only a boy when his 
parents died, .\fter completing his education he 
l>egan to learn the trade of a leather manufacturer 
in Canada, being employed in different factories 
of that country as a common laborer. He saved 
his earnings anil his frugality and industry at 
length brought him ca])ital sufficient to enable 
him to engage in business on his own account 
on a small scale. For several years he conducted 
private business interests in Canada, after which 
he removed to Ashtabula. Ohio, where he contin- 
ued in the same line for a few years. Later he 
sold out and went to Conncaut. Ohio, and subse- 
quently came to the middle west, locating at Clin- 
ton Junction. Wisconsin, where he purchased a 
tract of land and was engaged thereon in general 
fariuing for twelve vears. He did not meet with 
the success tliat he had anticii)atcd in that direc- 
tion and becoming discouraged he decided to re- 
turn to his trade as leather worker. He then 
sold his farm, and it was at this time, in 1866. 
that he came to Rockford. Here he established a 
leather manufacturing plant, erecting a large fac- 
tory near the Rockford fair grounds. His busi- 
ness stea<lil\ increased until he emi)loved a large 
number of leather workers and niannfactured all 
kinds of leather goods, which he shipjjed to va- 
rious parts of this country. He visited the fac- 
tory each day to superintend the work therein 
conducted, but maintained an office near the Rock- 
ford Xational I'.ank. He was thus associated 
with one of the large |)ro(luctive industries of this 
city up to the time of his death, and was a man 
of unfaltering industry, neglecting no detail of his 
business, and watchful of every intlication point- 
ing to success. He was well known to the 
manufacturers of this part of the country and 
his name in trade circles was a synonym for 
business integrity and for successful acconn)lish- 
ment. 



Mr. Tanner was married in the state of Xew 
York to Miss Margaret A. Stewart, a native of 
New Brunswick, Canada, and a daughter of Rob- 
ert and Ann (McClellan) Stewart, both of whom 
were natives of Scotland, whence they emigrated 
to America in early life, settling in the I-lmpire 
state. The father was there engaged in farming 
for several years and afterward removed to Can- 
ada, where he carried on general agricultural i)ur- 
suits for a long period or until his retirement 
from active business life. He then removed to 
the home of his son at Eagle Prairie. Wisconsin, 
wliere he and his wife lived until called to their 
fnial rest. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner became the par- 
ents of three children : James E.. who married 
Miss Xichols, of Boston, .Massachusetts, and now 
resides near that city, where he is engaged in the 
manufacture of a patent brick; William J., who 
married Miss Elizabeth .Schmauss, of Rockford. 
and (lie<l here in np2: and Mrs. Katherine E. 
Fisk. the noted singer. She was born in Clinton 
Junction, Wisconsin, November 5, 1861, and war- 
ned Franklin Proctor Fisk, of Giicago. She had 
her voice cultivated in New York city, and since 
her marriage has been on the stage, being one 
of the noted singers of the present day. Mr. 
Tanner was a democrat in his political views, but 
was never an aspirant for office. The success 
of his life was due to no inherited fortune or to 
anv happy succession of advantageous circum- 
stances, but to his own sturdy will, steadv appli- 
cation, tireless industry and sturdy integrit\. lie 
kept in touch with the modern thout^ht and action 
of the business world and his ready adaptability 
and laudable ambition proved a .strong basis for 
his prosperity. He died February 2^, 1888. Mrs. 
Tanner is a member of the First Congregatii')nal 
church of Rockford. and takes a deep and .active 
interest in its work. She resides at No. 512 Col- 
lege avenue, where she owns a beautiful home. 



O. T. Cl'MMINCrS. 



O. J. Cummings, who for alwut a half ccnturv 
has resided on a farm on sections 17 and t8. duil- 
ford township, where he yet makes his home, 
having more than three hundred acres of land 
that anmtallv returns him a good financial in- 
come, arrived in \\'iiuiebago countv on the 14th 
of Febmary. 1844, in company with his father, 
Nehemiah Cummings. Tn earlv manhood 
Nehemiah Cummings had married Rebecca Cot- 
tani. who died, in 18,^7. in Ohio. The father 
afterward married Miss Laura Clark, and with 
his second wife and his children he made the 
iourney westward to Illinois, reaching his 
destiuatif>n on the date indicated. He settled on 
what is called the big bottom in Cnilford town- 
<lii|t. ti.'iling ( Hiio land for a tract here. He 





• L^i/<-^*^ 



^^n-l^^'V^^ 



y^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY 



401 



found the soil rich and productive after careful 
cultivation and he continued to make his home 
iipon his farm until his death, which occurred 
in 1863, when he was sixty-nine years of age. 
He always followed the occupation of farming 
and was thus enabled to provide a comfortable 
living for his family. His early political 
allegiance was given to the whig party and when 
the republican party was formed to prevent the 
further extension of slavery he joined its ranks. 
He was an ardent advocate of the Union cause 
but he did not live to see the completion of the 
war and the vindication of the president's policy. 
He held membership in the First Methodist 
Episcopal church ot Rockford and his life was 
honorable and upright. His second wife, long 
surviving him, died a few years ago in Missouri, 
when more than eighty years of age. She had 
one child by a former marriage and one son by 
her second marriage — Clarkson E. Cummings, 
who is now living in Iowa Falls, Iowa, 

O, J- Cummings also has a sister, Mrs. Mary 
Hunter, who resides in Delaware county, Iowa. 
O. J. Cummings was born in Geauga county, 
Ohio, in December, 183 1, and was therefore a 
youth of about thirteen years when he came with 
his father to Illinois. He had begun his educa- 
tion in the schools of the Buckeye state and he 
continued his studies there, being under the in- 
struction of Miss Ferona Foote, a well remem- 
bered teacher. At another time he was under the 
instruction of H. H. Waldo and he also attended 
the Rockford schools. Throughout the greater 
part of his business career he has carried on 
farming, starting out in life for himself as a 
young man. He had no special advantages to 
assist him but realizing that earnest labor is the 
basis of all prosperity he closely applied himself 
to his work and in the course of years has won 
success. 

Mr. Cummings was married at the age of 
twenty-seven years to Miss Ann Butler, who was 
born in Pennsylvania, but came to Winnebago 
county in early womanhood. She is now seventy- 
six years of age, and for more than a half cen- 
tury has lived in Winnebago county. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Cummings have been born five chil- 
dren : Mrs. Lillian Fitts, of Northampton, Mas- 
sachusetts ; ]\lrs. Mary Gorham, formerly of 
Iowa, but now of Rockford: Mrs. Abbie Knoud, 
who is residing on the Samuel Fuller farm in 
Rockford township: and B. N., who is managing 
and residing on the farm in Guilford township, 
and who married iNIiss Ella Elliott, of Lynnville, 
by whom he has three children — Mildred, sixteen 
years of age : Kenneth, eight years of age, and 
Dorothy, a little maiden of four years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cummings lost one child. Lulu, who is a 
twin of Lillian and who died at the age of four 
vears. 



Locating upon their present farm in the '50s, 
this place has since been their home and Mr. Cum- 
mings continued active in its cultivation and 
management until 1862, when, teeling that his 
country needed his aid, he became a member of 
Company D, Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, 
joining the regiment as a private soldier. He 
soon was made sergeant, however, and thus 
served until 1863, when he was honorably dis- 
charged because of disability. He had partici- 
pated in the battle of Perryville, Stone River 
and other engagements and after being mustered 
out at Gallatin, Tennessee, he returned to his 
home. He has never entirely recovered from 
injuries sustained at the front. He is now a 
member of Nevius post. No. i, G, A. R., and 
was at one time quite active therein. He was 
fonnerlv identified with the Modern \\'oodmen 
and he is well known in political circles as a re- 
publican. For foitr years he served as a member 
of the board of supervisors and assisted materially 
in securing the location of Memorial Hall, at 
Rockford, and was likewise instrumental in the 
building of the north end bridge. He has a 
wide acquaintance in his township, having for 
about a half century lived upon his present farm 
and not to know Mr. Cummings in that com- 
munity is to argue one's self unknown. There 
have been no exciting chapters in his life his- 
tory but his record proves the true worth of char- 
acter and indicates the eft'ectiveness of persistent, 
honorable labor in achieving success, which is 
the goal for which all business men are striv- 



:\LAROUIS L. CORWIN. 

Marquis L. Corwin, a retired farmer, living 
in Pecatonica, was born February 22, 1845. in 
what was then the township of L}-sander, but is 
now Pecatonica township. His parents were Cap- 
tain B. F. and and Betsy (Tibbits) Corwin, the 
former born October 28, 1810, and the latter on 
the 13th of July, 181 5. They were married De- 
cember 31, 1836, and about 1839 come to Rock- 
ford, where Captain Corwin established a brick- 
vard, the first enterprise of the character started 
in the county seat. Later he removed to the vi- 
cinity of Pecatonica. his home being about three 
and a half miles north of the village. There he 
entered government land, securing one hundred 
and sixty acres, on which he built the first brick 
house in the township, burning the brick and 
making the lime for the building. He was one of 
the pioneer settlers of the community, broke the 
raw prairie, cut the timber and hewed out the 
lumber used in the construction of the barn. He 
also split the shingles for the roofs of his build- 
ings and he burned the brick for the first brick 



402 



PAST AX I) I'RKSEXT OF WIXNEBAGO COUXTY. 



buililing erected in IVcatonica. In addition to 
general agricultural pursuits he conducted a 
cooper shop on his farm and made barrels for the 
shipment of pork and beef. He also made hun- 
dreds of flour barrels, which he sold in R<x-kford, 
Galena and Freei)ort. He continued in the coop- 
ering business for forty years or more, and at 
times did shoemaking for his own family. His 
business interests were thus varied and exten- 
sive. He possessed marked mechanical ingenu- 
ity, as well as unfailing enterprise and strong 
purpose, and his labors were attended with a 
gratifying measure of success. His death oc- 
curred in Durand township and the comnnmitv 
thereby lost one of its reiiresentative citizens. In 
the family were seven children : E. ^^^, born Sep- 
tember 4. 1842: Marquis L., of this review; Ase- 
nath. born Xovember 22. 1847: .\massa. IxDrn 
April 27, 1849: Lydia. March 21. 1852; Lucv T- 
December ^1, i8ss: and Franklin S.. March i"q. 

Marquis L. Corwin pursued his education in 
the public schools of Pecatonica township, and 
during his boyhood days worked upon his father's 
farm through the summer months. \\'hen about 
twenty years of age he rented land and began 
business on his own account. As a companion 
and helpmate for life's journey he chose .Miss 
Fidelia .A. Canon, a daughter of George P. and 
Harriet L. fHaynes) Canon, the former a native 
of Ohio, whence he came to Illinois, becoming 
one of the pioneer .settlers of Winnebago couiitv. 
Her grandfather erected the first frame house in 
what was then Cord, but is now Durand town- 
ship. Her father carted wheat to the Chicago 
market and in return secured merchandise. He 
hauled his pork to Galena, Illinois, and also to 
the pine woods of Wisconsin. He was a memlx-r 
of Company I, .Seventy-fourth \'oIuntcer Infan- 
try-, during the Civil war. The marriage of Mr. 
anfl Mrs. Canon was celebrated Februarv 26. 
1865. and in the first year thereafter he rented 
land from his father, while the second year he 
rented his father-in-law's fami. In 1868 he pur- 
cha.sed forty acres of land, on which was a .small 
house and a log barn, but the fields were poorly 
improved. He cleared away the timber on the 
place and added to the house, continuing the cul- 
tivation of the farm for some time. I^ter he 
sold this proi)erty and bought eighty acres of land 
seven miles from Pecatonica, to which he after- 
ward added a tract of eighty acres. In 1900. 
however, he sold eighty acres of his land, but in 
the meantime was for a long period recognized 
as one of the most practical, energetic and pro- 
gressive fanners of his locality. He placed his 
fields under a very high state of cultivation, and 
he raised blooded stock, both cattle and hogs, 
making a specinlty of Durham cattle and Chester 
White hogs. He never raised a black hog in his 



life. He also bred coach horses, and, in fact, all 
of the stock was of superior grades, so that he 
found ready sale on the market. His business 
interests were carefully and cai)ably conducted 
until F'ebruary. 1905, when he removed to the 
village of Pecatonica. where he is now living re- 
tired. He is still owner, however, of eighty acres 
of valuable land. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Corwin have been born 
three daughters : Xettie M., born September 26, 
1866, is the wife of William .\. .Miller, residing 
on her father's farm in Durand township, and 
they have two children, Guy E. and Neva R. Eva 
L.. born May 5. 1870, is the wife of Irving 
Clikeman, now living retired in Pecatonica, being 
formerly actively connected with agricultural in- 
terests, and they have one son, Claude E. Bir- 
dena F., born March 20, 18S1. is a school-teacher, 
living at home, and has completed the courses in 
the district schools and high school of Peca- 
tonica. 

Mr. Corwin. interested in public affairs relat- 
ing to the welfare and upbuilding of his com- 
munity, has co-operated in many movements for 
the general good. He served for about sixteen 
years as a member of the school board and acted 
as overseer of highways for three or four terms. 
He is a member of the Ignited Workmen. Modern 
^\'oodmcn camp. Court of Honor and the Fra- 
ternal League, while his wife holds memlxrship 
with the Eminent Ladies and Relief Corps. She 
i.--' also a member of the I'nion .-Md Society and 
the Hard Times Society, which indicate her be- 
nevolent and charitable spirit and her practical 
helpfulness, Mr. Corwin gives his political alle- 
giance to the republican party. He has a wide ac- 
ciuaintance in the county, where his entire life 
has been passed. Both he and his wife are repre- 
.sentatives of old and prominent families of pio- 
neer times, and are now numbered among the 
substantial citizens of Pecatonica, a position which 
is due to their own labors, for in early married 
life their financial resources were limited, and 
that they now have a competence which enables 
them to enjoy a well earned ease is the result of 
capable management and well directed business 
interests. 



SAMCEL SEYMOUR. 

Samuel Seymour, now living retired in a 
pleasant home at Xo. 1926 F^st State street in 
Rockford, is a native of Litchfield county. Con- 
necticut, born December 14. 1829, his parents 
being Erastus and Jerusha (King) Seymour. 
while the paternal grandfather was Samuel Sey- 
mour, of Connecticut. The father engaged quite 
extensively in fanning in the Charter Oak state, 
owning one of the best farms in Litchfield county. 




SA.ML'EL SEYMOUR. 



PAST AXD PRESKXT OF WINXEISAGO COUNTY. 



405 



He had three sons, all of whoni reached adult 
age and are still living: Edward P., who resides 
near the old homestead in Connecticut : Samuel ; 
and John, who is a wagonniakcr, also living in 
Litchfield county. 

Samuel Seymour of this review was educated 
in Williston Seminary in Massachusetts and 
afterward attended medical lectures for six 
months. He engaged in teaching school for four 
years in the village of Norfolk, Connecticut, and 
in 1849 lis joined a company planning to go to 
the Pacific coast, attracted by the discovery of 
gold in California. They borrowed the money 
to bu\- a ship, which they stocked with lumber 
and pork and a good supply of provisions, and 
then sailed around Cape Horn to San Francisco. 
After reaching their destination they sold the 
lumber for five hundred and ninety dollars per 
thousand feet and they also made some money in 
mining, remaining in California for two years, 
after which they returned to Connecticut by wa)' 
of the isthmus. Not long after reaching New 
England, Samuel Seymour went to Loudoun 
county, A'irginia, where he was engaged in the 
chain pump business. His experiences in the far 
west were very interesting because of the pioneer 
condition of that country and he can relate many 
anecdotes which rival the marvelous tales of 
literature, proving again that "truth is stranger 
than fiction." Mr. Seymour came to Illinois 
when twenty-eight years of age, arriving in Win- 
nebago county in 1857. He located in Rockford. 
where he began loaning money, and later he 
turned his attention to the insurance business, in 
which he continued for many years, winning a 
very high measure of success in his efforts along 
that line. He also represented a paper company 
of Beloit. Wisconsin, traveling upon the road for 
two years, but for the past ten years he has lived 
retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of a former 
toil and of the rest which he has truly earned. 

Mr. Seymour was married, October 24, 1855, 
to Miss Laura Lewis, a native of Wyoming 
countv. New York, their marriage being cele- 
brated in the east. Her death occurred in 1898. 
and on the 8th of September, ic)02, "Sir. Seymour 
was again married. Miss Florence E. Kennish 
becoming his wife. She was born in Rockford 
and is a daughter of Jolm and Ellen (Kissack) 
Kennish. of Davis Junction, the former a har- 
nessmaker by trade. Both her parents were bom 
on the Isle of Man and her father crossed the 
Atlantic on the same ship with John Hutchins. 
In his family were three children : Fred, who is 
living at Davis Junction ; Mrs. Seymoiu- ; and 
Anna May, who is the wife of Adelbert Richards, 
and lives at Fairdale, Illinois. She has one child. 
a daughter. Mrs. Seymour began her education 
in the schools of Davis Junction and afterward 



attended Mrs. Carpenter's Academy and the 
Wells Training School, at Oregon, Illinois. She 
successfully taught school for several years and 
then attended the business college at Rockford, 
completing a course in shorthand and typewrit-, 
ing. She is a lady of superior education, of 
natural refinement and culture, and like her hus- 
band enjoys the friendship of many here. They 
have one child. Porter Kennish Seymour, born 
June 29, 1903. 

Mr. Seymour owns a fine home where he re- 
sides at No. 1926 East State street, and he also 
has several other residences in the town and 
real estate in the west, his property interests be- 
ing the visible evidence of his life of activity and 
energy. His early political allegiance was given 
to the free soil party and he has now long been a 
republican. He is a liberal supporter of the Con- 
gregational church and is a self-made man, being 
both the architect and builder of his own for- 
tunes. Labor is the basis of his prosperity and 
he has persistently and energetically followed a 
given course and is now one of the substantial 
residents of Rockford. 



CHARLES E. HIGGINS. 

Charles E. Higgins is the owner of a good 
farm on sections 2 and 11, Burritt township, and 
has always carried on general agricultural pur- 
suits. He was born in Owen township, this 
county, July 20, 1875. His father, Thomas Hig- 
gins, a native of Ireland, came to America in 
the year 1844, arriving in Winnebago county 
when about twenty years of age. He lived for a 
quarter of a century in Owen and Rockton town- 
ships and finally made a permanent settlement 
in the former, spending his remaining days there 
upon the old homestead, where he departed his 
life October 14, 1904. His wife was Miss Anna 
Scott in her maidenhood, and her birth occurred 
in Ireland in the year 185 1. When seventeen 
years of age she came to the LTnited States with 
her sisters, taking up her abode in Rockford, but 
soon afterward they removed to Owen township, 
and on the 17th of November, i86g, Anna Scott 
gave her hand in marriage to Thomas Higgins. 
She still survives him, and is now living on the 
old home farm in Owen township. In their 
family were eight children : Charles E. ; William 
W., of Rockton, Illinois, who wedded Mary Mil- 
ton, of Owen townshii:), and has one daughter; 
Alfred J., a farmer of Harrison township, who 
married Belle Halley, of Owen township, and 
has one son ; Thomas, a resident farmer of Owen 
township, who married Gertrude Webber, of 
Rockton township, and has one daughter; George, 
who is living on the old homestead in Owen 



4o6 



I'AST AM) I'RESEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



township; Orvis, also living t>ii the did home 
farm in Owen township; Margaret and ld:i. both 
at home. 

Charles E. Higgins pursued his early education 
in the common schools and afterward attended a 
business college. He was reared to farm work 
and has deyoted his entire life to agricultural pur- 
suits and stock-raising, being now extensively 
engaged in the breeding of Duroc Jersey hogs. 
He resides on the Thomas Fell fami. and his 
time and energies are devoted to the tilling of 
the soil, the place comprising two hundred and 
forty acres of land. In his business he is ener- 
getic, ambitious and diligent, and is meeting with 
a creditable measure of success. 

On the 8th of March, i&X). Mr. Higgins wed- 
ded Miss Elizabeth Gihm)re, a daughter of 
Thomas and ^^argaret (Hamilton) (iiimore. 
of Rockford. Her father was born in tlie 
north of Ireland in March. iS4_^. and came 
to the United States when about eighteen 
years of age. Soon afterward he enlisted 
in the One Hundred and Seventh New ^'ork In- 
fantry, serving from 1862 until 1864. In the 
latter year he was severely wounded, losing a 
limb, which necessitated his discharge from the 
army. In 1868 he was married to Margaret 
Hamilton, of Massachusetts, and came to this 
county about 1872. Mr. Cilmore is an ardent 
republican and has taken an active ])art in polit- 
ical work in this county. He served for four 
vears as county treasurer and was township treas- 
urer and collector of Harrison township for a 
numlx^r of years. He is an active and valued 
member of the Modern Woodmen cam]), and he 
and his wife are now living in Rockford. Their 
daughter, Elizabeth, was born in Harrison town- 
ship, December 2. 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins 
have become the parents of two children, Mar- 
garet .^nna and Clarence A., both born in Owen 
township, tlic former .\ugust 5. 1901. and the 
latter December 23. k/33. 

Mr. Higgins is a member of Harrison camp. 
Xo. 684, M. W. .\.. and is actively interested in 
political questions, having always given his- sup- 
port to the republican party. He is a wide-awake 
and enterprising young business man. esteemeil 
in the community where his entire life has been 
passed. 



RUFUS W. GRAVES. 

Rufus W. Graves, interested in general agri- 
cidtural pursuits on section 11. Roscoe township, 
is numbered among the worthy citizens that the 
Empire state has furnished to Winnebago countv. 
He was born in New York, .\pril 2f>, 1825. His 
father, Obed Graves, was a native of Cortland 
county. New York, and his last days were spent 



at the home of his son Rufus, where he died at 
the very venerable age of ninety-three years. He 
had followed hnnbering in the east and after com- 
ing to the west was engaged in general agricul- 
tural pursuits, but for some years prior to his 
demise he lived retired with his sons in Roscoe 
township. His wife Iwre the maiden name of 
.\llie Monroe, was also a native of New York 
state, and died in Roscoe at the age of eighty-five 
years, in the family of this worthy conjjle were 
nine children, of whom Rufus W. was the third 
in order of birth. Only three are now living, the 
others being ( ). I'err\-. a resident of Roscoe 
townshi]); and tjeorge D.. wlm is living in 
Picloit, \\'isconsin. 

Rufus W. Graves spent the ])criod of his mi- 
nority in the east and when twenty-one years of 
age made his way to Illinois, taking up his abode 
in Winnebago county, in 1846. Almost sixty 
years have since come and gone and great changes 
have occurred, a wonderful transformation being 
wrought in all departments of business activity. 
In the year of his removal to the west he was 
married in New York, to Miss Julia Thornton, 
also a native of the Empire state. 

Mr. ( I raves when a boy was on a 
canal in the east, lie brought with him 
only a limited capital when he removed to 
this coimtv but invested his money in 
twelve acres of land, which he still owns. Al- 
most from the beginning he prospered here and 
kejit adding to his holdings until now his landed 
possessions aggregate three lunulred and twenty 
acres in Roscoe township, of which forty acres 
is used for ])asturage, wliile the remainder is de- 
voted to general farming. His fields are highly 
ctdtivated and give promise of golden harvests. 
He has also been engaged quite extensively in 
the raising of stock, making a sjiecialty of sheep 
and Qiester White hogs. His business interests 
have been carefully managed and he has watched 
cvcrv indication ])ointing to success until now 
as the reward of his unremitting labor and honor- 
able methods he is in possession of a very valu- 
able and desirable property. 

]\rr. Graves exercises his right of franchise in 
sujiport of the men and measures of the repub- 
lican party and is regarded as one of the influ- 
ential citizens of his townshii). where he has 
held jjublic offices of trust. For many years he 
served as highway commissioner of Roscoe town- 
ship and did much to improve the condition of the 
roads. He has always favored the measures 
tending to advance the general welfare and his 
co-operation can be counted upon in movements 
for the public good. He held office twelve years. 
He was justice of the |)eace and his decisions 
were strictly fair and impartial, neither fear nor 
favor swerving him in the utterance of an opin- 
ion which he believed emb<idied the equity of the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



407 



case. He has held the office of road commis- 
sioner for forty-five years in Roscoe township. 

The Iiome of Mr. and Mrs. Graves has been 
blessed with two sons and a daughter, all born in 
this county: Orlando M., now making his home 
in Beloit, Wisconsin, wedded Miss Lodena Rock- 
well and has two children, Smith M. and Fen- 
ton ; Frances A. became the wife of George H. 
]\Iuchmore and has three children ; Harriet \\'ini- 
fred, Cora and Roy ; Jay U. married Laura 
Franz, and has one child, Lyle F. 

Air. Graves is numbered among the early resi- 
dents of the county, having for almost six dec- 
ades lived within its borders and here he has 
worked his way upward from a humble finan- 
cial position to one of affluence, basing his rise 
in the world upon the substantial qualities of un- 
remitting diligence and unflagging industry. 



THOMAS MANNIX. 

Thomas Mannix, deceased, was one of the 
self-made men of Rockford, who, improving 
business opportunities, worked his way steadily 
upward from an humble financial position to one 
of affluence. He settled here in pioneer days, 
becoming a resident of the city in 1841 and he 
conducted the first express business here. He 
was born in County Clare, Ireland. December 22. 
182 1, and his parents both died in that country 
in his youth. He was then reared by his grand- 
mother and an uncle and he attended the com- 
mon schools of Ireland and acquired a fair 
education. He was a young man when he landed 
on the shores of the United States and he made 
his way to Vermont, where he worked as a la- 
borer. He was also employed as a farm hand 
in that locality, where he continued to reside for 
several years. 

It was while making his home in \'ermont that 
Mr. Mannix was married to Miss i\Iargaret 
Leahy, a native of Ireland, who died in Rock- 
ford, in 1865. They became the parents of four 
children, of whom two are now living: Marie, 
the wife of Leonard H. Schmauss, the president 
of the Schmauss Company of Rockford and one 
of the leading business men here : and Ellen, the 
wife of Edward Condon, residing upon a farm 
near Kishwaukee. In 1866 Mr. Mannix was 
again married, his second wife bearing the 
maiden name of Katherine Connelly. She, too, 
was born in Ireland and her parents, John and 
Mary (Doyle) Connelly, were both natives of 
that country, where thev spent their entire lives. 
Their daughter Katherine and her brother came 
to the LTnited States together and settled in 
Rockford, where the brother died and where the 
sister was married. Three children were born 
of the second union : Thomas J., who married 



Ellen Condon and is engaged in the meat busi- 
ness ; Katherine J., the wife of Edward 
Schmauss, who is traveling agent for the 
Schmauss Company and resides in Rockford; 
and Frederick, who died at the age of eighteen 
months. Mr. and Mrs. Schmauss make their 
home with her mother, Mrs. Mannix, and they 
have three children, Edna, Katherine and Alta. 
Following his first marriage Mr. Mannix 
came to Rockford in 1841 and is well known 
to all its citizens as the first expressman of this 
place, beginning business here with an old two- 
wheeled dray. As the years advanced and the 
city grew his business also expanded until it 
reached extensive and profitable proportions. 
He had a very large patronage in his later years 
and derived a good income therefrom. Becom- 
ing suddenly ill with heart trouble he died De- 
cember 15, 1895. He exercised his right of fran- 
chise in support of the men and measure of the 
democracy and he belonged to the St. James 
Catholic church, of which his wife and children 
are also communicants. There were no thrilling 
incidents in his career, but no history represented 
in this volume can serve as a better illustration to 
young men of the power of indefatigable industry 
and unswerving integrity in insuring success. 
Mrs. jNIannix owns and occupies a residence at 
No. 604 South Fourth street and with her re- 
side JMr. and Mrs. Schmauss and their children. 
The Schmauss Company are the large meat pack- 
ers of Rockford and the family have attained 
wealth through the conduct of extensive busi- 
ness interests. 



WILLIAM H. MINERS. 

William H. Miners, a representative agricul- 
turist of Harlem township, has an excellent farm 
on sections 16 and 21 and through his well di- 
rected labors has become one of the substantial 
citizens of his community. A native of England, 
he was born in Cornwall, December 21, 1849, his 
parents being James and Mary (Allen) Miners, 
also natives of Cornwall, the former born in 
1827 and the latter in 1830. They are now resi- 
dents of Rockford, the father having retired from 
active business life. In their family were seven 
children : Thomas J., a resident of Harlem 
township, who has two sons and one daughter ; 
John, who is living retired in Oregon, Illinois ; 
Abel, a resident farmer of Ogle county, Illinois, 
who has two sons and a daughter : James E., of 
Harlem township, who has one son ; Mary, the 
wife of Henry \\'iIcox. of Harlem township, and 
the mother of one daughter : Mrs. Hiram \\''hit- 
wood. of Harlem : and Louisa, who married 
Louis Overholt, of Calmar, Iowa, and has three 
daughters and two sons. 



4o8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF \\lX.\i:i'.A(;u COLXTY. 



The otiicr member of the .Miners family is 
W'ilHam H. Miners who, when five years of agfe, 
was l)rous:ht by his parents from England to 
America. For four years the family home was 
maintained in Rockford. at the end of which time 
the parents removed to a farm near W'estfield. 
\\'inneba,s^o county, the father working' as a farm 
hand by the day in that locality. WHien five years 
had passed he returned to Rockford township, 
where he resided two years, and then took up 
his al)i)(Ie in Harlem township. \\'illiam H. 
Miners accomjianied his parents on these various 
removals and for eight years lived with them 
in Harlem township, after which he started out 
in life on his own account. He carried on gen- 
eral agricultural pursuits for four years and after- 
ward spent a year in Guilford township, subse- 
quent to wliich time he settled in the city of Rock- 
ford and conducted a hack line for four years. 
He tlien followed teaming for about three years, 
after wliich he accepted the position of night 
watchman on the water power, acting in that ca- 
pacit\' for three years, when he resumed teaming, 
which he followed for two years. FTis next work 
was as night watchman at the Phoenix furniture 
factory and a year later he began working for 
the citv street department, with which he was 
connected for four vears. .-Xbout eleven years 
ago he rcmoveil to his present home in Harlem 
townshij). where he has .since resided, giving liis 
time and energies to general agricultural pur- 
suits, his labors bcinsi crowned with an excellent 
measure <>f success. Tn his works he is verv ener- 
getic and dilisrent. brooking no obstacles that can 
be overcome by determined and earnest purpose 
and in this lies the secret of his jirosperitv. 

On the .^d of December. 1873. Mr. Miners was 
married to ^liss Mar\' M.abie. of Harlem town- 
ship, a daughter of Peter and Eliza (Chaiipcn 
Mabie. honored and early pioneer residents of 
Harlem township. Her father was born in 
Clyde, Ohio, in 181 2 and the mother was a na- 
tive rif that i>lace. liorn in iRi^. Tn their early 
married life they came to ^^'innebago county, 
where ihev spent their remaining days. ^fr. ^fa- 
bie passing awa\ Februnrv 3. i8<)2. and his wife 
in September. 187^. Mrs. Mines lias three 
lirothers and two sisters, naniclv : Joshua, resid- 
inrr at Santa .Ana. California: Homer, of Mason 
Cit\ . Iowa, who lias four sons and r> daughter: 
William, who is living in Whiting. Indiana: Mrs. 
Francis Dresser, of '^anta Ana. (^ilifMrnia. who 
has nine sons: and Mrs. Laura Corlette. whose 
liu,sl)and is a farmer of Xew Milford township, 
and thcv have three sons and three daughters. 
The children of Mr. and >Trs. Miners arc as fol- 
lows: Henrv- Charles, born Dicember :;. 1874. 
pnd now living in Owen townshiii, married Miss 
Ida Revnolds. of Rockford. anil they Inve a son 
and dai'cdiliT. Madeline and William H. Clar- 



ence F.. burn July 19. 1875. married Grace 
Brown, of Rockford, where the\- reside, and they 
have two daughters. Avis I. and Ethel M. Addie 
May, born December 9, 1880, is at home. At a 
family gathering on the I7tli of September. iiP5. 
on our subject's farm, there were thirty-five pres- 
ent and four generations represented. 

^^'illiam H. Miners belongs to camp Xo. 49. 
M. W. .\., at Rockford, and in politics has been a 
stanch republican since age gave to him the right 
of franchise. The family attend the Methodist 
E])iscopal church at Roscoe. Interested in gen- 
eral ])rogress. Mr. Miners is a public-spirited and 
enterprising citizen and he deserves much credit 
for what he has accomplLshed in his business ca- 
reer, for he had to gain for himself the advan- 
tages which many boys receive through inheri- 
tance or ])arcntal indulgence. His educational 
l)rivileges were limited but he has become a man 
of good practical knowledge gained through 
reading and experience. His farming interests 
have been carefully managed and his straightfor- 
ward dealing and energ}- form the basis of his 
i)resent success. 



GEORGE GLEASMAX. 

George Gleasman, who became an enterpris- 
ing farmer of Owen township, and won succsss 
through his well directed efforts, was born in 
Rome, New York, on the 30tli of June, 1840. 
He was a son of Godfred Gleasman, a native of 
Germany, who with his two brothers. X'alentine 
and George, entered the L'nion .Army, and all 
three were killed at the battle of Antietam. in 
the Civil war, by the explosion of one shell. 
Godfred Gleasman and his wife. Henrietta, were 
the parents of five sons and three daughters, of 
whom George (ileasman was the second son and 
fourth child. The members of the family still 
living are: Fred, a resident of Rockton ; I'hilip, 
of Owen township ; Lizzie, the wife of J. B. At- 
wood. of Roscoe township : Mrs. Louisa Faass, 
who is living in I'tica, Xew York : and Kate, 
who is residing in I'tica. New York. 

Cieorge Gleasman sjient the days of his boy- 
hood and. youth in the Empire state, acquiring 
his education in the public schools. He had no 
special advantages in Ins early life and in fact 
was dependent upon his own resources for a 
living from an early age. In the s])ring of i8()3 
he came from the h'nqiire state to Illinois, set- 
tling first in ( )weii townshi]), Winnebago county, 
where he purchased three hundred and twenty 
acres of land on section 1. This farm is .still 
in possession of the family. 1 le later bought 
four hundred acres in Rockton townshi]) and 
was a most successful agriculturist. .\11 of his 




GEORGE GLEASMAN 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF W'lXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



411 



investments proved profitable and at his death 
he left thirteen hundred and fortj-eight acres 
of very valuable land. His success, however, 
was characterized by unremitting diligence and 
he was truly deserving of the praise implied in 
the term a self-made man, being both the archi- 
tect and builder of his own fortune. He came 
to the west empty-handed but he utilized his 
business opportunities to the best advantage and 
as the years passed amassed a goodly fortune for 
his family. He was also active, influential and 
helpful in public affairs in his township and 
county, and while living in Owen township 
served as highway commissioner for a number 
of years and capably and efficiently filled other 
offices of trust and responsibility. His political 
allegiance was given to the republican party. 

George Gleasman was united in marriage to 
Miss Sarah Lake, a daughter of Hiram Lake, 
one of the early settlers of Winnebago county. 
They became the parents of nine children, of 
whom eight are living, namely: Edwin S., 
Charles H., Mina L., Kate, Ratie, Alice, Abbie 
and Frank, while one son, George, is now de- 
ceased. The death of the father occurred on 
the 1st of January, 1890. when he was about fifty 
years of age. He was led a busy and useful life 
characterized by close application to his daily 
duties, by unflagging industry in his business 
and by unfaltering perseverance in all that he 
undertook. He was in hearty sympathy with 
public progress and improvement and was a man 
whose genuine personal worth gained him the 
respect and confidence of those with whom he 
associated. He was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Rockton, taking 
an active part in the officiarj' of the same. 



GEORGE STEVENS. 

George Stevens, a resident farmer of New 
ililford township, his home being on section 31, 
has lived in \^'^innebago county since the 22d of 
February, 1861, arriving here when a young lad 
of four years. He was born in Boston. Massa- 
chusetts, in 1856, his parents being Gilbert and 
Lucinda (Hall) Stevens, who located in Kish- 
waukee. New Milford township, at the time of 
their removal to Winnebago county. The father 
was a machinist by trade and in the east was a 
master mechanic. Following his removal to the 
west he purchased a farm near the Kishwaukee 
settlement in New Milford township. The vil- 
lage of Kishwaukee was at one time larger than 
Rockford but has now ceased to exist, no house 
remaining at the present time to mark the site 
of the once thriving and prosperous village. Gil- 
bert Stevens did not actively engage in business. 



for his health had become impaired while still in 
the east, though from time to time he would do 
some work, as he did not wish to be idle. He 
resided in this county from i860 until October, 
1900, when he passed away at the advanced age 
of eighty-four years. He had served as highway 
commissioner for nine years and was always 
interested in public progress and improvement. 
His wife survived him until December, 1904, and 
departed this life at the ver}- old age of eighty- 
eight years. 

George Stevens, their only son, was reared to 
farm life, and is now the owner of one hundred 
and ninety-four acres of valuable land, of which 
one hundred acres is situated on section 31, New 
Milford township. In his youth he attended the 
common schools and when not occupied with his 
text-books his attention was largely given to the 
work of the fields. He has mainly follow^ed farm- 
ing and he was also engaged in the implement 
business for several years, enjoying a good pat- 
ronage. He possesses strong determination and 
laudable ambition and he allows no obstacle to 
bar his path when he determines upon a given 
course. His farm property is now valuable and 
well improved and indicates in its excellent ap- 
pearance his careful supervision and practical 
methods. 

Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Abby Roth- 
well, a daughter of W. A. Rothwell, one of the 
oldest residents of New Milford township. Mrs. 
Stevens was born near her present home and by 
her marriage has become the mother of four chil- 
dren. Harry A., the eldest, who was born in 
1 88 1, and resides upon a farm in Ogle county, 
Illinois, married Miss Preston, whose father now 
resides in Rockford. They have a fine farm in 
Ogle county near the Winnebago county line and 
two children have blessed their union, Curtis and 
Elmer George. Clara Andrus. born in 1885, re- 
sides at home and is now engaged in teaching in 
New Milford township, having pursued her own 
education in Rockford high school and in DeKalb, 
Illinois. Alma, born in 189 1, now attending high 
school in Rockford, and Orlo B., born November 
18. 1900, are at home. 

In his political views Mr. Stevens was formerly 
a republican, but is now a stanch advocate of pro- 
hibition principles, for the party platform embod- 
ies his ideas upon the temperance question. He 
has served as highway commissioner and has re- 
fused various other nominations, preferring tc 
concentrate his attention upon his business af- 
fairs. Socially he is a member of M. W. camp. 
No. 419, of New Milford. He has made all of the 
fine improvements now on his fann and has re- 
cently erected a comfortable house for a tenant. 
He expects soon to retire from active farm work, 
although he will retain his residence upon the 
old homestead. His labors in former vears have 



41- 



I'ASr AND I'Ki:SFA'T OF WlXXl-.i; A(iO COL'XTV. 



constituted tlie source of a very desirable compe- 
tence, which pemiits of his retirement from active 
business life. 



GEORGE W. FLAGG. 

George W. Flagg. actively interested in agri- 
cultural pursuits in Seward township, was born 
at Heath, Massachusetts, September 9, 1825, and 
is intlehted to the common and select schools of 
that locality for the educational privileges he en- 
joyed. His parents were Silas M. and Hannah 
(Bixby) Flagg. The father, a native of Wor- 
cester, Massachusetts, died in 1845. at the age of 
forty-seven years, while his wife, who was a 
native of Vermont, passed away in 1857, at the 
age of sixty-five years. The father followed the 
occupation of farming in the state of his nativity 
throughout his entire life. In the family were 
three children, of whom George W. is the eldest. 
Henry F.. born September 23, 1829, died July 3, 
1853. when about twenty-three years of age. 
Marcia A., born April 11. 1832, died April 7, 
1902. She became the wife of Cor\don Simonds, 
who has departed this life since her death. They 
had one daughter, now Mrs. Clara Thompson. 

George W. Flagg was reared to the occupation 
of farming, early becoming familiar with all of 
the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the 
agriculturist. He lived on the old homestead, 
taking care of his mother and sister until 1856, 
when he came to Winnebago county, Illinois, 
settling first in Pecatonica. He worked in a lum- 
beryard during the succeeding summer and then 
removed to Seward township, where he pur- 
chased some land. In February, 1858, he re- 
turned to the old home farm in Massachusetts but 
had become imbued with the western spirit and in 
1859 he returned to Seward township, where he 
has resided continuously since. He built a good 
home around which he planted shade and fruit 
trees and he also broke the wild prairie, trans- 
forming it into rich fields. He has one hun- 
dred and twelve acres of land, now finely im- 
proved, but when it came into his possession one- 
half of it was covered with timber. His fields 
promise golden harvests and in addition to 
cultivating of the cereals best adapted to soil and 
climate he is engaged quite extensively and suc- 
cessfully in the raising of cattle, hogs and horses. 

On the 9th of January. 1850. Mr. Flagg was 
united in luarriage to Miss Lcstina Rugg. who 
was born in Heath. Massachusetts, .\ugust 14. 
1829, and is a daughter of David and Eunice 
f^Glcason) Rugg, who were also native* of 
Heath. Her father, who was born .Xugust 20. 
1786, departed this life February 2, 1872. while 
his wife, who was born October 14, 1790, died 
on the 13th of March. 1874. He followed farm- 



ing in Massachusetts until 1856. when he came to 
Pecatonica, where he remained until his death. In 
the family of that worthy couple were eleven chil- 
dren: Cyrus, who was born January 20, 1811, 
and died February 12, 1894; Lucrctia, who was 
born December 8. 1812. and died May 8. 1889: 
Eunice, who was born Xovember 4, 1814, and 
died October 28, 1846; Elizabeth, who was born 
Xovember 18, 1816, and died December 29, 1842 ; 
David, who was born October 30, 181 8, and died 
December 25. 1900; Erastus R., who was 
born Xovember 2. 1820, and died Sep- 
tember 20, 1888; Henry M., who was born 
October 13, 1822, and died October 13, 1890; 
Amos, who was born August 11, 1825, and died 
l\farch 21, 1895; George, who was born August 
II, 1827. and died June 27, 1864, being killed at 
the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, while serving 
as a member of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry : Lcstina, the wife of George W. 
Flagg; and Alfred H., who was born August 8, 
1 83 1. The last two named are the only ones 
living. 

The home of Mr. and ^Irs. Flagg was blessed 
with two sons and two daughters : Henry E., 
who was born October 17, 1850, and is still liv- 
ing on the old home farm; Clara A., who was 
born January 17, 1852, and died at the age of 
five years and six months, on the 14th of July, 
1857; Lillian, who was born February 4. 1861, 
and is the wife of W. R. Stone ; and Elijah F., 
who was born lunc 3. 1863. and died December 
3, 1865. 

Mr. Flagg has been .school director for twenty 
years or more, and has ever been the champion 
of progress along educational lines, believing in 
the employment of competent teachers and the 
upholding of a high standard of intellectual at- 
tainment. Both he and his wife are devoted 
members of the Congregational church at Sew- 
ard, in which he has served as trustee, and his 
political support is given to the republican and 
prohibition jiartics. His life has been character- 
ized by honorable principles and upright motives, 
and during his long residence in Winnebago 
county he has so lived as to merit the esteem and 
good will of all with whom he has been associ- 
ated. 



:^rTCHAEL J. ROGAN. 

Michael J. Rogan, deceased, was a machinist 
of Rockford for many years and at the time of 
his death had charge of the machinery for the 
.Star Publishing Companv of this city. He was 
a native of Lockport, Xew York, born January 
10. 1833, and his parents were Peter and Sarah 
("Stewart") Rogan, both of whom were natives 
of the Empire state, where they resided until 



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-MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. FLAGG. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



415 



1854, when they came to the west, setthng in 
Rockford, where the father, who was a car- 
penter, followed his trade throughout his remain- 
ing days. He worked most of the time for J. 
P. Manny, now deceased, who is also repre- 
sented in this work, and both he and his wife 
remained residents of Rockford imtil called to 
their final iiome. 

Michael J. Rogan acquired a common-school 
education in the Adams school of Rockford and 
when he had put aside his text-books he began 
to learn the machinist's trade, working with his 
father in the employ of Air. Manny until the 
latter failed in business, after which he accepted 
a position with the Star Publishing Company. 
His work at first was light and his salary small 
but he soon demonstrated his ability and won 
ready recognition and promotion. He was ad- 
vanced from one position to another until at 
last he had full charge of all the machinery and 
presses of the plant. He occupied the position 
of foreman in the machiner}- department for 
several 3'ears or until his health began to fail, 
when he was obliged to give up his position. For 
several years he was in a semi-invalid condition 
and finally was forced to take his bed. He never 
recovered and his death occurred May 8. 1901. 

After becoming a resident of Rockford Mr. 
Rogan was married in this city to Miss Elizabeth 
Farrell, a native of Rockford. and a daughter of 
Miles and Ellen (Wickham') Farrell, both of 
whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came 
to America, settling in Rockford in the early 
'40s. Her father was at one time a student in 
the school conducted by H. H. Waldo, the his- 
torian for this volume. Mr. Farrell was a mason 
by trade and after mastering the business fol- 
lowed it in Rockford throughout the remainder 
of his life. F>oth he and his wife died in this 
city. 

Mr. and Airs. Rogan had but one child, 
Robert, who is now eleven years of age. The 
parents held membership in St. James Catholic 
church here and Mr. Rogan possessed consider- 
able musical talent and was a member of the 
choir here from early manhood until his death. 
He had a fine voice and always assisted in the 
public entertainments given. He was identified 
with the old militia here and was among the 
first to go to Atlanta, Georgia, at the time the 
call was issued for troops to serve there. He 
took an active interest in political questions and 
was a stanch democrat. Well acquainted, his 
genial manner, unfailing courtesy and kindly dis- 
position gained him many friends. Being the 
owner of property in Rockford he became well 
known. He never sought to figure prominently 
in public life but was content to do his full 
duty to his emplovers. to perform his acts of 



citizenship in a private capacity and devote his 
leisure hours to his friends and family. His 
widow and son now reside at No. 604 College 
avenue. 



JOHN GRIFFITHS. 

John Griffiths, now deceased, was born in 
Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1816. He remained 
a resident of Great Britain until twenty years of 
age and in 1836 sailed from England with his 
brother William. The voyage successfully ac- 
complished, they landed at New York, whence 
they made their way to Cincinnati, Ohio, the 
brother making a permanent location there but 
after a short period spent in that city John Grif- 
fiths removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he 
remained for about three years. On the expira- 
tion of that period he came to Rockton township, 
Winnebago county, in 1840. Here he purchased 
a tract of land and throughout the remainder of 
his life was engaged in general agricultural pur- 
suits. He was classed with the enterprising 
fanners, following modern methods and adopting 
all new ideas which he believed would prove of 
practical benefit in his work. His success was 
due to no fortunate combination of circumstances 
or to any inheritance, but resulted from his strong 
and steadfast purpose in carrying on his business 
aft'airs. 

Mr. Griffiths was married March i. i860, to 
Aliss Catherine Webber, who was born in Eng- 
land January 26, 1838, and was a daughter of 
William Webber. Her father was a native of 
Devonshire, England, whence he afterward re- 
moved to Somersetshire and there he became the 
owner of extensive landed interests and much 
propertv, which he disposed of at auction when 
he determined to come to America in 1849. His 
place presented the appearance of a fair ground, 
for tents were pitched for the accommodation of 
the visitors and food and drink were supplied to 
those who attended the auction, in keeping w-ith 
the English custom at that day. He had married 
Alarv Hake, also a native of England, and they 
were the parents of eight children before they 
crossed the Atlantic. After reaching New York 
thev made their w^ay w^estward around the Great 
I-akes and on reaching Winnebago county the fa- 
ther made purchase of six hundred and forty 
acres of land for which he paid ready cash,_ a 
thing quite unusual in that day. He was quite 
well-to-do, however, and after obtaining his land 
he continued to prosper in its care and cultivation, 
being recognized as one of the most enterprising 
and successful agriculturists of the county. Both 
he and his wife died when about eighty years of 
age. Further mention of the family is made in 
connection with the history of Henry A. Webber 



4i6 



PAST AND I'RESFA'T Ol- \V1 Wl-J; \( ic ) O )L'\TV. 



on another pajje of tliis work. .Mr. and .\lr.<. 
Griffiths became the jjarenls of the following 
children: Mary S., the deceased wife of EKvin 
Damon, by whom siie had two children, Law- 
rence (i. and W'innifred .M. ; S. Catherine, the wife 
of James Brown, a fanner of Shirland township, 
Winnehajjo county, by whom she has three chil- 
dren, Stanley. Catherine, and Richard : F.lizaheth 
A., the wife of Richard Powell and the mother 
of one .son, Richard ( )}j(len ; .Xollie E.. the widow 
of C. Menry Cowan and the mother of four chil- 
dren, Ralph. Roslin. Robbin and Dorothy: Fran- 
ces .M., the wife of Giarles Smith anil the mother 
of one child. Rolx>rt : W'innifred F... the next of 
the family: Minnie, the wife of .Arthur Ludley, 
by whom she has two children, Dorothy and Jo- 
seph ; John C, who married .Alice Fittle and has 
one child. Clarence: and William S.. who mar- 
ried \'iola Daring. 

Mr. Griffiths continued to engage in farming 
pursuits throughout the period of his residence in 
this county, although he left the active work of the 
farm largely to others in the evening of life. He 
passed away at the age of eighty years, respected 
by all who knew him and he left to his family a 
comfortable competence ancl an untarnished name. 
Following her husbamrs death Mrs. Griffiths re- 
moved to the village of Rockton, where she now 
makes her home. She is a member of the Con- 
gregational church and is one of the highly es- 
teemed ladies of the town. 



JOHN .ANDERS, Jr. 

.\mong the substantial and worthy citizens of 
Winnebago county that Germany has furnished 
to the new world is John .\nders, Jr.. a retired 
farmer of Pecatonica. He was born in the father- 
land June 5. 1846, and spent his minority in that 
country, coming to .America when twenty-one 
years old. He is a son of John and ]\raria (Ren- 
chrust) .Anders, who were also natives of Ger- 
many anfl crossed the .Atlantic in iSCtj, coming in 
June. ifV>8. to Pecatonica with their three chil- 
dren. The father was born June 19. 1816. and 
died April IQ, 1891, while his wife, wliosc birth 
occurred November 15, 1821, passed away Janu- 
ary r. 1808, in her seventy-seventh year. On ar- 
riving in Winnebago comity the father turned his 
attention to farming upon rented land which lie 
secured from Mr. Sanders, and later when his 
financial resources permitted he purchased forty 
acres, sjiending his remaining rlavs in its culti- 
vation and improvement. He and his family were 
members of the German I-uthcran church and his 
political allegiance was given to the republican 
party. He was respected because of his genuine 
worth and fidelitv to dutv and in the community 



where he lived he had many friends. In his fam- 
ily were five children : Fred, who is now living 
in Pecatonica township, where he follows fann- 
ing, married Miss Mary Swartz and they have 
five living children, three sons and two daugh- 
ters and have also lost two daughters ; John is 
the second in order of birth ; Chris died at the 
age of twenty-five years; Mary is the wife of 
Chris .\hrcns. a resident farmer of Pecatonica 
township and they have five living children and 
have lost one : Sophia, the wife of Henry Sass, 
who follows farming in this township and they 
liave three living children and have lost one. 

John .\nders, Jr.. having pursued his education 
in the schools of his native country, res<ilved. on 
attaining his majority, to seek his fortune in the 
new world. .Accordingly he left Hamburg, in 
November, 1867, and by steamer crossed the At- 
lantic to New York city, where he remained for 
about a week. He then went up the Hudson river 
to Rondout, New A'ork, where he spent one year, 
being employed in a brickyard. On the expira- 
tion of that period he made his way by rail to Win- 
nebago county and spent a month in Pecatonica, 
after which he went to .Afton, Rock county, Wis- 
consin, where he became a farm hand in the em- 
])loy of William H. Eldredge. .After a year he re- 
turned to Pecatonica and for two years operated 
land which he rented from Eeroy Kidder. He 
next rented the < )gden Hance farm for four 
vears, after which he purchased land from Caleb 
Palmer, becoming the owner of one hundred and 
twenty acres, which is still in his possession. La- 
ter he bought sixty acres of Mr. Egglcston, eighty 
acres of Mr. .Atwood and also purchased one hun- 
dred and sixty acres in North Dakota, in TQ02. 
The tract was partially improved and is now 
rented, while his sons are operating his farms in 
this countv. He owns altogether about four hun- 
dred acres of fine farming land in Winnebago 
countv. For a number of years he engaged in 
feciling and shipping stock and has bred short- 
horn cattle, also Durham and Holstein breeds. He 
has likewise raised high grades of horses and 
hogs, breeding draft horses. His fanning inter- 
ests have been carefully conducted and have 
brimght him a high measure of success. He is 
an excellent iudge of stock and moreover he is 
practical in his work, his labors therefore bring- 
ine him a rich financial reward. 

On the 24th of December, 1872, Mr. .\nders 
was married to Miss Sophia Marth. a daughter 
of Joseph and Dorothv (Dirschen) Marth. both 
of whom were natives of Germany, in which 
country the mother died. The father afterward 
came to .\merica, arriving here alxiut 1874. His 
daughter. Mrs. .Anders, was alreadv living 
here and subse(|uently a .son and daugli- 
ter came from the old countrv. while one 
s<in is still living in Gennany. In the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGC.) COUNTY. 



417 



family were five children, of whom four still 
survive : John, living in Seward township, 
wedded Mary E. Hacker and they have five chil- 
dren ; Fred yet makes his home in Germany ; 
Ricka died in this county; Mrs. Anders is the 
next of the family ; Mary also died in Germany. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anders have been born 
nine children : Bertha, born September 2, 1873. 
is the wife of Charles Cash, a resident farmer of 
Burritt township and they have one daughter, 
Violet; Herman, born August 17, 1874, and liv- 
ing in Burritt township, married Jennie Lyd and 
they have a son and daughter ; Emma, born July 
10, 1876, is at home; Minnie, born June 21, 1878, 
is the wife of Herman Thedorff and has a son and 
daughter, Harry and Helen ; Ida. born March 21, 
.1881, is filling a position as bookkeeper in Rock- 
ford ; John, born February 15, 1882, died in in- 
fancy ; Mollie, born December 5, 1883. is at home ; 
George, born June 28, 1886. is operating his fa- 
ther's farm in Burritt township in connection with 
his brother ; and Rosa, born November 30, 1887, 
died November 30, 1893. 

John Anders, active and interested in public 
affairs, has served for twenty-two years as school 
director and has done eflfective service in behalf 
of education. He has also been commissioner of 
highways in Burritt township for three years and 
at the present writing is one of the trustees of 
the village of Pecatonica. His political allegiance 
has always been given to the republican party 
save when he voted for Grover Cleveland for the 
presidencv. He and his family are members of 
the German Lutheran church. In his life he has 
displayed many of the strong sterling character- 
istics of the German people. He feels that he 
made no mistake in selecting this country as a 
place of residence and as the years have gone by, 
through the improvement of business opportuni- 
ties and unfaltering energy he has worked his 
way steadily upward until through his farming 
operations and judicious investment he has be- 
come the owner of extensive and valuable landed 
interests. At the present time, leaving the active 
management of his farms to his sons, he is now 
enjoying a well earned rest in Pecatonica and his 
life history stands in evidence of what may be 
accomplished when one has the will to dare and 
to do and through well directed labor finds the 
success which is the goal of all business endeavor. 



HENRY TERMOHLEN. 

Henry Termohlen, who came to Rockford in 
1893 and accepted the position of shop foreman 
for the Rockford Street Railway Company, was 
thus identified with industrial interests in Win- 
nebago county. He was born in Germany, De- 
cember t6, 1865, his parents being William and 



Marietta Termohlen, both of whom were natives 
of the fatherland. They emigrated to America 
in early life and settled in Freeport, Illinois, 
where the father engaged in gardening for 
several years. He afterward removed to Rock- 
ford, but resided here only a brief period and 
then took up his abode in Des Moines, Iowa, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. His 
death there occurred. His widow is now living 
at the home of her sister in Iowa and several of 
their children are residents of the same state, 
while two make their home in Freeport, Illinois. 

Henry Termohlen is indebted to the district 
schools for the early educational privileges he 
enjoyed. He also pursued his studies in Free- 
port and Rockford, and he entered upon his busi- 
ness career as a gardener in Freeport, where he 
remained for two years. He afterward went 
to Des JMoines, Iowa, where he became connected 
with the electrical business in the employ of a 
street car company learning to be an electrician. 
He was thus employed for three years, after 
which he came to Rockford, and here he accepted 
a position as electrician for the Rockford Street 
Railway Company, and was afterward promoted 
to foreman of the shops, having charge of all the 
men in their shops. This is a very responsible 
position, the duties of wdiich were capably and 
promptly discharged by Mr. Termohlen, who 
was retained in the service of the company 
throughout the remainder of his life. He was 
killed in a railroad accident, being on the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railroad between Rock- 
ford and Freeport when he was thrown from 
the train and his life was thus ended. This oc- 
curred December 16, 1900, on the thirty-fifth 
anniversary of his birth. 

Mr. Termohlen was married in Freeport, 
Illinois, to Miss Bertha Bauscher, who was born 
in that city and is a daughter of John and 
Sophia Baucher, both of whom were natives of 
Germany and became early settlers of Freeport, 
where her father worked as a harness-maker. 
Later he engaged in business as a florist and 
finally turned his attention to gardening, which 
he followed for many years or until he retired 
from active business life. When his labors had 
brought to him a comfortable competence he put 
aside further business cares and is now a well- 
to-do citizen of Freeport, where both he and his 
wife reside. Mr. and Airs. Termohlen had one 
child. Emily P., who now resides with her 
mother. Mr. Termohlen was a member of the 
Modern Woodmen camp at Rockford and in 
politics was a republican, but he never sought 
or desired office, preferring to give his un- 
divided attention to his business affairs. He is 
an expert electrician and a very industrious man, 
who was well liked by the people whom he served 
and by those who served under him. Mrs. Ter- 



4i8 



I'AST AND PRESENT OF \VIX.\I-:i!A( K ) fi )r\TV. 



nuililen is a member iif tlie Hnptist church at 
Des ^^()incs. Ir)\va. and with her daiisihter re- 
sides at Xo. 211 North Third street. August 
Nelson, who is now livinjj retired, also makes 
his home with them, having- resided in the Ter- 
molilen famih tor several vears. 



W [I.I.IAM PHELPS. 



Although William Phelps resided in Winne- 
l>ago county for but a few years in the latter part 
of his life, he was a pioneer of this part of the 
state, living in Ogle county at a day when one's 
neighbors were the settlers that lived in districts 
covered by a radius of many miles. He was there- 
fore well known among the early residents of 
Winnebago county, for his home was near the 
dividing line. A native of Herkimer county. New 
York, he was born on the 29th of November, 
1829, his parents being John and Polly (Steb- 
bens) Phelps, both of whom were natives of PTer- 
kimer county, where the father followed the oc- 
cupation of farming until 1852. He then came 
with his family to the west, his son William 
being at that time twenty-three years of age. 
The father entered land from the government, 
securing a claim near White Rock, in Ogle 
county, wliere he opened uj) a farm and carried 
on general agricultural pursuits up to the time 
of his demise. His wife also remained in that 
locality till the time of her death, which occurred 
when she had reached the very advanced age of 
ninety-seven years. The ancestry of the family 
can be traced Iwck to the landing of the ^fay- 
flower. 

William Phelps acc|uired a common-school 
education in Herkimer county. New York, and 
assisted in the development and imjjrovement 
of tlie home farm there and after coming to 
Ogle county continued as his father's helper upon 
the new claim frjr a few years. He then pur- 
chased a farm in Ogle county and while living 
there was married, in 1865. to Miss Margaret 
J. Wiley, the wedding being celebrated in Rock- 
ford. ^f^s. Phelps was a native of Oienesee 
county. New York, and a rlaughter of James 
C. and Elizabeth CCorbett) \\'iley. both of 
whom were natives of Washington county, New- 
York. The father was a carpenter by trade and 
followed building pursuits both in Washington 
and Genesee counties, remaining in the Empire 
state until i8'')7, when he came to the west, 
settling in the town of Rock ford, Floyd county, 
Iowa, where he was identified with building 
operations until his death. His first wife had 
passed away in Genesee county. New York, May 
21, 1849, anrl he was again married there, his 
second union being with Miss Caroline Cole. 
who now resides in Rockford, Towa. 



Mr. I'helps brought his bride to his farm and 
continued its develoi^ment and cultivation, mak- 
ing it a splendidly improved jiropertv. In all his 
work he was i>ractical and he kejit in touch with 
the modern methods of farming up to the time 
of his retirement from active business life in 
1896. In that year he took up his alwde in Rock- 
ford and afterward sold a |)ari of his farm to his 
nc])hew, Harry P. Willoughby. who now resides 
tliereon. L"pon coming to Rockford Mr. Phelps 
purchased the residence now (Kcupied by his 
widow and there lived until his death on the 5th 
of January, 1901. He held many minor offices 
in Ogle county and always vfited the democratic 
ticket. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity 
in Holcomb. Ogle county, and took a deep in- 
terest in the craft, being in hearty sympathy w'ith ■ 
its teachings and tenets. He hekl membership 
relations with the blue lodge, chapter, command- 
ery and Mystic Shrine and after coming to this 
state he became identified with the Knight 
Templars of Rockford. 

His life was well spent and he was truly a 
self-made man, whose labors were so carefully 
directed that they brought to him a creditable 
measure of success. In the early days he would 
ride from his farm in Ogle county to Rockford 
to do his trading and he was well acquainted 
with the pioneer settlers of the city and county, 
many of whom have expressed a desire to see 
his history in this work. All respected him be- 
cause of his genuine worth, knowing him to be 
an honest, ujiright man. worthy of llieir full con- 
fidence and regard. Mrs. Pliel])s now owns a 
nice residence at Xo. 437 North Avon street, 
where she resides, and also eighty acres of the 
old homestead farm in Ogle county to which 
she went as a bride in i8r>5. She is well known 
in Rockford. where she has manv friends. 



.MRS. KATE GI. AWE. 

Mrs. Kate Glawe is the owner of an excellent 
farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres on sec- 
tions 28 and 33, liurritt township. This is one 
of the best kept places in this i)art of the county 
and indicates her careful supervision and excel- 
lent executive ability. Mrs. Glawe was born near 
Rochelle. I.ee county, Illinois, October 3. i86r, 
and is a daughter of John and Margaret 
( Schmoll ) N'aupel. of Eee county. .She s])ent her 
girlhood days in her parents' home and in early 
womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Fred 
Glawe. who was 1)orn in Germany and came to 
this countr\ about 1870. He worked for others 
as a farm hand imtil 1878. when he purchased 
the tract of lanil ui)on whicli his wi<l(iw now re- 
sides. His time and energies were then given 




m/jiti 



cxyyvx 



® 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXNECAGO COUNTY. 



421 



to the improvement of his property until his 
death, which occurred April 24, 1897, when he 
was in his fifty-fifth year. 

Unto JMr. and Mrs. Glawe were bom the fol- 
lowing- named : Louis, born April 26. 1882. was 
married in February, 1904. to Emma Weitkam- 
per and is now living in Winnebago township. 
Edwin, born September 6, 1884, resides in Peca- 
tonica township. Irvin, born September 18, 1886, 
is at home. Clarence, born in 1888, is also at 
home. Lilly, born June 19, 1890, Elmer, born 
June II, 1893, and Walter, born March 15, 1895, 
complete the family. Alvin. the third in order 
of birth, died at the age of fourteen months. 

Since her husband's death Mrs. Glawe has car- 
ried on the home farm with the assistance of her 
sons, who perform the active work of the fields, 
while she gives careful supervision to the busi- 
ness interests and in this work has displaved 
marked executive force and keen discernment. 
The farm is one of the neatest and best kept in 
the township and upon it stands an attractive 
modern residence. Mrs. Glawe believes in keep- 
ing abreast with improvement and progress on 
the farm and in the home and her place is there- 
fore well equipped with all modem accessories. 
She is a lady of many estimable and admirable 
characteristics, who has carefully reared her chil- 
dren since her husband's death. She belongs to 
the Presbyterian church at Winnebago and is held 
in high esteem by all who know her. 



H. M. SABIN, :\L D. 



Dr. H. M. Sabin. who as the result of years 
of thorough preparation and extensive practice 
became one of the most able and skilled members 
of the medical fratenu'ty in Rockford. practiced 
in this city from 1880 until 1896, and when his 
death occurred in the latter year the community 
felt it had been called upon to part with one 
whom it could ill afiford to lose. A native of 
Lennox. ^Massachusetts. Dr. Sabin was born 
September 6, 1832, his parents being Dr. Millen 
and Millescent (Bidwell) Sabin, both of whom 
were natives of the old Bay state. The father 
was also a physician and practiced successfully 
in Massachusetts until 1872, when he removed 
to the west, settling in Aurora, Illinois, where, 
after practicing for a few years, he retired to 
private life. He afterward removed to Prince- 
ton, where he spent his remaining days in the 
enjoyment of a well earned rest. He was a 
capable physician and his professional service 
therefore made his life of much value to his 
fellownien. His widow removed from Prince- 
ton to Anna. Illinois, and resided at the home of 
her son until her death, which occurred in 1903, 
when she was ninetv-seven vears of aee. 



Dr. Sabin pursued his education in the 
Wellston Seminary, located near Lennox, (joing 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, he taught in a college there 
for a few years, and then returned to Massa- 
chusetts, desirous of continuing his own educa- 
tion. He therefore entered Williams College, 
and was graduated in a class which has given 
to the country many eminent men. In the mean- 
time he had determined to make the practice of 
medicine his life work and to this end matricu- 
lated in the Bellevue Medical College, of New 
York city, wherein he completed the full course 
and graduated in the class of 1863, after which 
he received his certificate to practice. 

The proud possessor of a diploma which gave 
him entrance to the medical fraternity. Dr. 
Sabin returned to his home, but as the Civil war 
was in progress he enlisted in the Fifty-third 
Massachusetts Regiment. He had been in the 
service for only three months when he was taken 
ill and again went to his home, unfit for arduous 
field service at the front. 

It was in 1867 that he came to the west, locat- 
ing for practice in Edwardsville, Illinois, where 
he remained for a few years, after which he 
removed to Lincoln, Nebraska. There he con- 
tinued until 18S0, when he came to Rockford 
and for sixteen years was a well known repre- 
sentative of the medical fraternity here. He 
never permitted the profession to progress be- 
yond a point with which he was also familiar, 
for reading, study and investigation kept him in 
touch with the advance made by the members of 
the medical fraternity. He was careful in 
diagnosing a case and apt in foretelling the pos- 
sible outcome of disease, and in all his practice 
he was conscientious and earnest and conform- 
ing to the highest ethics of the calling. He built 
up a large practice in city and county and gave 
to it close attention until he became ill in 1894. 
For two years he was in poor health and then 
passed away April 29. 1896. 

Dr. Sabin was married twice. In Edwards- 
ville. Illinois, he wedded Miss Letitia Tunnell, 
who died in Lincoln, Nebraska, leaving a son, 
\\'illiam H.. the only child of that marriage and 
now a baker in Rockford. In the latter city 
Dr. Sabin was again married, his second union 
being with Mrs. Madeline M. (DeMarke) 
Shaw, a native of Galena. Illinois, and a daugh- 
ter of jMenard DeMarke, who was of French 
descent, as was his wife, and both are now de- 
ceased. By the first marriage of Mrs. Sabin 
was born a son, Charles H., who is now engaged 
in the study of law in the western part of Iowa. 
In his political views Dr. Sabin was always 
an earnest Republican who kept well informed 
on the issues and questions of the day but was 
never an aspirant for office. He belonged to the 
Masonic fraternitv and to the Second Congre- 



4^^ 



I'AST AND PRE?F.XT OF WIXXF.RAGO CnUXTY 



Rational church of Rocktord and these relatons 
itidicateil the character of the man, wlio enter- 
taiiieil broad Iniinanilarian views and was true 
to all the (hities and oblijjations which devolved 
upon him as a business man. a ])hysiciau and 
friend. Of studious tastes and habits he was 
a great reader, having a strong love of good 
books and he ]josscssed a good library, with the 
contents of which he was familiar, sjiending 
some of his happiest hours in com])anionship 
with the best writers of this and other ages. Tie 
was a member of the Winnebago Medical So- 
ciety of Rockford and enjoyed the high regard 
of his professional brethren. His widow re- 
sides at the old home, Xo. 309 Winnebago street, 
where she has long resided, and where her many 
friends deliirht to irather. 



WILLIAM H. KEITH. 

William H. Keith is a well known farmer of 
Ilurritt township, living on section 31, w-here 
he and his sister have a valuable farm of three 
hundred and forty-five acres, ten miles west of 
Rockford. This was his birth place, his natal 
(lav being Mav 18. 1R48. He traces his ancestry 
back tlirough several generations to Peter Keith, 
his great-grandfather, who came of Rockford in 
1836. He found a little village of a few build- 
ings standing in the midst of broad prairies which 
were largely uncultivated, much of the land being 
still in possession of the government. He came 
to Winnebago county in company with his son. 
Adam Keith, who was born in Penn.>ylvania in 
I "93 and who became a pioneer settler of Ohio. 
Indiana and Illinois. He arrived in Rockford in 
1836 and he kept moving westward in the ad- 
vance guard of civilization and spent his last 
years on the frontier in Furnas county, X^e- 
iiraska, where he died in 1883. He was wel 
fitted to cope with the hardships and difficulties 
incident to pioneer life and he aided in planting 
the seeds of civilization and progress ii' various 
districts in four states to which he went as a 
frontier settler. 

Adam Keith, father of our subject, was born 
November 7, 1825, in Ohio and was a youth of 
eleven years when brought by his parents from 
Indiana to Illinois. He lived in RfX'kford with 
his father until 1847, when he entered a home- 
stead claim from the government and began its 
cultivation. Xot a furrow had been turned and 
the breaking plow was soon put into use. The 
seed was then planted and in due course of time 
crops were hars'ested and thus the work of culti- 
vation was carried on year after year until he 
transformed his place into a valuable farm prop- 



erty, living thereon up to the time of his death, 
which occurred on the 25th of July, 1896, when 
he was in his seventy-first year. His life was a 
busy and useful one and all who knew him 
respected him for his genuine worth and his 
many sterling traits of character. In i860 he 
served as township supervisor but while he was 
never remiss in the duties of citizenship he cared 
little for public office, feeling that the daily work 
of the farm was worthy of his best efforts and 
his imdivided attention. He married Martha 
Holmes, who was born in Bradford, England, 
and (lied in Rockford, January 20. 1864. For 
his second wife he chose X^ancy Hilton, who was 
born May 10. 1842, and died on the 7th of Sep- 
tenilKT. 1869. The brothers and sisters of Wil- 
liam II. Keith arc as follows: Elizabeth, who was 
born February 14, 1847. and in 1871 became the 
wife of J. L. Dickerson. now living in Oklahoma ; 
Martha, w'ho was born in 1854 and is living upon 
the old homestead with her brother ^^'illiam ; Jes- 
sie, who was born May 29, 1838. and in 1884 be- 
came the wife of Fred Putney, now living in 
Indian Territory ; X'ancy E., who was born on the 
17th of September, 1868, and in 1885 became the 
wife of Fred Wliiting, who died, and in 1901 she 
married Jesse Hopkins, their home being on in 
St. Paul. Minnesota. 

William IT. Keith, whose name introduces this 
review, has spent his entire life upon the old 
homestead farm on section 31. Burritt township, 
save for the period of ten years which he passed 
in Haves county. X^ebraska. He has always car- 
ried OTi general agricidtural pursuits and he and 
his sister Martha have a valuable place, the 
fields being well tilled, while the farm is equipped 
with many modern accessories and conveniences. 
Mr. Keith is also well known in connection with 
public interests of his comnumity. to which he has 
alwavs been most loyal. He was supervisor of 
his township from 1876 until 1879 and is again 
serving in that capacity. In politics he is a demo- 
crat but believes in supporting the best man for 
office. 



WILLIAM COY. 



William Coy. now deceased, was one of the 
honored pioneer settlers of Winnebago county, 
taking up his abode in this .section of the state 
when the work of improvement seemed scarcely 
begun and when there was little promise of rapid 
development in the future. The year 1844 wit- 
nessed his arrival and from that time until his 
death he was numlx'red among the leading and 
successful agriculturists of this countv. He came 
fmm England, having been Mrn in Lincolnshire, 
in that countrv. in 1813. He was therefore about 




ADAM KEITH. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



425 



thirty-one years of age when he crossed the At- 
lantic to the new world. He made his way direct 
to \^'innebago county and settled upon the farm 
which is now in possession of his widow, which 
had been entered from the government b}- a Mr. 
Thomas. With characteristic energy he began 
the development and improvement of this place 
which was largely covered with timber, there 
being but ten acres of prepared land. It was 
necessary therefore that he cut down the trees, 
grub out the stumps and otherwise clear the fields 
before they were ready for cultivation. He 
worked earnestly and persistently year after vear 
and as his financial resources increased he made 
judicious investment in property until his landed 
interests aggregated three hundred and twentv 
acres, of which two hundred acres is still in pos- 
session of his family. 

Mr. Coy had been a resident of Winnebago 
county for about three years when, in 1847, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Isabella R. Zie- 
bach, who had arrived here the previous vear. 
She was born in Union county, February, 1822, 
and when about twenty-four years of age came to 
Winnebago county, where her sister, Mrs, 
Groves, was then living. Mr. and Mrs. Coy be- 
came the parents of six children, of whom four 
are living, two sons and two daughters; R. E., 
who is engaged in the practice of medicine in 
Rockford, Illinois ; Miss E. A. Coy, who is an 
artist of New York city ; Miss Emma Coy, now 
the principal of the Hall school at Rockford ; and 
W. E., who resides upon the home farm, which 
he is now operating. 

In his political views William Coy was a repub- 
lican and kept well informed on the issues of the 
dav although he never sought or desired public 
office. He was a man of rather quiet and retiring 
disposition and of domestic tastes, devoted to his 
family and his business. He counted his greatest 
pleasure in providing for his wife and children 
and his enterprise and untiring labors as the years 
passed enabled him to acquire a comfortable com- 
petence. 



ROBERT SPOTTSWOOD. 

Robert Spottswood, devoting his entire atten- 
tion to the interests of the Winnebago Lumber 
Company, which is now one of the prosperous 
commercial interests of the town, has been a resi- 
dent of this county since 1867. He is a native 
of St. Lawrence county. New York, his birth 
having occurred in the town of Lisbon, in 1846. 
His parents were Robert and Mary C. (Graham) 
Spottswood. both natives of Scotland, the for- 
mer born in Roxburyshire and the latter in Dum- 
fries. Both came to this country in childhood, 
aged respectively fourteen and nine years, and 



with their parents they settled in New York and 
Canada. Following their marriage they took 
up their abode in St. Lawrence county, New 
York, where they resided until 1 85 1, when they 
went to Canada, making their home in Kempt- 
ville, Grenvilie count}-, near Ottawa, until their 
removal to Winnebago county, Illinois, in 1867, 
The family home was then established at West- 
field Corners, where Robert Spottswood, Sr,, 
conducted a blacksmith shop for a number of 
years, being thus a well known representative of 
industrial interests of that place. He died in 
the fall of igoo, when more than eighty years 
of age, and his wife passed away in July, 1904, 
at the age of eighty-five years. In their family 
were eight children, of whom two died in in- 
fancy, while Mary C, died in 1903, after fifteen 
years teaching in the public schools at Rockford, 
while five are yet living, as follows : Mrs. Robert 
Simpson, of Rockford township: Mrs. Edwin 
\\'are, of Winnebago township ; Elizabeth, who 
is residing in \\'innebago county; Margaret, who 
is employed in Stewart's department store in 
Rockford ; and Robert of this review. 

In his boyhood days Robert Spottswood ac- 
quired a public-school education. He accom- 
panied his parents on their removal to Canada 
and to this county, living first in Westfield Cor- 
ners, where he worked for his father at the 
blacksmith's trade until coming to Winnebago, 
since which time he has been connected with the 
lumber business. He was instrumental in or- 
ganizing the Winnebago Lumber Company and 
devotes his entire energies to the development 
of the trade which has long since reached ex- 
tensive and profitable proportions, the business 
being one of the leading enterprises of the city. 

Mr. Spottswood was married in 1875 to Miss 
Eleanor F. Ellis, a daughter of Wifliam and 
Justina (.\bbott) Ellis, who died at Byron, 
Illinois, in December, 1903, when about ninety- 
six years of age. Her father was a pioneer of 
\Vinnebago county and at different times owned 
property in Rockford. He was also owner of 
a farm in this count}- and was well known, com- 
manding the respect and esteem of those with 
whom business and social relations brought him 
in contact. Mrs. Spottswood has two sisters 
at Byron — Mrs. Harriet Spoor and Mrs. David 
J. Simpson. L^nto Mr. and Mrs. Spottswood 
have been born two children ; M. Justina, who 
in early womanhood engaged in teaching in the 
schools of Rockford, and is now the wife of H. 
M, Robins, a resident of San Francisco, Califor- 
nia ; and Ralph B., who is connected with the 
Forest City Bank, of Rockford. 

In politics Mr. Spottswood is an independent 
democrat and has recently been elected justice 
of the peace of \Mnnebago. He is also notary 



426 



PAST AXI) PRESENT OF WIXXEli \( ;0 COUNTY 



public and township treasurer and in tlic dis- 
chara:e of his official duties is ever |)r(inii)t. ac- 
curate and reliable. He belongs to the Modern 
Woodmen camp and to the Knijjiits of the (ilobe 
of W'innebago and for twenty years has been a 
factor in fraternal, business and political circles 
of this place. 



JOHN WALLIS. 

It seems that nature intended that man should 
enjoy a season of rest in his later years. In youth 
he possesses unbounded visitor, hope and enthusi- 
asm, and in his mature years there is added a 
sound judgment and capability that make his 
labor of much avail in the business world. Later 
when his powers are somewhat diminished, if he 
has carefully and persistently worked to acquire 
a competence he may put aside the more arduous 
duties of business life and live retired. Such has 
been the history of ]\Ir. Wallis, who since 1849 
has resided in ^^'^nnebago county and is there- 
fore numbered among its pioneer settlers. He 
took up his abode in Owen township, near the 
village of Owen Center, and was there engaged 
in farming for a few years. He was born in 
Gloucestershire, England, sixteen miles from the 
city of Gloucester, in December, 1824, his par- 
ents being Thomas and Hannah ("Greening) Wal- 
lis. lx)th of whom were natives of Enghnd, 
whence in T844 thev emigrated with their fnni- 
ilv to .\mcrica. first settling in P.rnoklvn. New 
York. The mother, who was quite ill during 
the voyage, died soon after their arrival, and the 
father afterward made his home with his son 
John until his death. .Ml of the children are now 
deceased with the exception of him whose name 
introduces this review. 

The educational advantages which Tolin Wal- 
lis received were somewhat meager, although he 
attended school for a limited time in England. 
He was about twentv \ears of asre when, with 
his parents, he crossed the .Atlantic to the new 
world, and after residing for a few months in 
Pirooklyn. New York, he went to Chester. New 
York, where he had an imcle living. There he 
worked at the carpenter's trade with his imcle 
for a brief period but decided to trv his fortune 
in the west, believing that he would have better 
business opportunities in a district where compe- 
tition was not so great, .\ccordinglv he came to 
W'innebairo countv. Illinois. He first settled at 
Whig Hill, but after a short time removed to 
Owen Center, in Owen township, borrowing five 
hundred dollars from his father with which to 
purchase his farm there. His land was all new 
and imimprovcil. but he at once began to clear 
and cultivate it and soon rich har\-ests were gath- 



ered wlK-re ])revinusly the wild prairie grass had 
been seen. He resided there from 1849 ""'il 
1855. when he abandoned farming and took up 
his abode in the city of Rockford. 

Mr. Wallis was married in Corinth, Saratoga 
county, New York, to Miss Olive Barber, a na- 
tive of the Empire state and a daughter of Isaac 
and Lucinda I'.arber, who resided in the east for 
many years, but after the father retired from busi- 
ness life they made several trips to Rockford and 
spent much of their later life in traveling. They 
visited Minnesota and Wisconsin and finally set- 
tled in Prescott, of the latter state, where both 
the father and mother died. He was a millwright 
by trade and for many years followed that pur- 
suit. Mr. Wallis was called upon to mourn the 
loss of his wife in 1885, her death occurring in 
Rockford on the 28th of June of that year. There 
had been three children born unto them : Brunello 
Monroe, who died December 14. 1903, married 
Arabella \'ale. of Elgin, Illinois, where she and 
her children now reside ; Adelbert James, who 
married Ella Miller, makes his home in Colum- 
bus, Ohio, and is traveling salesman for a whole- 
sale drug house of Peoria, Illinois ; Mary Ellen 
is the widow of A, J. Roscoe. who was chief 
engineer at the power house of Rockford for the 
street car company for three years, and was also 
engineer for other companies in this city. He 
died November 25, 1901, and Mrs. Roscoe now 
makes her home in Rockford. Mr. Wallis resid- 
ing with her. Mr. and Mrs. Wallis also adopted 
and reared a nephew. Professor William H. 
r>rydges, who is a highly educated man, now su- 
perintendent of schools in Elgin, Illinois. For 
his second wife Mr. \\'allis chose Miss Elizabeth 
Hetherington. a native of Scotland and a daugh- 
tef of Mrs. Elizabeth Hetherington. a widow, who 
part of the time makes her home in Rockford with 
Air. ^^'allis and spends the remainder of the time 
with her three sons in Michigan. Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Wallis died in Rockford. December 26. 1900. 

.After coming to this city Mr. Wallis worked at 
the carpenter's trade for a short time and later 
engaged in selling sewing machines, buggies, car- 
riages and other vehicles. He also conducted 
a general repair shop. Later he traveled on the 
road, selling sewing machine attachments for 
three vears, and at the end of that time he joined 
his son in the conduct of a drug l)usiness at No. 
325 East State Street, where he remained for 
several vears. During all of this time the part of 
the citv in which he now lives was an oatfield. but 
Mr. Wallis realized that the city was rapidly 
growing and that the outlying districts would 
soon be incorporated within the botmdary limits. 
He therefore invested his money in land and be- 
gan buying and selling houses. Many unim- 
proved and unsightly places have been trans- 
formed into attractive residence districts bv him, 



/ 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



427 ^ 



and he now owns many dwellings in his part 
of the city which he rents, deriving therefrom a 
good income. 

In his political views Air. W'allis was a repub- 
lican but was never an office seeker. He has 
always kept well informed on the questions and 
issues of the day and is interested in the success 
and growth of his party. Both Mr. Wallis and 
]\Irs. Roscoe are members of the Christian Union 
church, and she is a member of the Ladies' Aux- 
iliary society, the Woman's Relief Corps, and 
other social and benevolent organizations. She 
is well to do and has alwa\-s been very liberal 
with her money, giving freely to churches and 
to any one in need. ?ilr. Wallis is now more 
than eighty years of age but is still a busy man, 
leading a useful and industrious life, his atten- 
tion being given to the supervision and improve- 
ment of his property, which is located at various 
points on the east side. His home is at No. 501 
Longwood Street, and as one of the pioneer citi- 
zens of Winnebago county he has a very wide ac- 
quaintance. He owes his prosperity entirely to 
his own labors, for he started out in life amid 
unfavorable circumstances. Believing that suc- 
cess might be accomplished through determined 
and honorable effort he has steadily worked his 
way upward and has not only gained a handsome 
competence but has also made for himself an 
honored name. 



ROBERT RALSTON. 

A productive and well tilled farm of one hun- 
dred and forty acres on section 22, Harlem town- 
ship, is the property of Robert Ralston, who was 
born at Watertown, Washington county. Ohio, 
August 22. 1849. His paternal grandparents were 
David and Helen Ralston and the former died in 
Scotland, while the latter died in Harlem town- 
ship. The maternal grandfather, !Mr. Biggins, 
died in Ohio in 1856. The father, Robert Rals- 
ton, was a native of the parish of Southend, Ar- 
gyleshire. Scotland, born July 12, 1802. When 
a young man he crossed the Atlantic to the 
LTnited States, settling first in Massachusetts, 
where he secured employment in a hardware store 
and after spending a number of years in New 
England he removed to Ohio. For some time he 
engaged in teaching in Washington county, that 
state, and while living in Ohio he wedded Nancy 
Biggins, who was bom in Watertown. that state, 
on the 1 6th of May, 181 1. He continued to fol- 
low the profession of teaching during the greater 
part of his residence in the Buckeye state, whence, 
in 185 1, he removed to Winnebago county, set- 
tling in Harlem township. About two years la- 
ter he bought the farm on which his son Robert 
now resides and prior to this time he had been 



identified with educational interests here. His 
remaining days, however, were devoted to agricul- 
tural pursuits and he died upon the old home- 
stead, July 20, 1890, while his wife survived un- 
til October, 1900. The members of their family 
were : David W., a farmer residing at Neosho 
Falls, Kansas, who was born April 11, 1840, and 
is married and has two sons and three daughters ; 
Henry, who was born September 7, 1841, and 
died Alarch 11, 1862; John B., a hardware dealer 
of Rockford, who was born April 21, 1846, and 
is married and has one son ; Ellen Jane, who was 
born !vlarch 4, 1843, ^nd is the wife of Robert 
Henderson, of Caledonia, Illinois, by whom she 
has two sons and two daughters ; and Mary- 
Louise, who was born June 5, 185 1, and is the 
wife of Robert McGeachy. of Swaledale. Iowa. 

Robert Ralston, the other member of the fam- 
ily, was brought by his parents to this countv in 
the fall of 1 85 1, the family home being estab- 
lished in Harlem township upon the farm where 
he yet resides and where he has lived continuously 
since. He attended the public schools and through 
the summer months worked upon the farm. His 
education was supplemented by the assistance 
■which he received from his father, who had for 
many years been a teacher and who was a well 
educated man, being a graduate of the Edinburgh 
L^niversity of Scotland. In farm labor he was 
also well trained and early became familiar with 
the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for 
the stock. 

On the 4th of March. i8q6, ]\Ir. Ralston was 
married to IMiss Agnes F. Mitchell, a daughter 
of James and Agnes Mitchell, who for many 
years made their home in Harlem township. The 
father was born in Arg}-leshire. Scotland, came 
to the LTnited States in 1870 and died in Harlem 
township in September, 1901. His wife bore the 
maiden name of Agnes Johnstone and was born 
in Argyleshire in 184^ She is now living in 
the township where she has long resided and 
where she is widely and favorably known. In the 
Mitchell family were six children : Hugh, who 
is living on the old homestead in Harlem town- 
ship ; William, who also occupied a part of that 
farm: Eliza McDougall Mitchell, also at home; 
Marv Jane, who is on the old farm : and Maggie, 
who died September 24. 1903. Mrs. Ralston is 
the other member of the familv and was born in 
Guilford township. May 28, 1871. By her mar- 
riage she has become the mother of one daughter, 
Florence A., born June 23. 1897. 

Air. Ralston is an earnest supporter of the re- 
publican party, to which he h^s given his alle- 
giance since attaining his majority. He has been 
recognized as an active worker, loyal to the party 
and effective in promoting its interests. In 1891 
he was elected justice of the peace and has since 
served in that office. He has likewise been town 



'428 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF W I.\.\I:i;A(;() COL'XTY. 



clerk since 1902, was assessor for three _vears and 
school (Hrector for the past two years. Tlie fam- 
il\' arc members of the Willow Creek Presbyter- 
ian church of Argyle. The name of Ralston has 
figured ])rominently in connection with public af- 
fairs of the locality through a long period, for 
Mr. Ralston's father was honored with a number 
of local offices, serving from 1858 until his death 
as iustice of the peace, while from 1854 until 
1873 he was town clerk and for many terms was 
school director. The Ralstons have ever stood 
as champions of progress and improvement, de- 
voted to the welfare of the community and active 
in support of every measure for the general good. 



EDG.\R THEODORi: lUl.l.M Vl'.R. M. D. 

Dr. Edgar Theodore I'illmyer. engaged in the 
practice of medicine in Cherry \'alley, where he 
has been located since 1864. was born in I'nion- 
town, CarniU county, Maryland, July 8. 1832. 
His fatlicr was a manufacturer of fine boots. 
The son. spending his boyhood days in the 
coimty of his nativity, acciuired his literary edu- 
cation there, attendins: the l^niontown .\cademy. 
He afterward engaged in teaching in Carroll 
countv for three years and in the meantime de- 
voted his leisure hours to the study of medicine, 
his reading being directed by a physician of 
Westminster, Carroll county. Later he entered 
a medical college, being graduated in l-'ebruary, 
1855. from Physio-Medical College at Cincin- 
nati. Ohio, in which city he studied under Pro- 
fessor Curtis. Me then crossed the river and 
studied for three months under Professor Wil- 
liam r.ird Powell, the subject of his investiga- 
tion being cerebro-physiology and its relations 
to the body. He afterward traveled through 
Ohio and in the same year came on a visit to an 
aunt who resided between Cherry \'alley and 
New Milford. in Winnebago county. Her son, 
Lemuel Colwell, still resides in Rockford. and 
she has a daughter who is also living in that 
dty. 

Tt was this that led Dr. I'.illmyer to locate in 
Winnebago county. lie began practice in the 
locality where his aunt lived in June. 1855. pur- 
chasing a fann between the two villages, which 
he continued to make his home until 1864. when 
he took up his abode in Cherry Valley. He re- 
tained the f>wnership of his farm for some time 
thereafter, but sold it several years ago. Here 
he has practiced contiiniously since his connec- 
tion with the medical fraternity in this county, 
covering over fifty years. He is a subscriber 
to many medical journals and thus keejis in 
touch with the advanced thought of the ])rofes- 
sion. He has instituted a treatment of his own 



for pneumonia, using medicated sheets, which he 
wraps around the patient and in this special line 
of practice he has been exceptionally success- 
ful. ( )ut of one hundred and thirty cases of 
diphtheria which he has treated in Cherry Val- 
ley and vicinity he has lost only one patient — a 
remarkable record, lie also has a powder 
which he uses to clear the throats of diphtheria 
patients. In his general practice he has al.so 
been successful and a liberal patnmage has been 
accorded him through many years. 

Dr. I'lillniyer was married in this county to 
Miss Mary Metier, who died about twenty-two 
years ago. She belonged to one of the pioneer 
families of this part of the state, her people hav- 
ing located in Winnebago count}' about iS^T,'). 
Politically Dr. P)illmyer is a stalwart rejniblican. 
having cast his first ])residential vote for John 
C. Fremont and supjiorting each candidate at 
the head of the ticket since that time, although 
he was reared in the democratic faith. He has 
fre(|uently been solicited to accept offices, but 
lias always refused, serving only as school trus- 
tee in Cherry \'alley for several terms and also 
while living on a farm. .\t one time he joined 
the Sons of Temperance in Maryland and he 
has always been true to his vows taken in early 
life, never purchasing any stimulant for use as 
a beverage during the seventy-three years in 
which he has traveled life's journey. He favors 
the nisci])le church, but is liberal in his religious 
views. He is a remarkably active and well pre- 
served man and his life has been of great useful- 
ness and benefit to his fcllowmcn during the 
fifty years of his connection with the medical 
fraternity in Winnebago county. He is the loved 
family physician in many a household and a 
cheery presence has been a valuable supple- 
ment to the remedial agencies which he has em- 
ployed. 



P.\TRICK DROHAN. 

Patrick Drohan, who departed this life about 
ten years ago after active and honorable connec- 
tion with agricultural interests, was born in 
County Waterford, Ireland, and spent the days 
of his boyhood and youth in that country, but 
when a young man came to America. He took 
up his abode in \\'iiuiebago county about twenty 
vears ago. residing first near Rockford. where he 
made his home for several years. He then pur- 
chased the farm which is yet owned by his widow 
and is operated by his two sons. This place com- 
Iirises one hundred and ninety acres of land which 
is rich, productive anrl well improved. He was a 
hard-working man and very successful in his 
farming operations, his prosjicrity being due en- 
tirelv to his tmfaltcring labor and perseverance. 




E, T BILLMYER.M.D 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



431 



It was after his arrival in America that Mr. 
Drohan was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
O'Brien, who was born in County Limerick, Ire- 
land, and came to the United States when a 
maiden of fifteen years, arriving here in the '50s. 
She first resided in Vermont and later became a 
resident of Rockford, where she gave her hand 
in marriage to Patrick Drohan. They became 
the parents of four children, of whom one died in 
infancy, while Ellen A. died at the age of twentv- 
five years. Thomas, residing on the home farm, 
married Miss Sarah Hartlett, a native of Stam- 
ford, Connecticut, and a daughter of Lawrence 
and Sarah (Malvy) Hartlett, who now reside 
near Rockford. Her parents were married in 
Limerick, Ireland, and Mr. Hartlett is engaged in 
business as a landscape gardener. Thomas Dro- 
han and his wife have three children : JXIarguer- 
ite, Ellen and Paul Thomas. William Drohan, 
the younger son, now residing on section 7, Rock- 
ford township, married Miss Annie Fitzgerald. 

In his political views Mr. Drohan was an earn- 
est democrat, believing firmly in the principles of 
the party. He held membership in St. Marv's 
Catholic church of Rockford, of which his familv 
are also communicants. His life proved the 
force and value of industry and integrity in an 
active business career and he deserved much 
credit for what he accomplished, as everything 
that he possessed was won through his indefati- 
gable labor and capable management. He left to 
his family a very good farm, so that his widow is 
now in comfortable financial circumstances. 



FRED W. PATTERSON. 

Fred W. Patterson, following farming on sec- 
tion 29, Harrison township, where he has one 
hundred and twenty acres of land devoted to the 
raising of crops, was born in the neighborhood 
of his present home on the 5th of Aoril. 1846, 
his parents being Lewis and Emilv I. ( Bhck- 
burn) Patterson, who were married in Mav. i8_V). 
and came to Winnebago countv, in August of that 
year. They forded the Rock river at what is now 
the city of Rockford at the place where the dam 
has since been built. There was hardly a hamlet 
there to give promise of the present city of metro- 
politan proportions with its splendid industrial, 
commercial and professional interests. The river 
crossed, thev proceeded on over the prairies to 
Harrison township, where Mr. Patterson entered 
a claim on section 21. A year or two later he 
removed to section 29 on the same township and it 
was upon that farm that his son Fred was born. 
Robert Coulter had previously owned a claim 
and sold it to Air. Patterson. A log house was 
the home of the family until 1876, when the pres- 
24 



ent commodious and substantial frame residence 
was erected. As the years passed the labors of 
i\Ir. Patterson and his son transformed the tract of 
wild prairie into fields that were made to bloom 
and blossom as the rose, and all modern equip- 
ments were added, making the farm a valuable 
tract of land. Here the father continued to make 
his home until his death, which occurred in Octo- 
ber, 1900, when he was nearly eightv-four years 
of age. His wife passed away in April, 1905, at 
the age of eighty-four years and one month. They 
were natives of Canada and Ohio respectively and 
their marriage was celebrated near Cleveland, 
Ohio. Lewis Patterson did much toward pro- 
moting the pioneer improvement of the countv 
and his genuine worth as an individual and citizen 
led to his election to local office. He was first 
chosen justice of the peace in 1853, his commis- 
sion being assigned by Joel A. Matteson, while 
later he was commissioned by Governor Richard 
Yates and other chief executives of the state. He 
was likewise township collector for manv vears 
and also assessor. Mrs. Patterson, a worthv pio- 
neer woman, held membership in the ]\Iethodist 
Episcopal church and proved a faithful compan- 
ion and helpiuate to her husband on the journey 
of life. In the family of this worthy couple were 
three sons and a daughter : John A., who was a 
member of Company C. Fiftv-fifth Illinois I'n- 
fantry in the Civil war, was captured at Shiloh 
and died at Macon, Georgia, in 1862 : George C. 
who was a member of the Seventy-second Illi- 
nois Regiment, was killed at the battle of Frank- 
lin, Tennessee: and ]Mrs. Marion Riche is living 
at Nora Springs. Iowa. 

Fred W. Patterson, the other member of the 
family, was reared upon his father's farm here 
and has always lived in Harrison township with 
the exception of one year spent in Indiana. The 
educational facilities of the public schools gave 
him a knowledge of the common branches of Eng- 
lish learning, while under his father's direction he 
became familiar with all the work of the fields. 
Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded 
Miss Erdell Kilbourn. who was bom in Oneida 
countv. New York, in 1853. a daughter of Daniel 
and Kate (Thorne") Kilbourn. who came to this 
county in 1858. The father died here in .\ugust, 
1 001, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his 
widow now resides in northwestern Iowa at the 
age of seventy-seven. For a long period they 
made their home in Durand township and were 
farming people of that locality. Mr. Kilbourn 
served his country as a member of the Twelfth 
Illinois Cavalry in the Civil war. L^nto Mr. and 
Mrs. Patterson have been born two children : 
Emily Kate, the wife of .A.rthur Myott. residing 
in Dnrand township, by whom she has three chil- 
dren. Bernard L.. Bernice D. and one who died 
in infancy ; and Flora J., who is attending school. 



43^ 



PAST AND 



ii:si-:xT i.n- wixxeijago eoLxrv 



T1k-\ also lost their second daughter, Alice, who 
died in infancy. Mrs. Patterson is a member of 
the United Brethren church. Mr. Patterson 
has served in some local offices and has always 
given his support to the republican party. Dur- 
iiig almost si.x decades he has lived to see the 
changes that have been wrought here, transform- 
ing \\'innebago county from a wild and unim- 
proved district into one of the most populous and 
prosperous sections of this great commonwealth. 



DANIEL KINSOX. 



Daniel Kinson. now retired from active busi- 
ness life and living on his farm on section 33, 
Xew Milford township, was born in the town of 
Eden. \^ermont, August 21. 1827. his parents 
being Jolin and Malinda CT.amphere) Kinson. 
the former a native of New Hampshire, and the 
latter of \'ermont. Coming to the west they 
spent a few months at Whitewater, Wisconsin, 
while the father and his son Daniel looked over 
the country emijraced within the borders of 
Winnebago county. Being favorably impressed 
with this part of the state they decided to locate 
here, for land could be secured at a nominal rate. 
much of it still being in possession of the govern- 
ment. The homes at that time were widely 
scattered and many of the now thriving towns 
and villages had not yet sprung into existence. 
.Arrangements being perfected for securing a 
farm. John Kinson brought his family to Winne- 
bago county and here spent his remaining days. 
He came into possession of what is now a part 
of Daniel Kinson's fami, securing it as a pre- 
emption claim, and continued its cultivation and 
improvement throughout the remainder of his 
active business life. He reached a venerable age. 
|)assing away in New Milford. December 28. 
1891. after attaining the eighty-eighth milestone 
on life's journey. His wife died September 7. 
1880. also at the age of eighty-eight years. In 
the familv of this worthy couple were the follow- 
ing named: Daniel: Lewis, who became a mem- 
ber of the Seventy-fourth Illinois X'ohmteer 
Regiment, and died while in the army : and Cyn- 
thia, the wife of Winslow Bordwell. a resident 
of the village of New Milford. 

Daniel Kinson spent the days of his boyhood 
and youtli in the Green Mountain state and with 
his parents came to the west. .\s before stated. 
he accompanied his father on a prospecting tour 
of this county and here he pre-empted a claim 
on which he has since made his home. He mar- 
ried Miss Joanna P.axter. who was born in the 
Empire state, in 1834. and came to Winnebago 
county with her ])arents. .She was to her hus- 
band a faithful companion and helpmate on life's 



journey for many \ears and she passed away in 
1899, at the age of sixty-five years. Nine 
children had been horn unto them, of whom seven 
are yet living: Asa H., who married .Miss Lorena 
Graham of this township, owns a farm near his 
father's home. Mrs. Clara Fitzgerald is resid- 
ing at New Milford. Ella is the wife of .-Mbert 
McEvoy, of Ottawa. Illinois. John, who mar- 
ried Eva Eastman, is engagetl in merchandising 
in New Milford townshi]i. Rena. the wife of Gil- 
bert Thompson, a resident farmer of New Mil- 
ford township. Ora married Miss Rose Lyman, 
and lives at Davis Junction. Rose is the wife of 
John I'urt. who resides near Clarion, in Wright 
county. Iowa. Fred died in childhood, and one 
other son died in early life. 

Politically Mr. Kinson is a republican, having 
continuously supported the party since its organi- 
zation and he has served as school director and 
highway commissioner. He formerly had fra- 
ternal relations but is not identified with any 
lodge at the present time. He has always at- 
tended the ]\iethodist church although not a 
member now. He continuea active farming until 
two or three years ago. when he delegated the 
more arduous work of the fields to others and is 
now enjoying a well earned rest. He retains 
his residence, however, uj^on the old homestead 
tarni. comprising two hundred and twenty-four 
acres in New Milford township, one hundred and 
sixty of which he entered from the government 
in early pioneer days. Few residents of the 
county have longer resided here and he has inti- 
mate knowledge of events which occurred in 
pioneer times and of conditions which existed 
when the land was but slightly improved and the 
county was sparsely settled and when there was 
little promise of future development. He has 
made i)rogress in keeping with the county's adop- 
tion of the various interests of an advanced civi- 
lization and he relates in interesting manner many 
incidents of earlier davs here. 



TOTTN CARLSON. 



.\mong the men of Rockford now deceased 
who were formerly prominent and active in busi- 
ness circles here was John Carlson, who came to 
this city in 1868, and at the time of his death was 
one of the stockholders of the Rockford Standard 
Furniture Company. .\s the name indicates he 
was of Swedish birth, his natal dav iK'ing Octo- 
ber 21. 1846. His parents were Christopher and 
Catherine Carl.son. wlio spent their entire lives in 
Sweden. The father was the owner of a large 
farm and always carried <in agricultural ]iursuits 
there u]i to the time i->f his death. His widow 
is living on the old homestead farm there at the 
advanced age of eightv vears. 



a 

> 



O 
> 



r 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



435 



John Carlson acquired a common-school educa- 
tion in Sweden and assisted his father on the 
home farm there until he attained his majoritv. 
He had heard favorable reports concerning busi- 
ness opportunities in the new world and resolved 
to try his fortune in America, so that at the age 
of twenty-one years he sailed for the United 
States, landing at New York city. He afterward 
went to Laporte, Indiana, where he was emploved 
in various ways for three years. He afterward 
removed to De Kalb, Illinois, where he worked 
on a farm for his cousin for two years. On the 
expiration of that period he returned to Laporte 
and purchased a small farm near there, carrving 
on general agricultural pursuits for two years. 
Again he located in Dc Kalb, Illinois, where he 
was employed in a wagon factory for about fif- 
teen years, and in 1868 he came to Rockford. 
Here he soon purchased stock in the Rockford 
Standard Furniture Company, manufacturers of 
all kinds of furniture, and now controlling one 
of the most extensive business enterprises of the 
kind in this city. 

Indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to 
the nature of Mr. Carlson, and as he could not 
content himself without some work to do he ac- 
cepted a position in the factory, where he remained 
until his health failed in tqoo. He continued as a 
stockholder of the company, however, until his 
death, which occurred February i, iQor. 

While living in Laporte, Indiana, Mr. Carlson 
was married to Miss Anna Dolk, also a native 
of Sweden and a daughter of Peter and Marie 
(Peterson) Dolk, both of whom came to Amer- 
ica in 1870, settling in De Kalb, Illinois. Her 
father was then sixty years of age and retired 
from active business life, living in the enjoyment 
of a well earned rest until he was called to the 
home bevond. Mrs. Dolk afterward came to 
Rockford and resided with her daughter until 
her death on the 2d of June, 1895. Mr. and 
Mrs. Carlson became the parents of ten children : 
Emma, the wife of Charles A. Stark, of Rock- 
ford ; Charles, who married Miss H. Lundeen, 
and is a machinist of this city ; Albert, who mar- 
ried Clara Peterson and resides in Rockford ; 
Jennie, the wife of Charles Anderson, of Chi- 
cago ; Minnie, the wife of D. W. Shirle>'. of Be- 
loit, Wisconsin; Herbert T., a spinner by trade. 
residing with his mother ; Olive, a stenograoher 
employed by the Rockford Standard Furniture 
Company : Alartin E., a finisher in the employ of 
the Rockford Mitten Company : Harold, who is 
with the furniture factory ; and Maude, who is 
attending school. The children were all given 
good educational privileges in Rockford, the par- 
ents realizing the value of education as a prepa- 
ration for life's responsible duties. 

Mr. Carlson's study of the political ques- 
tions and issues of the day led him to give his 
support to the republican part\- and he always 



voted for its men and measures. He was a mem- 
ber of the First Lutheran church of Rockford, to 
which his family all belong. In his business af- 
fairs he was very successful and he was very 
prominent among the Swedish- American citizens 
here. He possessed many of the sterling charac- 
teristics of his countrymen, being very industri- 
ous and diligent, while his perseverance was an- 
other strong element in his prosperitv. 



JAMES A. PROVOOST. 

James A. Provoost, assistant cashier of the Pe- 
catonica Bank, was torn in Buffalo, New York, 
May 22, 1863, and is a son of Robert C. and Fanny 
(Alton) Provoost. The father, who was born in 
Buftalo, New York, died in that city in 1881, 
while his wife, whose birth occurred in Dunkirk, 
New York, is now living in Chicago. The pa- 
ternal grandfather of Mr. Provoost was the ship 
chandler's business at Buffalo for many years 
and the father was reared to that trade. At one 
time he turned his attention to the stone-engrav- 
ing business but found that it was injurious to 
his eyes and so resumed operations as a chandler, 
in which he continued up to the time of his death. 

James A. Provoost, the only child of the fam- 
ily, began his education in the public schools of 
his native city and continued his studies in Peca- 
tonica, becoming a resident of this place when 
fifteen years of age. He lived with his uncle, H. 
H. Knowlton, for a time and later went to Chi- 
cago, where he worked for the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company in the motive department. He 
was thus employed until 1881, when he returned 
to Pecatonica and has since been connected with 
the Pecatonica Bank, in which he is now assist- 
ant cashier. He has gained a thorough familiarity 
with the banking business, both in principle and 
detail, and his close application, comprehensive 
understanding of the work and his loyalty to the 
interests of the institution have made him one of 
its valued representatives. 

Mr. Provoost has also figured prominently in 
local affairs and fluring President Harrison's ad- 
ministration served as postmaster from 1890 un- 
til 1894. He was township treasurer for four 
years in the '80s and holds this office at the pres- 
ent time, having filled the position altogether for 
nine vears, a fact which is indicative of his 
promptness and fidelity in the discharge of his 
duties. He has likewise served as village trustee 
for four or five years and as village clerk for two 
terms. He is a member of A. W. Rawlson lodge. 
No. 145, A. F. & A. M., at Pecatonica, in which 
he has served as master and filled other offices. 
He likewise affiliates with Rockford chapter. No. 
24, R. A. M., Crusader commanderv. No. 17. 
K. T. of Rockford and Tebala Temple of the Mys- 



43fj 



PAST AM) I'RICSEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



tic Shrine in that city. Jloth he and liis wife are 
affihated with the Eastern Star and are members 
of the ;\Iystic Workers. 

Mr. Provoost was married July 4. 1886. to Miss 
Mamie O'lirien. a ilan.t;:^hter of James and .Ann 
O'Brien. Her father was Ijorn in .\ew York city. 
Dccenilx^r 10, 1837. and the mother was born in 
Eiif^land. January 11. 1844. .Mr. ()"ilrien first 
came to the west in 1852. settling in Clinton, Wis- 
consin, and for many years was clerk in Lot Tay- 
lor's hotel there. He afterward came to this vil- 
lafje and purchased the IVcatonica Hotel, which 
he conducted successfully up to the time of his 
death, which occurred September 22. 1887. His 
wife also died in Pecatonica. passinsj away Feb- 
ruary 28, 1900. They were the parents of two 
children. Mrs. Provoost and William, who is liv- 
insj in Woodstock. Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Pro- 
voost have one daughter, Xellie .\. They favor 
the Episcopal church but as there is no conjjre- 
S^ation of that denomination in Pecatonica they 
usually attend scr\-iccs at the Conarregational 
church. Mr. Provoost is well known as a leader 
in republican circles in his commimity. as a l)anker 
of capability and as a man of genuine worth, who 
in all life's relations entertains a correct idea of 
the iluties and oblisjations which devolve uprin 
him and is ever loval thereto. 



RORER 



AX DREW 



.Xmont,"^ the men who have contributed to the 
industrial and commercial development of Rock- 
ford in days past Robert .-\ndrew was prominent. 
He became a resident of this citv in 1868. and for 
some years was enfjajjed in the flour and feed 
business here. He was amonsj the worthy resi- 
dents that .Scotland furnished to Rockford. his 
birth havinp occurred in the land of the hills 
and heather in February. 1830. His parents, Mr. 
and Mrs. David .\ndrew. were also natives of 
.Scotland, and with their children they came to 
.\merica. One of their sons is now living in 
Rockford — John J. .Andrew, who is now reiire- 
senting his district in the state legislature and is 
one of the ])rominent and influential citizens of 
Winnebago cotmty now living retired from busi- 
ness cares. When the fimily came to .\merica 
they settled first in Michitran and afterward re- 
moved to Guilfnrd townshii). Winne1)ago countv. 
the father purchasing a fnrin on .section I. where 
his son is now living. There he engage<l in till- 
ing the soil throughout his remaining davs. be- 
ing one of the enterprising and practical agricul- 
turists of his community. 

RolKTt .Andrew was a imblic-school student in 
Guilford township, and when not busy with his 
text-lnvoks he assisted his fatlier in the work of 



the farm. ( )n leaving home he came to Rock- 
ford, where he al.so attended school, thus acquir- 
ing a good education. He entered upon his busi- 
ness career in Xew .Milford. Illinois, where he 
secured a ])osition in the flouring mill. He 
learned the trade of milling and was em])loyed in 
that mill for several years. He afterward went to 
ISeloit. Wisconsin, where he followed the milling 
business for several years, and in 1868 he came 
to Rockford. Here he opened a flour and feed 
store on East State street, conducting the busi- 
ness for a few years, after which he rented a mill 
near the waterworks and operated it for some 
time. He afterward rented another flouring mill 
and continued in that line of business until he 
was taken ill, when he retired from active busi- 
ness cares. In connection with the industrial and 
commercial life here he was well known, and he 
accomplished all that he undertook by reason of 
his perseverance, strong determination and imfal- 
tering energies. 

Mr. .Andrew was married in Rockford to .Miss 
Caroline A. Evans, a native of Waterloo, New 
York, born in .August. 1838. and a daughter of 
Ozias and Mary Evans. Her father settled in 
Xew Milford and later he removed to Byron. 
Ogle county, Illinois, where both he and his wife 
died. There were five children born of the mar- 
riage of Mr. and .Mrs. .\ndrew : .Adella L., who 
has for some tiine been a teacher in the Free- 
man school of Rockford and resides with her 
mother : Merton Elwood. who died at the age of 
eighteen months : Robert M.. a painter who re- 
sides with his mother: Carrie M.. the wife of J. 
F. Duncan, a farmer residing in Shirland town- 
ship this county : and .Ada. who died at the age 
of two years. 

The <ieath of the husband and father occurred 
December 15, kjoi. He was never an office 
seeker nor did he take much interest in iiolitics. 
He preferred to center his energies upon his busi- 
ness aft'airs and the enjovment of home life. He 
held friendship inviolable, and to his familv he 
was a devoted husband and father. i>utting forth 
his best efforts to secure a good living for his 
wife and children and to i)romote their hapjiiness 
and welfare in every way possible. Mrs. .\ndrew 
and her daughter arc members of the L'entcnnial 
Methodist Episcopal church of Rockford. and 
she owns a nice home at No. 921 First avenue, 
where she is living with her son and daughter. 



IIOX. CIl.\Rl.i:S E. MARTIX, M. D. 

Dr. Charles E. Martin, member of the legi.s- 
lature from Winnebago county, elected in 1904 
on tlie democratic ticket, is now living in Seward. 
He was born in Melmore. Seneca county. ( )hio. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COl'NTY 



437 



February 8, 1866. His ])arents were Robert and 
Barbara (Kegy) Martin, both natives of Ohio, 
in which state the father followed the occupa- 
tion of farming, while for nine years he served 
as county recorder of Seneca county. In his 
family were thirteen children, of whom eight 
are yet living: Samuel S., who married Miss 
Cora Hyatt and now resides upon the old home- 
stead ; Jennie, who married C. D. Leas ; Eliza, 
the wife of Rev. John Sargent ; Isaac R., who 
married Hattie Haverstick ; John Y.. a practic- 
ing ph\-sician of Toledo. Ohio ; Fanny, the wife 
of George Hepler ; Amia, who married Charles 
Derr, a practicing lawyer of Tiffin, Ohio ; and 
Charles E. 

Robert Martin died when his son Charles was 
but thirteen years of age, leaving him without a 
patrimony, so that it became necessary for him 
to provide for his own support when but a lad. 
He was employed as a farm hand and in stores 
and ambitious to acquire an education, he man- 
aged to complete the high-school course. He 
then determined to devote his energies to a pro- 
fessional life and worked his way through 
Heidelberg College. Ohio, while later he matricu- 
lated in Rush Medical College of Chicago, in 
which he was graduated with the class of 1891. 
During his collegiate course he had no leisure 
hours, for when the school was not in session 
he devoted his time to attending indigent patients 
in the hospitals. He applied himself assidu- 
ously to the mastery of the branches forming 
the college curriculum and when he had com- 
pleted his studies at Rush and won his diploma 
he located for practice in Seward, where he has 
since remained. He has now what is probably 
the largest practice of any physician in the 
country towns of Winnebago county and his 
work has fully justified the confidence which the 
public reposed in him. He is zealous and earnest 
in his professional duties and maintains a high 
standard of professional ethics in his practice, 
so that he enjoys the full confidence of his 
brethren of the medical fraternity. 

On the 1st of June, 1892, Dr. Martin was 
united in marriage to Miss Mabel Tracy and 
they have two children, Mary L. and Barbara K. 
Dr. Martin is a member of A. W. Rawlson lodge, 
No. 145, A. F. & A. M., of Pecatonica, the 
Knights of the Globe, the Modern Woodmen of 
America, the Knights of Pythias and Elks lodge. 
No. 64, of Rockford. 

Dr. ]\Iartin has always been a stanch democrat, 
unswerving in his support of the party because 
of his firm belief in its principles and yet never 
until 1904 has he sought to figure in political 
affairs. Indeed he did not enter the political 
arena at that time until solicited by many friends 
to do so. Differences of opinion among the 
democratic leaders led to the growth of factions 



and it seemed necessary that they must choose 
as a candidate a man upon whom all could unite. 
Accordingly when the nomination for the legis- 
lative candidate was made Dr. Martin became 
the choice of the party. He made no campaign 
promises and did not do the usual amount of 
campaign work because of the claims of his 
practice but nevertheless he was elected, so that 
he is now a member of the Illinois legislature. 
To those who know him it is needless to say 
that he will be true to his principles at all times, 
that he will support no measure without giving 
to it his careful consideration and that as a 
champion he will be fearless and true. In local 
alifairs he has ever stood on the side of progress, 
reform and improvement and he was in a large 
measure instrumental in securing the consolida- 
tion of the Seward schools, rendering valuable 
aid to Superintendent Kern, who said, "It gives 
me sincere pleasure to pay a tribute to a man 
who has unselfishl}- given his best eiiforts to im- 
prove the school advantages for the children on 
the farms. Dr. Martin has done valuable service 
in establishing the first consolidated country 
schools in Illinois. No man has done more. 
He and the late Hon. Laurence McDonald, of 
Seward, labored as no other men did to bring 
about better schools. This school at Seward, 
in the great success it is proving to be, is to a 
large degree the results of the labor of these 
two men. Dr. C. E. Martin is a sincere, true 
friend of education." 



TAMES STEWARD. 



James Steward, one of the pioneer settlers of 
Winnebago county, taking up his abode here in 
1850, is a native of Canada, and a son of William 
and Sophia (Long) Steward. The mother was a 
native of Germany while the father was of Scotch 
lineage. He settled in Canada in early life and 
there worked at the carpenter's trade until 1850, 
when he removed with his family to Winnebago 
county, Illinois. Here he purchased a large tract 
of land in Owen township and put his sons to 
work upon this place, while he practically lived 
retired, merely overseeing the operation of his 
land. He thus enjoyed a well merited rest until 
called to his final home and both he and his wife 
died in Owen township. In their family were 
five children who are yet living, namely : Ed- 
ward, a resident of Nebraska; Minard M.. who is 
living retired, his home being on School street 
in Rockford ; Mrs. Daniel Reddington, who re- 
sides in Rockford township ; Mrs. James Scott, 
who is living in Burritt township, Winnebago 
county ; and Alanson, one of the most extensive 
landowners of the county, having over one thou- 
sand acres in Owen township, on which he now 



438 



\.s 



A.\i) I'Ri-SRVT nr \\"!xxr,p, AGO corxrv 



makes his home. He expects soon, however, to 
retire from active fami life, having tlirough his 
own efforts become one of the weahhy men of 
the coninnuiity. 

James Steward ac(|uired his e(Kication in liie 
common schools of Canada and after the re- 
moval to Illinois assisted liis Iiroiliers in the o])er- 
ation of the home farm here. He was married 
in Owen township, this county, to Miss Mary A. 
Smith, a native of Canada, born February lo, 
1836. and a daughter of John and Laura (W'eb- 
stcr) Smith, the former a native of Scotland and 
the latter of N'ermont. Her father came to Amer- 
ica in early life, settling in Canada, whence he aft- 
erward removed to Ohio and later he took up his 
abode in Winnebago county. Here he purchased 
a farm in Owen townshii), where he carried on 
general agricultural pursuits for many years. His 
wife died there and lie afterward married again, 
his second union being with Mrs. Jerusha (Hill) 
Ward, who died in Rockford. 

Following the death of his first wife Mr. Stew- 
ard removed to the city of Rockford to live re- 
tired, giving up farm work at that time. There 
were six children by that marriage, namely : Me- 
linda, the wife of David Samjile. a farmer of 
Owen townsliij) : Lcota, the wife of Charles Hoy. 
a resident of lirownsdale. Minnesota : Frank, who 
is living in Richville, Mimiesota ; Alice, the wife 
of Barney Conklin, a resident farmer of Burritt 
township ; Fannie, the wife of Robert C. Mon- 
criefT. a collar maker with the Hess & Hopkins 
Leather Company of Rockford. their home being 
with her mother in this city : and Clara, who died 
at the age of two years and six months. 

Following his marriage Mr. Steward engaged 
in farming on a part of the old family homestead, 
placing his fields under a high state of cultivation. 
He also owned and o|)erated a threshing machine 
for fortv-six years in Owen township and con- 
tinued the same business to some extent after 
coming to Rockford. His own farm was splendidly 
improved with modern equipments and the latest 
machinery and he continued in active farming un- 
til January, 1885, when he took up his abode 
in the city nf Rockfonl, where he lived retired 
until his death. He retained possession of his 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, however, in 
Owen township. In March. 1897. he became ill 
and after suffering for two months passed awav 
on the oth of May. 

Mr. Steward w^as always interested in jiublic af- 
fairs, giving helpful support to many measures 
for the general gnod. He served as a school di- 
rector in Owen towTiship fur several years and 
was a stanch republican in his political views. 
His business dealings were ever honorably con- 
ducted and all who knew him esteemed him as a 
man of sterling worth, for he displayed many 
traits of characlcr that in every land and clime 
command admiration and regard. Mrs. Steward 



attends the First Presbyterian church of Rock- 
ford. Beside her country property she owns a 
nice home at Xo. 836 Woodlawn aveiuie. where 

she is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Mi)ncriet+. 



\ ALi:X TIXE (iLFAS.MAX. 

\ alentine (lle.isman. now deceased, became 
one of the extensive landowners of \\ innebago 
county and his life record proved that success 
may be obtained through persistent and earnest 
effort, guided by sound judgment and supple- 
mented by honorable dealing. He was born in 
Rcinie, ( hieida county, New York. March 2. 
1S3S. ilis father. Ciodfred Gleasman. was a 
native of Germany and was a shoemaker by 
trade. He enlisted in defense of the Union at 
the time of the Civil war and he and his two 
brothers, \'alcntine and George, were all killed 
in tlie battle of .\ntietam by the explosion of a 
single shell. 

.As his parents were in liniiietl financial cir- 
cumstances Valentine Gleasman when but a boy 
started out to make his own way in the world 
and accejited any employment that would yield 
him an honest living. In 1857 he came to the 
west with the family of Chauncey Smith, for 
whom he drove a team across the country. Soon 
after reaching \\'imiebago county he secured 
employment by the month as a farm hand and 
afterward engaged in farming on the shares for 
one year for M. H. Patten. He then collected 
one hundred dollars from his first cro]) that had 
been raised on the shares and with this he re- 
turned to the east for his mother, three brothers 
and one sister, who accompanied him to Illinois, 
the journey being made by way of the lakes. 
He then resumed his farming operations in this 
part of the state, his mother acting as his house- 
keeper until his marriage. 

(in the 31st of December, 1859, Mr. tlleas- 
man was joined in wedlock to Miss Maryette 
Gridley, who was born in Harmony, New A'^ork. 
and is a daughter of Jarcd C. and Celestia .A. 
(Talmadgc) Gridley. who came to \Vinnebago 
county in 1843. settling at Rockton. The father 
worked in the mills in the employ of the Tal- 
cotts. .\fter his marriage Mr. Gleasman rented 
land in Owen township, taking possession of one 
hundred and twenty acres which he cultivated. 
Through the summer he would work for his 
neighbors in the daytime in order to obtain 
ready money, and he cut his own grain by 
night. The fir.st tract of land which he pur- 
chased comprised one hundred and twenty acres 
in Owen township near the old Canaila school- 
house and he paid for the place in wheat at one 
dollar per bushel. Within a short time he had 





iL^jL^ / ^^ o^^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



441 



discharged liis indebtedness and tlnree 3'ears 
after making the purchase he sold his original 
farm and bought two hundred and ninety acres 
in the same township. In 1872 he bought an- 
other eighty acres adjoining. He afterward 
lived up to the time of his death either in Rock- 
ton or Owen township and as the years passed 
by he added to his landed possessions until at 
the time of his demise he owned nearly fifteen 
hundred acres, all lying in Rockton and Owen 
townships. He was an excellent judge of land, 
made judicious investments, and as the years 
passed by his labors brought him a handsome 
competence. His sound judgment and business 
ability were recognized forces in his life and it 
seems that all he undertook was crowned witli 
success. 

Unto Mr. and ^Nlrs. Gleasnian were born five 
children: Godfrey, who is now living in Rock- 
ton : George, who follows farming in Rockton 
township : Ona M.. who is a graduate of the 
normal department of the Rockford Normal 
School and is now living with her mother after 
a recent trip abroad, gaining thereby the culture 
and knowledge that only travel can bring : Jessie 
M.,who died April 30, 1904; and Adelbert, who 
died August 10, 1877. 

Mr. Gleasman removed to Rockford with the 
expectation of retiring from active business and 
bought a beautiful home there in 1892 but was 
not long permitted to enjoy his new place of 
residence for his death occurred on the 29th of 
September. 1893. He had served as road com- 
missioner and in minor offices in his township 
and in politics he was a republican. Flis life 
was one of imtiring industry and his prosperity 
was richly merited because of the methods he 
followed in its acquirement were such as would 
bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. He 
had the warm regard of many friends and his 
death was the occasion of deep regret in the 
conimunit\- in which he lived. 



JOSEPH MOORE. 



The broad ])rairics of Illinois furnish opportu- 
nities to the agriculturist unsurpassed in any sec- 
tion of the country and it is because of this condi- 
tion that many of the farmers, men of industry and 
enterprise, have worked their way steadily upward 
until having acquired a handsome competence 
they are enabled in their later years to enjoy a 
well earned rest. Such has been the career of 
Mr. IMoore, who is now living retired in the vil- 
lage of Pecatonica. He was born May i, 1856, in 
Seward township and is therefore one of the 
county's native sons. His parents, William and 
]\Iary (Fortner) Moore, were natives of England, 



in which country they were reared and married, 
while two of their eight children, three sons and 
five daughters, were born unto them in that land. 
They came to the United States in 1840, leaving 
Liverpool on a sailing vessel, which after a long 
and tedious voyage of fourteen weeks and three 
days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. 
For about a year they remained in the vicinity of 
that city and thence went by rail to Buflfalo, on by 
way of the Great Lakes to Chicago and b\- rail 
to Turners Junction on the Chicago & Galena 
Railroad, from which point they drove across the 
countrv to Rockford. After spending about two 
years in the city the}' took up their abode in Sew- 
ard township, Mr. Moore purchasing twenty acres 
of land for a dollar and a quarter per acre. Later 
he bought twenty acres additional at five dollars 
per acre, afterward forty acres at fifteen dollars 
per acre and still later another forty-acre tract, 
so that his fann comprised one hundred and 
twenty acres. This was all wild land when it 
came into his possession but the sturdy pioneer 
soon wrought a transformation in the place. He 
broke the wild prairie land, built a house for 
himself and labored untiringly in order to gain 
his start. ]\Iost of the work on his house was 
done by moonlight, for in the da\-time he was en- 
gaged in tilling the soil. For some years he cul- 
tivated his farm of one hundred and twenty acres, 
gaining success as the years passed by and then 
as his financial resources increased he bought 
more land, until he owned about four hundred 
acres, constituting a valuable property. He 
reached the advanced age of ei,ghty years, passing 
awav September 2, 1896, and his wife died in 
1903 at the age of eighty-two years. They were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 
their familv were eight children : \\'illiam, James, 
Joseph, Bertha, Mar>-, Isabelle, Adeline and 
Susan. 

Joseps ?\Ioore was reared to the occupation of 
farming and throughout his active business ca- 
reer remained upon the old homestead. After 
his marriage he purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of land and later he bought one hundred 
and twenty acres, so that he now owns two hun- 
dred and eighty acres which he rents to his two 
sons-in-law.' Through a long period, however, 
he was active in the work of tilling the soil and 
harvesting the crops. In the spring of 1905, 
however, he purchased a home in Pecatonica and 
took up his abode here on the 6th of March, since 
which time he has lived retired, the rental from 
his farms together with his other possessions 
bringing him a good income. 

On tile 13th of August, t88o, T^Ir. Moore was 
married in the German Lutheran church in Peca- 
tonica to ?i[iss Annie Peters, a daughter of John 
and Marv fSnelH Peters. Her parents were na- 
tives of Germanv in which country the children 



442 



I'AS'I 



AXI) I'KKSKXT OF W 1 WI'-.IJAi ;() COIX lA' 



were alsu l)orii and in 1870 ihc family came to 
America, sailing from Hamburg to New York 
city. They were on tlie water for seven weeks 
and after reaching the American port they pro- 
ceeded hy rail to IhitTalo and by way of the lakes 
to Milwaukee but when they reached the former 
city there was so much ice that the Iwats could not 
run and tliey had to wait until the spring thaw. 
From Milwaukee they went to ,\ppleton. Wiscon- 
sin, where the father worked on his brother's 
farm for fifteen dollars per month in order to 
rejiay his brother for the money sent him in order 
to meet the expenses of the voyage to the new 
world. When the indebtedness was discharged he 
removed with his family to Winnebago county and 
rented diflFercnt farms here, carrying on agricul- 
tural pursuits until his wife died, when he retired 
to private life and is now living with his daugh- 
ter. Mrs. Coppan, in biwa. In the family were 
twelve children, of whom eight are now living: 
Minnie. Mary, Sophia. John, .\nnic, Rachel. Lena 
and Fred. 

Mrs. Moore was born April i(>, \H(^2. and 1)\- 
her marriage has become the mother of eight 
children, of whoni seven are now living: \Vil- 
liam. Lillian. Josil, Jessie. Mabel, Lena and (iuy. 

Mr. Moore has been a member of the school 
board for three years and he gives his political 
support to the democracy. He and his wife be- 
long to the Pecatonica Tribunes and are at- 
tendants on the ser\-ices of the Methodist Fpisco- 
pal church. I'or almost sixty years he has lived 
in Wiimebago countv. watching with interest its 
develoi)nient and progress and along agricultural 
lines he has contributed to its upbuilding and 
growth. In his business career he has been earn- 
est and energetic, considering that the duties of 
the work-a-day world are worthy of his best ef- 
forts and thus as the years have gone bv he has 
attained a success which now enables him to live 
retired. 



THOMA.S 



MIXERS. 



Thomas J. Miners, living on section 17. Har- 
lem tnwnshii). was Ixirn in Cornwall, England, 
December (). 1852. His father, James ^iiners. 
also a native of that country, was born in 1827 
and is now living a retired life in Rockford town- 
ship. His wife l)()rc the maiden name of Mary 
.Mien and yet survives. The cliildren of this 
worthy couple arc : William, living in Har- 
lem township, is now married and has two sons 
and one daughter. John is married and is living 
retired in Oregon, Illinois, .\bram, a resident of 
Oregon, is married and has two sons and a 
daughter. James, a farmer of Harlem township, 
is married and has one son. Marv Jane is the 
wife of Hiiiiv Wili-ox. ;i farmer of Harlem 



township, and has one daughter. Louisa M. is 
the wife of Louis Ovcrholt, a resident of Colmar, 
Iowa, and has two sons and three daughters. 

Thomas J. Miners was only two years old 
when brought by bis parents to the United 
States, the family making their way to the city 
of Rockford after reaching the American port. 
Ten years later the father removed to a farm in 
Winnebago townshi]), whereon he resided for 
three years, and then tcx)k up his abode in Rock- 
ford township, where he carried on general agri- 
cultural pursuits for five years. On the expira- 
tion of that period he .settled on the Levins farm 
in Ilarlem township, where he lived for six years, 
after which he established his lionu- in Latham 
I'ark. 

[n his youth Thomas J. Miners worked upon 
the home farm and in the common schools ac- 
(|uired his education. His advantages, however, 
in that direction were somewhat limited, for it 
was necessary that he assist in fann labor and 
aid in the support of a large family. He worked 
at four dollars per month at a time when other 
boys were attending school and when he had at- 
tained his majority he started in business on his 
own account, being first emjjloyed by Rrown 
ilrotliers in a brickyard in Owen township. He 
remained there for four years, after which he 
tcx>k up his abode on a farm which he rented in 
(ruilford township, continuing its cultivation for 
two years, when he removed to a farm in Win- 
nebago townshi]), on which he lived for eight 
years. He then located in Rockford, working for 
the city for a time, and for eight years was em- 
liloyed at teaming by Hart & Page. Through 
the careful husbanding of his financial resources 
he was enabled in the spring of 1803 to |nirchase 
his present farm, on which he has since lived, cid- 
tivating it very successfullv. His fields are now 
under a very high state of cultivation and every- 
thing about his |)lace is neat and attractive in ap- 
pearance. He is svstematic, methodical and prac- 
tical in his work and his labors have been 
crowned with a gratifying measure of prosperity, 
lie is now the owner of two hundred thirty-six 
and a half acres of cultivable land and one hun- 
dred acres of timlx>r land in Harlem township. 
On the 20th of .\pril. 1878. Mr. Miners was 
married to Miss Ida D. rhilli|)S. of Harrison 
township, a daughter of William and .\lmira 
Phillips, early settlers of this county. Mrs. Min- 
ers died April 3. 1885, leaving one son, Clifford 
11., who was born in \\'innebago township on the 
loth of Jtme, 1880, and is now living in Portland, 
Oregon. On the 3i.st of March, 1801, Mr. 
Miners was again married, his second miion 
being with (iertina Olson, of Rockford, a daugh- 
ter of Mathias and Caroline Olson. Her 
father was born in Trondjhan, Xorway. in 1837 




T. ]. AllXEKS. 



PAST AND PRESENT (3F WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



445 



and became a resident of Durand township, Win- 
nebago county, where he died in 1871. His wife, 
who was born May 13, 1840, is now Hving in the 
city of Rockford. Mrs. Miners has two brothers, 
Olie M. and Theodore, both Hving in Rockford. 
She was born in Norway, October 31, 1868, and 
became the mother of four children but two died 
in infancy. Those living are : Hazel C, who 
was born April 30. 1893 ; and Verne L., born 
February 3. 1899. 

In his political views Mr. Miners is a stanch 
republican and for several terms has served as 
school director. He and his wife attend the 
Methodist Episcopal church and are esteemed as 
worthy people of the community. His record 
is notable as that of a self-made man, for with 
few advantages and privileges in his youth he 
started out in life on his own account, working 
earnestly and persistently until he was at length 
enabled to buy property. Since that time in his 
farming operations he has met with a gratifying 
measure of prosperity that is due entirely to his 
capable efforts, close application and unremitting 
diligence. 



DANIEL CARNEY. 



Daniel Carney, well known in this part of 
Illinois in pioneer times in connection with a 
stage line before the advent of railroads and after- 
ward as the owner of a valuable farm and fine 
trotting stock, visited Rockford at a very early 
epoch in the development of this section of the 
state, but did not take up his abode permanently 
here until 1848. He was born in Marbletown, 
New York, May 14, 1826, and was a son of An- 
drew and Lana (Greene) Carney, both of whom 
were natives of Ulster county, New York, where 
they spent their entire lives, the father engaging 
in farming in order to provide for his family. 

Daniel Carney, being reared in that locality, at- 
tended the common schools and in his youth as- 
sisted his father in the operation of the home 
farm, early becoming familiar with the best meth- 
ods of caring for the fields and cultivating the 
crops. He continued to aid in the work of the 
homestead until about twenty-one years of age, 
when he started out on an independent business 
career. He followed boating on the Delaware & 
Hudson canal for about three years and after- 
ward engaged in teaming across the mountains 
from Ellenville to Middletown. He next drove 
a stage from Ellenville to Kingston and remained 
a resident of New York until 1845. when he came 
to the west by way of Buffalo, the Great Lakes 
and Chicago. There were no railroads here at 
that time and Mr. Carney began driving the old 
stage coach from Dixon to Oregon. Byron and 
other Illinois towns, carrying the mail between 



many of these points. He also drove a stage 
coach between Rockford and Chicago, and be- 
came one of the well known citizens of the early 
days, having a wide acquaintance among the pio- 
neer settlers who sought homes in northern Illi- 
nois. In 1848 he took up his abode in Rockford, 
where he engaged in the livery business for about 
a year. He then sold out and began teaming 
again, hauling goods and lumber between Rock- 
ford and Elgin. He likewise made trips to Chi- 
cago and Milwaukee, then back to Rockford again. 
He followed that business for two years, 
and later conducted a dray line in this city, be- 
coming the first expressman of Rockford.' He 
followed that business from 1855 until 1874, dur- 
ing which time he also formed a partnership with 
L. B. Starkweather, and he purchased horses for 
the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, of 
Boston, while during the period of the Civil war 
he purchased horses for use in cavalry service. 
In the spring of 1876 Mr. Carney bought the 
farm at the edge of Rockford, wdiereon his widow 
and son now reside. There he made a race track, 
and he was the owner of and drove the first horse 
in Rockford that ever beat the 2 130 heat. This 
was Chief, the trotter that in 1889 made the mile 
in 2:27^. Mr. Carney at different times owned 
several fine racing- horses and had other valuable 
stock. 

In 1849 was celebrated the marriage of Daniel 
Carney and Miss Jane Ann Huntley in Beloit, 
Wisconsin. She was born in Phelps, New York, 
and was a daughter of John and Mehitable Hunt- 
ley, both of whom were natives of Phelps, where 
the father died. The mother afterward came west, 
settling first in Michigan and subsequently in 
Rockford. Here in i860 she became the wife of 
A. D. Stone, and both Mr. and Mrs. Stone de- 
parted this life in Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. 
Carney became the parents of two sons and two 
daughters: Ann Almira, born in 1851, died in 
1852. Harry H., married Jennie Chamberlain, 
who died leaving a daughter Mabel. He now 
resides in Mound City, Missouri, where he is 
engaged in the insurance business. Julia died at 
the age of thirty years. D. Fay, born January 
9, 1868. married Jeanette Gilmore, of Owen town- 
ship, a daughter of William Gilmore. who was a 
prominent farmer of that locality. They now 
have one child. Jane Elizabeth, born January 5. 
1904. 

Mr. Carney continued to engage in farming, 
but his principal business was the purchasing, 
selling and trading of fine horses, and in this 
work he gained a wide reputation. It was his 
intention to join the army at the time of the 
Civil war. but he was disabled by being kicked by 
a horse and had to send a substitute. He was 
never an office seeker nor was he a strict partisan, 
but cast his ballot for the candidate whom he 



44" 



I'AST AND I'RF.SKXT OF WlWF.r.Ai It > O )r\"rV. 



thought best qualified k>r the office. Genial ami 
courteous in manner, straightforward in business 
relations and ])ublic-spirited in his devotion to 
tlic general good, he was known as a representa- 
tive citizen of Winnebago county. He died after 
an illness of only five days, on the 19th of 
March, 1893. 

Mrs. Carney, her son and his wife, all attend 
the Christian Cnion church. D. F"ay Carney is 
a very prominent young man of this city and 
has been connected with various newspapers of 
Rockford and also some out-of-town iniblications. 
inckuling Clark's Horse Review, and other jxipers 
for many years. He now remains at home look- 
ing after his mother's and his own properly, and 
he has some very fine stock in Winnebago county. 
They ow-n a beautiful residence and five acres of 
land at the corner of Rock-ton and Auburn streets, 
where Mr. Carney, his wife and mother are all 
now living. 



WILLIAM C. JONES. 

William C. Jones, deceased, who was engaged 
in the news]ia]ier business in Rockford for sev- 
eral years, was bom in Birmingham. England, 
Xoveiiiber 26, 1856. His parents, John and Eliza 
Jones, were likewise natives of that country and 
always resided there, the father conducting busi- 
ness as a florist. William C. Jones was educated 
in the schools of his native land and was mar- 
ried in Birmingham. FLngland, to .Miss Ada F. 
Bennett, a native of that city, and a daughter of 
George and Eleanor Bennett, both of Birming- 
ham. Her parents, however, came with their 
family to America about 1865, and settled in Bel- 
videre, Boone county. Illinois, where Mr. Ben- 
nett was engaged with the bridge and building 
department of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road Company. re])resenting that corporation 
throughout the remainder of his active business 
career. He died in 1884, and his widow after- 
ward removed to Rockford, living with her chil- 
dren until her own death, which riccurred several 
years ago. Three of the daughters of the family 
survive and are residents of Rockford. Mr. and 
Mrs. Jones became the jiarents of three children : 
Ethel, now the wife of Charles Sheldon, a fanner, 
residing in Winnebago township : Guy, who is a 
student in the high school ; and Wallace, at home. 

After his marriage Mr. Jones sailed for .Amer- 
ica, and in 1883 Ix'came a resident of Rockford, 
where he entered upon his business career as the 
first bookkeeper of the firm of Schmauss Broth- 
ers, the well know^l meat packers of this city. 
He was connected with that house for a year 
and was afterward bookkeeper for three years 
for the real-estate firm of Crawford & Revell. 
Subsequently he kept Ixioks for William Gent 



for about a year and then tinned his attention to 
the news])a])er business, becoming a stockholder 
in the Republic. Me was comiected with that 
paper for four years, after which he entered into 
partnership with Abram Smith and w^as ]xirt 
owner of the Gazette for some time. Sulise- 
quently he and Mr. Smith established a news- 
l)aper which they called the .Spectacle and en- 
gaged in its publication until they closed out the 
business. Mr. Jones then returned to the old 
Gazette, which in the meantime had become known 
as the Register-Gazette, and is now the leading 
daily newspaper of Rockford, Mr. Jones remain- 
ing as one of its stockholders until his demise, 
which occurred November 28. 1894. 

At different times Mr. Jones was solicited to 
become a candidate for office by those who recog- 
nized his fitness for public service and his devotion 
to the general good, but he was without political 
asi)iration and preferred to do his services for 
the iKiblic as a private citizen. He gave to the 
re])nblican party a stanch and unswerving sup- 
port, while fraternally he was connected with the 
A\'oodmen and with the Loyal League, lx)th of 
Rockford. lir held membership in the State 
Street Baptist church and w^as Sunday-school 
treasurer and secretary for more than eight years. 
He took a very great interest in the church work 
and w'as closely associated with many of its ac- 
tivities, and his labors proved of direct and per- 
manent good in extending its influence and pro- 
moting its growth. In all this work he had the 
entire sympathy and co-operation of his wife, who 
still retains her meniber.ship in the State Street 
Bajitist church. His business record was such 
as any man might be proud to possess, for he 
never made an engagement that he did not meet, 
nor incurred an obligation that he did not fulfill. 
Honored and respected by all he ranked long as 
one of the jirominent men of the city. A short 
time ])rior to his de.alh he built a large residence, 
which his widow and children now occupy, at No. 
717 North Horsman street. He possessed strong 
domestic tastes, and while he accomplished much 
in the business world and ratified his friendships 
l)v kindly sympathy and thought fid consideration, 
his greatest (le])th of love was reserveil for his 
familv. 



ALEXWDFR Mll.Xi:. 

Alexander Milne, a retired farmer living on his 
farm on North Roekton avenue near the city lim- 
its of Rockforrl. was born in \\'innebago county. 
Illinois. October ^. 1848. his parents being .Mex- 
ander and Isabelle C Porter) Milne. The father 
was a native of .Scotland and after coming to Illi- 
nois was married in 183S. He followed the occu- 
pation of farming and invested in land until he 



PAST AND PRESENT OE WIXXEP.AGO COUXTY. 



447 



owned two hundred acres constituting a valualjlc 
property in Purritt township. There he raised 
fancy cattle and other stock and also produced 
fine grain crops. Pi politics he was a republican, 
and both he and his wife were members of the 
Presbyterian church. His death occurred in 
1885, while his wife passed away in 1900. They 
were the parents of nine children, of whom four 
sons are living, two being residents of Burritt 
township, while one resides in Huron, South Da- 
kota. 

Alexander ■\Iilne was educated in Burritt town- 
ship and remained at home until twenty-one years 
of age, when he began farming on his own ac- 
count. He rented land in Burritt township for 
five years and then purchased two hundred and 
forty acres which he cultivated and improved im- 
til 1891, when he sold out and came to Rockford. 
Here he has since lived, owning twenty acres just 
outside the city limits. Not caring to continue 
further in active agricultural pursuits to the ex- 
tent that he had formerly done, he disposed of 
his larger farm and is now practically living re- 
tired, although he gives supervision to a general 
farming and gardening business, which are con- 
ducted upon his place here. 

In 1877 Mr. ]Milne was united in marriage to 
Jessie Dow, who was born in Scotland in 1847 ''"f' 
is a daughter of Robert and Catherine Dow, who 
came to Winnebago county when their daughter 
was but two years old and made their home upon 
a farm in Burritt township. Both parents are 
now deceased but a sister of Mrs. Milne is yet 
living. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Milne have been born 
three sons : Donald M.. Harry and Guy W., who 
are still with them at the home place, while Charles 
died at the age of six years. By a former mar- 
riage Mrs. Milne had a daughter, J\Iillie, now 
the wife of Dr. Earned, of Chicago. 

Mr. ]\Iilne votes with the republican party and 
served as collector for two terms. His wife is a 
member of the Congregational church, and they 
are well known in Rockford and the part of the 
countv in which they reside, Mr. Milne having 
spent his entire life here, covering a period of 
fifty-seven years, so that his memory compasses 
the period of almost the entire growth and devel- 
opment of this portion of the state. 



C. M. PACKARD. 



C. M. Packard, who is no\v filling the position 
of township commissioner in Shirland township 
and who for several years has been engaged in 
the grain business in the village of Shirland. is 
a native son of this localitv. born in 1848. his 
parents being Job and H. .\. (.Vustinl Packard, 
earlv residents of this countv. Both were born in 



Ihickficld, Maine, and the father came to Illinois 
with the Austin family, who were early residents 
of this part of the state. He located first in the 
village of Rockton, where for a short time he 
conducted a shoe shop, but soon afterward he 
secured a homestead claim in the northwestern 
part of Shirland township, where he resided for 
a number of years. He then sold that property 
and located on a farm that is now owned bv Mrs. 
Eairchilds, on section 18, Shirland township. Eor 
a long period he continued its cultivation and 
development, but eventually removed to the vil- 
lage of Shirland, where he turned his attention 
to the lumber and grain trades, continuing in 
those lines of business up to the time of his 
death, which occurred January 18, 1888, when 
he was seventv-six years of age. His wife 
passed away December 22, 1880. Mr. Packard 
was a republican in his political views, and 
served in various township offices, the duties of 
which he discharged with promptness and fidel- 
ity. In his family were three sons and a daugh- 
ter: C. M., of this review; Edward, who" is 
engaged in the real-estate business in Manilla, 
Iowa; Mrs. Frank Arnold, who is living in 
Woodbine, Iowa, and A. J. Packard, a railroad 
man who until recently was agent at Ottumwa, 
Iowa, of the St. Paul and Wabash railroads, occu- 
pying that position for a long period. He was as- 
sociated with the former for a number of years, 
and he still makes his home in Ottumwa, and is 
now engaged in business as a traveling salesman. 
One daughter of this review, Mrs. Annetta Si- 
monds, died in Shirland township. 

C. M. Packard was reared in Shirland town- 
ship, is indebted to its public school system for 
the educational privile.ges he received, and has 
spent nearly his entire life here. He was en- 
gaged in farming for a long period, but for a 
number of years has given his attention to the 
grain and live-stock business in the village of 
Shirland. where he has made his home for six 
years. lie successfully conducts his interests, 
and is recognized as a far-sighted, sagacious and 
enterprising man. whose eilorts are well directed, 
and form the basis of a creditable success. 

Mr. Packard was married to Miss A. D. Cun- 
ningham, of Harrison township, Winnebago 
count}-, who was born in that township, and was 
one of a large family. Her parents were early 
residents of this county, and her grandparents 
located here about 1840, coming from Susque- 
hanna county. Pennsvlvania. Mrs. Packard is 
a daughter of William H. and Hannah S. (Elal- 
stead) Cunningham, who reside at Rockford. 
Her father had for many years carried on gen- 
eral agricultural pursuits in Harrison township, 
but in 1890 retired from the farm and took up 
his abode in the countv seat, where he is now 



448 



PAST AXl) I'RKSRXT OF WINXKP.AGO COL'XTV. 



tilliiijj the position of city weigher. Liilu Mr. 
and Mrs. Packard have heen born four sons and 
two danshtors: Iva, the wife of II. L. W'atjer, a 
resident fanner of Shirland towiisliip : Ke.x, a 
carpenter, residinjj in the villajje of Shirland : 
L'ri, a hrakenian on the St. I'anl Railroad, re- 
siding at Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; Ada, the wife 
of \\'illiani Daldwin, a resident farmer of Shir- 
land township : Max. who is in the engineering 
department with the regular army at West 
Point. .Xew York : and Leo. a stenographer, cm- 
l)loye<l by the Cramer Advertising Company of 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They also lost two 
children, (iuy, who died at the age of one year, 
and Job at the age of seven months. 

Politically Mr. Packard is independent, ami his 
fellow townsman, recognizing his worth and loy- 
alty to local interests, have called him to public 
office. He is now serving his third year as com- 
missioner of the townshi]i. Socially he is con- 
nected with the Masonic fraternity and the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America, being a charter mem- 
ber of Harrison camj), Xo. 684. while his wife 
is a member of the ( )rdcr of the Eastern Star 
and the Royal .Xeighbors, and both hold mem- 
bership relations in the Congregational church. 
Mr. Packard's interest in community affairs is 
dee]j and sincere and has been manifest in help- 
ful co-o])eration in many movements for the gen- 
eral good. 



THOMAS c;LE\XKY. 

Thomas ( ilenney, now a wealthy and retired 
farmer of Rockford, possessed a capital oi only 
a dollar and a quarter when he came to America. 
He was born in County Sligo. Ireland, June 12. 
1X18. his ])arents being Henry and .\nn (.\llcn) 
(ilenney, both of whom were natives of the 
I'juerald isle. There the ])arents always resided 
and the father was a weaver of fine linen. He 
likewise engaged in farming to some extent and 
in his last years he lived retired from business 
cares. His wife was of Sc()tch-Irish descent. In 
the family were four children : P.essie. the wife 
of William Smith, a farmer now living near 
Waterloo, Iowa: .Mexander. wiio follows farm- 
ing in the same locality : Thomas : and Henry, 
wiio came to .\merica in i8r>2 and is now a re- 
tired tailor f>f Rockford. 

Thomas ( ilenney was educated in the com- 
mon schools of his native country, where he 
remained until twenty-seven years of age, when 
he crossed the .\tlantic to the new world. For 
some time he remained in Chester county, Pemi- 
sylvania, near Philadelphia, and afterward 
worked for eight years upon a farm of seven 
hundred acres at \alley Forge. He had but a 



dollar and a (juarter when he reached .Xew York 
and he worked for the first winter in Pemisyl- 
vania for four dollars ])er month, after which 
he received ten and a half dollars per month for 
a half year. Later he was foreman of a gang 
on the railroad and each successive position 
which he secured brought him i)romotion in a 
measure. 

While working on the railrn;i<l .Mr. (ilennev 
was married in Westchester. Pennsylvania, to 
Miss Margaret McClellan, a native of Ireland, 
the wedding being celebrated .\ugust i, 1S51. 
In March, 1853. they removed to Illinois, settling 
in Owen townshi]), Wimiebago coimty, where 
Mr. Glenney purcliased thirty acres of land, on 
which he followed farming until i8'>5. He then 
bought twenty acres more and in addition to the 
home i)lace he rented land which he cultivated. 
.Subsequently when his labors had brought him 
sufficient capital he invested in a tract of one 
hundred and sixty acres one mile from the city 
limits of Rockford. after which he sold the 
original fifty-acre tract. He next bought forty 
acres and still later eighty acres additional, and 
he lived u])on his home farm in the vicinity of 
the county seat until 1890. when he took up his 
abode in the city. However, he continued to 
sui)ervise his farm until \<)0^. He traded eighty 
acres of his land for two hundred and sixty acres 
near Roscoe and recently he has disposed of 
this farm but he .still owns two hundred acres 
of very fine land, well improved in Rockford 
township, ^^'hen he took up his abode in the 
city he built the residence which he now occu- 
pies at Xo. ')J^ (irand avenue and he also owns 
two fine dwellings adjoining. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. (Ilenney have been born 
eight children, of whom seven are now living. 
Henry married Melvina .A.. Burgoon, who was 
born in Dubuque, Iowa, a daughter of Francis 
and Flavia .\. (Barnett") Burgoon. the former 
an extensive farmer of the 1 lawkeye state. 
I lenr\ ( iletmey was for a long period actively 
connected with agricultural ])ursuits but has re- 
tired from the farm and is now- engaged in real- 
estate dealing. 1 le makes his home with his 
father and unto him and his wife have been 
born two children, Farl I'... and F.lsie M. Thomas 
married Laura Fiddick and after her death 
wedded Heh'n I'iddick. their home being now 
in California. James, residing on Rockton 
avenue in Rockford. married Eliza Long, born 
in this city. .\nna J. is deceased. Mary is liv- 
ing on Rockton avenue. Rockford. William H., 
who follows farming, married \'ena Siddcrs. 
Allen M. is the wife of John Burgoon. also of 
Rockford. Charles .\., living in Roscoe, mar- 
ried Louisa Male, now deceased and afterward 
wedded N'ina Male. The wife and mother died 
in .\ugust. 1888. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COL XTY. 



^5^ 



Air. Glenney is a member of the Grange and 
also of the American Protective Association, and 
in his pohtical views is a stalwart republican. 
He has served as a school director but other- 
wise has held no public offices. He was reared 
in the Episcopal faith but later became a mem- 
ber of the Baptist church. Although now 
eighty-seven years of age he is still a well 
preserved man, hale and hearty, and in spirit 
and interest seems yet in his prime. All that 
he possesses or has enjoyed in life has been ac- 
quired through his own efforts. When upon 
the farm he was busy raising stock and grain 
and he has always been fond of a good horse 
and yet owns a fine one. The extent and im- 
portance of his business interests, his fair judg- 
ment and his consideration of others has made 
him an influential citizen and in the evening of 
life he receives the veneration and respect which 
should ever be accorded one of advanced vears. 



TOHX W. SEEK. 



John W. Seek, deceased, who was numbered 
among the early settlers of Winnebago countv. 
establishing his home here in 1849, was born in 
Virginia, September 29, 1822, his parents being 
John and Alary (Shaefer) Seek. Thev were 
natives of \'irginia and removed thence to Indi- 
ana, where the mother died. The father after- 
ward engaged in farming there until 1849, ^vhen 
he brought his family to ^Vinnebago county, and 
purchased a tract of land in Xew Milford town- 
ship, three miles southeast of the village of New 
Milford. He at once began the cultivation and 
development of the farm and continued its active 
operation up to the time of his death. 

John W. Seek was a student in the public 
schools of Indiana in his boyhood days, and spent 
his youth in his parents' home. While living in 
that state he was married in Wells county, near 
Fort Wayne, to Miss Eliza J. Alontgomery. 
whose birth occurred in Ohio, while her j)arents 
were natives of Pennsylvania. They removed 
from the Keystone state to Ohio, and there re- 
inained until called to the home beyond, the 
father following farming as a life occupation. 
Air. and Airs. Seek became the parents of five 
children, of whom Mary E. and William died in 
infancy. The others are as follows : George W., 
who wedded Agnes Al. Hall, died in September, 
t88o, leaving a widow and two sons, Claude and 
\\'ilber. They reside with their mother in Rock- 
ford and are now employed by the Rockford 
Watch Company. Sarah is the wife of 
Thomas Lawson, a retired farmer living in the 
village of X^ew Alilford, and they have four child- 
ren : W'alter. Harrv, Rov and Bettv. Emma is 
25 



the wife of Lovejoy C. Hall, and they reside with 
her mother in Rockford. Air. Hall is well 
known as a real-estate dealer of this city, con- 
ducting a large business. They have four child- 
ren : Alaude, Ida, Eugene and Emery. Mrs. 
Seek and her family are all members of the 
Alethodist Episcopal church of X'ew Alilford. 
Air. Seek was ever successful in his farming op- 
erations, and his widow is now well-to-do. " The 
old homestead is still in possession of the fam- 
ily, but Airs. Seek intends to make her home with 
her children. 



H. H. STONE. 



H. H. Stone, who is now retired from active 
business, although he is financially interested in 
I he Rockford Burial Case Company as its vice- 
president and also owns a farm in Rockford town- 
ship, makes his home at No. 1130 North Court 
street in the city of Rockford. For more than 
thirty-one years he has lived in Winnebago 
county, coming to this state from Alinnesota. He 
was born, however, in Franklin county, Ver- 
mont, but left the Green Alountain state when 
a boy of eleven years. His father, James Stone, 
was a pioneer of Wisconsin, settling there in 
1846. He was one of the best mechanics in the 
locality in which he made his home and through- 
out his entire life he followed that line of busi- 
ness. He settled on the Onion river in Wiscon- 
sin and, taking part in the founding of the town, 
he gave to it the name of Winooski. He was 
appointed its first postmaster and so continued 
up to the time of his death in the spring of 1857. 

H. H. Stone, whose name introduces this rec- 
ord, spent the days of his boyhood and vouth in 
his parent's home, remaining with his father un- 
til the latter's death, when he removed to Minne- 
sota. There he was engaged in the furniture 
business until coming to Rockford, or for a per- 
iod of about seventeen years. Believing that he 
might have good business opportunities in Winne- 
bago countv, he arrived in Illinois on the 1st of 
Januarv, 1874. establishing his home in the citv, 
where he continued to reside for two and a half 
years. He then removed to the farm upon which 
he lived for seven years, placing his land under a 
high state of cultivation. He then returned to 
the city, where he has since made his home and 
he has been financially interested in the Rockford 
Burial Case Companv since its establishment 
about twenty years ago. Its business has steadilv 
increased and the stockholders now annuallv re- 
ceive a good dividend upon their investment. 

Mr. Stone has one son by his first marriage : 
Roy J., who is assistant state mining engineer in 
the assayer's office in X^evada : and one bv his sec- 
ond marriage. Frank H., who as an electrician 



45- 



PAST AM) l'Ki:Si:.\T ()1- \Vl\\i:i'.AG(i Oil' XT V 



is employed by the Edison Company at Rockford. 
Mr. Stone exercises his rifrht of franchise in sup- 
port of the men and measures of the republican 
|)arty and has served as councilman i)f Rockford. 
I'raternally he has been connected with the Ma- 
.sonic lodsje for many years, now belnni^^ing to 
Riicklord lodge, Xc I02. .\. V. & .\. .M.. and 
Rockford chaiJter, R. .\. .M.. while both he and his 
wife are members of the Order of the Eastern 
Star. He is a past master of the lodge and has 
held various other offices. He is a drand .-\nuy 
of the Rei)ublic man, having served two years in 
the Civil war. enlisting in the .Seventh .Minnesota 
Infantry. He is a member of the Christian 
Cnion church and his influence is ever on the 
side of riglit, improvement and progress. 
Through an active business career he accumulated 
a comfortable competence, which now enables him 
to live retireil and be is enjoying the fruits of his 
former toil in a comfortable home in this citv. 



HEXRV A. \\1-:BBER. 

Henry .\. Webber, of Rockton, is a native of 
Somersetshire, England, born .August 19. 1837. 
His father. William Webber, was born in Eng- 
land, in March. 1801. or 1802, and died at the 
age of eighty-five years while on a visit to one of 
his daughters in lUirritt township, ^^'innebago 
county. He was a native of Devonshire, whence 
he removed to .Somersetshire, where he became a 
large landowner and when he decided to come to 
.\merica with his family his i)roi)crty was all 
sold bv auction, which was carried on in the 
regular English style, it taking three days to dis- 
jiose of his possessions. It was almo.st like a fair, 
tents being pitched for the convenience of the 
crowd, while the food and drink were ser\'ed 
after the old-time English custom. He brought 
his wife and all of his eight chil- 
dren with liim to the L'nited States, landing 
at Xew York, and by way of the Great Lakes 
tliev |)roceedefl to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, thence 
driving across the coimtry with ox-teams to 
Rockton. Mr. Wel)ber was a man of consicler- 
able means and on reaching his destination he 
purchased six hundred and forty acres of land, 
for which he was able to jiay cash. He followed 
farming on an extensive scale, making his home 
in Winnebago county from 1841) u]) to the time 
of his death. His wife bore the maiden name 
of Mary Hake. .She too was a native of England 
and died at the age of eighty years. They were 
the i)arents of eight children: Mrs. Margaret 
Wilcox : William, who is now living in .South 
Dakota: John, a resident of California: Cather- 
ine, the widow of John (iriffith: Henry .\.. of 
this review: Mrs. Marv Arnold: llirman I., who 



resiiles in Rockton : and Ihomas, deceased. The 
family home was about two miles south and just 
a little to the east of Rockton. and the father was 
one of the most ])rominent and honored of the 
l)ioneer settlers of bis portion of the county. 

Henry .\. Webber spent the first ten years of 
his life in his native country and then came with 
his parents to .\merica in 1849. He has resided 
almost continuously in Illinois. He was reared 
upim his father's farm in Winnebago county and 
afterward went to Chicago. He had previouslv 
learned the carjienter's trade and in Chicago he 
was one of the carpenters who laid the first planks 
for the building of the stockyards, this work be- 
ing executed in 1863. Mr. Webber has always 
been of an inventive turn of mind and has jiro- 
duced some fifteen ditTerent inventions upon 
which he has secured patents, including the Web- 
ber reaper and mower, the Webber automatic 
gate, a railroad snow plow, a railroad track 
grater, and a Webber angle sieve fanning mill, 
which he is now manufacturing in Rockton at the 
old plant which is oix-niled by water power and 
which was built by .Mr. Webber and his brothers. 
William and John, a number of years ago. when 
they were engaged in the manufacture of the 
Webber reaper and mower. Our subject is now 
devoting his atteiUion to the production of the 
faiuiing mills. With his brothers he contiiuied 
the manufacure of the reajjcr and mower for fif- 
teen years with much success. He has lived a 
life of marked industry and his continued energy 
furnishes an examjile that is well worthy of 
ennilalion. 

.\t the time of the Civil war .Mr. Webber re- 
sponded to the country's call for troops, enrolling 
at Rockton in response to the first call. He 
afterward marched to Rockford. a distance of 
fourteen miles, to enlist. In days of ])eace he 
has been equally loyal to his country and has 
performed ca])able ])ublic service in local offices. 
Eor the past ten years he has been constable of 
the town of Rockton, has served on the village 
board and has held other local positions, being 
most true and faithful in the discharge of the 
duties that thus devolved u]ion him. His ])olit- 
ical allegiance is given to the renublican party, 
which he has supported unswervingly since at- 
tained his majority. 

Tn 1867 Mr. Webber was united in marriage to 
Mrs. Sarah A. Kennedy, nee Jewell, the widow 
of the late Sanniel Kennedy, who was a veteran 
of the Civil war. He enlisted from Ohio in 1861 
in response to the first call and was discharged 
on account of illness, dying soon afterwarrl. He 
left one son. Elmer J. Kennedv. a native of Ohio. 
Mr. Kennedv was a blacksmith and wood-worker 
bv traile. following those pursuits luitil he offered 
bis services to the government in defense of the 




:MR. AXl) .MRS. 11. A. WEBBER. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



455 



Union. After the death of her first husband, 
Mrs. Kennedy made a visit to Illinois and formed 
the acquaintance of Mr. Webber. Later she re- 
turned to Ohio and soon afterward Mr. Webber 
went to that state and the\- were married. They 
have two living children : Minnie C, now the 
wife of William Alden, by whom she has three 
children, Harry. Ralph and Ruth ; and Gertrude, 
who married Thomas R. Higgins and has one 
child, Dorothy. 



WILLIAM G. SMITTI. 

William G. Smith, interested in general farm- 
ing on sections 35 and 26, Harlem township, 
owns a valuable tract of land of two hundred 
acres. He was born in this township, December 
4. 1870. on a farm adjoining his present place, 
his parents being Robert and Agnes (Greenlees) 
Smith, who are now living retired in Rockford. 
The former was born in Kintyre, Argyleshire. 
Scotland, August 22, 1824, and was a grandson 
of Daniel Smith, who removed from his native 
county of Ayrshire to Arglyeshire. establishing 
his home in a sod house upon a tract of wild 
land. In the course of time, however, he im- 
proved a good farm there. Only two of his chil- 
dren ever came to America. Daniel and Mrs. 
Janet Brown, who made her home in Cincinnati, 
Ohio. 

Daniel Smith, the grandfather of William G. 
Smith, was born in Argyleshire, February 1 1 , 
1791, and in his vouth assisted his father in the 
work of the farm, ^^'hen he started out in life 
on his own account he rented land and was en- 
gaged in farming until his emigration to the new 
world. He wedded Mary Montgomery, who 
was born in Kintyre, January 12. 1795, and was 
a daughter of Robert Montgomery. They be- 
came the parents of nine children, and with their 
family they sailed for America in 1842 as pas- 
sengers on the Gleaner, which weighed anchor 
at Campbelltown, and was the first ocean vessel 
that ever left that port. The voyage continued 
from the 4th of June until the 4th of July, when 
anchor was dropped in New York harbor. The 
family came at once, however, to Winnebago 
county by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago, 
and thence to Harlem township, where Daniel 
Smith purchased the land that has long been in 
possession of the family. His home was a log 
cabin, and the farm was purchased by Mr. Smith 
and his brother-in-law. James Montgomery, for 
five dollars an acre, .\lthough many pioneer ex- 
periences fell to his lot Mr. Smith persevered in 
the work of developing the farm until it became 
a good property. His death occurred there Au- 
gust 20, 1845. and his wife passed away on the 
old homestead. May 31. 1872. 



Robert Smith was a youth of seventeen when 
the family crossed the Atlantic to the United 
States, and following his father's death, the care 
of the home farm devolved upon him. He con- 
ducted agricultural pursuits there for a long pe- 
riod, but is now living retired in Rockford, hav- 
ing acquired a handsome competence that en- 
ables him to rest from further business cares. In 
politics he has been a stanch republican since the 
organization of the party, and he and his wife 
are members of the Presbyterian church. He 
was married in 1855 to Agnes Greenlees, who 
was a native of his home town, and a daughter 
of William and Martha (Harvey) Greenlees. 
This union was blessed with five children : Mary 
J., Martha, Agnes, the wife of William Brown : 
^^'illiam G., of this review, and Daniel A., who 
follows farming in Harlem township. 

W'illiam G. Smith is indebted to the public- 
school system for the educational privileges he 
enjoyed in his youth. He has always remained 
a resident of Harlem township, and lived with 
his parents until the fall of 1898. when he pur- 
chased his present farm. He now carries on 
general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, 
and both departments of his business are prov- 
ing profitable, for he finds a ready sale on the 
market for the products of his fields, and also 
for the cattle, hogs and horses which he raises. 

In November, 1898, was celebrated the mar- 
riage of \\'illiam (j. Smith and Miss Janie Mc- 
Echeran. a daughter of John and Anna H. (Rals- 
ton) McEcheran. both of Caledonia township, 
Boone county, Illinois. They were natives of 
Argyleshire. Scotland, and became residents -of 
Boone county in the '40s. Mrs. Smith was bom 
in Caledonia township. August 7. 1876. and her 
home has been blessed with one son, John R.. 
who was born December 22, 1899. ^Ir. and Mrs. 
Smith attend the ^^'illow Creek Presbyterian 
church at Arg}-le, and he is a republican in poli- 
tics. He has served as school director for sev- 
eral terms and is interested in local progress and 
improvement, but gives closest attention to his 
business affairs, wherein he has prospered. He 
is a young man of ambition, strong purpose and 
diligence, and it is with safety that his friends 
predict for him a successful future. 



CYRUS A. WALLACE. 

From the rich farms surrounding Pecatonica 
have come many of the representative citizens 
of the village — men who having long been con- 
nected with agricultural interests have so man- 
aged their business affairs that they are now in 
possession of a comfortable competence and are 
therefore able to enjoy at the present time a well 



4SI' 



PAST AND I'RMSliX r Ol" W I Wl'.l'. \t i< ' (OrXlV 



earned rest. To this class belonijs Mr. Wallace, 
who is a native of Lorain county. ( )liio. born 
.Ma.\ 24, 1837. His parents were William and 
Sophronia ( Nobles ) Wallace. The father, a na- 
tive of Yorkshire. Enjjland, crossed the Atlantic 
to Canada, and in his early life was a sailor, 
goinjj ii]xin whalinsf voyages. He removed from 
Canada to Loraine county. (~)liio. where he pur- 
chased fifty acres of timber land and Iniilt a log 
house in the midst of the forest. He then began 
clearing awa\- the trees and brush in order to 
plant crops and continued the cultivation of the 
fields through the i)ioneer jieriod in that part of 
the state. Later he sold his i)roperty there and 
in 1S53 came to Winnebago county, Illinois, pur- 
chasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in 
Seward township. The tract was at that time 
raw prairie, on which he built a little cabin home. 
lie then began breaking his land, and in course 
of time the fields were returning to him rich 
harvests. He marketed his wheat and oats at 
I'ecatonica. for the railroad was built through 
that year. He paid three dollars ])er acre for his 
land, and the next year was offered twenty-five 
dollars per acre owing to the rapid increase in 
po|)ulation, and also because of the excellent im- 
proveiuents he had placed on his property. He 
soon became recognized as one of the most suc- 
cessful agriculturists of his community and for 
many years prospered in his business undertak- 
ings here. He died in Seward township in his 
eighty-fifth year, while his wife, who was born in 
^iassacbu setts, died in the same township in her 
sixty-sixth year. She was married twice, her 
first hnsl)aiid being Eli Hubliard. There were 
three children born of that marriage, of whom 
all are now deceased, while to Mr. and Mrs. 
Wallace were born six children, of whom two 
are living. Cyrus A. and William. The latter, a 
resident farmer of Seward township, married 
X'iola Kellev. and has two living sons by that 
marriage. I-irnest and Cecil. For his second wife 
he chose T-ouisa Jones, and there is one living 
child bv this union. Jerome, a resident of Seward 
township. 

In his boyhood days Cvrus W. Wallace worked 
upon the hoiue farm and afterward secured em- 
plovment as a farm hand in the neighborhood. 
P.efore his marriage he had become the owner of 
eighty acres of land, and froiu that time forward 
he carried on general agricultural pursuits on 
his own accomit until 1892. That he prospered 
is indicated by the fact that in the year men- 
tioned he was able to jnit aside active business 
cares and take up his abode in Pecatonica. having 
possessions sufficient to enable him to live retired. 
He now rents his farm, and in adilition to this 
jiroperty he owns nine lots on which stand his 
jirescnt residence. 

On the 28th of December. 1878. Mr. Wallace 



was married to ."-■ophia .Mexander, a daughter of 
Samuel and Sarah ( I'ranklin ) Alexander, both 
of whom were natives of England, the former 
born A])ril 6. i8o<^i. and the latter on the I2lh of 
June. 1804. Mr. Alexander passed away in 1888, 
while his wife died in her seventy-ninth year. 
They sailed from Liverijool. linglaud. to New 
^'ork city, and thence removed westward to St. 
Lawrence count}-. New York, where they lived 
for a short time, iluring which jieriod Mrs. Wal- 
lace was born. They afterward t(X)k u]) their 
alwde in Elyria. Ohio, where they remained for 
two years and then settled in Grafton township, 
Lorain county, where the fallur iiurchased about 
eighty acres of timber land, on which he built a 
log cabin. He then began clearing his farm, 
living in true pioneer style. He was one of the 
early settlers of that county and continued his 
residence upon his original farm for about eight 
or nine years, when he removed to the township 
of Eaton and bought two hundred acres of land. 
This he also cleared and improved, and at one 
time he was the owner of a valuable tract of 
three hundred acres. His health failed him event- 
ually and he was unable to do any work during 
the last three years of his life. He was an up- 
right, honorable man. respected by all whi^ knew 
him because of his genuine worth and fidelity Ui 
])rinciple. To each of his sons he gave a farm, 
and tlius ably assisted them in starting out in 
life. In his family were eight children, of whom 
six are now living: Martha, born September 24, 
1827. became the wife of Edward Martin, a resi- 
dent of LaiJorte. Ohio, and died at the age of 
fiftv-six vears, leaving three children. Samuel, 
born Mav 3, 1830. resides at Eaton. .\nn, born 
November 2, 1832. is the wife of William Rawl- 
.son, of Grafton, Ohio, and has two sons. Mrs. 
Wallace, the next of the family, was born Jan- 
uary I. 1835. John, born November 12. 1837. 
and living in Eaton. ( Miio. married Hannah Dim- 
mick. and has one daughter. Job. born Decemlier 
23. 1 841. and also a resident of Eaton, wedded 
.\nn Pierce, and has six children, of whom five 
are living, .\lbert. horn June 25, 1850. and also 
a resident of Eaton, married Mrs. .\ddie Golden, 
and has five children. .Amanda, born June 25. 
1850. died in infancy. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace was 
celebrate<l in Eaton township. Lorain county, 
(^hio, December 28, 1878, and they have since 
traveled life's iourney happily together. They 
lived upon the farm until 1802, when they estab- 
lished their home in Pecatonica. Mr. Wallace pur- 
chasing their present residence. He is a democrat 
in his political views and for one term .served as 
school director, but has never sought or desired 
office. Eraternallv he is connected with the ( )dd 
Fellows .societ\. Through manv vears a resident 
of this county, he im()roved his business oppor- 



i'VST AND PRESENT (_)F WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



457 



tunities with such success that he is now one of 
the substantial citizens and Pecatonica knows him 
as a man of genuine worth whose friends in the 
county are manv. 



HENRY :\frRPHY. 



Henry MuqDhy, whose life record was an ex- 
emplification of the saying "through struggles to 
success." followed farming for many years in 
Burritt township, Winnebago county, but in his 
later years was enabled to enjoy in honorable re- 
tirement the competence that had been ac(|uired 
in the }ears of his former toil. He was also num- 
bered among the pioneer settlers of the county, 
having taken up his abode here about 1830. His 
birth occurred in Ireland, March 24, 1830. His 
father was Perry Murphy. The mother died in 
Ireland at the birth of her son Henry, and he was 
then reared by an aunt in that country. His 
father also passed away on the green Isle of Erin. 

Henry Murphy was but a boy when he emi- 
grated to America, landing at New York, whence 
he went to Boston, where he worked for five years 
at any employment he could secure. He then de- 
termined to seek a home in the west and settled 
in Rockford in 1850, being then a young man of 
twenty years. Here he first engaged in teaming 
for a few years and then entered the employe of 
\Y. A. Talcott, being retained in his service for 
thirteen years. The capital which he acquired 
through his frugality and industry during that 
period enabled him to purchase a farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres in Burritt township, and 
taking up his abode upon this tract of land he 
devoted his energies to its further development 
and improvement until 1898. In the meantime 
the well tilled fields had brought to liim a grati- 
fying financial return for his labor and with a 
comfortable competence he retired from the farm 
and took up his abode in Rockford. where he 
enjoyed a well merited rest until called to his 
final home. 

;Mr. Murphy was married in tlic old Warner 
home in Rockford to Miss Mary Sheehan. also 
a native of Ireland, born in March. 1829, and a 
daughter of ^^'illiam and Ellen Sheehan. Her 
father, a farmer by occupation, died in his native 
land, but the mother afterward came to America, 
making her way first to Rockford. Subsequently 
she settled on a farm in Burritt township, where 
she spent her remaining davs. Only two of her 
children are now living. Mrs. Murphy and a 
brother, who resides in Solomon City. Kansas. 
The home of ^fr. and Mrs. Murphy was blessed 
with nine children, but only one now survives, 
the others having all died in infancy, with the 
exception of William, who passed away at the 
age of thirty-five years. Mary is the wife of 



Richard Foley, a mail carrier on Rockford rural 
route No. 8. They reside with Mrs. Murphy, 
and they had five children, but only Herbert is 
now living. Those deceased are Harry. X'inetta, 
Charlie and Willie. 

The death of Mr. Murphy occurred on the 28th 
of August. 1904. He was a democrat in his 
political faith, and was a communicant of St. 
Mary's Catholic church of Rockford, of which 
all of his family are also members. He justly 
earned the proud American tile of a self-made 
man, for he came to America empty-handed, and 
in fact had no capital at the time of his arrival 
in Rockford. He worked hard and his unfalter- 
ing energy was a strong element in his prosperity. 
Year after year he labored perseveringly to .gain 
a good home and the comforts of life for his 
family, and at length he won a competence that 
left them in comfortable circumstances. His 
business methods, too, were ever honorable and 
straightforward and commanded him to the trust 
and good will of his fellowmen. Since her hus- 
band's death Mrs. Murphy has sold the home farm 
in Burritt township and she now owns a nice 
residence at No. lorfi Kilburn avenue, where she 
is living with Mr. and Mrs. Foley. 



AVERILL A. MARSH. 

Averill A.Marsh is the owner of two hundred 
and ten acres of land on section 16. Guilford 
township, which he leases, while he is practically 
living a retired life. He was born upon this 
farm. October 25. 1848. his parents being Richard 
and Sarah (Watson) Marsh, both of whom are 
now deceased. The mother, who was born in 
England, came to America when a little maiden 
of ten summers in company with her parents, who 
located on the farm now owned by Edwin Robin- 
son in Guilford township. Richard Marsh, the 
father, was born in Pennsylvania, and arrived in 
Winnebago county in the winter of 1837-8. He 
cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers and here 
resided until his death, which occurred in Novem- 
ber, 1893, when he had reached the age of sev- 
entv-six years. His wife died in September of 
the' same' vear at the age of sixty-eight. Mr. 
Marsh would never consent to hold office, but 
was interested in general jirogre^s and improve- 
ment and contributed in substantial measure to 
the material development of the county through 
the part which he took in advancing agricultural 
interests. He was one of the earlv members of 
the Grange. In his family were three children: 
Averill A. : Leonard, who is residing near To- 
peka. Kansas, where he follows farming: and 
Mrs. Fanny A. Pierce, who resides on a farm 
just north of Rockford. 



43^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Avcrill A. Marsh has spent his ciitiro life in 
Gnilford to\vnshii>, and the place up^ii which he 
now resides in enileared to liini throuj^h the asso- 
ciations of his hoyhood, as well as those of later 
years. He now owns two hundred and ten acres 
of land, which he leases. In his youth, however, 
he hecanie familiar with all of the duties and la- 
bors that devolve u]ion the agriculturist, and after 
completing; his education in the district schools 
he .q;ave his undivided attention to farm work, 
in which he continued for a lonjj period, and his 
labor resulted in the acquirement of a comfort- 
able competence, his fields yielding; him excellent 
harvests as a reward for the care and labor which 
he bestowed upon them. 

Mr. Marsh was married to Miss Emma Nich- 
ols, a native of Winnebago county, and the 
daughter of Horatio Nichols, one of the early 
residents of the county. Her father was a farmer 
by occupation and died during the early '60s. 
r.oth Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have many friends in 
this county and the hospitality of the best homes 
of Guilford township is freely accorded them. 
Politically Mr. Marsh is a republican, but has 
never sought or desired office, giving his undi- 
vided attention to his business affairs, which, being 
capablv and honorably managed, have made him 
one of the prosperous agriculturists of Guilfurd 
township. 



DUDLEY LYFORD. 



Dudly I.yford, well known in Roscoe town- 
ship as one of its representative and prominent 
citizens, occupies an attractive home in the vil- 
lage, his long connection with agricultural inter- 
ests in former years well entitling him to the 
period of ease that he is now enjoying. He is a 
native of New Hampshire, his birth having oc- 
curred in the town of Canterbury, November 6. 
1835. His father, Thomas Lyford, was also a 
native of the old Granite state, and belonged to 
a i)rominent jiioneer family there. He, too, first 
opened his eyes to the light of day in Canterbury, 
and he continued his residence in his native town 
until 1842. when with his family he removed to 
Illinois, becoming a resident of Winnebago coun- 
ty, where he carried on agricultural pursuits up 
to tlie time of his death. He was accidentallv 
killed in a threshing machine in 1838. when fifty- 
two years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Eliza P.. Greeley, was a native of Gil- 
manton. New Hampshire, and her death occurred 
at the age of seventy-five years. When Mr, and 
Mrs. Lyford arrived in Winnebago county in 
1842 he purchased a tract of land of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Roscoe townshi|i. which his 
brother-in-law, Dudley Greelcv, had entered from 



the government in 1836. The latter was a native 
of .Maine, and had become one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of this county. In the family of Mr. and 
Mrs. Lyford were three .sons and three daugh- 
ters, namely : Dudley ; Elizabeth, the wife of 
John liradley ; Joseph, who is living in Guilford, 
Winnebago county : Alice, the widow of Josiah 
Richardson, who serv'ed as major in a regiment 
of colored cavalry in the Civil war : .-\ugusta ; and 
Charles, who is living in Minnea|>olis, Minnesota. 

Dudley Lyford spent the first seven years of 
his life in the state of his nativity, and then ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to Illi- 
nois, since which time he has made his home in 
1 larlem township. He was reared to the occupa- 
tion of farming, and in his business career has 
been very successful, making investments in land 
from time to time, until he is now the owner of 
twelve hundred acres of valuable farming land 
in this state. Of this he and his son cultivate 
about four hundred acres, while the remainder 
is rented, and the son now laigely relieves his 
father of the care of the farm mentioned, so that 
he is ])ractically living retired. In 1902 he pur- 
chased fifty-five acres of land in the village and 
built thereon a nice residence, which stands on 
a knoll and commands an excellent view of the 
surrounding country. He also built a barn and 
has all modern improvements, and his home is 
one of the attractive places of the town. It is a 
monument to his enterprise and labors in former 
\ears, and its tasteful furnishings bring to him 
the comforts of life, which he well merits. 

Mr. Lyford was married April 13, 1862, to 
Miss Emma Harley, a native of Rockton, Illi- 
nois, and a daughter of Thomas Harley, one of 
the early settlers of this county. Twelve children 
were born imto Mr. and Mrs. Lyford, of whom 
seven are yet living. Of those deceased, one 
daughter. Plelen. became the wife of Pert Hutch- 
ins, and at her death left four children. Bertha. 
Margaret, Helen and .\nna. Those who still sur- 
vive are : Anna ; Maria, the wife of Charles 
Rhodes, a veterinary surgeon of Beloit, Wiscon- 
sin, by whom she has two children. .Mice and 
John D. : Katherinc, the wife of Charles Gleass- 
ncr, and the mother of three children. George, 
Laueme and Mildred; Thomas, who married 
Donna Coffin, of Rockford, and has four chil- 
dren, Francis, Esther. James and .\ddie : Dudley, 
who is living on the old home farm : Custer, a 
resident of Cheyenne, North Dakota, and Emily, 
the wife of Joseph Gesell. 

Mr. Lyford exercises his right of franchise in 
support of the men and measures of the repub- 
lican ])arty, and was highway commissioner for 
one term, but has never been a politician in the 
sense of office seeking, preferring to conccTitrate 
his energies upon his business affairs, in which 




DUDLEY LYFORD 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



46. 



he lias met with sjileiKhd success. He belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in 
Roscoe lodge, No. 75, A. F. & A. M., and that 
he has attained high rank in the craft is indicated 
by the fact of his membership in the Mystic 
Shrine. He is today one of the extensive land- 
owners of the coimty, and his holdings represent 
a life of untiring activity, of keen business dis- 
cernment and straightforward methods, his his- 
tory being proof of the fact that success and an 
honored name may be won simultaneously. 



MRS. EMILY M. BARBER. 

Mrs. Emily M. Barber, owning valuable farm 
property in Rockford township, is the widow of 
X. Barber, who died June 25, 1899, at the age 
of seventy-four years. Mr. Barber was a native 
of Madison coimty, New York, born in the town 
of Fenner about 1825, his parents being Eli and 
Olive ( Nourse) Barber, both of whom died in 
the Empire state. The family was of English lin- 
eage and representatives of the name removed 
from Connecticut to New York, where they fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming. Mr. Barber 
was one of five children, two of whom reached 
years of maturity, but his sister, Delia, died sev- 
eral years ago. She was the wife of Reuben 
Mathers, and resided in the state of New York 
until her death. She left one son, Seldon Math- 
ers, who resides in \''irginia. 

Nolton Barber was reared in the state of his 
nativity, and was but six of years of age at the 
time of his father's death. Between the ages of 
nine and twenty-one years he resided with a Mr. 
Gillett and then started to work by the month 
as a farm hand. It was thus that he entered 
upon his business career, and in the course of 
years he had become the owner of land, and was 
known as a substantial agriculturist. After his 
marriage he purchased a farm in Madison 
county, New York, where he made his home for 
two years, and in 1835 he started westward, set- 
tling in Rockford township in Winnebago county, 
Illinois. It was largely a pioneer district, and 
much of the land in the county was but slightly 
improved. Here and there were still seen the 
rude pioneer cabins, and the city of Rockford was 
at this time but a small town. Mr, Barber at 
once began the cultivation and development of 
his land, which he transformed into productive 
fields, and the tract which he purchased on his 
arrival in the west has now been the family 
home for forty-three years. When it came into 
his possession it was wild prairie, and had no 
buildings or trees upon it, but he knew that earn- 
est labor would work a change in its appear- 
ance and productiveness, and he was soon able 
to harvest good crops where before were seen the 



wild prairie grasses. In the home farm is a 
tract of land of eighty acres, and just south is 
another tract of twenty-five acres, making in all 
one hundred and five acres, which now belongs 
to J\Irs. Barber, and which she has rented. It 
was before his removal to the west that Mr. Bar- 
ber was married on the isth of March, 1849. 
He wedded Miss Emily Marshall, whose birth 
occurred September 10, 1824, in Fenner, Mad- 
ison county. New York, her parents being 
Thomas and Phoebe (Keeler) Marshall, both of 
whom were natives of the state of New York, 
and there died many years ago. They were 
farming people of the highest respectability. The 
ancestors of the ^larshall family came from Eng- 
land, and the early home of the family was in 
Massachusetts. The maternal grandfather- of 
Mts. Barber served in the Revolutionary war, 
and lived to the extreme old age of more than 
ninety-six years. Unto Thomas and Phoebe 
Marshall were born six children, all of whom 
reached adult age, including Elmer, who resides 
in the state of New York ; Mrs. Maria Pinckney. 
living near Auburn, New York; Mrs. Louisa 
Sears, who died at Rockford in June. 1903 ; and 
John F., who died at Rochelle, Illinois, June 7, 
1859. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barber were born three 
children : Myron, the eldest, born in New York, 
April 2, 1850, is a farmer, residing near Mason 
City, Iowa. He married Anna Sloan, who was 
born December 4, 1858, in Illinois, and they have 
become the parents of ten children: William, 
born Mav 9, 1884: John M., April 26, 1886; 
Emily P-', July 17, 1887; Myron IT., March 6, 
1889'; Mary L„ October 9, 1890; Olive S., Oc- 
tober 2, 1893 ; Daisy A., February 24, 1896; Ada 
N., April 19, 1898; Lizzie, January 4, 1899: and 
Grace, December 13, 1902. Louisa Barber, the 
elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nolton Barber. 
was born in New York, June 14, 1853, and be- 
came the wife of Jerome A. Hudler, who was 
born August 8, 1849, i" the Empire state. They 
have four children, but the two eldest are by a 
former marriage: Maud, born May 9, 1884, and 
Harry, born in February, 1887, The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Hudler are : Laura E., born Jan- 
uary 30, 1893, and Irene L., born October i, 
1895. The family home is in Rockford, where 
Mr. Hudler is connected with the dry plate 
works. Ada I. Barber, born July 21, 1858, in 
Winnebago county, is the widow of Albert M. 
Truesdall, who was bgrn November 22, 1862, 
in Illinois, and died at the home farm of Mrs. 
Barber February 11, 1901. Mrs. Truesdall re- 
sides with her mother, and has two children : 
Emma Louise, who was born June 2, 1892, and 
Arthur, born March 10, 1894. 

Mr. Barber was a republican in his political 
views and served in several local offices 



4'' 



I'AST AM) i'Ri-:si:\" 



ol" W INXI-.r.ACO COl'XTN' 



111 Ilis tounsliii). I U- was a member ul 
the (irange. and hotli he and his wife 
belonged to the Winnebago Street Method- 
ist Episco]>al chureh. His hfe was a busy 
and useful one, and for many years he suc- 
cessfully carried on agricultural pursuits, his la- 
bors resulting in the aciiuirenieut of a comfort- 
able competence. He was truly a self-made man. 
for he started out empty-handed and de])ended 
entirely upon his own resources for all that he 
ac<|uired or enjoyed. His sterling worth gained 
him the confidence of his fellow townsmen, and 
all who knew him entertained tor him warm re- 
gard. Mrs. Iiarber still resides on the old home- 
stead farm, and although she has rented the land, 
gives genera! supervision ti> the property. 



FREDERICK W. W AKXER. 

Frederick W. Warner, connectcil wiili agricul- 
tural interests in Winnebago count\ fmm an early 
day. when jiroducc was hauled by team to the 
Chicago market, is now the owner of a valuable 
farm of six hundred and eighty-seven acres in 
Harlem townshi]). He was born September 29. 
1828. at Wethersfield. Connecticut, a .son of 
Walter and ( )ra ( Clicney ) Warner, both of whom 
were natives of Connecticut. 

The Warner family (in .so far as jiresent 
records go) originated in County Essex, England. 
where \Villiam. the .\merican emigrant, was born 
October 20. 1394, and who settled at Tjiswich, 
Massachusetts, with a daughUr and two sons in 

A grandson and namesake of the emigrant. 
Lieutenant and Deacon William W^irner, settled 
ill Wethersfield. Connecticut, and married No- 
vember 1, \(y(^j. to Hannah, (daughter of Centle- 
maii John) Robbins. From this coujile a long 
line of Warners has descended in the (nearly) 
two hundred and fifty years that have elapsed 
since their marriage. Many of these lived and 
died at Wethersfield, and more found homes in 
far distant scenes of life and activity, .\niong 
the latter we find. W^alter Warner, the Rock 
river pioneer, who was the son of .\llen and 
Marv ( Readle) Warner, born at Wetliersfield. 
Connecticut. June 12, 1801, died at Roscoe, March 
25, i86_:?. and who marrieil first. .Xjiril 13. 1825. 
drry ('daughter of Olcott) Cheney, of Berlin. 
Connecticut, who was born February 5. 1804. 
died July 13. 1839. at Roscoe. He was married 
second. Xovember 9. 1840. to Sarah Sanborn, 
daughter of John and Hannah ( Dickerman) 
Tucker. The Tucker family, originally of Rox- 
Iniry. Massachuttsetts. removed after 1813 t" 
I'.ahimore. where Sarah was born .\pril 4. i8ir). 
The family again removetl about 1820 tn llreeii- 



brier county. N'irginia (now West Virginia), 
and from there about 1839 to Kane county. Illi- 
nois, where she married. She died at Kirk wood, 
.Missouri. December 16. i88(>. and was buried 
at Roscoe. 

Walter Warner's father died in 181 3, leaving 
him at twelve years of age the main support of a 
mother and five children. In early lite he 
worked at the caqieiiter's trade one or more 
winters at Savannah. ( lecjrgia. returning to 
Wethersfield for the warm season, and working 
his ])assage on the sailing vessels plying between 
Xew York and Savannah, as a common sailor. 
Ill 1824 he assisted in building the first Methodist 
ciuirch organized in Wethersfield. being a mem- 
ber of the first board of trustees. This was a 
rude structure, as money and labor were scarce, 
and particularly so for such an enterprise as 
Methodism was considered almost a heresy at 
that time. However the house was built and in- 
closeil. though for a long lime for lack of means. 
it remained unfinished. Rude seats were made 
l)\- placing planks across the timbers, upon 
which the worshipers set while their feet rested 
on the ground. 

Mr. \\'arner continued to reside it W'ethers- 
field. where his older children were born, until 
1833. when he removed to Lima. Xew York, 
where he bought a farm, but becoming dissatisfied 
with his purchase, he left his family at Lima in 
1836. and in company with his wife's brother, 
rienjamin Cheney, he went to Illinois, to "spy 
out the land". The P.lack Hawk war had ceased, 
and the tide of immigratinn had just begun to 
set that wav. He "filed" on a considerable tract 
of land in the autumn of 1836. returned to Lima, 
and in the following sirring .sent his family over 
the lakes by boat, while he and his brother-in-law. 
Xorris Wilcox, drove a team with their few 
belongings overland from Lima to Illinois, 
where their families joined them, arriving on 
the 8th of .\ugust. 1837. 

i'.v his first wife he had six children, as fol- 
lows: Lucv .\nn. Ixirn at P.erlin. Connecticut, 
Sei)tember 17. i82f). living now at Roscoe. mar- 
ried William Richardson, born at Spencer. Mas- 
sachusetts, September 3. 1820. died at Roscoe. 
September 18. i8i)8. Frederick William, of this 
review is the next of the family. Orry. lx>rn 
September 24. died Xovember 4. 1830. Mary 
Jane, born at Wethersfield, July 31, 1833, now 
living ill Heloit, Wisconsin, married at Roscoe 
in 1832 Sabin O. Wood, of Maine, who died in 
Xovember. 1888. Josephine .\melia. born at 
Wethersfield July 13. 1833. now living at St. 
Paul. Minnesota, married at Roscoe. in 1870. 
Arthur P. P.rown. who died .\pril 18. 1903. 
Sarah Elizabeth, born at Ro.sax'. September 2. 
1837. died at C.rinnell. Iowa. March 3. i8r)8. .She 
w.-is the first wife of .Xrthur P. Pniwn. who 




F. W. WARXER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



465 



married her sistc'r Josephine. The following 
children were born of the second marriage : 
John Tucker, born August 20, died September 
10, 1841. George Washington, born August 11, 
1842. died INIarch 8, 1874. He was married 
November 24. 1865, to Ellen A., daughter of 
Lewis and Susannah ( Pratt) Anderson, born 
Stockbridge, New York, March i, 1844, now 
living in Chicago. Martha Maria, born November 
29, 1844, died July 21, 1882. She was long a 
teacher in the public schools of Roscoe and 
Rockford : William Fisk, born at Roscoe, June 
20, 1848, now living at St. Louis, Missouri, 
married October 7, 1873, Florence Gazlay, 
daughter of William M. and Emily H. Waide, of 
Louisville, Kentucky, born at La Grande, Ken- 
tucky, July 10, 1856. Stephen Olin, born Novem- 
ber 6. 1851, died February 15, 1897. He married 
on October i, 1880, Elva B. Horning, now living 
in Chicago. Hannah Lucretia, born December 3, 
1854, died June 29, 1855. Lucy A., Frederick 
W., Mary J., and Josephine A., came to Winne- 
bago county on the 8th day of August. 1837, and 
all are still living. 

Frederick W. Warner was about nine years 
of age when he accompanied the family to Illi- 
nois, traveling by canal to Buffalo, thence on a 
sailing vessel on the Great Lakes to Chicago, 
the lake trip requiring three weeks time. They 
found Chicago a small village, located in the 
midst of a swamp. That was the year of its in- 
corporation and the most prophetic could not 
have dreamed that it was soon destined to be- 
come the commercial center of the great west. 
Mr. Warner was his father's active and able as- 
sistant in the ardous task of clearing and develop- 
ing a new farm and he worked diligently, faith- 
fully performing all the tasks necessary in the 
development and improvement of the property. 
He and his father hauled grain and dressed hogs 
to the Chicago and Milwaukee markets over 
many miles of corduroy roads and carried on 
farming with the crude machinery of that day, 
but speedily adopted the improved farm imple- 
ments and other modern facilities as they were 
introduced. Mr. Warner has always kept pace 
with progress in agricultural life, and in fact has 
been recognized as a leader in many things in his 
community. Year after year carrying on general 
farming, he has prospered in his undertakings 
and is now a prosperous citizen. He has large 
landed possessions in Texas, comprising thirteen 
thousand acres, and all has been acquired 
through his own labors and wise investment. 

On the 27th of October, 1853, Mr. Warner 
was united in marriage to Miss Pamelia Birdsall. 
of Roscoe, Illinois, who was born in New Hart- 
ford, New York, April 5, 1829, and died June 24, 
1896, her death being deeply regretted not only 



by her immediate family but also by many 
friends because she was a most estimable lady, 
displaying many excellent traits of character. 
There were two sons and three daughters of that 
marriage. George B. Warner, the eldest, born 
November 30, 1854, and now living in Shenan- 
doah, Iowa, married Ada Blair, of Roscoe, 
Illinois, and has a son and two daughters. Nel- 
lie A. is the wife of John P. Graham, of Rock- 
ford, and has two daughters. Harriet J. is the 
wife of Payson W. Peterson, of Lisbon, Iowa, 
and has a son and two daughters. Abigail M. 
Warner is living in Palo Alto, California. Fred 
W.. a resident of Baker City, Oregon, married 
Edith Eldred, of Beloit, Wisconsin, and they 
have two sons, Fred W., 3d, and Eldred. Mr. 
and Mrs. Warner, of this review, also lost one 
son and two daughters. 

In politics Mr. Warner is an inflexible sup- 
porter of the prohibition party, having long been 
an ardent advocate of the cause of temperance, 
doing everything in his power to promote its 
principles. He is also a friend of higher educa- 
tion, for although his own advantages in youth 
in that direction were rather limited, he realizes 
the value of intellectual training and desires it 
for others. For the past forty years he has been 
a school director and has ever favored methods 
which would promote the utility and efficiencv 
of the schools of the county. He is a member 
of the Methodist church at Roscoe, in which he 
is serving as steward and his long useful and hon- 
orable life have gained him the respect and trust 
of his fellowmen. As a pioneer citizen he is also 
entitled to representation in this volume, having 
for sixty-eight vears lived in the county. 



FREDERICK GARNER. 

Frederick Garner was a wealthv retired 
farmer, who resided in the city of Rockford for 
more than a third of a century. He came to 
Winnebago county in 1858 and purchased a farm 
in Guilford township. He was a native of New 
York, born December 19, 1830. His father died 
in the Empire state when Frederick was only nine 
years of age, and the mother afterward made her 
home in New York throughout her remaining 
days, passing away in New York city, although 
she frequently made visits to Rockford and was 
well known here. Only one member of that fam- 
ily still survives, Nyac, who resides in New York 
city. 

Frederick Garner attended the public schools 
of New York, but his educational privileges were 
somewhat limited, and it was through the in- 
herent force of his character, his strong deter- 
mination and native ability that he won the sue- 



40') 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO eOLXTV 



cess tliat crowned his efforts. He remained with 
his mother in the east until 1858, when lie came 
to lUinois. estahUshiiig his home in Winnebago 
county. Here lie jjurcliased a farm nf one hun- 
dred and sixty acres on section 31, (hiilford town- 
ship, but only resided thereon for a brief period, 
after which he rented his land and took up his 
abode in the city of Rockford. livin<; retired here 
until his death. 

It was subse(|uent to his removal to the west 
that Mr. ( iarner was married to .Miss Elmore J. 
Davis, a daug:hter of Peter Davis, wbo was one of 
the early settlers of the county, and purchased a 
farm in Guilford townshi]), where he carried on 
fjenerai agfricultural pursuits until his death. .\11 
of the members of the Davis family have passed 
away with the txception of .Mrs. (iarner. There 
were five diildren born in this luiion. but oidy 
three are now living: tirace (I. and Ruby V.. 
who reside with their mother, and Mrs. H. C. 
Chandler, a resident of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. 
Those who have passed away are Mrs. .\. G. 
.Allen, who flied in P>uffa]<i. New York, and one 
that died in infancy. 

The death of Mr. (iarner occurred in Rock- 
ford, December 18, 1891. He was independait 
in his political views, supporting men and meas- 
ures rather than party. He formed a wide ac- 
quaintance during his residence here and gained 
many friends, who esteemed him 1)ecause of his 
genuine pcr.sonal worth. He was always consid- 
erate of others, w-as loyal in citizenship, faithful 
in friendship and devoted to his family. Mrs. 
Garner still owns the old home farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres in Guilford townshi]), to- 
gether with her fine residence at Rockford, at 
No. 509 College avenue, where she and her 
daughters are living. .She is a member of the 
First Congregational church of this city. 



EDGAR C. SP.MT.DING. 

Edgar C. Spaulding. who in his life exempli- 
fied the traits of character which in every land 
and clime command respect and confidence, was 
born in Pirodbead. Wisconsin. June 18. !8fV). and 
for many years was activelv identified with build- 
ing operations in Rockford as foreman for many 
contractors of this city. His parents were Allen 
C. and Phoebe C Keller") Spaulding. both of 
whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence 
they came to the west at an early day. settling 
in Piroflhead. Wisconsin. Eater the father re- 
moved to Towa. but after a brief period returned 
to Pirodbead. He was a carpenter and general 
mechanic, and he carried on business at P.rod- 
head imtil 1874. when he removed with bis fam- 
ilv to Rockforcl. Here be became owner of a 



large sash and lilind factory, w iiich he conducted 
successfully on South Main street for many 
years. He secured a good patronage, his busi- 
ness constantly increasing, and be resided in 
Rockford until he went south, where he remained 
until his death. .\t the time of the Civil war 
he responded to the country's call for aid. and 
became a member of the Cnion army. His widow 
still survives him, and is now living in Chatta- 
nooga, Tennessee. .\ daughter of the family is 
also a resident of that city, and another daughter 
of Hammond. Louisiana. 

Edgar C. Spaulding was only five years of age 
when brought by his parents to Rockford, and 
he ac(|uired a good education in the public 
schoiils here. He found necessity to be the spur 
of ambition when be started out upon his busi- 
ness career, and by his persistency of purjiose he 
won advancement. He first worked in a tannery 
for a few years and afterward secured a situatinn 
in connection with a dry-plate business of Rock- 
ford. Subsequent to his marriage be spent about 
six months in the vicinity of New ( )rleans. work- 
ing at the carpenter's trade, after which he re- 
turned to this city, and resumed building opera- 
tions here. He had a thorough understanding of 
the ]irinci])les which underlie construction as well 
as of the jiractical work of the trade, and because 
of his ability he acted as foreman for Mr. Cook, 
a contractor, and in this capacity superintended 
the construction of many of the fine residences 
and public buildings of Rt)ckford. 

It was on the 23d of October. 1890, that Mr. 
S])aulding was united in marriage in this city to 
.Miss Eaura Morten, a native of Rockford, and 
a daughter of Jonathan F. and Mary .-\nn 
(Long) Morten, both of whom were natives of 
Hamilton county, Oiiio. The father was born 
October. t8, 1824. and in May. 1868. removed 
to Rockford. where be entered into |)artnership 
with a Mr. Currier in the drug business. They 
conducted a store in F.ast Rockford for several 
years, but .Mr. Morten did not meet with the 
success he had anticii)ated in that line of activity 
and in consetjuence withdrew from commercial 
pursuits and removed to a farm in New Milford 
township, Winnebago comity. He then devoted 
his energies to agricultural i)ursuits for a few 
years in that township, after which he took up 
his abode on a large farm in Roscoe township, 
continuing its further development and improve- 
ment for some time. Eventually he again estab- 
lished bis home in Rockford. where he was en- 
gaged in carpentering initil his death in Novem- 
ber, i8<ji. His widow now makes her home in 
Rockfonl with her daughter. Mrs. Si)aulding. 
There were six children in the Morten family, 
of whom Mrs. Spaidding is the youngest. The 
others are as follows: Sarah, the eldest of the 
Morten familv. is now the wife of W. P. Gui- 



PAST AND PRESEXT UV WTXXEBAGC) COUXTY. 



467 



teau, of Marietta. Ohio : John L. is carpenter 
living in Sacramento. California : C ( iilbert was 
an engineer for the Chicago & Xorthwestern 
Railroad Company, and made his home in Rock- 
ford, but on accoinit of ill health he has recently 
removed to Los Angeles. California : Frank re- 
sides at Deer Lodge. Montana ; Arthur E. was a 
very prominent young man of Rockford. having 
a wide ac(|uaintance and the friendship of all 
with whom he came in contact. He was a mem- 
ber of the armory, and he married Rena Leman. 
They now reside in Libby. Oregon, where he has 
charge of the offices of a mining company. (Jf 
a social, genial nature, he was very popular, and 
his removal from Rockford was deeply regretted 
by his many friends in this cit}'. 

Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding became the parents of 
five children: Alarv M.. who was born Xovem- 
ber 16, 1891 : Phoebe, born March 22, 1895 : 
Ruth M., April 5, 1897; Olive M.. March 22, 
1899, '"id Elizabeth Clara. April 6, 1901. The 
eldest <laughtcr is now a high school student. 
Mr. Spaulding gave his political support to the 
republican party, but had no desire for office, 
preferring to concentrate his attention upon his 
business affairs, his home and his church. He 
was a member of the State Street Baptist church, 
and took a very active and helpful part in its 
work, giving generously according to his means 
to its support and regularly attending its serv- 
ices. In business life he was known as a skilled 
workman, and above all as a conscientious and 
reliable one. Socially he was connected w-ith 
the Fraternal Tribunes. His death occurred in 
Rockford, September 2. 1900, after a very brief 
illness, and was the occasion of deep and wide- 
spread regret in building circles, among his 
friends and in his church, but the loss came with 
greatest force to his family, for in his own house- 
hold he was a devoted husband and father. 

Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding were living on Avon 
street at the time of his death, but she has since 
removed to Irving avenue, where she purchased 
a lot and erected a nice residence, living there 
with her children and her mother. Siie too is a 
member of the State Street Baptist church, and 
is activelv interested in its work. 



ALLEX WELLS GOODRICH. 

.\llen \\'ells Goodrich, whose farming interests 
are represented by one hundred and twenty acres 
of land on section 8. Durand township, and sec- 
tion 5. Laona township, was born in the former 
township. .September 19. 1849. his parents being 
David M. and Eliza Ann (Wells) Goodrich. The 
father was born in ^lanlius township. Onondago 
county. Xew York, February 19, 1814, and in 



1836 came west to Illinois, casting his lot with 
the pioneer settlers of Stephenson county, where 
he lived for four or five years, when he entered 
from the government what has since been 
known as the Goodrich homestead. He was an 
enterprising and prosperous agriculturist, and 
carried on the work of the farm until his death, 
February 10, 1878. His wife, a daughter of 
Henry and Ann Wells, was born in Manlius, 
Xew York. Alarch 3, 1814, and died August 7, 
1856. Their son, Henry J. Goodrich, bom Au- 
gust 15, 1839, enlisted in July, 1862, as a member 
of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteers, and 
was wounded in the battle of Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, June 23, 1864. He was then taken to the 
hospital at Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he 
died July 21, 1864, his remains being interred in 
the national cemetery there. One son of the 
faniil}- died in youth. Betsy Ann Goodrich, a 
sister, born August 6, 1842, became the wife of 
A. M. Kasson, of Eskridge, Kansas, and they 
have five sons and two daughters. Mr. Kasson 
enlisted October 16, 1861, in Company B, Eight- 
eenth Wisconsin \'olnnteer Infantry, was dis- 
charged at Corinth for disability, re-enlisted De- 
cember 17, 1863, and was mustered out at Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, in July. 1865, after participating 
in various battles of the Army of the Tennessee 
and Cumberland. \\'ealthy J. (,ioodrich, born 
May 18, 1845, 's tlie ^^''ft^ of Henry Wallace, of 
Durand, and has a son and daughter. After los- 
ing his first wife David M. Goodrich married 
Harriet Ames, and the half-sisters of our sub- 
ject are: Ella, who was born May 9. 1858. and 
is the wife of Lliram Potter, of Laona township, 
by whom .she has four sons ; and Katie E.. who 
was born December 25, 1859, and is the wife 
of Fred Sackett, of ^Minneapolis, b}' whom she 
has one daughter. Two sisters died in child- 
hood. 

Allen \\'. Goodrich, born only five and a half 
miles from his present home, has always lived 
in Durand township, and at the usual age began 
his education in the public schools, while in the 
summer months the work of the fields claimed his 
attention and he assisted in the plowing, planting 
and harvesting. He has always followed agricul- 
tural pursuits, and he also carries on dairying, 
both branches of his business being carefully 
conducted, so that he is prospering in his under- 
takings. 

Air. Goodrich was united in marriage to Miss 
Emma C. Potter, December 24, 1873. She is a 
daughter of Joseph and Sallie (Smith) Potter, of 
Davis, Illinois. Her father, born in Ohio, Sep- 
tember 2, 1830, came to this state about 1837, 
and died Alay 3, i860, while his wife, who was 
born in Indiana. X'^ovember 10, 1834, died in 
Davis, X^ovember 27, 1859. They were married 
July 3, 1853. Mr. Potter was descended from 



4(.8 



I 'AST AND I'KF.Sr.XT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



\ ir.<:;iniaii ancestry, his father having removed 
from the Old Dominion to Ohio in pioneer 
times, vvliile Mrs. Potter was of Irish and Ger- 
man descent. They had two sons : Hiram, of 
Laona townsliip. and one that died in childhood. 
L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have been born 
four children : Clarinda E., born October 6, 
1874: D. Birdell, born May 20. 1879; Omer A., 
November 3. 1881 ; and Darrell R.. December 
19. 1889. .All are at home. The parents attend 
the Methodist Episcopal church at Durand, and 
Mr. Goodrich gives his political allegiance to the 
republican party, of which he is an unfaltering 
advocate. He has served for many years as 
school director, and is interested in all that per- 
tains to ])ublic i)nigrcss along material, political, 
intellectual and moral lines. That many of his 
stanchest friends are those who have known him 
from boyhood is an indication that he has led 
an upright life. worth\ tlieir unqualified regard. 



DANIEL A. SMITH. 

Daniel -\. Smith is one of the younger and 
successful rpresentatives of agricultural inter- 
ests in Harlem township, owning land on sec- 
tions 26 and 35. It was upon this same farm 
that he was born March 18, 1873. lie comes of 
Scotch lineage, tracing his ancestry back to Dan- 
iel Smith, a native of .\yrshire, Scotland, who, 
removing to .\rgyleshire. lived for many years 
in a sod house, and transformed a tract of wild 
land into a productive farm. His son. Daniel 
Smith, torn in Argykshire, February 11, 1791, 
engaged in the cultivation of rented land after 
attaining his majority. He was married to Mary 
Montgomery, whose birth occurred in Kintyre. 
January 12. 1795. her father being Robert Mont- 
gomery. In 1842 Daniel Smith with his wife 
and children sailed on the ( ileaner from Camp- 
bclltown to New York, where they arrived on the 
4th of July, and thence by way of the Great 
Lakes to Chicago they came to Winnebago 
county, settling in Harlem township on the farm 
which is now the home of our subject. The land 
was ])urchased at a low figure by Mr. .Smith 
aufl his brother-in-law, James Montgomery, and 
the improvements on the place consisted of a log 
cabin and a large log building which had been 
used as a distillery. Mr. .Smith continued to 
operate his farm until his death which occurred 
.\ugust 20. 1845. his wife surviving him until 
May 31. 1872. 

Rn1)ert Smith, their son, born in Kintyre, Ar- 
gyleshire, .Scotland, .\ugust 22, 1824, was a 
young man of eighteen years when the family 
crossed the Atlantic. He was the second i>f nine 
children, and after his father's death the work of 



improving and devel()i>ing tlie iionie farm de- 
volved largely upon him. lie cinitinued its cul- 
tivation fur many years, making many improve- 
ments there but at the ])resent time is living re- 
tired in Rockford. In 1855 he married .Agnes 
Greenlees, who was born in Kintyre, .Argyle- 
shire, a daughter of William and Martha (Har- 
vey) Greenlees. She is now deceased. Mr. Smith 
is a Presbyterian in religious faith, and his polit- 
ical views endorse re]ntblican i)rincii)les. 

Daniel .A. Smith, the youngest of five chil- 
dren in his father's family, has always resided 
upon the old home farm. He assisted his fatiier 
until nineteen years of age. when he and his 
brother \\'illiam rented the home place, aufl in 
1898 Daniel .Smith purchased the farm. His at- 
tention has been given in undivided manner to 
its further developmnet and improvement, and 
in connection with the tilling of the soil he car- 
ries on stock-raising. He was well qualified 
for his business interests by a good common- 
school education, and a term's study in a busi- 
ness college at Rockford and in all of his work 
he is methodical, practical and diligent. 

In June. 1901. I\Ir. Smith married Margaret 
Ralston, a daughter of Thomas and Martha 
(Pickcn) Ralston, of Harlem township. Mrs. 
.Smith was born Seiitember 21. 1875, and her par- 
ents were early residents of the locality. Our 
subject and his wife attend the Willow Creek 
Presbyterian church, and his political allegiance 
is given to the republican party. They are well 
known young people of the community, to whom 
the hos])itality of the best homes is freely ac- 
corded. 



CHARLES R. HALL. 

Charles R. Hall, who since 1858 has made his 
home in Wiimebago county and in connection 
with farming is financially interested in indus- 
trial pursuits and banking in Rockford. now 
lives on section 19. Rockford township, where 
be owns a valuable farm of three hundred acres, 
in addition to which he cultivates a tract of twa 
hundred acres which he leases. He is a native 
of Connecticut, having been born in the town 
of Bristol in 1855, his parents being Friend C. 
and Loly B. (^latthews") Hall, who came to 
Winnebago county about 1858. The mother died 
April II, 1901. She was a daughter of Joel and 
Julia ( I'ord) Matthews, who spent their entire 
lives in ^\'aterbury. Connecticut, and were farm- 
ing people. Our subject's jiatcrnal grandjiarents 
were Lyman and Mila (Hall) Hall, who died in 
Wallingford, Connecticut, the former March 6, 
1844, at the age of fort\-six years, and the lat- 
ter November 16, 1837, at the age of thirty-six 
vears. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



4/1 



On reaching- the middle west Friend C. Hall 
purchased a farm in Winnebago township, and 
later received nine hundred acres in Rockford 
township from his uncle. Riley Hall, who came 
to the west at a very early day in the develop- 
ment of this section of the state and took up the 
land from the government. The old stage barn 
was located upon his farm, and is still standing 
on the property of Charles R. Hall. The farm 
was one of the first developed in this locality, 
and has since been divided among the four chil- 
dren of Friend C. Hall. It was upon this place 
that Charles R. Hall was reared, early becoming 
familiar with the duties and labors which claim 
the attention and energies of the agriculturist. 
In addition to what he inherited of the old home 



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ucation, and since his youth has had charge of 
the home farm and its operation. At one time 
he cultivated eight hundred acres of valuable 
land, and he has recently sold a farm in Hodge- 
man county, Kansas. He now cultivates five 
hundred acres of land, of which he owns three 
hundred acres. He carries on general farming 
and stock-raising, feeding a large amount of 
stock annually. He has upon his place many 
thoroughbreds, including shorthorn Durham 
cattle and Poland-China hogs. He not only 
raises, but also buys and feds, hogs and cattle, 
handling several hundred each year. The build- 
ings are all new and the farm is finely improved. 
In 1904 he suffered great losses through fire, 
the buildings being thus destroyed, but with char- 




OLD WELL. 



OLD STAGE BARN. 



property he later purchased his brother's inter- 
est, following the death of the father October 
15, 1904. at the age of seventy-four years. Friend 
C. Hall had been prominent and influential in 
community affairs and had served as road com- 
missioner and school director for many years. 
He was active in business and political life, and 
was well liked by his neighbors and friends. In 
early manhood he became a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, joining Star in the East lodge. 
No. 166, March 3, 1871. In his family were 
four children : F. L.. who married Rose C. 
Smith, of Rockford, and is living in Rock Island, 
Illinois ; Charles R., of this review ; Mrs. John 
Stiles, whose home is in Rockford township, and 
who had two children, Clinton J., who died in 
infancy, and Loly B., at home ; and Alena, who 
is living at the old family home. 
Charles R. Hall acquired a common school ed- 
26 



acteristic energy he replaced them by commodious 
and modern structures, and now has a splendid 
farm property, on which is a good residence and 
large barns and other outbuildings for the shel- 
ter of grain and stock. Mr. Hall has likewise 
become financially interested in the furniture 
factories of Rockford and in the Rockford Na- 
tional Bank. He is a man of excellent business 
discernment, sound in judgment, enterprising in 
purpose and reliable in his dealings. 

In his political views J\Ir. Hall is an inde- 
pendent democrat, and for twenty years has 
served as school director, but otherwise has 
never held nor sought public office. Fraternally 
he is a Mason, and is now worshipful master of 
Star in the East lodge. No. 166, A. F. & A. M., 
of Rockford. He also belongs to the Eastern 
Star chapter, the Royal Arch chapter. Crusader 
commandery. No. 17, K. T., and the consistory 



472 



I'AS'I 



AXI) I'RI-:S1-:XT OF WINXEBAGO COLXTV. 



at l-'rccpDrt. tlnis atlaiiiiiis; the lliirty-SL-coiul ilc- 
grce of the Scottisli rite. lie is lil<c\vise a mem- 
ber of tlic Mystic Shrine at Rockfonl. and he 
has filled many offices in various branches of 
Masoiirv and is chairman of the board oi hall 
committees of the Masonic bodies. 



RF.W Al.niA W ARRF.X. 

Death often removes from our midst those 
whom we can ill afford to lose, and such was 
the opinion generally felt wlien Rev. Alpha War- 
ren was called from this life. He served as a 
minister of the Consret^ational dnirch in Rock- 
ford and other jioints in this ])art of the state, 
and resided for a number of years in Winnebatjo 
county, respected and honored by all who knew 
him. He was Ixirn in Xew York, and his parents 
spent their entire lives in the cast. In his native 
state he acquired a fjood education, and. prepar- 
ing for the ministry he entered ujion the active 
work of the Mcthcxlist F])isco]ial church while 
in Xew York. He was upon the same circuit 
a<; his father-in-law. the Uev. S. H. Stockiufj. 
aiid he i)reached in the Empire state until he 
came to the middle west, settling first near 
Janesville. \\'isconsin. where he followed farm- 
iiijj;. and also continued his labors as a minister 
of the gos])el. He was later made presiding 
elder. 

Rev. Warren was married before his removal 
to the west. .Miss Harriett Spaulding becoming 
his wife. She too was a native of Xew York, 
and her parents both died there. Her death oc- 
curred in Rockford at the family home at Xo. 
(kx) Xorth Clnirch street, where their .son, John, 
now resides. He married Lottie Menzcr and is 
now living retired. The elder child of that 
marriage died unnamed in infancy. In 1875 R^v. 
Warren was again married, his second union 
being with Mrs. Fliza A. (Stocking) Herrick. 
a native of I'ike county. Pennsylvania, born in 
October. 1821. and a daughter of the Rev. S. H. 
and Polly ( Matson ) Stcjcking. I ler parents 
were natives of Xew York and removed to Penn- 
sylvania, whence they afterward came to Illinois, 
first settling on a farm near llelvidere, I'.oone 
county. Later they took u]) their abode in lieloit, 
Wisconsin, where Mr. Stocking served as jiastor 
of the Methodist Episcopal church for several 
years. Later he engaged in preaching in various 
churches of his denomination in the northern 
part of Illinois, and finally settled in Celoit. He 
and his wife died in Rockford. His elaughter. 
Eliza .\..- was first married to Rufus L. Herrick, 
of Homer, Xew York, who removed to I'.elvi- 
dcre, Illinois, where he was engaged in business 
as a carriage finisher. He afterward went to 



lleloit, Wisconsin, where his death occurred. 
There were five children of that union, of whom 
three are now living: Lizzie I., born March 9, 
1S4S, is the widow of Edwin W. Wilson, who 
had charge of a i)ai)er mill in lieloit and nedr 
Kankakee, Illinois. He lived for a short time in 
Rockford, but died in Elmwomi, Illinois, .Mrs, 
Wilson now makes her home with her mother 
in this city. L'nto Mr. anil Mrs. Wilson were 
l)orn four children: Charles E., now deceased: 
Xellie IC. who is a nurse, and resides with her 
mother: Ruby May, who is living on .South W in- 
nebago street, in Rockford. and one that died 
unname<l in infancy, Charles E. Herrick is a 
carriage-painter, residing in Xeenah, Wi.scon- 
sin. William A. makes his home in Rockford, 
where he is engaged in the extract business. The 
members of the family now deceased are Sopliro- 
nius and .\lberl Xeely. 

l'"rom Janesville. Wisconsin. Rev. Warren re- 
moved to the village of Roscoe, Illinois, acting as 
pastor of the Congregational church for a few 
years. He then retired from the work of the 
ministr\- and removed to a farm in Harlem town- 
ship, devoting his energies to agricultural pur- 
suits for several years, on the e.\])iration of which 
period he took up his abode in Rockford, mak- 
ing his home here until his death. He became 
a ])romincnt and influential citizen here, and 
owned much valuable ])roperty, but the estate 
has not yet been divided. He stood as a high 
tyi)e of .\merican manhood, respected by all for 
his genuine worth, and the world is better for 
his having lived. His influence was ever on the 
side of reform, improvement, justice and truth, 
and Rockford therefore lost one of its best citi- 
zens when he was called to his final rest. Mrs. 
Warren owns and occupies a nice residence at 
Xo. 1020 Rockton avenue, where she and her 
daughter, Mrs. Wilson, reside. 



THOMAS HEXRY CULHAX'E, M. D, 

Dr, Thomas Henry Culhane. who in his prac- 
tice is making a specialty of surgery and is also 
serving on the staft of the City Hospital of Rock- 
ford, was born in Cherry X'alley, Winncl«go 
county, June 7, 18^)8. His parents, .Andrew and 
Catherine Margaret (P>evin) Culhane, were na- 
tives of Ireland, and on crossing the Atlantic to 
.America in 1857. the fat Iter made his way to 
Buffalo, New York. .Afterward he located in 
Cherry N'^alley, where he continued to make his 
home until his death. He scr\'cd as foreman for 
Hugh Mackey and John Brown, For the last 
fifteen years of his life he lived retired and died 
February 28, IWS- In his family were eight 
children, of whom one died in infancv. The 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COl'NTY. 



473 



others are: Mary, the wife of John Sullivan, of 
the firm of Sullivan & Curry, of Rockford ; Julia, 
the wife of Joseph Sullivan, of Rockford ; Ellen, 
who married Harry Jilbert, of this city ; Kath- 
erine, the wife of Frank P. Dooly, of Chicago ; 
Thomas H. ; Alice, a teacher in the public schools 
of Rockford : and A. B.. a practicin;; dentist of 
this city. 

Dr. Culhane pursued his education in Cherry 
Valley until he had completed the high school 
course, after which he engaged in teaching there 
and in Caledonia for two years. He began prep- 
aration for the practice of medicine in 1887. ma- 
triculating in Rush Medical College of Chicago, 
from which he was graduated in 1890. In 1903 
he pursued post-graduate work in the Physicians 
and Surgeons" West Side Hospital of Chicago, 
and reading and research have ahvavs ke]it him 
abreast in the advancement made bv the medical 
fraternit}'. Following his graduation he located in 
Rockford, opening an office at No. 1025 South 
Main street, and he has now a very large prac- 
tice, his patronage having constantly grown as he 
has demonstrated his ability to meet the intricate 
problems which continuallv confront the phvsi- 
cian. He makes a specialty of surgery and he 
is a member of the staff of the Citv Hospital. He 
belongs to the Illinois State ^Medical Societv, the 
Winnebago County ]\Iedical Societv and the 
American Medical Association. 

In 1893 Dr. Culhane was married to Miss 
Katherine T. Fitzpatrick. a daughter of Nicholas 
Fitzpatrick, of Chicago, and they have three chil- 
dren : Marion, born in 1896: Francis, in 1857: 
and Thomas Henry, October 25, 1904. The par- 
ents are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, 
and Dr. Culhane has fraternal relations with the 
Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of 
America, the Home Fraternal League, the Mys- 
tic Workers, the Fraternal Tribunes and the 
Loyal Americans. He is independent in his po- 
litical views, supporting the candidates whom he 
regards as best qualified for office. He has twice 
been a member of the pension board, and is now 
president of the school board, and local ad- 
vancement, as well as national progress, is a 
cause dear to his heart, so that more than one 
measure for the benefit of Rockford has felt the 
stimulus of his support and co-operation. 



DA\'ID ATWOOD. 



David Atwood. for manv \-ears an agriculturist 
of Winnebago county and also connected with 
banking interests as a stockholder, took up his 
abode here in the fall of 1844, ^"d was therefore 
one of the pioneer residents of this part of the 
state. Sixty years have since elapsed and many 
changes have occurred, for at the time of his 



arrival he found a district largely unimproved, 
while Rockford was a little village giving small 
evidence of future development and growth. 'Mr. 
Atwood was born in Middleville, Berkshire 
county. Massachusetts, June 11, 1824, his parents 
being Phineas and Huldah (Hascall) Atwood. 
The father was a native of Great Barrington, 
Massachusetts, and the mother of Peru, that state. 
In his native town he learned and followed the 
blacksmith's trade and also engaged in farming 
there. He was likewise active in the work of the 
church and was an ordained minister of the ]\Ieth- 
odist Episcopal denomination, preaching at both 
Middleville and Washington, Massachusetts. In 
1842 he removed to Lewis county. New York, 
where he resided until 1845, when he came to the 
west, settling in Winnebago count)-. For a short 
time he resided in New ^lilford and then went 
to Harlem township, where he became owner of 
a large tract of land, to the cultivation and im- 
provement of which he devoted his energies as 
a general farmer for many years. Later he lived 
retired, making his home there until his death, 
which occurred in Harlem township when he was 
eighty-five years of age. He had served his 
country as a soldier in the war of 1812 as a 
drummer boy, and was equally loyal to her wel- 
fare throughout his entire life and also to public 
progress and improvement along the lines that 
promote the material, intellectual and moral de- 
velopment of the race. His widow died in Har- 
lem township at the age of ninety-four vears. 
There were ten children in their family, of whom 
four are living, namely : Jonathan, a retired 
merchant, residing in De Kalb. Illinois : ^lary 
\\'.. who is the widow of Charles Haskins, and 
resides at No. 415 East street in Rockford ; Heze- 
kiah, a retired merchant living in Boone. Iowa ; 
and Sylvester G.. who is living retired at No. 
1904 Harlem avenue in Rockford. Those de- 
ceased are Phineas. Harriet N., Patience, David, 
Louisa and Bradley S. 

David Atwood acquired a good education in 
the east and in 1842 accompanied his parents on 
their removal to Lewis county. New York, where 
he lived until 1844. The brothers came west on 
account of the health of Jonathan Atwood. They 
made the journey by way of the Great Lakes to 
Chicago and by stage to Rockford. Here Mr. 
Atwood began working by the month as a farrn 
hand and finalh- located on the place now known 
as the old Hastings farm in New Milford town- 
ship, living there for a few years. Subsequently 
he took up his abode in Harlem township where 
he purchased a tract of wild prairie land for 
seven dollars per acre and on this he built a small 
house. He then began clearing his land, and as 
the fields were prepared for the plow he turned 
his furrows and planted his crops. He paid for 
his farm by hauling his corn to Beloit, Wisconsin. 



474 



FAST A\D PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COIXTV. 



whicli was then the nearest market, receiving for 
the prodnct twenty cents per Inishel. Desiring 
a companion and hel]3mate for Hfe's journey, Mr. 
Atwood was married November 15, 1848. to Miss 
Elizabeth Crill, better known as Libby. She was 
born in Stark, Herkimer county. New York, Oc- 
tober ID. 1 83 1, her parents being James and 
Susan (Gnivits) Crill. both of whom were na- 
tives of Herkimer county. The family, however, 
is of German lineage, and the grandfather, 
Thomas Crill, was the first of name to come 
from Germany to America, emanating from a 
noble family. He served as a soldier of the 
Revolutionary war and died in Herkimer county. 
New York. James Crill and his wife moved to 
the west in 1844. and first settled in New Milford 
township. Winnebago county, on a farm, where 
they lived for four months. They then removed 
to Monroe township. Ogle county, where Mr. 
Crill became the owner of extensive farming 
property land. Suhse(|uciitly he engaged in .gen- 
eral farming until his later years, when he re- 
moved to the village of Monroe, where he lived 
retired. In the meantime he had become very 
wealthy and was there engaged in loaning money, 
while his two sons, Isaac and John, now de- 
ceased, looked after the farm. P.oth Mr. and 
Mrs. Crill resided in the village of Monroe until 
called to their final rest. 

Mr. and Mrs. .Atwood became the parents of 
two children. The elder son. Tames M.. married 
Lilly Tuttlc, and they now reside in Guilford 
township, where he is engaged in farming. 
Charles D. Atwood married Emma Shaul, a na- 
tive of Amsterdam. New York, and they reside 
with his mother in Rockford. He. however, is 
engaged in business in Chicago and spends only 
Sunday at home. Air. and Mrs. Atwood also 
adopted and reared three children: Millicent. the 
wife of Gilford Smith, living near Holcomb, Illi- 
nois ; Kitty, who now resides in Marion, Ohio: 
and Henry, %vho lived with Mrs. Atwood until 
nineteen years of age. and is now a resident of 
California. 

Mr. .Atwood continued his farming operations 
in Harlem township and purchased more land 
there until he owned an extensive tract. He was 
practical and progressive in his farming meth- 
ods, adding good buildings to his place and cul- 
tivating his land so that it |)roduced excellent 
crops. He there carried on general farming imtil 
the marriage of his younger son in 1888, when 
he turned over the farm to the care of his sons 
and the property is still a part of the estate. Mr. 
and Mrs. .Atwood then removed to Rockford. 
and throughout his remaining days he enjoyed the 
fruits of his former toil. He passed away here 
September 22. 1904. For several years he had 
been a director in the Rockford National Rank 
and he left his familv in vcrv comfortable cir- 



cumstances. His possessions had all been ac- 
(|uired through his own efforts and his example 
sht)uld serve to encourage and inspire others, 
showing what may be accomplished through de- 
termined purpose, laudable ambition and unfalter- 
ing industry when guided by sound judgment. 
In ])olitics he was a democrat, and he belonged 
to the .Masonic lodge of Rockford for over a half 
century, the fiftieth anniversary of his connec- 
tion therewith being celebrated in August, 1904. 
He also belonged to the Order of the Eastern 
Star. He contributed toward the building of the 
Crill Methodist Episcopal church of Alonroe 
township, and both he and his wife attended the 
services of that denomination, but were not mem- 
bers thereof. Mr. .Atwood. known and honored 
as one of the wealthy and prominent men of the 
county, left behind him many friends. The fam- 
ily is prominent here and ^Irs. Atwood and her 
S(in occupy a commodious and lx?autiful residence 
at No. 21s Killnirn avenue. 



BRADFCmD A. KNIGMT. 

r.radford A. Knight is a representative of 
the Winneba.go county bar and is a native son 
of Illinois. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois, 
on the J<)th of May, 1856. His parents were 
Joshua A. and Aclisah J. (Davis) Knight. The 
father was born in the slate of New York in 
1833. He removed to Ogle county, Illinois, in 
1856, and took up his abode there in Lynnville 
township on a tract of land which he continued 
to cultivate until his death in 1883. He is sur- 
vived by his wife, who yet resides on the old 
homestead. 'llie paternal grandfather was 
Ilezekiah Talcott Knight, who married Miss 
-Anna .\ngell, of New York. The maternal 
grandfather was Richard Davis, also a native 
of the Empire state, and his wife bore the maiden 
name of Lois Eddy, also of New York state. 

Hradford A. Knight supplemented his early 
education, obtained in the common schools, by 
study in Mount Morris Academy, and began 
preparation for the practice of law as a student 
in the office and under the direction of H. O. 
Rogers, of Rochelle, Illinois. Subsequently he 
attended lectures in the law department of the 
State I'niversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 
froin which he was graduated with the class of 
1885. In the same year he entered upon the 
practice of the law in Rockford, where he has 
resided continuously since. His clientage has 
constantly increased as he has demonstrated his 
power to solve intricate legal problems. His 
practice extends now into other states as well 
as in the federal court. His law library con- 
tains thousands of volumes, and is one of the 




B. A. KXIGHT. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



477 



largest and most complete ]irivate law libraries 
in the state of Illinois. Mr. Knight is by nature 
a student and this characteristic is one of the 
strong elements in his success at the bar. 

In 1884 Mr. Knight was married to Miss 
Kate F. (Jakes, of White Rock township, Ogle 
county, Illinois, a daughter of William D. and 
Sarah (McCormack) (Jakes. They have be- 
come the parents of eight children: W'illiam D.. 
.Arthur. Katherine. .\lice. and Drtrothy, who are 
living, three having died in infancy. In politics 
Mr. Knight has been what ought to be called 
an independent, having voted the leading party 
tickets as each came nearest to voicing his senti- 
ments. 



CAIATN WKLTY. 



Calvin W'elty is a prosperous farmer, residing 
on East State .street near the city limits of Rock- 
ford. .A native son of Pennsylvania, he was born 
in Tioga county, in December, 1836, his parents 
being John and I^lizabeth ( Linehart j W'elty. who 
are mentioned in connection with the sketch of 
J. J. Welty on another page of this work. They 
removed to the west when their son, Calvin, was 
a youth of fifteen years, and he remained under 
the parental roof until after the outbreak of the 
Civil war. His education, which was gained in 
the public schools of Pennsylvania, was contin- 
ued in the district schools of Cherry Valley town- 
ship. 

In ( )ctober, 1861. he enlisted at Cherry Val- 
ley as a member of Company L, Eighth Illinois 
Cavalrv. and served for three years, after which 
he re-enlisted in 1864. and thus as a veteran re- 
mained with the army until the close of the war. 
He was always with the cavalry troops, and he 
enlisted under Captain Duston, of Sycamore, Illi- 
nois, in whose command he was sent to W'ash- 
ington. D. C. The regiment was attached to the 
.\rmy of the Potomac in \'irginia. and was under 
command of General Jolm Farnsworth. Mr. 
Welty participated in the following engagements : 
Williamsburg. May 5. 1862: ilaitimore Cross 
Roads. May. 1862; Fair (Jaks, X'irginia. June 17 
and 18. 1862: the battle before Richmond; Tur- 
key Creek. Mrginia : ^lalvern Hill. Bamstown. 
Catoctin Pass. Middleton. South Mountain and 
Boonsboro, Maryland, and Martinsburg, \'ir- 
ginia. At the last named place he was taken 
prisoner, but was paroled by General Lee. and 
returned to his command in March. 1863. In 
that year he participated in the battles of Free- 
man's Ford and Beverly l-^jrd. The latter oc- 
curred April 30. T863, and thirty-five thousand 
men were engaged on both sides. It was one of 
the hardest fought cavalry engagements of the 
war. After this battle Mr. Welty was made quar- 



termaster sergeant, and so continued until the 
close of hostilities. In 1863 he was also in the 
engagements at I'pperville. Fairfield. Pennsyl- 
vania ; Gettysburg, W'illiamsport, Boonsboro and 
Benevola, Maryland ; Tunktown, Falling Waters, 
Chester Gap. Culpeper, Rapidan. Madison Court- 
house. Raccoon Ford. Stevensburg, Brandy Sta- 
tion. Bull Run. Bealton Station. Hazel Ridge and 
Chantilly. In January, 1864, he re-enlisted, and 
was detailed for duty in Washington, where he 
remained for some time, and later was sent to 
X'irginia to hunt Colonel Mosby, following that 
commander for a considerable period. Although 
in many hotly contested engagements, and often 
in the very thickest of the fight, he was never 
wounded, and at the clo.se of the war was dis- 
charged at St. Louis, after which he was sent to 
XX'ashington. U. C being mustered out on the 
15th of July. 1865. From Washington to St. 
Louis the troojis went by boat from Cincinnati, 
f Jhio, to Cairo, Illinois, and then started up the 
Mississippi river to St. Louis that night, but the 
boat sank and four of the men on board were 
drowned. 

After the war Mr. Welty came to Cherr\- \'al- 
ley township, where he worked with a threshing 
machine. The next year he bought eighty acres 
of land, on which he lived until 1875, when he 
sold out and purchased his present farm. He 
now owns one hundred and six and a half acres 
of fine land, under a high .state of cultivation, 
adjoining the city limits on Fast State street. 
Here he has a magnificent home, and everything 
is thoroughly modern, being in keeping with the 
most progressive .spirit of the times. While in 
the army he saved twelve hundred dollars, and 
this gave him a start in life, and most of his 
propertv has been acquired entirely through his 
own labors. He keeps a large amount of stock, 
including cattle, and for thirty years he was 
successfully and extensively engaged in the 
dairy business, and for twenty-seven years of 
that time supplied the female college. He car- 
ries on general agricultural pursuits, and super- 
intends most of the farm work himself, doing not 
a little of the labor. 

In 1867 Air. Welty was married to Miss Fro- 
celia M. Dawson, who was born in Boone 
county. Illinois, in .\pril. 1847. 'i^r parents be- 
ing Robert and Cornelia ( Dewitt ) Dawson. Her 
father was of French descent : became a farmer 
of Indiana, and died in that state at the very 
advanced age of one hundred and four years. 
The children of this marriage are: Grace. Gen- 
evieve and John, all at home, and Bert, who 
married Nellie Osborn. and lives near his 
father's place, on State street. 

'Sir. X\"eltv is a republican, and his served as 
school director, but otherwise has filled no public 
offices. He belongs to Nevius post. No. i, G. 



4-8 



I'ASr AND PRESENT OF WIXXi: H AC.O O )UXTY. 



A. K.. ami alsn tlic Masonic lodfje. and he and 
his family are members of the P.aptist church. 
His life exemplifies the term "dignity of labor," 
for along honorable lines and through indefati- 
gable indiistrv he has won his ]>rosperity, his 
labors being so directed as to gain the highest 
esteem of liis fellowmen. 



REV. JOSEPH S. BRADDOCK. 

Kiv. loseph S. P.raddock. who is now the 
oldest living graduate of Washington & JetYer- 
son College at Washington. Pennsylvania, and 
who since 1865 has been the pastor of the Middle 
Creek Presbyterian church in Winnebago town- 
ship, was born in Greene county. Pennsylvania. 
Tunc 17. 1817. his parents being Francis and 
Anna (Gray) P.raddock. both of whom were 
natives of the Keystone state. They w^ere farm- 
ing people and both passed away in Pennsyl- 
vania more than a half century ago. 

Rev. Joseph S. P.raddock was reared to farm 
life, eariv becoming familiar with the duties' and 
labors of the fields as lie assisted his father in 
the farm work. His early educational privileges 
were supplemented by a course in Washington 
College, now the Washington & Jefferson Col- 
lege at Washington. Pennsylvania, from which 
he was graduated in the class of 1842. He is 
now the oldest living alumnist of that noted in- 
stitution. Determining to devote his life to the 
work of the ministry, he became a student in the 
Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny. 
Pennsvlvania. and was licensed to preach in 1847. 
since which time he has been continuously con- 
nected with the active work of the ministry, never 
failing to preach a sermon on the Sabbath 
through all these years on account of illness, and 
his vacations have also been few. His first pas- 
torate was in Kentucky near Frankfort. He re- 
mained in that state for sometime and was also 
jirincipal of a female seminary at Lebanon. 
Kentucky, until the school was destroyed by fire 
by the noted rebel general Morgan. This was 
because of Rev. P.raddock's allegiance to the 
I'nion and after the destruction of his property 
he caiue to the north in tfV)? and accejited his 
present pastorate at the Middle Creek Presby- 
terian church. 

While in Lebanon. Kentucky, Rev. P.raddock 
was married to Miss Ella Edmunds, who died in 
IQOO. and their only son, William A., was killed 
in the Civil war. In his early political aflfiliation 
Mr. P.raddock was a whig and when the re- 
publican party was formed to prevent the further 
extension of slavery he joined its ranks and gave 
to it his support for a number of years but is 



now a prohibitionist, that i)arty embodying his 
views on the temperance (|uestion. His life, 
however, has been given almost entirely to the 
upbuilding of the church and the dissemination 
of Christian jjrinciples. Toward the middle of 
the nineteenth century the adherents of Presby- 
terianism in this locality worshiped in the First 
I'resbvterian church in Rockford but were too 
far distant to attend services there regularly and 
in April, 1855. ai)plication was made to the 
presbytery of Chicago for the organization of a 
church in this neighborhood. The request was 
granted and the church was formed with sixteen 
members, services being held in a stone school- 
house. In the sirring of 1856 Rev. W. P. Carson 
became pastor, combining the work of teaching 
and ])reaching and remained at tlie head of the 
church for a number of years. In the summer 
of 1856. after worshiping for five years in the 
stone schoolhouse and Grout church alternately, 
arrangements were made for the building of a 
house of worship and on the loth of May. 1861, 
the new church edifice was dedicated. In Sep- 
tember of that year Rev. Carson resigned and 
was succeeded by Rev. M. Pi. Patterson, and in 
October. 1862, M. J. L. Merritt was called to the 
pastorate. He was succeeded in December, 1865, 
i)v Rev. J. S. P.raddock. who has now for forty 
years been pastor here, and his lalwrs have been 
attended with success, which is manifest in the 
growth of the church, its spiritual development 
and its activity in its various lines of Christian 
labor. Rev. P.raddock has the tmqualified re- 
spect and good will of all throughout the com- 
munity whether of his own or other denomina- 
tions and has the warm love of his parishioners, 
as is indicated by the fact that he nas remained 
here as pastor through four decades. 



TIMOTHY I- IT/PATRICK. 

Timothy l"ilz|);itrick. a farmer, located on sec- 
tion 30. Xew Miiford tf)wnship, came to Illinois 
fiftv-one vears ago. taking up his abode at \\ hite 
Rock. Ogle county, in 1854. He is a native of 
Ireland, his birth having occurred in County 
Cork, in 1833. Mis parents were John and Ellen 
(Shehan) Fitzjiatrick. both of whom died on the 
l-'merald isle. Mr. Fitzpatrick had two brothers 
and two sisters who came to this country, but the 
brothers are now deceased. The sisters are Han- 
nah, living in Rockford. and Mrs. Mary Do- 
hany, who is residing near Cherry \'alley. 

Timothy Fitzpatrick spent the first eighteen 
vears of his life on the Green Isle of Erin, and 
acquired a common school education there. He 
heard favorable rejiorts of .\inerica and its op- 
portunities, and resolved to seek his fortune in a 




MRS. I. s. i;i-;.\I)DOCK. 




REV. J. S. BRADDOCK. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



483 



land where labor was not hampered by caste or 
class. Therefore, crossing' the Atlantic, he made 
a settlement in Pennsylvania, where he resided 
for five years, and on the expiration of that pe- 
riod he came west to Illinois, establishing his 
home at Whiterock, Ogle county, in 1854. Three 
years later, however, he removed to his present 
farm, which he at first leased, but soon after- 
ward purchased. He now has a finely improved 
tract of land of two hundred and fortv acres, 
and for a long period he was actively engaged 
in general farming, but for the past six years 
he has lived retired, leaving the work of the 
fields to others, while he is enjoying a rest that 
he has richly earned and merits. 

In Illinois Mr. Fitzpatrick was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Bridget Hickey, who was born in 
County Galway, Ireland, hut who left there in 
her early childhood, being brought to the United 
States by her father. The mother had died in 
her native land. The father, Patrick Hickey, 
landed at New York city, whence he made his 
way to Illinois, settling in CJgle county, where 
his death occurred in 1897. The members of his 
family were : Mrs. Fitzpatrick ; Michael, who is 
engaged in blacksmithing in Rockford; and Mrs. 
Mary Garrity, who is living in Ogle county. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fitzpatrick have become the parents 
of six children, but lost two, John and Louisa. 
Those still living are: Mrs. Mary Welch, of 
Rockford ; Mrs. Emma Welch, of Durand ; Mrs. 
Grace Parnell, of \^'innebago county : and Fran- 
cis, who is residing at home. In political views 
Mr. Fitzpatrick is somewhat independent. He 
does not consider himself bound by party ties, 
and, though he tisually votes for republican can- 
didates, he often gives his support to the nomi- 
nees of the democratic party. He belongs to St. 
James Catholic church, and he is a self-made 
man, who, coming to the new world empty- 
handed, has steadily worked his way upward, and 
as the architect of his own fortunes he has 
biiilded wisely and well. 



RIENZI WEBSTER. 



Rienzi Webster, one of the oldest merchants 
of Durand, where he is engaged in dealing in 
boots and shoes and mens' furnishing goods, was 
born at Weathersfield Springs, Wyoming county, 
New York, May 8, 1837. His parents were Solo- 
mon and Polly (Kellogg) Webster. The father 
was born in New Hampshire in 1803, and died 
in Laona township, Winnebago county, Illinois, 
January 2, 1878, while his wife, a daughter of 
Lovell and Thankful Kellogg, was born December 
22, 1810, on the Holland purchase, in the state 
of New York, and died in Laona township, No- 



vember 22, i860. Her father served as a soldier 
in the American Army during the Revolutionary 
war, and Mr, Webster, of this review, is also a 
direct descendant of Governor John Webster, of 
Connecticut. The brothers and sisters of our 
subject are as follows : Lydia Almina became the 
wife of Duncan J. Stewart, Sr., and died in Du- 
rand, in August, 1872, leaving three sons: Dun- 
can J., a merchant of Rockford ; Charles, of 
S]5encer, Iowa : and Henry, also of Rockford : 
and a daughter. Mina, who is now the wife of 
Justin Walker, of Durand township. Harriet J. 
Webster is the wife of Abijah Morey, who was 
one of the early residents of Laona township, but 
in the spring of 1884 removed to Valentine, 
Nebraska, where he now resides. They now have 
two sons : Otis W. Morey, of Valentine, and Solo- 
mon R. Morey, of Deadwood, South Dakota, 
and two daughters, Jennie M., the wife of 
Thomas Malone, of \"alentine, Nebraska ; and 
Cora Alvira. wife of J. H. McKean, of Dead- 
wood, South Dakota. Charles Eugene Web- 
ster died several years ago near Grand 
Island. Nebraska, leaving a wife, who was 
formerly Mary Fleming, of Laona township, 
this county. Minor Abel Webster, living at 
Seattle, W^ashington, married Maria Allen, of 
Laona township, and has three daughters. He 
enlisted August 6, 1862, in the Seventv- fourth 
Illinois Infantry and was mustered out June 10. 
1865, after participating in the battles of Cham- 
pion Hill, Stone River, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, 
Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Atlanta, Kenesaw 
Mountain and others of less importance. Emily 
L. Webster became the wife of John Davies, of 
Durand, and died March iq, 1874. leaving five 
daughters. IMartha Bancroft, the deceased wife 
of Rienzi L. Cleveland, of Devil's Lake, North 
Dakota, left one son, Edward AVebster, who mar- 
ried Frances Barmingham, died in Durand town- 
ship, leaving one child, now deceased. Thurlow 
Weed Webster, a stock dealer of the village of 
Durand, married Ella Adams, of Durand town- 
ship, and has one daughter. Carr Webster, a 
lumber manufacturer of Wildwood, Washington, 
married Emily Scniler, of Durand township, and 
has two sons. 

When Rienzi Webster was seven years of age 
his father came to Rockford, where he spent the 
winter of 1844-45, and in the spring of the latter 
vear he removed to Laona township. During the 
winter months he had worked at the blacksmith's 
trade, but after taking up his abode at Laona 
he turned his attention to farming and Rienzi 
Webster remained with his father upon the old 
home farm until twenty-five years of age. In 
the meantime he had acquired a good education 
in the common schools of Laona township and 
spent one year at the business college in Rock- 
ford, When twentv-five vears of age he left 



4^4 



AST AND l'RI-.SI-:XT nv Wi \ \I-.|:A( ;( ) tOlXTV. 



home, bought land and began farming on his own 
account. After eighteen months, liowever, he 
sold that property in i8<)4 and went to N'irginia 
City, Idalin. Returning the same \ear he en- 
gaged in the agricultural implement business with 
|i,hn Davis, and this partnersiiip was maintained 
for four years, during which time the\ also 
dealt in boots, shoes and clothing. The (inn then 
sold out and Mr. Webster bought a farm in Laona 
townshiji, on which he remained t\)r seven vears, 
when he rented the land and returned to the 
village. Here he established business as a dealer 
in dry goods, groceries and machinery, with John 
\'an Sickle, and they were thus connected for 
about three years. Then the i)artnerslii]) was dis- 
solved and Mr. Webster conducted the business 
alone until the s])ring of i8</). when he sold out 
and lived retired for two years. He then sold 
his farm in Laona townshii). and in i8gy pur- 
chased his present business which he has since 
conductcfl. carrying a select stock of boots, shoes 
and mens' furnishing goods, and receiving from 
the public a liberal patronage. 

Tn May. 1867. Mr. Welister was married to 
Miss Henrietta \'an Sickle, a daughter of lohn 
and Phoebe \'an Sickle, of Wantage. Sussex 
comity, Xcw Jersey. Her father was born in 
Wantage, March 15, 1815. and died at Durand, 
February 28, i8(K;. while his wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Phoebe Courtright. was born in 
Wantage. .August 30. 1S44. and died in Durand 
May 6, 1867. The members of their family were 
as follows : John C. \'an Sickle, born in Want- 
age, is now a dealer in agricultural implements 
and harness at Durand. He married Miss Lucy 
M. Judd, of Durand townshi]). and has one son 
living. Mary J. \'an Sickle is the wife of Forest 
J. Rola.son. of Durand townshi]), and has two 
sons and three daughters. Elvira is the wife of 
David P.. I,anc. of Jackson, Summit county, 
Peimsylvania, and has two sons and one daughter. 
Harriet is living in Durand. Elizabeth is the wife 
of W. .\. Patterson, of Durand townshi]i. and 
has a son and a daughter. Mrs. W'ebster was 
born December 20, 1841. and is descended from 
early Holland settlers of Xew York. 

I'nto Mr. and Mrs. \\'cbster have been born 
two children: Phoelx' P>., born in Laona town- 
ship. March 27. 1872. was married to James M. 
.\lden. editor of the Durand Clipper, and a direct 
descendant of John .Alden, of Mayflower fame. 
Their marriage occurred Xovember 2'i. i8</i. 
and they afterward removed to Chicago, Illinois, 
and later to P>yron, tliis state, where Mr. .Alden 
was cilitor of the P.yron Reconl at the time of 
his wife's death. .August 13. 1000. Mae E. Web- 
ster, born December ^, 1870, in Laona townshi|). 
is living with her parents. 

Mr. Webster is a member of the Ma.sonic fra- 
ternity and has served as treasurer of the blue 
mcnt. 



lodge of Durand. His political allegiance is given 
to the republican party. He is now one of the 
oldest merchants of Durand and one of its most 
enterprising business men, contributing in sub- 
stantial measure to its commercial prosperity. 
His labors have resulted in bringing him a cred- 
itable measure of success and have ever been 
guided by lionf)rable principles that will bear the 
closest scrntinx and investigation. 



W 



A.M 1« iJlXS. 



\\'^illiam Johns is the owner of extensive farm- 
ing interests in Winnebago county, his home 
place being on section 2, Rockford township. 
I lis residence in this county dates from TS51. 
and as an early settler as well as reliable and 
successful business man he deserves mention in 
this volume. He was born in Cornwall, Eng- 
land, in 1832, and with his parents came to the 
L'nite<l .States when about nineteen years of 
age. I lis father. Thomas Johns, proceeded at 
once into the interior of the country after land- 
ing on the .\tlantic coast and settled in Rock- 
fonl townslii]j. where he jnirchased land on sec- 
lion 12. that is now owned by F. E. \\'illoughby. 
Even ])rior to this time he purchased property 
at the northwest corner of Second and State 
streets in Rockford. and there resided for a 
brief ])eriod. after which he removed to the 
farm on section 12. lie carried on agricultural 
liursuits during a considerable period, and then 
retiring from active business life once more 
took up his abode in Rockford. where he lived 
until his death, about thirty years ago. His 
life was essentially that of a farmer, his entire 
attention being given to agricultural ])ursuits 
until he had acquired a ca]>ital that enabled him 
to put aside all business cares. His wife, who 
was Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and Eliza- 
beth Light foot, survived him for about ten 
years. William Johns of this review has a 
brother Richard, who is a retired farmer 
of Rockford. and had another brother, Thomas, 
who died in I'^ngland. in i<X>4- There were 
si.x sisters: Jane I'"... who married Rev. 
(ieorire Havcraft. and lives at Little Prai- 
rie. Wisconsin : Elizabeth J., who married James 
Fiddick. and lives at Duarte. California: Pris- 
cilla. who died in infancy; I'riscilla, second, who 
married Charles Haley, and lives at Rockford: 
Mary, who married John Elwick, and died in 
11^)3: and .\nn. who married Thomas Johns, and 
died in li)02. 

\\'illiam Johns was a young man of about 
nineteen years when he arrived in this county, 
and he has since carried on agricultural pur- 
suits with the exception of about fifteen months 







<5 



Q 
5? 



■ri 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



487 



spent in the employ of the firm of Diamond & 
Thompson, butchers, of Rockford. He had 
little assistance when he started out in life, but 
he placed his dependence in the substantial qual- 
ities of close application, unfaltering diligence 
and good common sense, and by the use of those 
he prospered and invested his capital in more 
land until he now owns about nine hundred 
acres, lying in various farms in Rockford town- 
ship, with the exception of two farms compris- 
ing two hundred and sixty acres in Owen town- 
ship. His different farms are now carried on 
by his sons. 

On December 30, 1858, Mr. Johns was united 
in marriage to ?\Iiss Ann Rodd, a native of Bev- 
erly, Canada, daughter of Joseph and JMary A. 
(Clement) Rodd, and of English lineage. She 
is now sixty-five years of age. In their family 
were six children : Mary J., who married 
Thomas Kyle, and died in 1866; Fannie, who 
died in infancy ; Ann, now Mrs. Johns ; Fannie 
A., who married Colonel Thomas G. Lawler, and 
lives in Rockford ; Elizabeth, who married Rev. 
James Banme and lives in Rockford ; and Lucy 
C, who died in 1871. The sister, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Baume, of Rockford. spent ten years as a 
Methodist Episcopal missionary in India. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johns were born eleven 
children, all of whom are yet living: Ella R. is 
at home. Frederick W., who was formerly a 
farmer, and is now mail carrier on route No. 6, 
residing on Rockton avenue, in Rockford, mar- 
ried Flora J. Brown, and has two sons, Dwight 
F. and Selwyn W. Fannie is the wife of Harry 
Brown, who resides upon a farm, and also con- 
ducts a lime kiln. Their children are Orville R., 
Aurilla M., Chester H., Ella I., Myrde C, Eve- 
line F. and Maybelle. George, residing in Owen 
township, is a farmer, and married Miss Jessie 
Drewer, who died in 1899. She was the mother 
of four children, but Paul T. died in 1897, the 
surviving members being Earl W., George H. 
and Jesse R., of whom the last named is now 
with his grandparents. For his second wife, 
George Johns chose Maud Russell, of Greene, 
Iowa. Louis, residing on section 2, Rockford 
township, was married to Miss Sarah J. Loucks, 
a sister of William Loucks, proprietor of a res- 
taurant on North Main street, Rockford, and 
they have three children, Marian E., Dorothy A. 
and William L. Lucy M. is the wife of George 
Tallman, a resident farmer of Rockford town- 
ship, and they have one daughter, Alice M. An- 
nie E. Johns is at home. Edward married Miss 
Lula M. Chapman and is a farmer residing on 
the North Main street road in Owen township. 
Herbert, who lives upon a farm on section 16, 
South Rockford township, married Miss Isadore 
C. Haight. Roy C. is at home. Charles E., re- 
siding on a farm on section 9, Rockford town- 

27 



ship, married Miss Lulu M. Sanders, and they 
have two children, Mildred G. and Mary. 

In politics Mr. Johns is a republican, but has 
never been an office seeker. He contributed 
money to assist in raising a company for the 
Civil war, nor has he withheld his support from 
many movements for the general good. He and 
his wife are members of the Court Street Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, while his life has been 
pre-eminently that of a business man who has 
never sought his own advancement to the exclu- 
sion of those interests which develop an hon- 
orable manhood and awaken the confidence and 
trust of one's associates. He has prospered, but 
has gained his success along lines that will bear 
closest investigation and scrutiny. 



CHAUNCEY R. BURCH. ; 

Chauncey R. Burch, following the occupation 
of farming in Seward township, was born in Erie 
county, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1838. He is 
a son of Chauncey and Nancy (Cole) Burch, the 
former a native of Westfield, Chautauqua county. 
New York, born in April, 1803, while the latter 
was born in Massachusetts in 1805. Both died 
at the age of seventy-six years. The father fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming in order to pro- 
vide for his family, and was also well known as 
a Freewill Baptist preacher, devoting many years 
of his life to the work of the ministry, preaching 
for thirty years in one church in Erie county, 
Pennsylvania. His influence was of no restrict- 
ed order, and proved a helpful factor in the moral 
development of the communities in which he 
made his home. In his family were eleven chil- 
dren, but only four are now living: Mrs. Emeline 
Loomis, Mrs. Mary Colburn, Chauncey R. and 
Mrs. Delia Loomis. 

Chauncey R. Burch, spending his boyhood 
days under the parental roof, worked upon the 
old homestead farm until twenty-one years of 
age. He assisted in the tilling of the soil, in cut- 
ting timber and wood, and in all of the various 
duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. 
Thinking that he might have better business op- 
portunities in the west, he came to Winnebago 
county, Illinois, in November, 1859, settling in 
Pecatonica. During the first winter he worked 
for Elisha Woodruff, cutting wood, and in March, 
i860, he entered the employ of M. L. Lowry, for 
whom he worked as a farm hand at 
thirteen dollars per month. He was thus 
employed for nine months, and in the suc- 
ceeding winter he worked for three months 
for nine dollars per month. He continued his 
work as a. farm hand until May 24, 1861, when 
he offered his services to the country, enlisting 



488 



PAST AND I'RHSEXT OF WIXXEIJAGO COL'XTV. 



at Frecport. llliiu)is. in Coinpanv C, Fifteenth 
Illinois Infantry, for three years' service. He 
was under command of Captain !•-. !•". W. Ellis. 
This was the first Illinois rejjiment enlisted for 
three years, and with that command Mr. lUirch 
went to .\lton. Illinois, thence to I-"ulton. .Mis- 
souri, and on to RoUa. that state. P.ccaiisc of ill- 
ness he was granted a fnrlousjh. and returned to 
his home, hut he rejoined the refxinicnt at Fort 
Donelson and particijiated in the engagements 
there and at I'ort Henry. He was woimded in 
the battle at I'ittsburg Landing, the engagement 
occurring there on the ')th and 7th of June. 1862. 
.\fter his injur\- he was taken to Savannah. Geor- 
gia, but later joined his regiment at Corinth and 
]3articipated in the siege of that city. Subse- 
quently he went to Memphis, Tennessee, and 
later to La Grange. Tennessee, where because of 
disahilitv he was honorablv discharged on the 
28th of 'July. 1863. 

W hen no longer able to serve his countr\ Mr. 
Burch returned to Pecatonica. and the following 
year because of his ill health was unable to work. 
.\t a later date he purchased the i)ropcrty known 
as the Deacon Woodruff farm. com])rising i^ne 
hundred and sixty acres, and u]K)n this he yet 
lives, carrying on general farming and stock rais- 
ing. He sells cattle, hogs and horses and the 
products of his farm which he markets return to 
liini a good income. I lis fields are well tilled, 
and everything about the ]>lace is kejjt in excel- 
lent condition, the farm being productive and 
his care and labor being the source of his suc- 
cess. 

Mr. liurch has been married twice. He first 
wedded Miss Mary Whittlesey, on the 24th of 
December. 1863. Her parents were Eliphalet 
and Lydia (Ilitchcockj \\'hittlesey. The father 
was born in Massachusetts in 1816. ac(|uired his 
early eduoition in the iniblic schools, and after- 
ward attended ( )berlin College, at (Iberlin. Ohio. 
He came to Winnebago county. Illinois, in 1837. 
and later removed to Iowa, where he died in 
\')02. He was one of the pioneer residents of 
this section of the state, and is yet remembered 
by early settlers here. Mrs. Burch departed this 
life in June. 1878. leaving two sons. Charles W. 
and I*!lii)halet C. For his second wife Mr. Burch 
chose Mary E. Short, a daughter of James and 
Rosa A. (Re(hiian) Short. Her father, who 
was born in St. Lawrence county, X'ew York, 
died in September, 1837. and her mother, who 
is a native of Wexfonl. Ireland, is now living in 
Pecatonica with her daughter, Mrs. Short. They 
were the parents of three children, all born in 
l^ssi-x county, Xew York, namely: Mrs. Burch. 
born Se|)teml)er 20, 1851^; Isador C, born Julv 
28. i8<'i7: and James F... who was born Julv 5. 
1 87 1. an<l died at the ape of five years. The 
father was a farmer by occui)ation, and also 



acted as a guide in the .\dirondack Mountains, 
lie was murdered by ( )tis Arnold, who destroyed 
himself on the same day that he committed the 
crime. The .second marriage of Mr. Burch oc- 
curred in Seward townshi]). Ajiril 11. 1880. and 
l)y this marriage there were three children : Edna 
R.. who was born July 30. 1883. and died May 
(). 1S85: Janus II.. who was boni May 
30. i88(): and .Mary \i.. who was born July 4, 
i88q. and died Xovember 22, 1892. 

Mr. Burch is one of the intluential citizens of 
his township and his neighbors, recognizing his 
worth and ability, have called him to public of- 
fice. He has served as trustee, collector, asses- 
sor and road commissioner and for twenty years 
was school director. He is likewise a member 
of the Modern \\'oodmen camp, and for fifteen 
years has l)een a member of Ellis post. Xo. 320. 
(i. -A.. R.. at Pecatonica. has served as com- 
mander for fifteen years, and also is a member 
of the Knights of the ( ilobe. He belongs to the 
Congregational church at Seward, and in his po- 
litical views is a republican. He is found true 
and faithful to every trust rejiosed in him. and his 
official reconl. his military service and his private 
life alike entitle him to mention with the respect- 
ed and representative citizens of his community. 



STEPHI'.X II. HERRICK. / 

Stephen H. Herrick, following the occupation 
of farming on section 4. Rockford township, owns 
a tract of land of thirty and three-quarters acres, 
and in connection with its cultivation he is en- 
gaged in the dairy business and in the raising of 
small fruit. He is a native of the Empire state, 
his birth having occurred in Malone. Xew York, 
October 20, 1835, but he was reared at Milton. 
Cbiltenden county. \'ermont. His parents were 
I'hineas and Emily ( Mears) Herrick, both of 
whom were natives of Vermont, and are now 
deceased. The Herrick family is of English line- 
age in one line and also of early Danish ancestry. 
I'ive Herrick brothers came to this country from 
I'jigland sliortl\ after the landing of the Pil- 
grims, settling in Massachusetts, and some of 
them reared families. All of the name in this 
country are doubtless related. Phineas Herrick 
was a farmer by occupation, and followed that 
()ursuit throughout his entire business life. He 
was a most devoted member of the Congrega- 
tional church, doing everything in his power to 
promote the cause in which he believed. In his 
family were eight children, who reached years of 
maturity, and in addition to S. H. Herrick. of 
this review, those still living are: Mrs. Huldah 
n. Meeker, of Milton. \'ermont : Mrs. Lottie 
Corey, of Santa Barbara, California : and George 




S. H. HERRICK. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



491 



F., who is residing: at Riverside, California, and 
is engaged in the raising of oranges. One 
brother, Edgar, served in the Civil war, and is 
probably now in the Soldiers' Home at Wilming- 
ton. Delaware. He was a brave soldier, and 
was mustered out as acting captain. 

Stephen H. Herrick spent the davs of his boy- 
hood and youth in the Green Mountain state, 
making his home there until twenty-one years of 
age, although in the meantime he taught school 
for two winters in the state of New York. The 
year 1856 witnessed his removal to the middle 
west. He made his way to Beloit, Wisconsin, 
where he engaged in teacliing school through the 
following winter, and in the spring of 1857 he 
joined a party who traveled by way of St. Louis 
to Kansas, He then located in Doniphan coun- 
ty, Kansas, although he took up a claim in Brown 
county. After spending four years in the Sun- 
flower state, he returned to Vermont, where he 
was married in 1861 to Miss Emily Cadman. who 
died in 1873 at the age of thirty-three years, leav- 
ing four children, all of whom were born in 
Winnebago county, Illinois. She was a daughter 
of George and Lydia (Austin) Cadman. 

Mr. Herrick removed to this county during the 
period of the Civil war, arriving in January, 
1863, at which time he rented land near Rock- 
ford, settling on a part of what is known as the 
John Davey farm. He began here in a small 
way, but as the years have passed he has been 
quite successful, and he now owns a fine home, 
in the rear of which stand commodious and sub- 
stantial buildings for the shelter of his grain and 
stock. His farm is also well improved in every 
particular, and in connection with the raising of 
cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, he is 
also engaged in the dairy business, which he has 
followed successfully for the past twenty years. 
His farm was originally a part of the H. H. Stone 
farm, and he purchased it eight years ago. He 
now has upon his place a herd of ten cows, large- 
ly of the Holstein variety. He formerly supplied 
milk to the hotels in Rockford, and still supplies 
to the Chick House. He also has a large retail 
trade, furnishing about one hundred quarts of 
milk daily to his patrons. He is to some extent 
also engaged in the raising of small fruit, having 
an apple and cherry orchard and also good straw- 
berry beds. He likewise has a few pear and plum 
trees, and the horticultural products of his place 
add not a little to his annual income. 

It was after his removal to Winnebago county 
that Mr. Herrick was called upon to mourn the 
loss of his first wife. Of their children. W. D. 
is now residing at Downers Grove. Illinois. Dora 
E. is the wife of Charles Loucks, of Rockford, 
and has three children — Nina, Katharine and 
Charles E. Louis A., who is secretary and man- 
ager of the Stephenson Telephone Company. 



married Clara Tunnel, and has one child, Ros- 
well, aged five years. Elmer, who was connected 
with the telephone business, died in 1902, at the 
age of twenty-nine years. For his second wife 
^Ir. Herrick chose .Miss Catherine A. Mande- 
ville, a daughter of Dr, Charles and Sarah 
(White) Mandeville, who came from New York 
state to Illinois, her father being an early physi- 
cian of Rockford. The children of this marriage 
were : Sarah, Charles and Nettie, all deceased ; 
Lizzie, a twin sister of Nettie, and now a profes- 
sional nurse of Stockton, Illinois ; Ida, the wife 
of Frank Nason, who is a son of Edward and 
Amanda Nason, of Rockford, and is residing on 
a farm in this county ; and Gertie, who is the 
wife of John Sullivan, of Rockford. 

In his political views Mr. Herrick is a repub- 
lican, having continuously supported the party 
since casting his first presidential vote for John 
C. Fremont. He is a member of the Qiristian 
Union church, and in all matters of citizenship 
is public-spirited and progressive. He has lived 
in \\'innebago county forty-two years, during 
which time his own progress has been in keeping 
with the growth and development of this section 
of the state. He is entirely a self-made man, 
having no family or pecuniary advantages at the 
outset of his career, but the efficacy of labor has 
been proven in his life record, and he is today a 
substantial resident of Rockford township. 



JOHN H. NELSON. 

John PI. Nelson, a contractor in teaming of 
Rockfiird. whose business since its establishment 
in 7892 has continually grown until it is the 
largest of the kind in the city, was born and 
reared in Laona, Illinois. His parents were na- 
tives of Europe, his father belonging to a Swed- 
ish family, while his mother represented a fam- 
ily of Irish lineage. When a youth of only thir- 
teen years Mr. Nelson started out in life on his 
ow^n account, and to his own labors may be ac- 
credited his success. He had no influential 
friends or advantageous circumstances to aid 
him, and, depending entirely upon industry and 
energy, he has overcome all difliculties and ob- 
stacles in his path and is to-day in control of a 
profitable business. In 1892 he located in Rock- 
ford. where he began teaming with one team, 
and to-day he employs from five to seven teams 
for contract hauling, his business now exceeding 
that of any other representative of the same line 
of activity in Rockford. His attention was largely 
given to this work and during the past two years 
he has been engaged as inspector for the city. 

Air. Nelson was married in Chicago to Miss 
Ella Hawkins, who was born in Plarrison, Illi- 



492 



I'AST AXD PRIiSEXT ( )1- \\l XX'ERAGO COUXTY. 



nois. Her parents came to tliis state from the 
state of Xew '^'ork about fifty-four years ajjo, 
ami were tlierefore nuiiilxTcd amonjj tlie early 
settlers. Mr. Xelson now owns three residence 
properties in Rockford, havinfj built two fine 
new dwellings on .\corn street, while his own 
home is at Xo. 933 Acorn street. He likewise 
has another residence on l-'orest avenue, and his 
property is the visible evidence of his life of 
thrift and industry. In ])()litics he is a demo- 
crat, while socially he is connected with the 
Modern Woodmen camp of Rockford. and his 
wife is a member of the Royal Xeii^hbors. Both 
are communicants oi St. Marv's Catholic church. 



EDWIX W.VRE. 



Edwin Ware has now retired from active farm- 
ing, but still resides upon the home jilace on sec- 
tion 24. Winnebago township, and is the. owner 
of two hundred acres of finely improved land, in 
addition to a tract of timber land some distance 
south of the home farm. His possessions alto- 
gether comprise two hundred and thirty acres. 
He has been a resident of the county for the past 
thirty years, coming to the west from Xew 
Hampshire. He is a native of Hillsboro county, 
of the old Granite state, born January 31, 1842. 
His parents were Ebenezer and Martha (Lakin) 
Ware, who were also natives of the same part 
of Xew Hampshire, and resided there until called 
to their final home. The father was a contractor 
and builder, and erected many of the important 
structures in their home town of Hancock, New 
Hampshire. Later in life, however, he turned 
his attention to farming, which he followed near 
Hancock upon the old Immcstead ])ropcrtv u])on 
which his father had settled. The Ware family 
is of English lineage, the ancestors having re- 
sided in Devonshire, whence Robert Ware came 
to America as early as 1640. He established his 
home in Massachusetts and was one of the 
wealthy and prominent men of that day. The 
Lakins were of Scotch-Irish descent, and in re- 
ligious faith were adherents of the Methodist 
cinirch. 

Edwin Ware is the only member of his father's 
family who came to Winneliago county. He be- 
longed to a family of nine children, of whom six 
are yet living. He was reared in Xew Hamp- 
shire until seventeen years of age. when he made 
his way westward to Wisconsin, where he spent 
three years. He then entered the army, enlisting 
on the 13th of August. 1862, as a member of 
Company G, Thirteenth Xew Hampshire \'olun- 
teers, with which he served imtil the close of the 



war, or for almost three years. The regiment 

was attached to the Xiiith and afterward to theporteil his jiarty since casting his first presidential 



Jughteenth .\rmy Corps. Mr. Ware was wound- 
ed four times, but was not disabled seriously, al- 
though he has been lame since from the effect of 
his injuries. Because of meritorious and faithful 
conduct on the field of battle, he was promoted 
from grade to grade until commissioned second 
lieutenant. He had not yet attained his majority 
when he offered his services to the Union, and he 
made a great sacrifice for his country, which owes 
to him a debt of gratitude that can never he re- 
paid. It is told of him that at the outbreak of 
the war he. with one other, went to the recruiting 
station to join the army. Quaking in his shoes 
for fear of the officer finding out he had a mal- 
formed foot, he loosened his trousers and allowed 
them to drop down and hide from the officer the 
malformation. When the war was over he re- 
turned to Xew Hampshire, where he carried on 
farming for several years, or until his removal 
to Wimiehagt) county, where he has now lived 
for almost a third of a century, making his home 
throughout the entire period on the same farm. 

Mr. Ware has been married three times. On 
the i6th of December, 1866, in this county, he 
wedded .-\gnes McQuatcrs, who was a native of 
Xew England, and was of Scotch ])arentage. She 
died in Winnebago county. May 24, 1883, leaving 
three children. Winifred .A., the eldest, is now 
the wife of W. .\. Thwing, a resident of East 
Derry, New Hampshire. Ernest E., of New 
York city, is a graduate nurse of Rellevue Hos- 
pital, Xew York, and saw sen-ice in the Spanish- 
American war. He re-enlisted and spent a year 
and a half in Cuba, and is now engaged in hos- 
pital work. John C. Ware, the youngest son of 
the family, spent three years as a member of the 
Third United States Infantry in the Philippine 
service, and is now married and resides in Rock- 
ford. where he is engaged in business as an elec- 
trical engineer. On the 31st of January. 1886. 
Mr. Ware was married to Mary E. Miller, who 
ilied .\pril 21. i8g2. His present wife was Miss 
Jennie Sjjottswood. whom he wedded December 
20. 1894. .She was a resident of this county, and 
was a daughter of Robert and Mary (Graham) 
.Spottswood, and is a sister of Mrs. Robert Simp- 
son, of Rockford township. 

Mr. Ware has made all of the improvements 
upon his fami which are today seen there, and 
which make it <ine of the valuable farming prop- 
erties of the County. He now rents his land, al- 
though he still resides upon the farm. He has 
in his home a most interesting collection of war 
relics, including souvenirs of three wars — the 
Revolution, the Civil and the S])anish-.-\merican. 
lie has also various relics brouglit from the Phil- 
i])pines and a number of Indian relics, and his 
cabinet collection is indeed a fine and interesting 
one. In jiolitics he is a re])ublican, having sup- 




MR. .\XD -MRS. EDWIN WARE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



495 



vote for Abraham Lincoln when a soldier on the 
field of battle. He now belongs to Nevius post. 
No. I, G. A. R., of Rockford, and is a member 
of Rockford camp. No. 51, M. W. A. He and 
his wife are members of the Second Congrega- 
tional church of Rockford. He is a representa- 
tive in the seventh generation of the descendants 
of Robert Ware, the progenitor of the family in 
America, and during his residence in Winnebago 
county he has become recognized as a valued 
citizen, as loyal to public interests in days of peace 
as when he followed the stars and stripes upon 
the battlefields of the south. In business affairs 
he has also been found reliable, and his present 
valuable farm is the visible evidence of his life of 
industrv. 



CYRUS L. HUNTER. 

Cyrus L. Hunter, deceased, was for several 
3'ears traveling representative of the F. C. Johnson 
factory at Rockford. His birth occurred in St. 
Thomas, Canada. April 22. 1850, his parents be- 
ing Robert and Elizabeth Hunter, both natives of 
Canada, where the father engaged in business as 
a contractor. He died in St. Thomas when his 
son Cyrus was only four years old and the mother 
also died during the early boyhood of our sub- 
ject. In the public schools of his native citv Cyrus 
L. Hunter acquired his education and when but 
a lad began learning the harness maker's trade, 
which he followed in St. Thomas for several 
years. After leaving that place he worked as a 
journeyman in other towns and finally located in 
Beloit, Wisconsin, where he engaged in harness 
making until 1881. His health becoming impaired 
he then decided to remove to a farm and the same 
year settled in Stillman A'alley. in Ogle county, 
Illinois, purchasing a tract of land in Marion 
township. There he carried on general agricul- 
tural pursuits until 1897, but did not find that 
occupation entirely congenial and removed to 
Rockford. He then accepted a position as travel- 
ing salesman for the Johnson Company, his ter- 
ritory being in southern Illinois, Indiana and 
Oklahoma, and his trips varied from one to three 
months in length. 

Mr. Hunter was married in Ingersoll. Canada, 
to Miss Elizabeth Young, a native of Union, 
Canada, and a daughter of Matthew and Sarah 
fTurnerl Young. Her father was a contractor 
and he died in Union, Canada, in 1899, having 
for several years survived his wife whose death 
occurred in October, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hunter became the parents of three children : 
Enabelle, now the wiie of William A. Dennis, 
who is bookkeeper for the Third National Bank 
of Rockford. and resides at No. 522 North Sec- 
ond street : Teanette. who is a stenographer for 



the New England Insurance Company, at Rock- 
ford, and resides with her mother ; and Leland 
M. at home. 

\MiiIe living in Ogle county jMr. Hunter was 
elected and ser\-ed as justice of the peace, was also 
tax collector for two terms and likewise filled the 
office of school trustee. He took an active inter- 
est in political questions, giving a stanch support 
to the republican party and he ever kept well 
informed on the questions and issues of the day. 
He was a charter member of Stillman Valley 
lodge, I. O. O. F., and also of Stillman Valley 
camp, M. W. A. Both he and his wife held 
membership in the Congregational church of 
Stillman Valley but she now attends the Court 
Street Methodist Episcopal church of Rockford. 
On the "th of July, 1904, Mr. Hunter started on 
his last trip for he was taken ill at Beardstown, 
Illinois, and there died on the 25th of July, 1904. 
He had a wide and favorable acquaintance among 
the business men of Rockford and in Ogle county 
as well and he possessed a social, genial nature 
that made him popular with those with whom he 
came in contact. His friendly spirit and kindly 
disposition, combined with his deference for the 
opinions of others, won for him warm regard, 
and his death was deeply regretted. ^Irs. Hunter 
and her daughter are well known socially in Rock- 
ford and they reside at No. 930 Rockton avenue. 



JAMES M. ATWOOD. 

James M. Atwood, w-hose activity in the pur- 
chase, improvement and sale of lands and stock 
has contributed to the business prosperity of the 
community as well as to his individual success, 
now resides upon a farm on section 33, Guilford 
township. He is numbered among the native 
sons of this countv. his birth having occurred in 
Harlem township, in 185 1, and there he was 
reared upon the old homestead. His parents, 
David and Betsy E. (Crill) Atwood, were early 
residents of the county, and the father was a 
verv successful man. His home was in Harlem 
township and there he carried on general agri- 
cultural pursuits for many years or until his re- 
tirement from active business life about fifteen 
years ago. He then settled in Rockford, where 
he made his home until his death on the 22d of 
September, 1904. His widow still survives and 
vet lives in Rockford. They had two sons, one 
of whom is Charles D.. now residing with his 
mother at 215 Kilburn avenue. 

Tames M. Atwood, the other son, was reared 
on" the old family homestead in Harlem township, 
where he remained until starting out in life on 
his own account. He has purchased, improved 
and sold a number of farms and other real estate. 



496 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



and has also handled and sold a large number of 
horses, and in tact has led a very active and 
busy life. He has resided on his present home 
farm on section 33, Guilford township, for the 
past ten years, although he has spent about three 
years in other localities. He has done consider- 
able s]K'culating in the line of real-estate invest- 
ment and his judgment is safe and reliable. He 
now has a finely improved farm upon which is 
an attractive residence and good outbuildings. 
There is a street car line passing his door and 
this brings him into close connection with the 
city. 

Mr. Atwooil was married to Miss Lilly Tut- 
tle, a native of Pennsylvania, who has resided in 
Winnebago county for the past thirty-five years. 
They have three children, all Iwrn in Harlem 
township, namely : Jennie M., the wife of James 
Cotton, a resident of Cherry Valley township ; 
Calla M., who is the wife of Bert Popham, also 
of Clierr\ N'alley, and has one child, Donald A.; 
and Harry O.. at home. 

Politically Mr. Atwotxl is a republican and 
socially he is connected with Cherry Valley lodge. 
No. 173, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his wife 
are members of the Order of the Eastern Star 
of Cherry Valley, and lx)th likewise belong to 
Oriental \\'hite Shrine, No. 5, at Rockford. and 
M. W. camp. No. 51. He has a wide ac(|uaint- 
ance in the county where his entire life has been 
passed, and that he enjoys the favorable regard 
of many who have known him from his boyhood 
days is an indication that his career has been hon- 
orable and straightforward as well as active and 
prosperous. 



CF.ORGI". W. MARSTON. 

George W. Marston, an honored veteran of 
the Civil war, living in Seward township, was 
born in Wyoming county. New York, February 
12, 1835. His parents were Charles and Meri- 
bah (Morrill) Marston, natives of Vermont, the 
former horn December 21, 1796, and the latter 
September \(>. ij')/- The father learned the car- 
penter's trade when a young lad, and in early 
manhood he was married in X'ermont. the wed- 
ding day being November 4. 1H23. After the 
birth of five of their children Mr. and Mrs. Mars- 
ton removed from the Green Mountain state to 
Wyoming county. New York, where they lived 
for two or three years, and then established their 
home in Fiuflfalo, New York, while later they 
went to Royalton township, in Niagara county. 
New York. In October, 1844, they took passage 
on the steamer St. Louis, bound from Buffalo to 
Chicago, but because of a heavy storm the 
steamer had to put back to Black Rock, and the 
Marston family therefore remained in Erie 



county through the winter of 1844. In May, 
1845, ^''^y <igain started for the west on the 
same vessel on which they had taken passage in 
the previous fall, and this time they were wrecked 
on ^lanit^)ll Island. The passengers were taken 
on board the steamer Madison, however, and 
were landed at South]Mirt. Wisconsin, the pres- 
ent city of Kenosha. 

Charles Marston made his way across the 
county to \\ inncliago county, after which he 
returned to Wisconsin with horse teams for his 
family, bringing them to Rockford. Tie worked 
at his trade in and near the city until 1847, at 
which time he and his sons entered three eighty- 
acre tracts of land from the governiucnt, ])aying 
the usual purchase jjrice of a dollar and a ([uar- 
ter per acre. The land was all wild prairie ex- 
cept twenty-four acres, which was covered with 
timber. Mr. Marston hewed the trees which 
he converted into lumber, from which he built 
a frame house, hauling the timber to the saw 
mill at I'yron, Illinois, where it was cut by 
Smith brothers, owners of the mill there. 
The Marston family experienced all the 
hardships and privations incident to pioneer 
life and suffered many privations in those early 
days when Winnebago countv was cut off from 
the comforts of the older east. In pioneer limes 
it was customary for them to i)ut lights in their 
windows on dark nights .so that people might 
see the way if any chanced to be wandering over 
the prairie. As the years went by Mr. Marston 
continued his farming ojierations and his land 
was transformed into productive fields, from 
whicli he annually harvested good crops. He 
served as school director for some time, and was 
one of the first members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, 'in which for many years he served 
as class leader. His life was honorable and up- 
right, consistent with his ])rincii)les, and he left 
the imjiress oi his individuality for gO(3d upon 
the community in which he made his home. His 
political allegiance was given to the whig party, 
and when the republican party was formed he 
joined its ranks. He was living in the vicinity 
of Plattsburg at the time of the war of 1812, 
when tlu- battle occurred at that place. The 
cannonading shook the home of Mr. Marston, 
and Charles Marston, his enthusiasm aroused, 
desired to enter the army, but his mother pre- 
vented him from doing so, as he was then a 
young lad. He died .\ugust 27, 1872. respected 
bv all who knew him. and his wife passed away 
July 3, 1876. They were the i)arents of nine 
children: Julia L., who was born July 2^. 1824, 
and (lied .'^ejUember 8, i8()8: Laura .'\., who was 
born February 4, 1826, and died October 24, 
1855: William II., who was born September 8, 
1827, and died February 17, 1871 : Charles, who 
was born I'ebruary 25, 1831, and died Decern- 




G. W. MARSTOX. 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



499 



ber 9, 1898; Benjamin \\'., who was born July 
19, 1832, and died Jul}- 3, 1835 ; George W., of 
this review; Hannah, who was born March 11, 
1837, and died June i, 1891 ; Joel B., born Sep- 
tember 9, 1838, and died August 12, 1889; and 
Benjamin, who was born May 26, 1841, and 
died February 9, 1867. 

George W. Marston spent his boyhood days in 
his father's home and assisted him in the active 
work of the farm, taking his place in the fields 
almost as soon as he was old enough to reach 
the plow handles. In the winter months he at- 
tended school, and thus acquired a fair English 
education. Early in the spring of 1861, soon 
after the Civil w'ar had been declared, he offered 
his services to the government as a defender of 
the Union, being at that time twenty-six years 
of age. He joined Company C, of the Fifteenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or 
during the war, and went to the front under 
command of Colonel Thomas Turner, going 
from Rockford to Freeport, thence to Alton and 
afterward to St. Charles, Missouri. At 
Mexico, ^Missouri, they joined General 
Grant's brigade and proceeded to Fulton 
City, Missouri, on to St. Alberts, and 
there took the boat for St. Louis. ilr. 
Marston, however, became ill with measles at 
that place. The troops Avent from Jefferson Bar- 
racks, St. Louis, to Rolla, Missouri, covering 
Sigel's retreat, and at the time of Fremont's 
raid they marched three hundred miles, living on 
half rations, to Springfield, Missouri. After- 
ward they were ordered to Tipton and to Otter- 
ville, building a fort at the last named place, and 
on the 5th of February, 1862, they left there for 
St. Louis on the way to Fort Donelson, taking 
passage on the steamer on the 13th of February, 
and reached Fort Donelson just after its capitu- 
lation. They then marched to Fort Henry, and 
the troops were sent afterward to Pittsburg 
Landing. Mr. Marston and his company were 
in General Hulbert's division, and were the first 
to land at Shiloh, being there for a month before 
the battle had begun on the 6th of April. On the 
first day of the battle Mr. Marston w-as in the 
central division, and the regiment lost nearly 
half of its number. ]\Ir. Marston was wounded 
near Shadow church, first in the left leg, the bul- 
let passing through the limb. He managed to 
get behind a tree, but after being w'ounded he 
stood up and kept on firing, but was wounded 
again, this time in the side while stooping over 
to tie up his leg. After being wounded the sec- 
ond time he lay on the field for about forty-eight 
hours, the battle going on all around him and 
the shells flying thick and fast over his head. 
Captain Hart, of the Second Tennessee Regi- 
ment, left orders that his troops should take good 
care of the Union soldiers, and he himself went 



to secure the services of a surgeon to look after 
Mr. Marston, who in the course of the tide of 
battle, because of the advances and retreats, was 
now within the rebel lines. He saw the rebels 
on the run as he lay on the ground. That night 
his brother came to him and bathed his wounds, 
but he did not receive medical attendance until 
later. At length he was taken to the camp tent, 
where he remained for about a week, and was 
then sent home, his brother returning with him. 
They took him to the boat at Pittsburg Landing, 
whence they proceeded down the Tennessee and 
up the C^hio rivers to Evansville, Indiana, and 
later down the C>hio to Cairo, on to St. Louis, 
Alissouri, and by boat to Dunleath, East Du- 
buque. Mr. Marston was brought the entire dis- 
tance on a cot. From Iowa he proceeded by 
train to \\'innebago county, where his bed was 
placed in a wagon and he was thus taken home. 
This was in April, 1862. and he was ordered to 
report for duty in July. His wound, however, 
did not heal by that time, but he made his way 
to Chicago on crutches, and on the 9th of 
August, 1862, he was honorably discharged. 

Since recovering his health ]\Ir. Marston has 
lived upon the old homestead, following the oc- 
cupation of farming and stock-raising, but he 
has never been able to do any hard labor since his 
military experience, his injuries having perma- 
nently disabled him for active manual work. He 
has. however, given personal supervision to the 
management of his agricultural interests, and his 
keen business sagacity and enterprise have re- 
sulted in bringing him a fair measure of suc- 
cess. 

On the 25th of August, 1863, Mr. I\Iarston 
was married to JNIiss Sarah Scott, a daughter of 
Dr. Amos and Harriet (McCarty) Scott, both 
natives of Munc\- township, Lycoming county, 
Pennsylvania. Her father w^as born October 3, 
1820, and died September 12, 1901. while his 
wife, whose birth occurred May 23, 1823, passed 
away in December, i88g. Dr. Scott had studied 
medicine in Philadelphia, and later he engaged 
in teaching school. He came west to Illinois in 
1857 and purchased a farm in Seward township, 
turning his attention to agricultural interests. In 
1864 he joined the Union Army as a private, but 
passed the medical stai¥ examination and was 
enrolled in the service as a surgeon, being as- 
signed to duty with the One Hundred and Fifty- 
third A/"olunteer Infantry. He rendered efficient 
and valuable aid to the sick and wounded in the 
south, and W'ith a most creditable military record 
returned to his home when the war was over. 
He then continued the practice of medicine, 
which he foUow-ed for over forty years. Inter- 
ested in the welfare and upbuilding of his com- 
munitv he gave his aid to many measures for 
the general good, and through a long period 



500 



I'AST AM) PRESENT OF WI XXEBAGO CorXTV. 



served as sc1uk)1 director. I lis rcli,sji()iis faitli 
was that of tlio Conprcjjational church, and his 
pohlical siipijort was in accord witii tiic princi- 
ples of the republican ])arty. In his family were 
nine children, of whom Sarah. Mrs. Marston, is 
the eldest, havinsj been born December 4. 1842: 
Rachel, lujrn December 2. 1844. died May 6, 
i8t)i : Mary, born .May 8. 1847. is now Mrs. 
Tracy, of Seward: Charles, born May 26, 1841;, 
died in .Vujjust, 1890: Martha, born in Xovem- 
bcr. 1851, is now Mrs. Ray, of Winnebago 
county: Julia, born in March, 1S54, is Mrs. 
Hunting, of Xorthfield. Massachusetts; Mercv, 
born in June, i85('», died in h'ebruary. 1857: Har- 
riet, born in March. 1853, and Llara. in Septem- 
ber, 1 861, complete the family. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Marston has been 
blessed with seven children : Amos A\'.. who is 
now engaged in the practice of law in Chicago: 
.\nson, who is a ])rofessor of civil engineering 
iTi the State University at Des Moines, Iowa: 
Ciiarles L.. who is a graduate of Rush Medical 
College, at Chicago, and is now practicing in 
Mason City. Iowa : Mary .\.. the widow of John 
Smith, who died in u)oi : deorgc E., a resident 
fanner of Iowa : \\'alter S., a mechanical engi- 
neer, living in Chicago: and Robert V .. who fol- 
lows farming with his father. 

Mr. ^larston has served as township collector 
for one year and as school director for nine 
years. He made a great sacrifice for his coun- 
try, and has ever lieen a loyal citizen, devoted to 
the welfare of his localitv, state and nation. 



CHARLES F. CRAXDALL. 

Charles F. Crandall. following the occupation 
nf farming on section 20. Rockford township, has 
been a resident of Winnebago county since 1875 
and since 1876 has made his home on the farm 
which he yet owns and occupies. He came to 
the west from Troy. I'.radford county. Pennsyl- 
vania, but was born in Cortland countv. Xew 
York, near the village of Homer. March 4. 1827, 
his parents being Daniel and I.ydia fMorey) 
Crandall. In both the paternal and maternal lines 
the families are descended from three brothers 
who came to this country in the seventeenth cen- 
tury, probably from England. The jiaternal 
grandfather of our subject was a soldier of the 
Revolutionary war. serving with a Connecticut 
regiment. The maternal grandfather was born 
in \'ermont and was a mason of the earlv day. 
Mr. anrl Mrs. Daniel Crandall became the parents 
of seven children, of whom three are vet living. 
Niles is a resident of Oak Park. Illinois, and was 
roadmaster on the Chicago & Xorthwestern Rail- 
road, having charge of the division out of Elgin 



and l"ree])iirt. lie continued in railroad service 
throughout his active business life but is now 
living retired. Bradford Crandall is a retired 
farmer of Rockford and owns a good tract of 
land near Rochclle, Illinois. The half sisters of 
Mr. Crandall are Mrs. Frances C. Coddington, 
who resides on Slate street near Rockford and 
Mrs. .\ntoinettc Wheeler, of .Santa Rosa, Cali- 
fornia. 

Charles I~. Crandall was about six years of age 
when his parents removed from New York to 
i 'ennsylvania. where he was educated in the com- 
mon schools. He was early trained to the work 
of the home farm and has always followed 
general agricultural jjursuits. ^^'hen he started 
out upon his independent business career he be- 
gan working by the month as a farm hand at 
twelve dollars per month and later he was paid 
successively thirteen, fourteen and fifteen dollars 
per month, being thus engaged for several years. 
.\s a com])anion and helpmate for life's journey 
lie chose Miss Sophia Dillin. a daughter of Joseph 
and Eliza ( P>reathwaite') Dillin, to whom he was 
married in 1853. .She was born in Queens county, 
Ireland, and was brought to .\merica when only 
six months old by her mother, who was an English 
lady. Her birth occurred January i. T830. and 
the young couple began their domestic life in 
Pennsylvania, where they resided for more than 
twenty years, after which they came to Winne- 
bago c(^unty in 1875. The following year I\Tr. 
Crandall purchased the farm which has since 
been his home and he now owns and cultivates 
seventy-nine acres of land on section 20, Rock- 
ford township. I kre he carries on general farm- 
ing and he also operates about seventy-five acres 
additional of the Wigdon farm, being assisted in 
his work bv his son George. 

In 189Q Mr. Crandall was called ujion to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died on the 3rst of May 
of that year, when about seventy years of age. 
Thev hnd a son and flaughter: George F. and 
Evdia E., both born in Pennsylvania and both 
still living with their father. 

At the time of the Civil war ^\r. Crandall was 
an advocate of the Union cause and enlisted in 
December. 1864, as a member of Company P>. 
Forlx-eighth Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, 
which was attached to the Ninth Army Corps 
tmder llrigadier General Curtin. \\"liilc at Knox- 
ville. Tennessee, this conimand used for the first 
time wire entanglements in order to keep Eong- 
street's anny away. It is told for a fact that this 
scheme saved the day for the Ninth .'Krmy Corps. 
His regiment mined and blew up the fort in 
front of Petersburg. The first test of negro 
troops was made at this time. Mr. Crandall 
served for .seven months and was mustered out 
at .Alexandria. \'irginia. .\fter the close of the 
war he returned to his home in Pennsvlvania, 





^IR. AND MRS. CHARLES F. CRANDALL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



503 



where he resided until his removal to Illinois. His 
first presidential vote was cast for Zachary 
Taylor in 1848 and at the previous state election 
he had voted for David Wilmot, the framer of 
the famous Wilmot Proviso. He is now an ad- 
vocate of the prohibition part}-, which embodies 
his views on the temperance question. He and 
his family favor the Methodist Episcopal church 
and usually attend the services at the Court Street 
church in Rockford. [Mr. Crandall has now 
passed the seventy-eighth mile-stone on life's 
journey, but though the snows of many winters 
have whitened his hair he is yet an active and 
enterprising man, who in spirit and interest seems 
yet in his prime. Old age is not necessarily a 
synonym of weakness or inactivity and need not 
suggest as a matter of course lack of occupation, 
for there is an old age that grows stronger in 
character as the years pass by and gives out of 
its rich stores of experience and learning. Such 
is the history of Mr. Crandall, whose many good 
qualities win him genuine regard among a large 
circle of friends. 



GEORGE L. PETTIS. 

George L. Pettis, whose realty holdings com- 
prise two hundred and thirty-six acres on sections 
II and 14. Harlem township, is one of the native 
sons of this county, his birth having occurred in 
Winnebago township, December 28, 1861. He 
is a son of Lewis M. and Sarah J. (Mandeville) 
Pettis. His maternal grandfather fought in the 
American army in the Revolutionary war, while 
his great-grandfather Clark was a member of the 
provincial congress in colonial days and served in 
the general assembly of New York for several 
terms after the establishment of the republic. 

Lewis M. Pettis, now living at No. 1235 South 
Main street, Rockford, was born in Westmore- 
land, Oneida county. New York, and lived there 
until March, 1857. He then accompanied his 
parents on their removal to the west, reaching 
Walworth, Wisconsin, on the ist of April. He 
taught school in both the Empire and the Badger 
states and from Walworth county removed with 
his parents to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, 
where he followed teaching for three terms. He 
also attended the Wa^land Academy, at Beaver 
Dam, Wisconsin, about that time. He lived in 
Sheboygan county until i860, when he came to 
Winnebago county, Illinois, and purchased a farm 
in Winnebago township, making his home thereon 
until 1865, during which time he taught school 
in the winter months, while in the summer sea- 
sons he performed the labors of the fields. In 
December, 1865, he took up his abode in the city 
where he has since made his home and in 1867 



he accepted the position of foreman for N. C. 
Thompson, dealer in agricultural implements, 
with whom he remained two years. He then 
went upon the road, selling the John P. Manny 
harvesters, and has been a traveling salesman 
continuously since 1870, being one of the best 
known "knights of the grip" who represents 
Rockford industries and commercial enterprises. 
He was married, March 18, 1861, to Sarah J., 
daughter of H. N. and Peace J. (Chase) Mande- 
ville, of Skaneatles, New York. The members of 
the Pettis family are : Frances, the wife of John 
F. Armstrong, of Rockford, by whom she has 
one son and one daughter ; Catherine M., at home 
with her parents ; John, who died at the age of 
nineteen years ; and Frederick, who died at the 
age of seventeen. 

George L. Pettis, the surviving son of the 
family, was seven years old when his parents left 
the farm and removed to Rockford, where he was 
educated, attending successively the public 
schools, a business college and Lounsbury Acad- 
emv. When twenty-three years of age he left the 
city and rented a farm in Winnebago township, 
whereon he made his home for six years, when he 
removed to Benton county, Iowa, where he fol- 
lowed farming in the vicinity of Vinton for five 
years. He then returned to Illinois and after 
farming for a year in Winnebago township, came 
to his present home in February. 1901, purchas- 
ing two hundred and thirty-six acres of good 
land, which he has further developed and im- 
proved, having nov,- a good farm, from which he 
annually garners rich harvests, the reward of the 
spring planting. 

On the 22d of November. 1884, Mr. Pettis 
married Agnes G. Buxton, of Stockbridge, Wis- 
consin, who was born at Forrest, Fond du Lac 
county, Wisconsin. August 10, 1863, a daughter 
of Rinaldo A. and Lucy J. (Schofield) Buxton, 
then of Stockbridge. Her father, a native of 
New York state, came to Winnebago county 
when there was not even a village where the city 
of Rockford now stands. He was then a young 
man and he drove a six-mule team overland to 
California at the time of the gold fever. His wife, 
who was born in Essex county, Vennont, in 
1840, came west with her parents in her early 
girlhood days to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, 
and is now living at Stockbridge. The brothers 
of Mrs. Pettis are Edwin A., George L., Albert 
J., Charles W., Herbert E., Alva R. and Cecil R., 
and she has a sister, Blanche C, the wife of John 
W. Birkitt, of Winnebago town.ship. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Pettis have been born eight children: 
Bessie F., born December 22, 1885 : Jessie A., 
August 16, 1887: Lewis B., who died January- 
16. igoi ; Ruth G., born Januarv- 12, 1891 ; 
Blanche C, August 10, 1893 ; Frank A., born 
September 10, 1897; Alva A., March 29, 1901 ; 



\ 



504 



I'AST AXl) I'RI'.SKXT (~)F WIXXEB.MKJ COUXTV. 



and Lucy J., .March 27. lyo^. Tlic family attend 
the Methodist Episcopal church at Koscoe and in 
politics Mr. Pettis is a stalwart republican. His 
business career has been marked by steady prog- 
ress and vvitli a realization of the fact that labor 
is the basis of all true success, his diligence and 
industry have been made the basis of tlie com- 
f(irl.ili!t ciimixtcnce which he now jxjssesses. 



Li;()X.\Rl) !•:. MRRRICK. 

Among the retired farmers of Winnebago 
ajunty who are now comfortably located in 
Rock ford is Leonard E. Herrick, who makes his 
home at Xo. hj2 W'oodlawn avenue. lie still 
retains the ownershi]) of two farms of eighty 
acres each, located on sections g and 18. Rock- 
ford townshiji. 1 le established his home in Win- 
nebago county in 1856, when he came to the 
west from X'ermont. Tie was born in Chittenden 
county, that state. .Marcii 17. 1829, his parents 
being Russell and Maria (Tyler) Ilerrick. the 
fornier l)orn in Rutland. X'ermont, and the lat- 
ter in Connecticut. The father was a typical 
Xew England farmer and ne\er removed to the 
west. 

Leonard E. 1 lerrick w as reared on the old 
family homestead in the ( ireen Mountain state, 
Working there from early boyhood up to the 
time of his marriage, when he came to the west. 
He had lived within the shadow of the old Mans- 
field moinitain in his native state, but here he 
took up his abode upon the ])rairie. .\fter a 
brief peril irl he removed to a farm on section 9, 
Rockford township, and there he carried on 
general agricultural jiursuits until about fifteen 
vx'ars ago. when he removed to the city in order 
to give his children better educational privileges. 
He has .spent some time in South Dakota. Iowa 
and other western states. He now gives liis sui>er- 
vision to his ])ro])erty interests and the rental 
therefrom brings him a good income. He placed 
many excellent improvements on his land and 
develo])ed good farms, which are now attractive 
features in the landsca])e. 

Mr. Herrick was married in 1834 la Miss 
Susan P.ruce Coffren. who was born in Xew 
TIam])shire. December 26. 1829, her parents be- 
ing Daniel and Sally (Currier) CofFren. who 
removed to \'ermont from New Hampshire. 
They were both natives of .\ckworth. Xew 
Hamiishire. in which |)lace Mrs. Herrick was 
also born. The CotTren family were of Scotch- 
Irish descent and all were stanch church people. 
Mrs. Herrick '.s mother, however, was of iMiglisb 
lineage and was a l?aptist in her religious faith 
Hoth Mr. and Mrs. Herrick received academic 
instruction. Mrs. Herrick lias three brothers 



who are ministers and a son who has also fol- 
lowed that holy calling, all being comiected with 
the Congregational denonn'nation. Harriet, a 
sister of .Mr. Ilerrick, married the Rev, Dr. L. 
I I. (.obi), of Xew ^'ork. 

Unto our subject and his wife have been born 
four children: George .M., now with the Phila- 
deliihia l,ife and Trust Company of Chicago, 
residing in Englewood. was formerly jiresident 
of Washburn t.'ollege at Topeka. Kansas. Rev. 
ilem-y .M. Ilerrick is a graduate of Vale College 
and of Williams C<jllege of Xorthampton, Massa- 
chusetts, anil for fifteen years was actively en- 
gaged with the ministry of the Congregational 
church, but is not ])reaching at the jiresent time. 
Laura is the wife of Rev. I-'rancis W. Pates, a 
missionary of the .\merican board, now con- 
nected with the East Central Mission in .\frica, 
having spent fifteen years in that work there. 
(Irace E., who is a graduate of Carlton College 
at Xorthfield, Minnesota, has been a teacher in 
.^outh .\frica but is now at home and at this 
writing is assistant i)rinci]Kil in one of the schools 
of Rockford. 

Politically Mr. Ilerrick sujjports the repub- 
lican party and voted for its first presidential can- 
didate, John C. Fremont. Prior to that time he 
was a whig. He is an active and influential mem- 
ber of the (."ongregational church and s])ent three 
years in Sunday-school work in the west as a 
representative of that denomination. ?Iis life 
has been honorable and active, his actions manly, 
sincere and unatYected. and his whole career has 
been .so dominated by ujtright principles that he 
ever commanded the highest regard of all with 
whom lie has come in contact in whatever sec- 
tion of that countrv he has been. 



FRAXCIS E. WILLorc.HIlY. 

Francis E. Willoughb\'. who follows fanning 
on section 12. Rockford township, is a native of 
the Empire state, his birth having occurred in 
(~)xford, Chenango county, Xew York, .\pr\\ 30, 
1831. His ]>arents were John P>. and Xancy 
('.^haplcy) \Villoughby, wlio s])ent their entire 
lives in the state of New York. Their son 
Francis was reared and educated there, remain- 
ing a resident of the east until 1855, when he 
took up his abode in Ogle county, Illinois, set- 
tling in Lynnville township, where he pur- 
chased a farm. With characteristic energy he 
began its cultivation and improvement, making 
his home thereon until the spring of i8<V>. In 
February of that year he removed to \\'innebago 
county and located on the farm on section 12, 
Rockford township, where he has resided con- 
tinuously since, covering a period of almost forty 




^ 
J 



< 

CO 

o 

o 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



so; 



years. He now owns sixty acres of land, which 
is being operated by his son. He has made sub- 
stantial improvements upon this tract, erecting 
good buildings and using the latest improved 
machinery in the care of his land. Through 
many years he devoted his attention to general 
agricultural pursuits, but now is largely living 
retired, leaving the active work of the farm to 
others. 

On the 6th of February, 1857. Air. Willough- 
by was united in marriage to Miss Janett E. 
Root, who was born in Oxford, New York, and 
is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moore) 
Root. Five children have been born unto them, 
one of whom. Edgar, died September 11. 1895, 
when about thirty years of age. Augusta E. is 
the wife of ^^'arren O. Eddy, a farmer residing 
near Rockford, and they have two daughters, 
Flora and Alice, the former a teacher in the 
Rockford high school. Arthur B., who re- 
sides near his father's home on section 12, is a 
molder by trade and married Miss Kitty Ernst, 
by whom he has four children. Hazel, Lvria A., 
Fletcher and Derwin. John H., who is a farm- 
er residing in California, married Etta B. Clinite 
and has five daughters, Neenah, Janett, Marv, 
Helen and Doris. Francis W. is unmarried and 
operates the farm for his father. 

In his political affiliations Mr. W'illoughby is 
stanch prohibitionist, thus expressing his views 
on the temperance question. He has served as 
school trustee for a number of years. He was 
formerly identified with the Grange and while 
living in Ogle county was a member of the Good 
Templars society. He belongs to the Court 
Street Methodist Episcopal church and has al- 
ways been deeply interested in the cause of tem- 
perance, morality and religion, doing everything 
in his power to aid in the uplifting of mankind. 



SEL\'EY K. BLODGETT. 

Selvey K. Blodgett follows farming and stock- 
raising on section iq, Shirland township, where 
he owns and operates one hundred and twentv- 
three acres of well improved land. In addition 
to this he has a farm in Rockton township which 
he leases but his personal supervision is given to 
the home place. His entire life has been passed in 
this section of the country, his birth occurring in 
Beloit, Wisconsin, June 10, 1838. His parents 
were S. K. and Mahala (Norris) Blodgett, who 
removed from Ohio to Beloit shortly before 1838. 
Not long afterward they took up their abode in 
Rockton township, this county, where the father 
purchased a tract of land lying along the Peca- 
tonica river — the farm now being owned by the 
subject of this review. There the father turned 



his attention to general agricultural pursuits and 
stock-raising, which he followed for ten years, 
when he once more took up his abode in Beloit, 
where he engaged in the stock and grain busi- 
ness and also conducted a flour mill. He \vas 
thus closely connected with the commercial and 
industrial life of the city for many years and was 
a very successful man, possessed of a good fund 
of common sense, keen business sagacity and 
strong purpose. He commanded the respect of 
all by reason of his genuine worth and sterling 
integrity and when he passed away in 1881, at the 
age of sixty-nine years, his death was deeply re- 
gretted by many who knew him. He was a na- 
tive of New York and had become a resident of 
Ohio when a young man. His political allegiance 
was given to the democracy but he had little aspi- 
ration for public office. His wife was a native of 
Mrginia and they were married in Ohio. Her 
death occurred in Beloit about T884, when she 
was seventy-three years of age. In their family 
were four children : William, now deceased ; 
Selvey K. of this review ; Mrs. Sabra H. Smith, 
living in Beloit ; and Elanor. who died at the 
age of nine years. 

Selvey K. Blodgett was reared in \\'imiebago 
county until ten or eleven years of age and began 
his education at Rockton, then known as Mack- 
town. He was acquainted with Stephen Mack 
and his squaw wife. Hononeqah, and attended 
school with their half-breed children. His edu- 
cation, however, was completed in the schools 
of Beloit and after putting aside his text-books 
he engaged in business with his father and brother 
at Beloit for several years. In 1864 he went 
\A-est to the Pacific coast and spent about two 
years in California, gaining much experience and 
practical knowledge there if not wealth. On the 
expiration of that period he returned to this state 
and settled on the homestead farm in Rockton 
township, where he resided until 1900, when he 
removed to his present place of residence on sec- 
tion ig, Shirland township. He now owns alto- 
gether five hundred and sixty-four acres of land 
in his two farms and he rents his Rockton town- 
ship propert}'. while giving his personal atten- 
tion to the cultivation and improvement of his 
farm in Shirland township. 

Air. Blodgett has been married three times. 
He first wedded Helen AI. Bullis, of this county, 
who died leaving two children: Ella E., now 
the widow of Samuel Austin and a resident of 
'A'isconsin: and Delia H., who is the wife of 
Samuel Wallace, of Durand. For his second 
wife Mr. Blodgett chose Aliss Adda Aliller. also 
of Winnebago and at her death she left five chil- 
dren : Harry, who died at the age of twenty- 
four years : Elmer, a farmer now residing in 
Rockton township : Alay : Emma, deceased : and 
S. K.. at home. For his present wife Air. Blod- 



5o8 



I'AST AXn PRESEXT Ol' \VTXXEI'.A( io (OrXTV 



gett chose Mary E. Austin, whose people were 
early residents of the county, coming from Xew 
York state to Illinois. Her parents resided in 
Laona township hut are now deceased. Politically 
Mr. Blodtjett has always hcen a democrat, nnfal- 
terinsj in his advocacy of the ])arly and he an<l 
his wife are menil)crs of the .Methodist church of 
Shirland. in which their genuine worth and tidel- 
it\' are recognized, while in business circles he is 
known as a reliable man. i)lacing his dejx'ndence 
u]X)n the substantial iiualities of earnest labor and 
perseverance. 



R( )I',I:KT M. .^MITII. 

Robert M. Smith, who became a resident of 
Rockford in 18^5, was connected with the bnild- 
ir.g interests of the citv for many years, assisting 
in the erection of many of the early homes and 
business houses of Rockford and of the bridges 
of Winnebago county, was born in Xorfolk, Eng- 
land, in 1824. His father. Jackson Smith, was 
also a native of that country and both he and his 
wife spent tlieir entire lives there, passing away 
at Xorfolk. where he had extensive railroa<l hold- 
ings. 

Robert M. .^niith began his education in Eng- 
land, and while a student he became ill with 
smallpox and it was long before he was able to 
resume his studies. Tn early manhood he de- 
termined to try his fortune in America, having 
heard favorable reports concerning the business 
opjiortunities here afforded and in 18^)3. accom- 
panied by his brother (leorge. he sailed for the 
new world. They first settled in Indiana, where 
tliey remained until 1865. when they came to 
Rockford. George Smith was a mason but re- 
mained in this citv for only a year, after which 
he n-turned to Indiana, where his death occurred. 
The brothers had not long been residents of tliat 
state when the Civil war broke out and Robert .M. 
.'^inith espoused the cause of his adopted country, 
enlisting in an Indiana regiment, with which he 
served for one vear and eight months. He was 
on active duty must of that tin v a'ld was then 
wounded, after which he returned to his home. 
He then removed to Illinois, first settling in P.elvi- 
ilere. wliere he and his brother worked at their 
trade for almost a year, coming to Rockford, as 
before stated, in 1865. In early life he had learned 
the trade of a brick and stone-mason and in this 
ca))acitv he was cmiilovei! on the construction of 
many of the large buildings of the city, and he 
and his brother Iniill the old Commercial Hotel 
here. Many of the early structures of Rockford 
stand as monuments to his skill and enterprise. 
He particularly liked the brick aufl stone work 
connected with the walling of wells, and while 
engaged in that wav on one occasion a wall caved 
in njion him. injuring him for life. He never re- 



covered but remained an invalid for many years. 

Mr. Smith was married in 1870 to Miss Susan 
.\. Knajjp. a native of .Allegany county. Xew 
York, born June 3. 1841, and a daughter of John 
and Mary F.lizabeth ( Towner ) Knapp. The fa- 
ther was a millwright by tra<le and lived in the 
east until old age. He then made his way west- 
ward, settling in Iowa, where he carried on fann- 
ing until his death. His wife passed away in 
Jo Daviess county. Illinois. Four of their children 
are still living. Mrs. Smith came to Rockford 
in 1850 with some of her relatives, ilere she 
gave her hand in marriage to Robert ]\I. Smith. 
Two children graced this marriage : George H., 
who married Anna Chrismaker and now resides 
in Sabula, Iowa : and Robert Elvin. who mar- 
ried (iussie Satkiz. She died here I'ebruary 24. 
i<>02. leaving a daughter, .Myrtle May. four years 
of age, who is now being reared by her grand- 
mother. Robert E. Smith is a plumber by trade 
but at present writing is emploved in a glove fac- 
tory at Rockford and makes his home with his 
ninther. 

in his political views Robert M. Smith was a 
stanch rei)nblican but never sought or desired of- 
fice. While in luiyiand he was a comnuniicant of 
the Episcopal church. His life was characterized 
by untiring industry and perseverance as well as 
frugality and by saving his earnings and invest- 
ing in ])ro|)erty he became the owner of consid- 
erable realty in Rockford, which he left his fam- 
ily at the time of his death, on the nth of Janu- 
ary, 1892. Industry and integrity were among 
his salient traits of character and made his exam- 
ple one worthy of emulation. Much of the pnm- 
ertv which he left has recently been sold but Mrs. 
.Smith still retains possession of the old home- 
stead at Xo. 803 Rockton avenue, where she and 
her son yet reside and of which she has lieen the 
owner for thirty years. 



WILLIAM KILEY. 



William Riley, now living retired in Winne- 
bago, came ti> this county in the later "305. 
England has furnished a number of valued and 
representative citizens to Illinois, including Mr. 
Rilev. who was born in ^'orksbire. .\ugust ifi. 
1835. his parents being Robert and Sarah f Duck- 
ett) Rilev. both of whom spent their entire lives 
in Ensrland. where the father conducted business 
as a laborer. In the family were eight chiklren 
but William is the only one who ever came to this 
country. 

In his native land William Riley was reared, 
receiving limited e<lucational advantages, for at 
the early age of nine or ten years he began earn- 
ing his own living. He is a thoroucfhly self-ed- 
ucated and self-made man. who.se life has been 





MR. AND ?^IRS. WILLIAM RILEY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



5" 



crowned Ijy success as the reward of labor that 
has been persistent, well defined and indefati- 
gable. As stated, he arrived in \\^innebago in the 
later '50s and located first in Burritt township, 
where he resided for many years. His work 
brought him capital sufficient to enable him to 
purchase a farm and he then invested in land and 
carried on general agricultural pursuits until 
about nineteen years ago. He sold the farm prop- 
erty two years ago. When he left the train at 
Rockford he was practically penniless and there- 
fore began work by the month. Out of his 
earnings he saved the sum which enabled him to 
become a landowner and year after year upon his 
farm he added to his property until with a com- 
fortable competence he removed to the village 
of Winnebago in 1887 and purchased a home. 
He then leased his farm and continued to rent it 
until he had sold out about two years ago. 

Air. Riley was married in this county to Mrs. 
Charlotte R. Randerson, who was born March 
15, 1826, and to them have been born five children, 
of whom two are living : John, who now makes 
his home on South Court street, in Rockford, and 
follows the carpenter's trade : and Minnie, the 
wife of Elmer Alellen, of Winnebago. Politically 
a prohibitionist. Mr. Riley has long been a stanch 
advocate of the temperance cause and has given 
of his time, means and influence to further the 
work along that line. His religious views are 
indicated by his membership in the Methodist 
church. A member of the Masonic order for 
thirty years he belongs to Winnebago lodge. No. 
745, and he and Mrs. Riley are members of East- 
ern Star lodge, No. 444, both holding office in the 
lodge. He is known and honored for his genuine 
worth, his life being characterized by integrity, 
straightforward dealing in business and honor- 
able relations with his fellowmen at all times. 
He certainly deserves much credit for wdiat he 
has accomplished, for he has worked hard and 
persistently and as the years have gone by his 
labors have made him one of the substantial 
citizens of the countv. 



PHILETUS W. DOOLITTLE. 

Philetus W. Doolittle, one of the native sons 
of Winnebago county, represents an old and 
prominent pioneer family here, his parents hav- 
ing come to Illinois in 1835 before the land in 
Winnebago county was placed upon the market. 
The subject of this review first opened his eyes to 
the light of day on the 19th of February, 1844, at 
the old home farm in Harlem township and he 
now carries on agricultural pursuits on section 
14, Guilford township, where he has a valuable 
farming property. His parents were Harry and 



Catherine (Stedman) Doolittle, both natives of 
New York and they are now deceased. The fa- 
ther came to Winnebago county in 1835, being 
one of the first settlers within its borders. He 
secured a claim of two hundred and twenty 
acres in Harlem township and entered the land 
when it came in the market. He turned the first 
furrows of the fields, planted his seed and in due 
time harvested good crops, continuing the active 
management of the place until 1845. ^vhen he sold 
that property and removed to Guilford township, 
securing two hundred and thirty acres of land on 
section 11. That remained his home until his 
death, which occurred in 1894, when he was sev- 
enty-six years of age. He had served in various 
township and local offices and was a prominent 
and progressive citizen, giving tangible evidence 
of his interest in public affairs by his co-operation 
in measures for the general good. He was a 
man true to his honest convictions and was highly 
respected because of his genuine worth. Free 
from ostentation and (Iispla\" he neverth.eless, 
showed many sterling traits of character. His 
wife passed away January 12, 1882. They were 
married in W'inneljago county and all of their 
children were here born, namely : Mrs. Clara 
Beamer, now living in Cherry Valley ; Mrs. Eliz- 
abeth Fuller, of Clear Lake, Iowa; A. L., of 
Belvidere, Illinois ; Edward, .whose home is near 
Council Bluffs. Iowa: Mrs. Laura Ketchum, re- 
siding in Michigan ; Austin, w'ho died in Califor- 
nia a few vears ago, leaving a wife and four chil- 
dren ; Calvin, who died in childhood : and Sarah, 
who died at the age of fourteen years. 

Philetus W. Doolittle, spending his boyhood 
days in Harlem and Guilford townships, ac- 
quired his education in the public schools near 
his home. He was only seventeen years of age 
when, in September, 1861, he offered his services 
to the government and joined the boys in blue of 
Company D, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. 
Later he served with Company B, First United 
States Veterans, being a member of that com- 
mand during the last year of the war. He was 
mustered out on New Year's day of 1866 in Bal- 
timore, Alaryland, having ser\'ed for four years 
and four months, which was one of the longest 
terms of any soldier of the Civil war. The Elev- 
enth Illinois regiment undoubtedly lost more 
heavih- than any regiment of the entire army, 
a fact which indicates that they were in the thick- 
est of the fight. i\Ir. Doolittle was in practically 
all of the engagements of the regiment, including 
the liattles of Fort Donelson. Shiloh. the assault 
on Mcksburg, the siege of that city, Liverpool 
Heights, Yazoo Citv, Black River Bridge, Jack- 
son," Clinton and Fort Blakely. He was never 
taken prisoner nor was he in the hospital, and he 
was never off duty during his long term. Week 
after week and month after month he continued 
with his command, taking long marches, serving 



51-2 



I'AST AM) PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



ir. hotly contested battles or doing guard duty at 
whatever post assignied. He was indeed a brave 
and loyal soldier and one to whom the country 
owes a debt of gratitude for what he accomp- 
lished for the L'nion cause. He is now a niemlier 
of Nevius post. No. i, (i. A. R. 

-Mr. Doolittlc at once returned to his home and 
resumed farming on his father's lanil. but in 1868 
was married in Guilford township, and started 
out in life on his own account. He purchased 
one hundred and thirty acres of land, which con- 
stitutes his present farm. Only a small number 
of acres had been broken at that time, but he at 
once began to clear and improve it and now has 
an excellent property. He has built sul)stantial 
Iniildings. divided his place into fields of conven- 
ient size with well kept fences and has tilled the 
soil until it is very rich and productive, yielding 
him excellent crops. 

Mr. noolittle was married to .Miss .Mary Ray, 
of P.elvidere. Illinois, who was born in New 
Brunswick, Canada, in 1849, 'i'^'' parents being 
William and Sarah Ray, both of whom were na- 
tives of Scotland. They were married there and 
afterward came to New I'.runswick, later remov- 
ing to Doone county. Illinois. Mr. Ray died in 
i(j03. near Olympia. Washington, and \Irs. Ray 
departed this life about 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Doo- 
little have but one child, a daughter. Gertrude M., 
now the wife of A. J. Shaw, who is residing in 
Guilf<ir(l township. Tliere is one child by this 
marriage. .\lta Lucile. now three years of age. 
They have a good farm in Guilford township. 

In ])olitics Mr. Doolittle is a republican and has 
held various townshi]) offices, including that of 
assessor, collector and other ])ositions, to which 
he has been called b_\- liis fellow townsmen, who 
have recognized his worth and his allegiance to 
the general welfare. Socially he is connected 
with tile Modern Woodmen camp of Rockford as 
well as with the Grand Army of the Republic and 
lie belongs to the Freewill Uaptist church of 
Cherrv X'alley. I lis entire life has l)een passed 
in this county and he is held in the highest re- 
gard where best known, a fact which indicates 
that his life record has been straightforward and 
honorable. 



MRS. JCi.I.\b:TTF 11. HICKS. 

Mrs. Juliaette 15. Hicks, residing in a comfort- 
able home on section 31, Rockfonl townshi|), is 
the widow of Stephen I'.. Hicks, who was born 
March 16. 1840, and died in January. 1874. .\t 
the time of the Civil war he became a member 
of the Forty-fourth Illinois \olunleer Infantry, 
enlisting as a drummer boy in Company G and 
serving for more than four years. In the latter 
part of that period he was a messenger. Fol- 



lowing his reliirn from tlie army lie took up the 
occupation of farming in W'iimebago county-, 
and his widow still resides upon the place where 
ho made his home. 

In 1838 .Mr. 1 licks was united in marriage to 
Miss Juliaette IJ. llovey, who was born in Win- 
nebago county and is of English descent, her an- 
cestors having come from England to America 
at an early period in the colonization of the new 
world, establishing a home in Connecticut. Her 
])alernal grandfather. Edmond Hovey, was a 
farmer of Connecticut and it was at Mansfield, 
that state, that Aaron Hovey. her father, was 
horn in 1812. He spent the days of his boy- 
hood and youth in New England and was mar- 
ried in Connecticut tn Miss Fidelia Harmon, 
whose birth occurred in Suftield. Connecticut, in 
1808. Soon after their marriage they came to 
the middle west, locating in Winnebago county 
in 1834. Here Aaron Hovey built a cabin on 
what is now known as the Weldon farm and 
later he entered as a claim tiu- farm which is 
nn\\ owned by his son. E. T. Hovey. and 
daughter. Juliaette 1!. Hicks. There he carried 
on general agricultural pursuits for many years 
and developed a splendid farm property, the pro- 
ductive fields annually yielding him excellent 
cro|)s. He was a re])ublican in his jiolitical views 
for many years but afterward became a ])rohi- 
bilionist. He died in 1894. while his wife passed 
away in 18S8. I'.olh were members of the 
Methodist church and in that faith they reared 
their family. 

Mary E.. the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hovey. became the wife of Dr. Guthrie and died 
at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving a daugh- 
ter, who is now married and makes her home 
ill ."-^,111 nernardino. California. Juliaette P.. be- 
came Mrs. Hicks and is still living on the old 
home farm, lulmond T.. who was born I'ebru- 
ary i, 1842, is now the owner of a valuable 
farm of one hundred acres on the southeast 
(|uarter of section 31. Rockford township. He 
remained in Winnebago county inUil twenty- 
nine years of age. when he went to the west, 
visiting Cowley county. Kansas. There he 
spent five years eugai^ed in fanning and mining, 
after which he returned to Illinois and ])ur- 
chased a part of the old homestead jmiperly in 
Rockford township, where he now resides. He 
is a reiniblican in his political views, having sup- 
l)orted the part\' since he cast his first presi- 
dential ballot for Abraham I.iiicohi in 1864. 
I'.lleii Hovey is now .Mrs. ( ieurge .Martin, of 
.San P.ernardino. California. Hubert H.. resid- 
ing in Cowley comity. Kansas, has a family of 
eight children, namely: Florence Lissa. Mary 
I'idelia. Juliaette. I.ucora. Edmond Hubert. 
Grace. Hubert Urooks and Ralph .\aron. Melissa 




HERBERT S. HICKS. 





S. B. HICKS. 



MRS. S. B. HICKS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



515 



is the widow of Albert Kidd and resides in San 
Bernardino, California. She had five children, 
two daughters and three sons, of whom four 
are yet living. 

The maternal grandfather of ]\Irs. Hicks was 
Jehiel Harmon, who is the only Revolutionary 
soldier buried at Rockford and a brass tablet 
suitably inscribed has been affixed to his tomb- 
stone by the Daughters of the Revolution. j\lr. 
and ]\Irs. Hicks had but one child, Herbert S. 
Hicks, born April 12. 1872. He graduated at 
the Illinois State Normal University, at Normal, 
in 1892 and from Stanford University, Cali- 
fornia, in 1896, and has practiced law in Rock- 
ford since the spring of 1897. He is secretary 
of the Winnebago County Telephone Company. 
He married Florence Gantz, of Dixon, Illinois, 
j\Iarch II, 1904. ;Mrs. Hicks since her hus- 
band's death has remained upon the old farm, 
which is a valuable property and brings to her 
a good income. She has a wide acquaintance 
and enjoys in large measure the friendship and 
kindly regard of her neighbors and friends. 



DAVID PERRY. 



David Perry, living in Rockford in well earned 
ease after long years of active and prosperous 
connection with agricultural interests in Cherry 
Valley township, was born in Cayuga county. 
New York, July 6, 1825, his parents being Ozias 
and Eliza (Merchant) Perry, both of whom died 
in Cherry Valley township many years ago. They 
were farming people, respected for their sterling 
worth of character. David Perry had two broth- 
ers and two sisters, of whom a sister and a brother 
are still living, namely : Mrs. Clara Lovejoy and 
Marvin Perry, the former a resident of Boone 
county, Illinois, and the latter of Iowa. The 
other members of the family, Mrs. Esther Martin 
and John Perr\% are both deceased, the latter hav- 
ing passed away while living in Iowa. 

David Perry spent the first twenty-five years 
of his life in the state of his nativity, acquiring 
his education in the public schools and in 1851 
came to Illinois. He stopped first in the vicinity 
of Belvidere but soon after located in Cherry 
A^'allev township, where for forty years he fol- 
lowed farming, becoming one of the prosperous 
agriculturists of his community. His work was 
conducted along practical lines and he was sel- 
dom, if ever, at fault in matters of business judg- 
ment relating to the farm and its improvement. 
He was also "earnestly desirous for the welfare of 
his township and county and co-operated in many 
movements for ,the general good. When the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was built the 
station of Perryville was located partially on his 



farm and he gave the site for a sidetrack, while 
his father, Ozias Perry, gave the site for the 
depot. Mr. Perry, of this review, in connection 
with the tilling of the soil and the raising of the 
crops best suited thereto, also engaged quite ex- 
tensively in raising stock and feeding cattle. He 
owned two farms, one of which he has sold since 
retiring to private life but he still owns two hun- 
dred acres of valuable land on sections 10 and 
II, Cherry Valley township. He continued his 
active farming pursuits tmtil 1892, when he re- 
tired, putting aside business cares and taking up 
his abode in Rockford, his home being now at 
No. 1141 Charles street, 

]\Ir. Perry was married to ]\Iiss Charity J. Van 
Alstine, who w^as born in the state of New York. 
They have two children, both born in Winnebago 
county : Clark, now a resident of northwestern 
Iowa, who is married and has five living children, 
while one is deceased ; and ]\Irs. Ella Merchant, 
who is residing in Ellendale, North Dakota, and 
has two daughters, 

;\Ir. Perry attends the Christian Union church 
of Rockford while his political faith is that of 
the republican party. He served in the office of 
road commissioner for three years in Cherry Val- 
lev township, his administration of its duties be- 
ing acceptable. He has always been interested in 
general progress and his support of the move- 
ments for the upbuilding of the county has been 
generous, loval and sincere. His labors in busi- 
ness affairs have been the resultant factors that 
have won him prosperity, making him a leading 
farmer of the county and now enabling him to 
enjov a well earned rest. 



JOHN C. CARROLL. 

John C. Carroll, deceased, was born in Ireland, 
in 1S47. and, ambitious and enterprising, he de- 
termined to try his fortune in America when a 
voung man and with his brother came to the new 
world. Bidding adieu to friends and native 
country they sailed for Baltimore. Mars-land, and 
were soon joined in that city by their parents, 
who continued to reside in Baltimore until called 
to their final home. John C. Carroll and his 
brother, however, left Baltimore and went to St. 
Louis, Missouri, where they remained for a few 
vears and later they took up their abode in Ne- 
braska City, Nebraska, where Mr, Carroll of this 
review conducted a saloon for a short time. He 
next located in Fairfield, Nebraska, where he en- 
gaged in the same line of business and subse- 
quently went to Hastings, Nebraska, where he 
likewnse conducted a saloon for a time. Later, 
however, he accepted a position as traveling sales- 
man and went upon the road. While living in 



5'6 



PAST AXn PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Nebraska City Mr. Carroll was united in mar- 
riage to Miss J. Caroline Casford. a native of 
Janesville. \\ isconsin. and a daug^liter of William 
and I-'annio Casford. The mother was born in 
London, England, and is a representative of one 
of the Enfjlish families belonging' to the nobility. 
She now makes her home in Rockford. .\lr. 
Casford was liorn on Prince Edward Island, and 
came to Wisconsin at an early day. He and his 
three sons became soldiers of the L'ni<in Army 
in the Civil war. he enlisting in the Thirteenth 
\\'isconsin Regiment. For several years he en- 
gaged in farming in Wisconsin and later re- 
moved to Neliraska. where he was very successfnl 
in bnsiness as an agricniturist. He spent his re- 
maining <lays there and departed this life in Ne- 
braska. Two of the danghtcrs of that family are 
residents of Rockford — Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. 
Thomas McFarland. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll be- 
came the i^arents of five children : Mrs. Isabelle 
MacCormack. of Rockford : ^^'illiam Revere and 
Mcllie, both at home : Sarah, who died at the age 
of sixteen years; and Johnnie, who died at the 
age of two years. 

Mr. Carroll continued as a traveling salesman 
for several years and finally located in Freeport, 
Illinois, where be was identified with different 
bnsiness interests for three years, or nntil his 
death, which occurred January 17. 1891. at the 
age of forty-four years. .\t the time of the Civil 
war he served as a soldier in the Confederate 
Army and bis political allegiance was always 
given to the democratic party. He was reared in 
the Catholic faith but never belonged to any 
church. Although he was never a resident of 
Rockford, while living in Freeport be became ac- 
quainted with many citizens here and in 1902 
Mrs. Carroll removed to this city in order to be 
near her mother and is now living with ber chil- 
dren at No. 312 Rockton avenue. 



DANIEL W. MILLER. 

Daniel W. Miller, deceased, who found that 
success is ambition's answer, and who through 
long years was actively engagi-d in nurchandis- 
ing in Rockford. came to Winnebago county about 
ifVio, first locating in the village of Ncw^ Milford, 
where his brother John was then living. He was 
a native of Mount Morris. New York, born Feb- 
ruary 27, 1830. His parents were natives of the 
east and always resided in the state of New York, 
where both passed aw^ay. The father was a 
fanner by occnjiation and followed that pursuit 
nntil his death, wliich occurred when his son 
Daniel was a small lad. 

Daniel W. Miller obtained bis education in 
the common schools of his native countv but as 



be lost bis father in his early youth it was neces- 
sary that he earn his living when still quite >onng. 
He secured employment as a clerk in a boot and 
shoe store in .Mount .Morris, .\'ew York, and was 
employed in different shoe stores of that city until 
he had become thoroughly acquainted with the 
business. He then decided to seek a home in the 
west, believing that be might have better o])por- 
tunities for ra])i(l advancement here. Accordingly 
he made bis way to New .Milford, where his 
brother John was living, but after a short time 
he can^e to Rockford. Here be opened a boot and 
shoe store on East State street where he contin- 
ued in business for many years with constantly 
increasing success, carrying a largo and well se- 
lected line of goods and receiving from the pub- 
lic a liberal patronage. .\s his financial resources 
increased he made judicious investments in real 
estate and realized a, goodly sum from bis pur- 
chases and sales of land. During his later years 
he gave up the shoe business, intending to retire 
from active business life, though he still dealt to 
some extent in real estate. 

Mr. .Miller was married twice. He first wedded 
Miss Margaret Forbes, a daughter of Duncan 
Forbes, a representative of an early family of 
Rockford. She died leaving one son, W'illiam, 
who is now teller in the People's I'.ank and is 
well known in social as well as financial circles of 
the city. For his second wife Mr. Miller chose 
Miss Harriet L. Dean, a native of .^dams county. 
New York, and a daughter of Richard and Dia- 
daina (Woodruff) Dean. Both the Dean and 
Woodruff families were early settlers of Rock- 
ford and became wealthy. Mr. Dean took up 
his abode in this city in 1S64 and invested in 
land near the county seat. He then engaged in 
real-estate operations until bis death, negotiating 
many important realtv transfers. He i)assed 
away at the age of sixty-five years, while his 
wife's death occurred when she was seventy-two 
years of age. He was a man of strong force of 
character, of marked individuality, of excellent 
business capacity and cajiable management, and 
became one of the representative and honored 
residents of bis adopted county. 

Fn i8<)^. i>n accinmt of the ill health of his wife. 
"Wr. Miller took her to Colorado, where they re- 
mained for some time, Mrs. Miller being fully re- 
stored to health during that period. On the day 
on which they were to start for home, however, 
Mr. Miller was stricken with paralysis and died 
very suddenly on the ist of October. iS>)5. at 
Steamboat Sjirings. Colorado. His remains were 
then brought back to Rockford for interment. 
He was an exemplary member of the Masonic 
fraternity, in which be attained the Knights Tem- 
plar degree. In politics he was an unfaltering ad- 
vocate of republican principles, but although 
often urged to do so by bis friends, he would 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



ov 



never accept office. He always attended the Cen- 
tennial Methodist Episcopal church of Rockford. 
of which his widow is now a member, and he 
gave generouslv to the church work. The strong 
and salient characteristics of his manhood were 
such as commanded confidence and good will, 
while the social qualities of his nature endeared 
him to those with whom he came in contact. He 
held friendship inviolable and the best traits of 
his heart and mind were reserved for the inner 
circle of his own home and family. Mrs. Miller 
is prominent socially in Rockford, where she 
owns and occupies a fine residence at No. 222 
South First street, which was built by her hus- 
band and in which she intends to spend her re- 
maining days. She also has other valuable prop- 
ertv here from which she derives a g-Qod income. 



^IRS. ELLA E. PARTRIDGE. 

^Irs. Ella E. Partridge is well known in Peca- 
tonica and other parts of Winnebago countv. 
Her husband, Edward C. Partridge, was a native 
of Stephenson county, Illinois, born December 24, 
1847, ^'id ■^'^'«is a son of C. M. and Mary D. 
(Parks) Partridge, both of whom were natives 
of Dalton, Berkshire county. Massachusetts. Pos- 
sibly a better account of his parentage can be 
given by quoting liberally from the memorial vol- 
ume published upon the death of his mother and 
which said "Mary D. Perlev was born in Dalton, 
Massachusetts, September 2, 1818. and died at 
Orange City, Florida, September 25, igoo, at the 
age of eigty-two years and twenty-two clays. 
Her parents. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Abigail Parks, were 
of English descent, and being quite wealthy farm- 
ing people for that day she was given good edu- 
cational privileges. She possessed a sunnv dispo- 
sition, vi^as always cheerful, full of ambition and 
vivacity. A conspicuous trait in her character 
was self-reliance, and industry was inherent in 
her nature. She was daily taught by her mother 
all the various duties of the household. She at 
one time received at a county fair a premium for 
a magnificent piece of broadcloth which she wove 
with her own hands. She was sent aw'ay to 
complete her education in a select female semi- 
nary in Connecticut and in due time was gradu- 
ated with honors, after which she successfully 
engaged in teaching school with marked ability. 
When she had follow^ed that profession for a 
brief period she gave her hand in marriage to 
Cotton Mather Partridge, who came of good 
stock, of a religious and literary family noted for 
unswerving integritv and nobility of character. 
Cotton Mather Partridge was the youngest of his 
father's family, and his eyes were turned to the 
growing west — to Illinois, with its deep fertile 
lands. Following- his marriage to Marv Parks 



he took his bride to the pioneer district of Win- 
nebago count\-. This was in 1846. After travel- 
ing on the canal for about ten days they arrived 
at Buffalo, New York, where they took passage 
on a boat for Chicago, which at that time was a 
small village, having been incorporated only 
eleven years before. There were no railroads at 
that time, and they had \-et one hundred and 
thirty miles to go after reaching Chicago, but 
they completed the journey with a farmer, who 
took them to Rockford, where they began house- 
keeping in a comfortable farm house which the 
husband had previously prepared for his bride. 
The}- invested every dollar which they possessed 
in land, which in course of time became very 
valuable, and they realized a splendid return upon 
their purchase. In 1855 they removed to Peca- 
tonica, and built one of the first large and elegant 
houses in the town. Mr. Partridge had built a 
small house to live in while a more pretentious 
one was being finished and he did not live to see 
the latter completed. ?ilrs. Partridge and her 
son Edward, however, took possession of the 
larger residence and there she lived with her boy 
for many years. In 1862 she became the wife of 
E. F. Perley, a man of literary tastes, \yho had 
fonnerly been a journalist, but was then a mem- 
ber of the commission house of David Buell & 
Company, of Chicago, and an operator on the 
board of trade. He also owned one of the first 
elevators built in Pecatonica, where he was in 
the grain business for many years. 'Mr. and ]\Irs. 
Perley lived happily together for nearlv fortv 
\-ears. when the\- were separated l)y his deadi. 
^Irs. Perley was a lady of excellent business ca- 
pacity and of most kindly spirit. Silent deeds of 
kindness and numerous acts of charitv were con- 
spicuous in her whole life. She loved her home 
and its pleasant duties, and while she never min- 
c^led in "society," those who knew her best were 
loudest in praise of her genial nature and sunnv 
disposition. In her later years she spent the win- 
ter months in Florida to escape the rigorous cli- 
mate of the north and there she passed peacefully 
awav." 

Edward C. Partridge, her only son, having pur- 
sued his education in the public schools continued 
his studies in Oberlin College at Oberlin. Ohio, 
and later attended a business college in Chicago, 
from which he was graduated in February, 1867. 
He then returned to Pecatonica, where he opened 
a general store. Later he sold that business and 
■went to Holton, Kansas, to look after his father's 
estate, and in due course of time he disposed of 
the Kansas propertv and went to Florida and 
purchased land at Orange City. He bought and 
sold a number of tracts of land at dififerent times 
in the south and he built two fine homes there, 
one for his mother and one for himself, which 
is vet owned bv his widow, ]\Irs. Ella Partridge. 



5'^ 



PAST AND PRESKXT OF WINNEBAGO COLXTV. 



It was in 1880 that lie went to Florida and he 
continued his operations in real estate there to a 
greater or less extent imtil his death. 

On the 15th of February, 1888, Edward C. 
Partridge was united in marriage to Miss Ella 
Fenton. a daughter of M. A. and Hannah 
(Hicks) Fenton. Her father was born in Bol- 
ton, Warren county. New York, January 19, 
1829, and died in Lena, Illinois, February 9, 
1899. while his wife was born in Norwich. Can- 
ada, November 17, 1835, and is now living in 
Lena at the old homestead with her youngest son. 
Mr. Fenton removed to St. Qair county. Michi- 
gan, with his parents when but four years of age, 
and they became pioneer settlers of that locality. 
When he was alniut fifteen years of age he had 
poor health and his ])arcnts planned that he should 
sail upon the lakes with a lake captain who was 
his father's friend. He spent between one and 
two years in that way and his health was thus 
greatly imjjroved so that he afterward went to 
work upon his father's farm, and was thus con- 
nected with agricultural pursuits until 1852. He 
then married and carried on farming on his own 
account, but sul)se(|ucntly he disposed of his prop- 
erty in Michigan and in 1862 removed to Stephen- 
son county. Illinois, settling near Freeport. 
Being undecided as to whether he wished to re- 
main in that locality he rented a farm for a time 
and later established his home in Lena, where he 
purchased a residence, spending his remaining 
ilays there. He was a mimlier of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and was a man respected and 
honored by all wlio knew him. 

I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Fenton were born nine 
children, of whom seven arc now living: Martha 
!•■.. Ixirn May 11. 1853. is the wife of L. Sawtell, 
a resident of Lena, anr! they have one son. Elias 
F. Fenton <lie(l in infancy. Rebecca J.. Ixirn Jan- 
uary 5. 1857, is the wife of Augustus F. 
Schwenck. and they have five children, with whom 
they are living at Cathav. North Dakota. Lo- 
dema. born Fcbruan- 0. 1859. liecame the wife of 
Michael I'.ardell. who died in Rockford, leaving 
five children, and Mrs. Rardell now makes her 
home in Pecatonica. Elwood A., born June 8, 
i8fii, died in infancy. Nathaniel M., born Jan- 
uarA' 5, 18^)5. is married, has two children, and 
resides in North Dakota. Mrs. Partridge, born 
September 13, 1867. is the next of the family. 
Oiarles M.. bom June 4. 1870, married Miss Ber- 
tha Potter, and is now living in Spokane. Wash- 
ington. They have two children. Lewis J., born 
September 29, 1873, is living at the old home \\"ith 
his mother at Lena, Illinois. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Partridge were born two 
daugliters and a son : TTazel L.. Gladys L. and 
Harold E., who with the mother survive the 
death of the husband and father. 

Mr. and Mrs. Partridge, following their mar- 



riage, spent the winter of 1888-9 '" Florida and 
traveled to a considerable extent. They attended 
the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 and 
made other trips. Theirs was a congenial com- 
panionship and the death of Mr. Partridge was 
a heavy blow to the wife. He was prominent 
and influential in community affairs in Pecaton- 
ica, and at the time of his death xras serv'ing as 
a inemljer of the school board. He never cared, 
however, to hold public office, preferring to aid 
in progressive measures as a i>rivate citizen. His 
genuine worth of character coniniauded the re- 
spect of all who knew him. He displayed many 
sterling traits of character and the circle of his 
friends was a very extensive one. Mrs. Partridge. 
highly esteemed in Pecatonica, was elected a 
member of the school board for a term of three 
\ears. but rcsignetl the office after one year. It 
was on the 4th of February. 1901. when fifty- 
four years of age, that Mr. Partridge was called 
from this life, and on account of ill health Mrs. 
Partridge sjient the succeeding summer in North 
Dakota and a part of the winter of 11)04 in San 
Antonio, Texas. .\ lady of natural culture and 
refinement she enjoys in high measure the friendly 
regard and esteem of those with whom she has 
been associated during the years of her residence 
here. 



WTLLT.\:\r C. McC.VUGHEY. 

AA'illiam C. McCaughey. deceased, whose last 
years were S])ent in an honorable retirement from 
business life in his home in Rockford, was born 
in Ottawa. La Salle county, Illinois, March 8, 
1S33. The family is of Scotch lineage and was 
founded in .America by three brothers of the 
name who caine from .Scotland to the Ignited 
.States. One of the number, James McCaughey, 
was the grandfather of William C. McCaughey. 
When a young man he established his home in 
Pennsylvania, whence he afterward removed to 
Jefferson county, Ohio, casting in his lot with 
the pioneer settlers of that district. He pur- 
chased a tract of land which was all covered 
with timber, but he at once began to clear away 
the trees and brush and in due course of time 
developed a good farm, upon wliich he made his 
home until his death. 

His son Thomas M. McCaughey was born in 
]\Iount I'leasant. Jefferson county, Ohio, and 
after obtaining his education in the public 
schools of that locality he learned the cooper's 
trade, which he followed in Ohio until 1836. 
In that year he came to Illinois, securing gov- 
ernment land near Ottawa in La Salle county. 
There he performed the arduous task of de- 
veloping a new farm and later he sold his original 
claim and opened up another farm in the same 



29 




THOMAS r. KETTLEWET.L 




WILLIAM C. IMcCAUGHEY, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



523 



locality, continuing' to reside there until 1840, 
when he removed to Highland Prairie, Dodge 
county, Wisconsin, and \yas among the early 
settlers of that locality. His home was a mile 
and a half from the present town of Jmieau 
and he there carried on agricultural pursuits 
until 1855, when he sold his farm and removed 
to Appleton, where he conducted a general store 
for five years. His next place of residence 
was Rockford and after spending a few years 
in the city he took up his abode on a farm six 
miles south of the county seat at the mouth of 
Kishwaukee river in New Milford township, 
where he carried on general agricultural pur- 
suits up to the time of his death, passing away 
January 5, 1866. In early manhood he had 
wedded Ruth N. Noble, who was born in Mary- 
land, her parents, Charles and Margaret (Ellis) 
Noble, also being natives of that state and of 
English lineage. Mrs. McCaughey survived her 
husband for several years, passing away in San 
Diego, California, in 1873, her remains being 
interred there. But one of the children of 
Thomas and Ruth McCaughey are now living — 
Mrs. Jennie Gilbert, a widow of Charles D. 
Gilbert, residing near San Diego, California, 
where she owns a large fruit farm. 

William C. McCaughey acquired a good edu- 
cation which was completed in the university at 
Appleton. Wisconsin. He was only two years 
old when his parents removed to that state, the 
journey being made with ox teams and in his 
youth he assisted his father on the home farm 
as soon as old enough to handle the plow. 
Through the winter months when the work of 
the farm was practically over for the year he 
pursued his studies in the pioneer schools and. 
following his removal to Appleton, he enjoyed 
the benefit of a four years' course in Lawrence 
University. He became a resident of Rockford 
in i860 and on the 5th of August. 1862, he 
responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting 
in Company D, Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, 
with which he served until June, 1864. He was 
then discharged on account of disability and re- 
turning to Winnebago county he purchased a 
farm near Rockford, whereon he engaged in 
market gardening for a long period. He fol- 
lowed that pursuit until 1887 and then pur- 
chased a home on Second street, where he lived 
retired until his death. 

In 1870 Mr. McCaughey was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Mary E. Kettlewell. who was 
born in London. ^Middlesex county, Canada, her 
parents being Thomas P. and Susanna ( Horton ) 
Kettlewell. The family is of English lineage 
and her grandfather. Thomas Kettlewell. and her 
great-grandfather. Richard Kettlewell, were 
both natives of Scruten, Yorkshire, where the 
birth of Thomas P. Kettlewell, the father of Mrs. 



AlcCaughey, also occurred on the 22d of 
August, 1818. He was a young man of seven- 
teen years when he came to the United States 
in company with his father who brought his 
wife and nine children to the new world, taking 
passage at Liverpool on the 13th of May on the 
sailing vessel Columbia, which after two months 
dropped anchor in the harbor of New York on 
the 3d of July. Later the family crossed Lake 
Erie to Port Stanley, and Thomas Kettlewell, 
Sr., purchased a tract of land in Southold town- 
ship in what is now Elgin county, Canada, mak- 
ing his home there for several years. His last 
days, however, were spent in Rockford. His 
wife bore the maiden name of Mary Pinckney 
and was also born in Scruten, England, her par- 
ents being Ralph and Fanny Pinckney. She 
died at the home of her son in Rockford in 

1873. 

Thomas P. Kettlewell, father of Mrs. Mc- 
Caughey. remained with his parents in Canada 
imtil his marriage, when he began the operation 
of a rented farm in Westminster township, Elgin 
county, residing there until 1850, when he came 
to Illinois. The journey was made by lake and 
rail to Elgin, this state, which was then the 
western terminus of the railroad and from Elgin 
he proceeded by team to Rockford, after which 
he followed farming for two years. Later he 
devoted his energies to the butchering business 
and stock-dealing, which continued to be his 
life work until he retired from active business 
cares. He was married July 3, 1844. to Susanna 
Horton, who was born in Southold, Elgin 
county, Canada, ,\pril T2, 1824, a daughter of 
Samuel and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Horton. Her 
father was born in New Jersey, as was her grand- 
father, Samuel Horton. who, however, removed 
to Canada in pioneer times. At the time of his 
marriage Peter Horton settled on a tract of tim- 
ber land three miles from the old home and in 
1846 came to ^^'innebago county, Illinois, pur- 
chasing land in ("niilford township, which he con- 
tinued to cultivate and improve until the time of 
his death in 1850. l\Ir. and Mrs. Kettlewell be- 
came the parents of seven children : Mary ; 
Nannie J.; Eva, now Mrs. Henry Carmichael, 
livino- on North First street, Rockford ; Louise 
and William, both deceased : Charles, a resident 
of ]\Iissoula, JNIontana ; and Fanny, deceased. 
The parents were devoted and faithful members 
of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Kettlewell 
was republican in his political views. Both were 
held in high esteem, enjoying in large measure 
the good will and confidence of all with whom 
they were associated. 

The home of ^Ir. and Mrs. IMcCaughey was 
blessed with two children : Hallie Pauline, now 
the wife of Joseph Weiss, a minister of the Con- 
gregational church residing at Washburn, Wis- 



524 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



consiii : aiul F.vclyn Lmiisf. wlm is now ihc wife 
of Wirt Gould ami lives in Cliicajio. where Mr. 
Gould occupies a good position in the offices of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad 
Company. 

After the war .Mr. McCaughey purchased a 
small farm of twenty acres wliich was then near 
Rockford but is now within thr city limits on 
Charles street. This tract is still owned by his 
widow. There he engaged in the raising of fruit 
and vegetables for several years, doing an ex- 
cellent business as a gardener. However, he 
never enjoved good heallli after his return from 
the south and giving uj) his business he built 
the residence where his widow now resides, liv- 
ing retired up to the time of his death, which 
occurred February 15. 1S93. 

-Mr. .McCaughey held a number uf town and 
county offices. He was town collector for two 
terms, served as dci)uty under .Sheriff I'atrick 
I'-Iinn in 1869, was county coroner from 1883 
until 1887, and also filled other positions of 
public honor and trust. In politics he was a 
gold democrat and took an active interest in the 
party and promulgation of its jirinciples. He 
was a member of the Imlependent Order of Odd 
Fellows, of .\pplet(in, Wisconsin; of G. L. 
Nevius post. No. 1, G. A. R., at Rockford, and 
of the Centennial Methodist E])iscopal church, 
with which his family are also identified. His 
life record was not without its difficulties, dis- 
couragements and hardships, but these he over- 
came by determined jjurjrose and his record 
should inspire all young men who read it with 
a truer estimate of the value and sure regard of 
character. P.oth Mr. McCaughey and Mr. Ket- 
tlcwell were prominent business men, were re- 
spected for their genuine worth, and their 
meniorv is still cherished by many friends. 



A. P.. \VIL.M.\RTII 



A. B. Wihnarth, of Rockff)rd, was born in 
Providence county, Rhode Island, in 1838, 
his parents being Stephen and Hannah 
( Wade ) Wilmarth. who became residents 
of Ogle county, Illinois, in iS-,fy. locating 
in Marion townshiji, where the father pur- 
chased a farm. There he carried on general 
agricultural pursuits for some years, but removed 
to Rockford about sixteen years prior to his death 
in 1876 and while in the city he lived retired. He 
was jjrominent in priliiical circles in the east, giv- 
ing his allegiance to the <lemocracy in early life, 
while later he joined the ranks of the new repub- 
lican party. He served as a member of the legis- 
lature of Rhode Islanfl, but after coming to the 



west tlid ni)l tigure prominently in political cir- 
cles, although as a citizen he manifested a pub- 
lic spirit that promi)ted liis active co-operation 
in every measure that he deemed would prove of 
jiublic good. His wife, who accompanied him 
to Illinois, died in Ogle county about 1858. They 
became the parents of thirteen children, of whom 
two died in early life, while all of the remaining 
eleven reached the age of eighteen years or more. 
Only four of the family are now living, how- 
ever: C. N., who is residing on the old family 
homestead in ( )gle county : Susan A., who resides 
in Rockford: L. C. ; and .\. !>., of this review. 
L. L". Wilmarth is a millionaire residing at .Ash- 
land, Wisconsin, who for many years has been 
very prominent .uid activt- in business. He was 
the first banker at .\siilaiid and throughout his 
business career he seems U> have realized at any 
one point of his progress the utmost possibility 
for accomi)lishment at that jjoint. He secured a 
claim on the site of To|)eka. Kansas, and for sev- 
enteen years lived there, being very successful 
in his speculations and business operations in the 
west. 

A. 1'.. Wilmartii was reared in Rhode Island, 
coming to C)gle county when eighteen \ears of 
age. His education was obtained in the public 
schools and after his removal to the west his at- 
tention was given in undivided manner to agri- 
cultural jjursuits for a long period. He followed 
farming until about 1890 and for fifteen years 
has made his home in Winnebago county. Six 
vears ago he removed to Rockford, where he 
owns several houses and a flat building in the city. 
He also has a farm of one hundred and ninety-one 
acres in .Vew Milford township and another tract 
of ninety acres in the same township. His time 
and attention are given to the supervision of his 
])ni|)ertv and otiier business interests. 

Mr. \\'ilmarth was married in Ogle county to 
.Miss llamiah .\. Hagaman, who was born in 
Montgomery county, .\'ew York, in 1840, 
and went to (^gle county, Illinois, in 1843, 
with her jiarents, losejih P.. and Catherine 
(I.epi)er) Hagaman, who located in Marion 
township, where the father followed the 
occupation of farming. Throughout his en- 
tire life he devoted his energies to that 
vocation .md both he and his wife have now 
])assed away. .Mrs. Wilmarth has two brothers 
who are now living in ( )gle county — J. M. and 
C. \\'. Hagaman, while other members of the 
family are scattered over the country. There 
were six sons of the family, but Mrs. Wilmarth 
was the onl\- daughter. P.y her marriage she has 
become the mother of two sons: N. D.. a farmer 
of New .Milford township, who has two children; 
and R. .\., who likewise follows farming in that 
townshi]) and has two children. 




A. B. WIL^^IARTH. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



527 



Air. Wilmarth, giving his political allegiance 
to the republican party has never swerved in his 
devotion thereto, because he believes that its plat- 
form contains the best elements of good govern- 
ment. He has served in various local offices and 
has always been found true and loyal to the trust 
reposed in him. For almost a half centurv he 
has lived in this part of the state and his life 
record is as an open book which all mav read. 
Activity in farm pursuits and loyalty in citizen- 
ship have been the salient traits of liis character 
and have gained him ffncul will and confidence. 



HENRY COX. 



Henry Cox, deceased, was one of the pioneer 
residents of Rockford, and was chief of the old 
hand fire department of the city nearly a half 
century ago. He became well known here, his 
business interests and his activity in behalf of 
public progress making him a leading resident of 
Winnebago county. 

Air. Cox was a native of Hampshire, England, 
and a son of James and Rebecca Cox, who were 
also born in that country in which thev spent their 
entire lives, the father following the occupation 
of farming in order to provide for his family. 
At the age of twelve years Henry Cox left his 
home in Hampshire and went to the city of 
Winchester, near London, England. He lived in 
the home of a minister there until 1865, when he 
came direct to Rockford, having an uncle, 
A\'illiam Cox, \vho was then living in Burritt 
township, Winnebago county. It was this that 
caused Mr. Cox to seek a home here, and he 
turned his attention to the milling business. He 
first worked in the old Chick mill for several 
years, and later he purchased an interest in the 
old Shirley mill and was engaged in its operation 
for about seven months. He then returned to 
Rockford and was connected with the D. L. Bart- 
lett mill for several years or until the plant was 
destroyed by fire. At that time he went upon 
the road as a traveling salesman, representing the 
Bartlett Company of Chicago for several years 
in the sale of crackers. He afterward traveled 
for a Milwaukee wholesale house, selling crack- 
ers and candy, and he remained upon the road 
for twenty years, when upon one of his trips, 
while at Alalta, Illinois, in the winter of 1896-7, 
he fell upon the icy sidewalk and was badly in- 
jured, after which he was brought to his home 
here in Rockford. Other complications aggra- 
vated his injuries and he passed awav Alarch 2J. 
1807. 

Air. Cox was married in this city to Aliss .\nn 
Rew, a native of England, in which country her 
parents al^va^■s remained. She is an aunt of Robert 
Rew, the well known attornev of Rockford. She 



came to America to make her home with a half 
brother, John Lake, now a retired capitalist of 
Rockfofd, who is one of the most prominent and 
best known citizens here. Eight children were 
born unto .Mr. and Airs. Cox: .A^lice, the wife of 
Hiram Kauffman, of Rockford : Alinnie, the wife 
of .\lvin Ellsworth, of Chicago; Edith R., a ste- 
nographer residing at home f Harrv, a baker of 
Rockford: Joseph R., who is a mail carrier in 
this city : Olive B., who is also emploved as a 
stenographer ; Herbert R., at home : and Grace, 
who died at the age of nine years. 

Air. Cox was always interested in the upbuild- 
ing, growth and development of his citv, and in 
the early da}-s he became a member of the old 
hand fire department, of which he was chief engi- 
neer a half century ago. In politics he was a 
stanch republican and socially he was connected 
with the ATasonic and Odd Fellows lodges in 
Rockford. He held membership in the Episcopal 
church in England, but in this city he and his 
wife attended the Christian I'nion church. He 
gave to his children good educational advantages, 
realizing the value of mental training as a prepar- 
ation for life's work, and he was devoted to the 
welfare of his family, counting no personal sacri- 
fice on his part too great if it would enhance the 
happiness and promote the welfare of his wife 
and children. His manner was alwavs genial and 
affable, and he won friends wherever he went. 
The family at one time resided on Seventh street 
and the propertv is still owned by Airs. Cox, but 
in 1894 Air. Cox exchanged one hundred and 
sixty acres of Alinnesota farming land for the 
beautiful residence which is now occupied bv his 
widow and children at No. 307 Penfield Place. 



CHARLES H. HOPKINS. 

Charles H. Hopkins, following the occupation 
of farming on section 3, Roscoe township, was 
born in the state of New York, in iB^s- His fa- 
ther, Cyrus Hopkins, was a native of Alassachu- 
setts, and served his countrv as a soldier in the 
war of 1812, becoming a auartermaster in the 
American army. He married Aliss Charlotte Bis- 
sell, a native of Connecticut, and in the vear 
18;=; thev removed from the Empire state to TIH- 
nois, settling" in Winnebas"o coimtv. Air. Hon- 
kins followed fnrminsr throughout his entire life. 
In tS^4 he had purchased seventv-one acres of 
land on section 3. Roscoe township, and the fol- 
lowing' vear he removed his familv to this state, 
where he continued to make his residence up to 
the time of his death, ivhich occurred when he 
had reached the venerable ^ee of eierhtv-three 
vears. His wife lived to the ripe old age of 
ninetv-four years. They were the parents of 



528 



PAST AND TRKSEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



twelve children, of whom four came with tlieni to 
Illinois. The living are: Nelson F., a resident 
of Reloit, Wisconsin ; Jennie, the wife of George 
Garrett, of Topeka, Kansas; Charles H.; John, 
a resident of Janesvillc. Wisconsin : and William, 
who makes his home in Redfield. South Dakota. 

Charles H. Hopkins obtained his education in 
the public schools of his native state and remained 
a resident of New York until twenty years of 
age, when he came with his parents to Illinois. 
He has since followed farming in Wimiebago 
county and is now the owner of his father's old 
homestead, comprising seventy-one acres in Ros- 
coe township. His land is very fertile and pro- 
ductive and he aiuuially harvests good cro])s. He 
is practical in his methods, systematic in all that 
he does and as the result of his discriminating 
labor has gained a satisfactory financial reward, 
being now numbered among the jirosperous agri- 
culturists of his community. 

In 1876 Mr. Hoi)kins was married to Miss 
Enuua L. Lund, a native of Buffalo, New York, 
and they became the parents of three daughters, 
Clara May. Nellie J. and Isadore .\. In 1896 the 
wife and mother was called to her final rest, pass- 
ing away at the age of fifty years, her death being 
(lee])ly regretted by many friends as well as her 
immediate family. Mr. Hopkins and his daugh- 
ters attend the Presbyterian church and his jjolit- 
ical su])port is given to the republican party. He 
has long lived in \A'innebngo county, where he 
now has a wide ac(|uaintance and the qualities 
of Ills manhood have been such as to make him 
a n'o^-t worthy and respected citizen of Roscoe 
township. 



TOBIAS lURNS. 



Tobias Pitu'tis. now living relire<l in Rockford, 
at one time extensively engaged in farming in 
Burritt townshi|), is numbered among the early 
settlers of the county, having taken u|) his abode 
here in the spring of 1855. .\s the years passed 
by he labored persistently and with determina- 
tion to accpiire a competence, and at length gained 
a success which is ever the due reward of con- 
secutive labor, guided by .sound judgment. He 
is thus permitted in the evening of life to put 
aside active business cares and enjoy the fruits of 
his former toil. 

Mr. Burns is a native of County Carlow, Ire- 
land, where he was bom .seventy-five years ago, 
his parents being John and lulia ( Sbaughuessey ) 
Burns, who came to the L'nited States in 1850, 
bringing with them their family. They remaine<l 
for about four years in New York, and thence 
came westward to Wiimebago county, where they 
spent their remaining days, the father departing 
this life in r)ctolKr. 187.V and the mother in 
June, i8</). In their family were eight children. 



but Tobias Burns was the only son. All of the 
Sristers are now deceased, with the exception of 
.^(rs. James Morrissey, of Belvidere, Illinois. 

Tobias Burns .spent the days of his childhixjd 
in the land of his nativity. He may well be called 
a >ell'-ira-Ie man, deserving all the honor and 
praise lh:i! that term implies, for when he came 
to Winnebago county he was in limited financial 
circumstances and without financial assistance he 
has worked his way steadily upward to a position 
of affluence. He was married July 3, i86o, in 
Rockford, to Miss Mary Doyle, who was born 
in County l\iikenu\, Ireland. ( )ctober 13. 1S42, 
her parents being 'i'imothy and 1-llizabeth I Ryan) 
Doyle, who were natives of County Carlow, Ire- 
land, and crossed the .Atlantic to the new world 
in 1850. The father had first visited America 
in 1848 or 1849, and the family home was estab- 
lished in Rochester, New York. Four years later 
they came to Rockford. Illinois, where the par- 
ents s])eul their remaining days, the father |)ass- 
ing away in February, 1866, at the age of sixty- 
five years, while his wife sur\Mvcd until Novem- 
ber I, 1803, being seventy-six years of age at 
the lime of her death. .Mrs. r>urns was one of a 
family of ten children, of whom four are now 
living: James, a farmer of Sarpy county, Ne- 
braska; Michael, who is engaged in the catering 
business in Chicago: Catherine, the wife of Hugh 
McMahon. of Rockford : and Mrs. Burns, who 
was reared in Rockford until the time of her 
marriage and then went with her husband to a 
farm. In A])ril, 1864. they removed to a farm 
on section 22. Burritt tcnvnship. which coiuinued 
to be their ]ilace of residence until March. i()02, 
or for thirtv-eight years. Throughout this long 
period Mr. Burns was actively engaged in general 
agricultural pursuits, at one time operating five 
Inuidred acres of land. He therefore raised ex- 
tensive crops and his business j^roved profitable, 
lie worked earnestlv and ])ersistently dav after 
day until success had crowned his efforts, and 
with a handsome competence he retired to Rock- 
ford. building a fine home at No. 704 North Win- 
nebago street, where he and his wife are now 
(|uietly s])ending the evening of life in the mi<lst 
of manv friends and surrounded bv all the com- 
forts that go to make life worth living. 

I'nto Mr. and Mrs. I'.urns have been born four- 
teen children : John H.. a m<ilder by trade, re- 
siding in Beloit, Wisconsin, was married to Miss 
Annie Redman, and has four s<ins and a daughter. 
Tobias, (iregor, Robert. Thomas and Ann: Mary 
is the wife of Thomas Doran. a resident of New 
Milford. Illinois: Charles is a farmer living in 
Burritt townshi|) : Timothy is also a farmer of 
that township: Elizabeth is the wife of William 
J. Doran. of New Milford: Robert, a practicing 
physician, of Freeport, Illinois, wedded Mary 
Cox, of this county, and has one child. Mary C. ; 
James J. is the next c*f the family : William died 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



529 



at the age of twenty years ; Thomas and one other 
died in infancy ; Thomas J. is the second of that 
name ; Catherine A. is the wife of George Camp- 
bell, of Burritt township ; Julia Mildred is at 
home ; and the youngest child died in infancy. 

In his political views Mr. Burns has been a 
democrat since becoming a naturalized citizen, and 
has served as school director and in other local 
offices. He and his family are communicants of 
St. Mary's CatliDlic church. In matters of citi- 
zenship he has always been loyal to his adopted 
land and he has never had occasion to regret his 
determiination to come to America, for here he 
found business opportunities wherein labor finds 
its just reward and where earnest effort is not 
hampered bv caste or class. 

T. J. and James J. Burns, sons of Tobias 
Burns, are now carrying on business under the 
firm name of Burns Brothers, farmers and stock- 
raisers. They own a farm on section 10, Burritt 
township, of two hundred and forty acres. Both 
were horn on the family homestead, the former 
on the 26th of June. 1880, and the latter on the 
17th of March, 1873. I" their political views they 
are democrats and socially connected with the 
Knights of Columbus, while their religious faith 
is that of St. ^Tarv's Catholic church. 



JOHN A. McCULLOUGH. 

John A. McCullough, who follows farming on 
section 5, Rockford township, where he owns and 
operates an excellent tract of land of one hun- 
dred and nine acres, a part of which lies on sec- 
tion 6, is a native son of this township, having been 
born on the old family homestead here in 1858. 
His ])arents were Robert and Ellen (Thompson) 
McCuUougli. The former was a son of William 
and Mary ('Falconer) McCullough, both of whom 
were natives of Rosshire, Scotland, and the latter 
was a daughter of Robert and Kate (McNeil) 
Falconer. Mrs. ^^'illiam McCullough spent her 
entire life in her native land. 

Robert McCullough was but an infant when 
he lost his father and he was afterward cared for 
by his mother and an uncle, whom he assisted 
on the farm during his youth. He continued a 
resident of Scotland until 1847, ^ncl 'i^ Ixide good- 
bye to the lands of hills and heather and went 
to Liverpool, England, where he took passage on 
the sailing vessel, Kalamathew, bound for the 
harbor of New York. At length anchor was 
dropped in the American port and Mr. McCul- 
lough at once made his way westward to Win- 
nebago county. Illinois, by way of the Hudson 
river to .\lbany. the Erie canal to Buffalo and 
the Great Lakes to Chicago, whence he continued 
his journey overland bv team. The voyage across 
the .\tlantic had occupied two months, and ^Ir. 



]\IcCu Hough was in rather limited circumstances 
when he had paid all of the expenses of his trip. 
For a time he made his home with his uncle, 
Robert Falconer, by whom he was employed on 
the farm. Saving his earnings, as the result of 
his industry and frugality, he was finally enabled 
to purchase the valuable farm on section 5, Rock- 
ford towmship, which is now owned by his sons, 
Henry and Charles. The land, however, at that 
time did not command such a high market price, 
for only a few acres had been broken and meager 
improvements made. In the course of years Mr. 
^IcCullough erected fine buildings. He also 
planted shade and fruit trees and equipped his 
place with all modern accessories and conve- 
niences, develo)>ing one of the best farms of the 
county. 

Robert McCullough was born in Rosshire, 
Scotland, November 7, 182 1, and in January, 
1857, lie was united in marriage to Miss Ellen 
Thompson, whose birth occurred in Campbell- 
town. Argyleshire, Scotland. June 16, 1833. His 
death occurred upon the old home property in 
Rockford township, February g, 1895, and his 
wife passed away July 20, 1898. The remains of 
both were interred in Rockford cemetery. Mrs. 
McCullough was a daughter of John and Mary 
Thompson, both of whom were natives of Argyle- 
shire, where Mr. Thompson died. The mother 
afterward came to .\merica in 1854 and spent 
her last years in Winnebago county. Mrs. Ellen 
(Thompson) McCullough came to America with 
Iner two brothers, John and Robert Thompson, 
in the fall of 1853. Thev embarked at Greenock 
on the sailing vessel Charlotte Harrison and 
landed at New York after a voyage of seven 
weeks and three days. There thev immediately 
resumed their journey, making their way to Ma- 
rietta. Washington county. Ohio, where they ar- 
rived on the 7th of Inly, there continuing until 
tlie s]>ring of 185=;. They then came to Winne- 
bago comity and it was here that Ellen Thomp- 
son gave her hand in marriage to Robert McCul- 
lough. This union was blessed with seven chil- 
dren: lohn .\., whose name introduces this re- 
^•iew ; Kate, ^farv, Charles, Henry and Hugh, 
all of whom are residing on the home farm : and 
Daniel, who married Miss Mary Kelly, a 
daughter of Robert Kelly, of Rockford township, 
and resides upon a farm in Winnebago town.ship. 
Robert McCullough, the father of this familv, was 
a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, 
and was a man held in the highest regard by all 
who knew him, so that his death was the occa- 
sion of deep and widespread regret. 

John A. McCullough was reared upon the old 
familv homestead and attended the common 
schools of the township. .Althoush his advantages 
in \outh were somewhat limited he has become a 
successful man and is to-dav one of the leading 



530 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



agriciillurists of liis community. lie has always 
followed farminjj, at first i)urcliasingf seventy-nine 
and one-half acres of land, which was a part of 
the Alfred Ciiamplin estate. To this he has added 
twenty-nine and a half acres a mile west. His 
farm is well improved and equipped with cvery- 
thingf necessary to facilitate the work. He uses 
the best machinery to prepare his fields and har- 
vest his crops, and in addition to tlie raisinjj oi 
cereals he is entjased quite larjjely and success- 
fully in the raisins^ and fcedinfj of cattle. He 
is a man of indefatisjable enercry and determined 
purpose and whatever he undertakes he carries 
forward to successful comi>letion. 

Tn 1884 ^Ir. McCulIou.cfh was united in mar- 
riasjc to Miss Lizzie Cliani])lin. who was horn on 
section 8. Rockfonl township, and is a dausjhter 
of Alfred H. and .\lvira (Drake) Chaniplin. early 
settlers of this county. Her father died on the 
home farm in 1877, at the ag:c of seventy-one 
years, and his wife passed away in i8()0, at the 
ape of si.\ty-six years, in McPherson county, 
Kansas. Mrs. McCulUniijli is one of six x.-hildreii 
who reached adult acfo. namely : Sophia, wlio is 
living in McPher.son, Kansas; Mrs. Susie White- 
hall, who died in McPherson county, Kansas, 
in the fall of 1900: Mrs. W. P. Farnham. of 
Rockford township ; Sadie, who is living^ in Mc- 
Pherson county. Kansas; Mrs. Lizzie McCid- 
louj.^'h ; and Mrs. Clara Hamilton, of McPherson 
county. The father. .Alfred H. Champlin, was 
twice married, and there were five children by 
his first union, as follows : Bradford and Joel, 
who were killed in the Civil war; Charles, who 
was twice wounded when a member of the L^nion 
.\rmy and is now deceased; .Mfred. who has also 
passed away, and Mrs. Kate Drake, who is re- 
sidinpf in Texas. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. McCullough has 
been blessed with two children : Edith Lucille, 
who died in 1807. at the ajje of fourteen months, 
and Robert Champlin. now in his first year. The 
parents are members of the Presbyterian church, 
and Mr. McCulloufjli is a rei)ublican in his po- 
litical views. He is a worthv reiiresentativc of a 
prominent pioneer family of the comity and liis 
own record has ever been in harmony with the 
reputatirin borne Iw tlmse f)f the name, bcinsT 
cliaracterizcd by fidelity to duty, enterprise in 
business affairs and faithfulness in friendship. 



DAXTFL SCOTT. 



Tt is imperative that mention be made of Dan- 
iel Scott in this volume f(T his residence in Win- 
nebago county probably antedates that of any 
other man now living within its borders. He 
has resided here since 1837, and upon the walls 



of memory hang many pictures of pioneer life 
wlien this region was a vast undeveloped district, 
the land unclaimed and the natural resources of 
the country uncultivated. He has watched the 
building of homes, the introduction of business 
enter]jrises, the establishment of schools and 
churches and the growth which has been carried 
steadily forward until the count\- now has within 
its borders one of the rich, ])roductive sections 
of the state together with agricultural, social and 
educational interests that are unsurpassed 
throughout the length of the Mississippi valley. 
Mr. Scott now resides on a farm on section 19, 
(iuilford townshi]). owning two hundred acres 
oi valuable land, lying on sections i<) and 20. 
There are fine improvements here, including a 
large and substantial residence built in attractive 
style of architecture and comniodifnis outbuild- 
ings. 

Mr. Scott was born in Cattaraugus county, 
Xew York, in 1830, coming to Winnebago county 
when seven years old. His ])arents were Reuben 
C. and Ann (Johnson) Scott, who made their 
way to this county in 1837, spending their re- 
maining days here. The father began farming 
upon a raw tract of land and his father, D. 
Johnson Scott, had previously taken up a claim 
on section 19, Guilford township, a part of which 
is now owned by Daniel Scott of this review, 
lioth the father and grandfather were farmers, 
devoting their entire lives to the tilling of the .soil. 
They became residents here in 1837. and the part 
which they took in the early development of the 
county entitles them to representation among its 
founders and upbuilders. P>oth the parents of 
Daniel Scott are now deceased. He had one 
brother and tw^o sisters, of whom Mary, now the 
wife of X. C. Dean, of Colorado, is the only one 
living. His sister Elvira became the wife of 
Daniel Clay and both are now deceased, Mrs. 
Clay passmg away about six years ago. Her son. 
P>ert Clay, is married and resides in Guilford 
township, near Rockford. Sylvester died in the 
fall of 1903. He was a gardener, who resided 
in Winnebago county. 

!^l)cnding his boyhood days in this county, 
Daniel Scott was reared amid pioneer surround- 
ings. He attended the common .schools and has 
remained upon the old fami homestead from his 
earlv manhood. l)ut has extended the bomidaries 
of his projierty until it now comprises two hun- 
dred acres of rich and productive land on sections 
19 and 20. He is constantly striving to improve 
his property and his efforts have been very effect- 
ive so that the farm is now valuable and presents 
a splendid a|)pearancf. Mr. Scott was united in 
marriage to Miss Xancy J. Hayes, who came from 
Canada with her i)arents to Winnebago comity 
in 1838. Two children graced this union; Lu- 




MR. AND MRS. DANIEL SCOTT. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



533 



ther. who is engaged in the operation of his 
father's farm, married Aliss Ella Hill, of Rock- 
ford, and they have five children, Ralph, Blanche, 
Maud. Harry and Hazel, and with the exception 
of Ralph, who is mail carrier on route No, 4, 
all are yet at home. Anna Scott becatne the wife 
of Albert RowJey, and resides on section 19, Guil- 
ford township. They have two children, Edna 
and Clarence. 

IMr. Scott was at one time a member of the 
Grange, which he joined on its organization but 
he is not connected therewith at the present time. 
He has always been an earnest republican since 
the organization of the party and he has filled 
some local offices. His life, however, has been 
quietly passed in the pursuit of farming and the 
duties which each day have devolved upon him 
have been faithfully and capably performed. 
Practical common sense has guided effective 
measures in the improvement and cultivation of 
his farm and now to-day a splendid propertv is 
the indication of his life of enterprise and thrift. 



ROBERT BULL. 



Although Robert Bull never resided in Winne- 
bago county, he had a wide acqtiaintance here, 
for he made his home on a farm in Ogle county, 
near the ^^'innebago county line, settling thereon 
more than a half century ago. He was a native 
of Perry county, Pennsylvania, his parents being 
John and Jane Bull, also natives of the Kevstone 
state. They came to the west at an early day 
in the development of this section of the state 
and resided on a farm in Og'le countv until called 
to their final home. 

Robert Bull attended the public schools in his 
youth and assisted his father in the arduous labor 
of cultivating and improving his land. He thus 
became familiar with all the duties that fall to 
the lot of the agriculturist and was well qualified 
to carr}' on fanning operations on his own 
account when he married and settled in 
Byron township, Ogie coun*'}-. .\t a later 
day he purchased another farm in the same 
township near the \^^innebaglO county line,' 
and to the cultivation of the fields he devoted 
his energies until his life's labors were ended. 
His farm was well improved and he used modern 
machinery in the care of his crops. Everything 
about his place was neat and thrifty in appear- 
ance, indicating the careful supervision of a sys- 
tematic, practical and progressive owner. 

In was in 1868, in Winnebago county, that 
"Mr. Bull was united in marriage to Miss Ruth 
Sargent, who was born in Canada, in 1833, and 
is a daughter of Charles and Ruth (Mansurl 
Sargent, both of whom were natives of the same 



country. In an earl)- day they removed bv wagon 
to Illinois, settling in the vicinity of Elgin, and 
in 1850 they took up their abode in Winnebago 
county, making their home in Winnebago town- 
ship, where the father purchased land and engaged 
in farming until his death. He and his wife were 
well known and honored pioneer people of this 
locality, and he assisted in laying broad and deep 
the foundation upon which has been builded the 
]-iresent progress of this portion of the state. 
Three of their children are still living in Winne- 
bago coimty, Mrs. Bull, Izora A. and Daniel M., 
the brother and sister both living with Mrs. Bull. 
Only one child was born unto our subject and 
his wife, Ella J., who has always resided at home 
and gives her time and attention to the care of 
her mother, who is now an invalid, having been 
in ill health for the past ten years. She still 
owns the old iiome farm of one hundred Ptid 
eighty acres in Ogle countv, and this brings to her 
a good rental, ^^'hen they removed to Rock- 
ford Mrs. Bull and her brother purchased the 
residence at No. 827 Ferguson street, and the 
members of the household at the present time 
are Mrs. Bull and her daughter, Daniel M. and 
Izora A. Sargent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bull held 
membership in the Presbyterian church and were 
active in its work, desiring greatl}- the growth 
and extension of its influence. Mr. Bull was a 
republican in his political views and a man of 
firm convictions, whose position upon anv ques- 
tion of moment was never an equivocal one. He 
was always honest in expressing his ^-iews and 
his influence was ever on the side of justice, 
truth and right. 



lOHN HUTCHINS. 



John Hutchins was for a number of years con- 
nected with industrial pursuits in Rockford, con- 
dticting a blacksmith shop, but is now living re- 
tired. He was born on the Isle of i\Ian in 1838. 
His father. Charles Hutchins, was a farmer and 
fisherman, and on his native isle reared a family 
of sevaT children, four of whoin are now living, 
two beinsT residents of Rockford. while Thomas 
makes his home in Wheeling, West Virginia, 
lohn Hutchins spent the first seventeen vears of 
his life in the place of his nativitv and then 
crossed the brinv deep upon a sailing vessel, 
from which he landed at New York, being- five 
weeks on the voyage. He learned the black- 
smith's trade in Rockford and established a 
smithy on State street about forty vears ago. He 
there worked at his trade for nearly four decades 
and in connection with blacksmithing he also car- 
ried on wagonmaking. As the years passed he 
won a conifortable conipetence and about twelve 
vears agfo he retired from active business to en- 



5.U 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



joy tlic fruits of his former toil. In 1898 he 
built a iKJiuliful honu' at Xo. 3J4 Xi>itli Third 
street, where lie now resides, and he also owns 
a store buildiufr and livery stable on State street. 
In 1868 -Mr. Ilutchins was married to Miss Han- 
nah Black, a native of Canada, who came to Illi- 
nois with luT parents in her girlhood days. Both 
her father and mother have passed away, but for 
a number of years the former was identified with 
agricultural pursuits in this county. Mr. and 
Airs. Hutchins had two sons: Daniel, who mar- 
ried Lillian Congdon, and is engaged in the gro- 
cery business on East State street, while his resi- 
dence is on North Second street, Rockford, and 
Charles, who was drowned in Alaska. 

After coming to America Mr. Hutchins pro- 
ceeded to inform himself concerning the politi- 
cal situation of the country and the questions and 
issues before the people, and, I>ecoming in hearty 
sympathy with the object of the new republican 
party, he cast his first ]iresidcntial vote for Abra- 
liam Lincoln. In more recent years, however, 
he has been a prohibitionist, for that jiarty em- 
bodies his views on the temperance question. He 
belongs to Rockford lodge. No. 102, A. F. S: 
A. M.. and has also taken the degrees of capitu- 
lar and chivalric Masonry, being identified with 
the chai)ter and commandery here. He and his 
wife are members of the Centennial Methodist 
Episcopal church on South Second street. Mr. 
Hutchins is a self-made man, who owes his pros- 
perity to his own labors and the able assistance of 
his estimable wife, who lias indeed been a faithful 
companion aiid heli)mate to him on life's journey. 
He has crossed the ocean nine times, making the 
last trip in order to visit the Paris Exposition, 
and travel and experience have broadened his 
knowledge, making him a well informed men, 
and enriching his mind with many interesting 
anecdotes and reminiscences. 



THOMAS BUCHANAN. 

Thomas Buchanan, now deceased, who resided 
in Rockford forty years ago and was engaged in 
manufacturing here for a number of years, 
claimed Scotland as the land of his birth, having 
first opened his eyes to the light of day in that 
countn* of hills and heather on the 15th of May, 
1826, Lanarkshire being the place of his birth. 
His father and grandfather were molders by 
trade and always lived in Scotland. Both parents 
of our subject died during the early manhood 
of their son Thomas. When a lad Thomas 
Buchanan acquired a fair education in the schools 
of Scotland, and while still a boy he worked with 
his father, learning the molder's trade, which he 
followed during his residence in his native coun- 



try, lie was first married there when twenty- 
one years of age, to .Miss jane Smith, a daughter 
of William Smith, who afterw.-ird came to Amer- 
ica, and died in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. 
Soon after their marriage the young couple 
started for the United States, settling in Woon- 
socket, where Mr. Buchanan worked at the mold- 
er's trade for a few years. I'.elieving that he 
might have still better adv.-uU.igcs in the middle 
west he resumed bis journey and took up his 
abode near Poplar Grove, Illinois, where he pur- 
chased a tract of land and engaged in general 
farming for some time. On jnitting aside the 
])l()w he cam*: to RcKkford. where he again 
worked at the molder's trade for a brief period. 
.•\ stock company being formed with a capital 
stock of fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of 
manufacturing machinery, Mr. Buchanan became 
the owner of one-fifth of the stock and was active 
in the management of the business, but after sev- 
eral years the company failed and Mr. Buchanan 
thus lost six thousand dollars. He afterward 
took charge of a foundry here and remained as 
foreman for several years. During that time his 
health became impaired and he and his wife made 
;i tri]) to .Scotland, visiting for a short period in 
tlie land of his nativity among old friends and 
acquaintances of his youth. He then returned to 
Rockford and was again engaged in the foundry 
business until he was obliged to retire from active 
life because of illness. 

It was subsequent to his arrival in Rockford 
that Mr. Buchanan was called u])on to mourn 
the loss of his first wife, who died in this city on 
the 4th of August. 1873, leaving three children, 
Thomas John, whose death occurred July 22, 
Kp2 : Jennie, now Mrs. 1 r<iwe ; and I'.ertha. wife 
of a Mr. Dodge. In Belvidere, Illinois, Mr. 
Buchanan was again married, his second union 
being with Miss Mary Cunningham, also a native 
of Scotland, and a daughter of Hugh and Mar- 
garet CVnderson) Cunningham. Her parents 
came to .\merica at an early day, settling in Paw- 
tucket, Rhode Island, where the father engaged 
in business as a wholesale and retail clothing 
merchant. He imported clothing on an extensive 
scale and also dealt in domestic articles, conduct- 
ing his store with success for a number of years, 
after which he retired from the trade and re- 
moved to Massachusetts, living for a short time 
there. He next came to the west, settling in Bel- 
videre, Illinois, where in connection with his son 
and son-in-law he established a grocery store 
which he carried on for a few years. Later he 
formed a partnership with a man who proved to 
be (lishonest and caused the failure of the busi- 
ness in 1 86 1. Mr. Buchanan then joined his son 
and son-in-law in the establishment of a hardware 
store and after a few years he turned his atten- 
tion to the grain business in Belvidere, but did 





THO.MAS BUCHANAN. 



30 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



537 



not meet with anticipated success in that venture. 
He then gave up all business interests and lived 
retired in Belvidere until his death. His wife 
also passed away in that city. Onlv three of the 
children are now living: Mrs. Buchanan; Mrs. 
Livingston, a resident of Belvidere : and James 
Ctmningham, of Nova Scotia. 

The death of Mr. Buchanan occurred March 
4. 1898, when he was. about seventy-three years 
of age. He was a member of the school board 
of Rockford for eight years and held other minor 
"otTfices. In politics he was a stanch republican 
and fraternally was connected with the Masonic 
lodge of Rockford. He always took a deep, ac- 
tive and helpful interest in church work, both he 
and his wife being zealous workers in the Pres- 
byterian church here, in which he served as elder 
for some time. His life was always in harmony 
with its principles and he advocated everv meas- 
ure which tended to upHft mankind or instill in 
the lives of those whom he met principles of in- 
tegrity, morality and benevolence. Through long 
wars he was most industrious and enterprising 
and by the careful husbanding of his resources 
and judicious investment he was enabled to leave 
his family in comfortable financial circumstances. 
More than forty years as'o he built a residence 
where his widow now resides, at No. 1 127 Buch- 
anan street, that thoroughfare having been named 
in his honor. A Miss Norris resides with Mrs. 
Buchanan, assisting her in the work and acting 
as companion for several years. 



KATHARINE ELIZABETH JAIMES, M. D. 

Dr. Katharine Elizabeth James, who was born 
in ]\Iiddleburg, New York, in 1868, and is a 
daughter of Alanson Leonard and Katharine 
f Watson) James, is engaged in the practice of 
medicine and surgery in Rockford. During her 
early girlhood her parents removed to Glovers- 
ville. New York, where her father conducted 
business as an architect. He died in 1897, and 
is survived by his widow, who is yet living in 
Gloversville. Thev were the parents of four chil- 
dren, Katharine E., Hagar, Edgar and Wilmot. 

Dr. James, having completed a course in the 
public and high schools of Gloversville, New 
York, afterward entered the Brookport Prepara- 
tory School, where she spent three years in quali- 
fying for university work. She afterward en- 
gaged in teaching for two years, tnus earning 
the money which enabled her to further continue 
her studies. In 1892 she went to Chicago and 
entered the Hahneman College, from which she 
was graduated with class of 1895. '^'i? likewise 
spent one vear as an interne in the Hahneman 
Hospital and her broad experience there proved 



an excellent training for her professional services 
since coming to Rockford. She located in this 
city in 1896 and has a well equipped ofifice at 
No. 123 North Main street. She engages in 
general practice, making a specialty of the dis- 
eases of women and children, and during the 
early period of her residence here she served on 
the staff of the city hospital. She is now a mem- 
ber of the American Institute of Homeopathy. 



HON. ARTHUR H. FROST. 

Hon. Arthur H. Frost, serving for the second 
term as judge of the ninth judicial district of Illi- 
nois, with residence in Rockford, was born in 
St. Johnsbury, Vermont, May 12, 1856. In 
1861 his parents removed to Illinois, settling in 
Rockford, where he acquired his early education 
in the common schools and passing through suc- 
cessive grades was eventually graduated from 
East Side high school. \\'ith the determination 
to make the jiractice of law his life work, he be- 
came a student in the office of the late N. C. War- 
ner, a well known and able attorney of Rockford, 
and after thorough and systematic preliminary 
reading was admitted to the bar on the 19th of 
January, 1879. He has since been connected with 
the courts in the active practice of law or as a 
representative of the bench. In 1892 he was 
elected state's attorney, to which position he was 
re-elected in 1896 and again in 1900, resigning the 
office on the 24th of February, 1901, having been 
nominated for the position of judge of the circuit 
court of the ninth judicial district. He was elected 
on the 25th of February, and on the ist of June, 
1903, was re-elected. He has discharged the du- 
ties pertaining to the several judicial positions 
with distinction and fidelity, and enjoys the un- 
qualified confidence of the bar and the people at 
large. He had practiced law as a member of the 
firm of Frost & McEvoy from December, 1888, 
until March, 1901. with marked success, being ac- 
corded a distinctively representative clientage and 
the extent and importance of his work is indi- 
cated by a glance at the records of the courts 
within this period. He has the faculty of dis- 
carding personal opinions, pecularities and preju- 
dices and with marked impartiality and thorough 
understanding of the ]irinciples of jurisprudence 
administering the law without fear or favor. 

Socially Judge Frost is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias fraternity and of the Masonic order. 
On tile 17th of May, 1883, he married Miss Ida 
Southgate, of Rockford, a daughter of William 
and Kathryn Southgate, Judge and Mrs. Frost 
became the parents of a daughter and three sons ; 
Bertha Helen, nineteen years of age: Raymond 



S3« 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



Southgatc. seventeen years of age ; and Arthur H. 
and Walter K., aged respectively twelve and seven 
years. The family resilience is at No. 712 North 
Court street, and Judge and Mrs. Frost arc promi- 
nent socially. Since attaining manhood his en- 
tire energies in the husinoss line have been concen- 
trated u])on his jirofession, and his close applica- 
tion and earnest study have gained him prestige 
which numbers him among the leading members 
of the bar in this section of the state. 



C.EORCI-. MERRILL T.VFT. 

George Merrill Taft is an extensive landowner 
and one of the native sons of Roscoe township, 
his birth having occurred upon the old family 
homestead here in 1855. The Tafts trace their 
ancestr\- l)ack to Robert Taft. a prominent citi- 
zen of New Ham|)shire, the family having been 
established in New England during an early pe- 
riod in the colonization of the new world. Levi 
^L Taft, tlie father, was bom in the state of 
New York and was taken to Ohio by his jiarcnts 
when only si.x years of age. There the days of 
liis cluldhood and youth were passed and when 
he luul attained man's estate he came to Illinois, 
arriving in Winnebago county when a young 
man of twenty-one years. He found here a dis- 
trict largely wild and unimproved and from the 
goveriuueiit he entered a claim, thus securing a 
tract of one hundred and ninety acres ujwn which 
he speiU his remaining days, devoting his un- 
divided attention to agricultural pursuits. He 
was a hard-working man and his diligence and 
frugality were tJK basis of his success, for as 
the years passed he emerged from a limited 
financial condition and took his place with the 
more prosperous citizens of tlie community. He 
was likewise interested in general improvement 
and ilevelopment of the county and was active 
and helpful in community affairs. He served as 
higjnvay commissioner and in other offices of 
tni.st in his township and his political allegiance 
was given to the repul)lican party, for he believed 
that in its platform were emlxidied the best ele- 
ments of good government. He married Electa 
Gregory, also a native of the Empire state and 
his death occurred in i88g, when he was seventy 
years of age. while his wife survived until 1894. 
passing away at the age of seventy-nine years. 
In their family were four children, of whom two 
died in infancy. 

Ge<^rge .Merrill Taft. the only member of the 
familv now living, was reared in Roscoc town- 
ship and has always lived upon the old home- 
stead which is endeared to him through the as.so- 
ciations of liis boylKVid as well as those of later 
years. His father trained him in the work of 



the farm and he became ])ractical in his methods 
of caring for the fields and in all that ])r(>miscd 
sul)stantial development here. He contiimed in 
active operation of the ])lace until about two 
years ago, since which lime he has rented most of 
his land. His possessinns in this county aggre- 
gate more than five lunidred and fifty acres and 
he likewise has farm proix-rty in other states. 
He has been very successful and his realty hold- 
ings are the visible evidence of a life of thrift, 
mdustry and capable business management. 

On the 23d of November, 1876. Mr. Taft was 
married to .Miss Cora f>. C"ar])enter. who was 
born in Roscoe township and is a daughter of 
Newton Car]>enter. a pioneer resident of this 
locality. Five children graced this marriage, of 
whom three are yet ''ving. Helen is the wife o? 
Nelson McColl and has three children. Donald. 
Mildred and Lawrence M. l-ldith and Edna are 
twins. The former married Ross P)Uchanan and 
the later is the wife of Harry Morse and has one 
child, Carroll. 

As one of the native sons of Winnebago county 
Mr. Taft is very familiar with its history, having 
been a witness of the events which have shaped 
its policy through a half century. His life 
proves the \aluc and force of industry and en- 
terprise in wresting fortune from the hands of 
fate and by his persistency of purpose and careful 
investment he has become the owner of valuable 
and extensive landed interests. 



THEODORE C. DECKER. 

Theodore C. Decker, who, in his farming oper- 
ations, has made a specialty of the growing of 
tobacco and of sugar beets, makes his home on 
.section 3. Roscoe township. New York has fur- 
nished a large settlement to this part of the coun- 
ty, many of the leading and substantial repre- 
sentatives of Roscoe township being native sons 
of the Empire state. To this class Mr. 
Decker belongs, his birth havinsr occurred 
in New York, in 1851. TTis father. Corne- 
lius S. Decker, who was a native of New York, 
born in iRiQ. is now living in Janesville. Wis- 
consin, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. 
He married Miss Elizabeth J. Ashby. who was 
also born in the same state, and has now reached 
the age of eighty-four years. They have a farm 
of forty acres near Janesville. ^^'isconsin. making 
their home in that locality with two of their sons. 
Jonathan and John. In his political views the 
father was for many years a stalwart democrat, 
active in support of the party, and for a long 
period filled the office of supervisor of his town- 
ship in a most acceptable manner. Tn his family 
were ten children, of whom five are yet living : 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



539 



Jonathan, of Wisconsin ; Frank, a resident of Ne- 
braska ; Theodore C, of this review ; John, of 
Janesville, Wisconsin ; and Anna, the wife of Da- 
vid Mould, a prominent attorney of Sioux City, 
Iowa. 

Theodore C. Decker was a lad of only ten 
years when he accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Wisconsin. He was reared to man- 
hood in Janesville, early becoming familiar with 
all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of 
the agriculturist, and he saw no reason to change 
his occupation when he had reached manhood 
and started out in life on his own account. In 
1873, he bought twenty acres of land on section 
3, Roscoe township, in the northern part of Win- 
nebago county, bordering the boundary line be- 
tween Illinois and Wisconsin. Here he has fol- 
lowed farming continuously since, and for twenty- 
one years he has made a sitecialt}' of 
the growing of tobacco, having ten acres 
planted to that crop, with whicli he has 
been very successful. He has also made 
a specialty of the production of sugar beets. 
Owing to his careful cultivation, the rotation of 
crops and the most improved modern methods of 
farming, he has been very successful in his work 
and possesses a comfortable competence that is 
the merited reward of his labor. 

In 1871 Mr. Decker was married to Miss Mary 
McNamara. a native of Massachusetts, and they 
have one child, Frank D., who was born in Janes- 
ville, Wisconsin, and married Ora Turnay, a na- 
tive of Beloit. jNIr. Decker and his family attend 
the Congregational church and his political alle- 
giance is given to the democracy, but while he 
keeps well informed on tlie questions and issues 
of the day, as every true American citizen should 
do. he has never sought or desired office, pre- 
ferring to give his undivided attention to his busi- 
ness interests. 



JA^IES H. KING. 



James H. King, president of the Central Heat 
& Power Compan\- of Rockford, one of the more 
recentlv organized business enterprises of the 
chv. the utility and value of which is demon- 
strated in the hberal patronage accorded it, was 
born in Grafton, Worcester county, Massachu- 
setts, in 1832. His father, John M. King, was 
a native of England and his early residence in 
this country was spent in New England, whence 
he came with his family to Illinois in September, 
1846, making the journev with two covered 
wagons. They located in Stillman \'alley, where 
the father spent his remaining days and he be- 
came the owner of two hundred acres of fine 
land there. The soil was alluvial and he devel- 
oped an excellent farm. He was twice married 



and by his first union had seven children, while 
three were born of the second marriage. Henry 
King, brother of our subject, lived for many 
years near King Station, where he owned two 
thousand acres of land. 

James H. King of this review began his edu- 
cation in the schools of Massachusetts and after- 
ward continued his studies in the public schools 
of Og"le county subsequent to the arrival of the 
family in this state. He remained at home until 
seventeen years of age, after which he worked 
out b}' the month until twenty-two years of age 
when, desiring that his labors should more di- 
rectly benefit himself, he rented land and carried 
on farming for a number of years. He next re- 
moved to Iowa, where he filed a claim to one 
hundred and sixty acres of land and proved it 
up, paying a dollar and a quarter per acre to 
the government for this tract. Subsequently he 
traded it for another farm elsewhere in Iowa 
and eventuallv bought still another quarter sec- 
tion. He afterward purchased a half section at 
Stillman \'alley for twenty-eight dollars per acre 
and when he disposed of the farm it brought sev- 
enty dollars per acre owing to the rise in land 
values and the improvements which he had 
placed upon the property. He resided there un- 
til 1883, when he removed to Rockford, where 
he has since lived. 

In the meantime, in 1881, Mr. King established 
a bank in Stillman \'alley, of which he is yet a 
third owner. On the ground where the bank 
building was erected he once used to plow as a 
little bare-footed boy dressed in overalls, work- 
ing for eight dollars per month in the service of 
Joshua White, who was owner of a farm there. 
In Rockford he owns a fine residence at No. 622 
North Main street and he likewise has valuable 
farms in Ogle county. In 1903 he became presi- 
dent of the Central Heat & Power Company of 
Rockford. operating a large plant in the manu- 
facture of electricity for lighting buildings, while 
the steam from five manmioth boilers is piped to 
different parts of the city for heating purposes. 
Since the beginning an excellent business has 
been developed and the enterprise is now a lead- 
ing one in RocKford. 

Mr. King was married to Aliss Mary Lewis, of 
Springfield, Illinois, who died leaving a daugh- 
ter. Belle, the wife of Denton Taylor, of Lincoln, 
Nebraska, by whouT she has two children. For 
his second wife ]\Ir. King chose Henrietta Bard- 
well, who has also passed away. His present 
wife bore the maiden name of Lucy L. Condie 
and was born in the Hawaiian islands, her father, 
Daniel T. Condie. being a missionary there from 
this countrv. Three children graced this mar- 
riage : Lela. who is emploxed in the library in 
Rockford : Millicent, at home : and James Car- 
roll, who is attending school. 



540 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



The parents attend the Second Congregational 
church and Mr. King lias been a stalwart repub- 
lican since casting his ballot for Abraham Lin- 
coln. At one time he .served as supervisor in 
Ogle county for four years but has preferred to 
leave office holding to others that he might gives 
his attention to his business affairs, in which he 
has iiH't with very gratifying success. Where 
ambition is satisfietl and every ultimate aim ac- 
complisheil effort will cease and it is the men 
who are always looking forward to the improve- 
ment of existing conditions that are the forceful 
factors in tlie business world. In his farming 
operations Mr. King acquired a gratifying meas- 
ure of success but not content with this he is 
now a factor in the industrial life of Rockford 
and lias made a business record which any man 
might be proud to ])OSsess. 



JAMES M. PATTERSON. 

James M. ]"'atterson, residing on section 33, 
P.urritt township, is successfully following gen- 
eral agricultural pursuits, and is also interested 
in the W'inneliago Linnber & Supply Company. 
He was born on the 8th of March, 1856, in Owen 
townshi]), this county, and is a son of John M. 
Patterson, a native of Scotland, who was bom in 
1834. He came to the I'nited States in 1849. 
and lived in New York city for a year, after 
which he made his way westward to Illinois, set- 
tling in Rockford, where he also .spent one year. 
On the expiration of that period he took up his 
abode in Owen township, where for many years 
he followed the occupation of farming. He was 
united in marriage to Miss Lillian Stephenson, 
who was also born in Scotland, her natal year 
being 1838. She came to the LInited States in 
1855, and made her way at once to Owen town- 
ship. Winnebago county, Illinois, where she aft- 
erward gave her hand in niarria,ge to Mr. Pat- 
terson. Her death occurrcfl in St. Paul, Minne- 
sota, in September, kkx). There were born of 
that marriage the following named: James M. ; 
Nettie, wlio was born in November. 1857, and is 
now the wife of Joseph P>rewster, of Owen town- 
ship: Jennie, who was born in April, i860, and 
is the wife of J. .M. Stocks, a resident of Free- 
pi irt. Illinois: .Nndrew, who was born in June. 
18^(3. ancl is living upon the old homestead in 
Owi-n townshi]); b>hn. who was born August 21. 
i8/'i3. and is a farmer of Owen township; and 
Lilly, who was lK)rn in 1867, and is the wife of 
RoluTt Ceddes, a resident of Stillman Valley, Il- 
linois. 

No event of special importance occurred to 
vary the routine of farm life for James M. Pat- 
terson in his bovhood davs. He attended the 



])ublic sch(X)ls, acquiring a good English educa- 
tion, whereby he was (jualified for business duties 
and responsibilities, and under his father's direc- 
tion he became familiar with all the work of the 
fields, so that he was prepared for farm work 
when he started out in life on his own account. 
He lived in his native township until twenty-six 
years of age. when he removed to Ogle county, 
where he resided for eight years. On the expira- 
tion of that period he took up his abode on his 
present fami in Burritt township, where he now 
has one hundred and sixty acres of land, carefully 
culti\ated according to modern methods. He has 
followed farming ])ractically all his life, and in 
his work is systematic and progressive. His la- 
bors have been attended by success because of his 
close application and untiring industry, and he 
is now one of the pros])erous agriculturists of 
his community. He also has other business in- 
terests, being financially connected with the Win- 
nebago Lumber & Sujjply Company, this being 
a farmers" stock company of about fifty members. 

On the 29th of October. 1884, ^Ir. Patterson 
was united in marriage in Winnebago, Illinois, 
to Miss P)arbara Hill, a daughter of Donald and 
.\gnes Hill, early residents of Winnebago town- 
ship. ?*Irs. Patter.son was born September 17, 
1858. and by her marriage has become the mother 
of four sons: John, born .\ugust 29. 1886; Wil- 
liam. March 9, 1888: Ralph. September 25. 1890, 
and Donald. Se])tember 22. i8<)7. all living at 
home. 

Mr. Patterson is a meml)er of blue lodge. No. 
745 A. F. & .A. M., at Winnebago, and both he 
and his wife are active members of the Presby- 
terian church, to the support of which they con- 
tribute liberally, while in its various departments 
of labor they manifest a dee]i and helpful interest. 
Mr. Patterson has been clerk of tlie town school 
board for the last twelve years, and as a public- 
.sijirited citizen has supported many practical 
movements that have been of lienefit to the com- 
munity. His entire life has been passed in this 
countv, save for the brief period spent in Ogle 
county, and his long identification with farming 
interests, as well as his carefully directed labors, 
make him a representative a.griculturist. 



".V 



AMI'.S 



Alll 



TV. 



Riv. lames 1. I'ialurly. wlm. since 1885 has 
been rector of St. Jnnies (Catholic) church of 
Rockford and dean of the diocese since 1901. was 
born in iUirean countv. Illinois, in 1853. and rc- 
.sided there until his ordination. Determining to 
prei)are for the Catholic ministry he siii)plemented 
his earlv educational privileges bv study in the 
Niagara liiiversity at Niagara Falls. New York. 




^IR. .\XD MRS. J. M. PATTERSON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



543 



in whicli institution lie was ordained to the priest- 
hood on the 7th of June. 1879. On the 3d of July 
of the same year he was assigned to duty in the 
city of Chicago, where for six years he acted as 
assistant priest. He came to Rockford in 1885 
and two years later was made immovable rector 
of St. James church, while in 1901 he was ad- 
vanced to the position of dean of the diocese, the 
honors of the church being thus accorded him in 
recognition of his consecrated devotion to his 
work. Under his wise and economical adminis- 
tration of the affairs of this branch of the church 
the membership of St. James has more than 
doubled and every department of church activity 
has been placed upon an excellent working basis, 
so that splendid results are^ attained. A fine win- 
ter chapel and school have been built and all de- 
partments of the work are now in a flourishing 
condition. Father Flaherty is a man of schol- 
arly attainments, itnfaltering zeal and strong in- 
tellectuality and his laljors for the church and his 
parishioners have made him greatly beloved by his 
people and have gained him many friends in the 
citv. 



A. E. BARGREN. 



Rockford is fortunately favored in having A. 
E. Bargreii as chief of police, which official posi- 
tion he has held with eminent satisfaction to all 
for eleven years. Altogether he has been con- 
nected with the police department for a total of fif- 
teen years with an efficiency and untiring zeal that 
has resulted in Rockford being an unrivaled law- 
abiding community. Chief liargren is in the 
years when life is its best and has lived in the 
city for thirty-six years and is universally con- 
sidered the best chief of police Rockford ever 
had. He is a man of large physique, command- 
ing presence, keen perception and unusual 
executive ability, his acts tempered with mild- 
ness but sufficiently forceful as to leave no 
donbt as to his intentions. His constant watch- 
fulness has been the direct means of bringing 
manv notorious criminals to justice after having 
eluded the police in other cities. Rockford is 
justlv proud of the achievements of Chief Bar- 
gren which have produced a moral condition not 
equaled bv any other city in the state. His head- 
quarters are on South Church street. 



JOSEPH BARNES. 



Joseph Barnes, a farmer and dairyman of Har- 
lem township, residing on section 15, where he 
owns and operates two htmdred acres of land, 
is a native of AVashington countv, Wisconsin, 



born June 15, i860, of German parentage. His 
father, Peter Barnes, was a native of Germany 
and died in Washington county, Wisconsin, 1899. 
His wife was born in Buffalo, New York, was 
of German lineage, and is now living at the old 
homestead in \^'isconsin. All of the sons of the 
family are yet living, namely : Joseph, of this 
review: Mathias, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin: John, 
of \\'est Bend, Wisconsin ; Peter, of Newberg, 
Wisconsin : James, who is living in Campbells- 
port, Wisconsin : Henry, of Barton, Wisconsin ; 
and Albert, of Rockford, Illinois. The daughters 
of the family are: Mrs. Margaret \\'ersheim. of 
Newberg, \\'isconsin ; Mrs. Mary Dingle and 
;\Irs. Anna Gorman, both of West Bend. Wis- 
consin ; Mrs. Bessie Weber, of Waukegan, Illi- 
nois : Mrs. Katie Bradley, of Newberg. Wiscon- 
sin, and Helen and Matilda Barnes, both of West 
Bend. 

In taking up the personal histor}- of Joseph 
Barnes, we ))resent to our readers the life record 
of one widely and favorably known in this local- 
itv. He acquired his education in the common 
schools and remained with his father until eight- 
een years of age, whai he started out in life on 
his own account, making his way to Harlem 
tow^nship. where he secured employment as a 
farm hand. He was thus engaged up to the time 
of his marriage, when he rented land and thus 
carried on agricultural purusits for six years. 
On the expiration of that period, with the capi- 
tal he had acquired through his industry and 
economy, he purchased the farm upon which he 
now resides, comprising two hundred acres of 
rich land on section is. Harlem township. Here 
he carries on general agricultural pursuits and 
dairying, having a good herd of cows, and both 
branches of his business are proving profitable. 

On the 2d of :\Iarch, i88fi. -\Ir. Barnes was 
married to iNIiss Isabelle Ralston, who was born 
in Harlem towmship, April 19, 1854, and is a 
daughter of Alexander and Mary Ralston, of 
that" township. Her fatlier was born in 
Argyleshire, Scotland, January 7, 1814, and, 
coming to the United States, landed at New York 
city on the 4th of July, 1842. He first located 
in ^larietta, Ohio, whence he afterward made his 
way to Cincinnati. He lived in Ohio for eight 
vears. and while in that state learned the carpen- 
ter's trade. In 1850 he came to Winnebago 
countv, casting in his lot with the pioneer set- 
tlers of Harlem township, w-here he follow^ed 
carpentering until 1852, when he purchased the 
farm upon which ]\Ir. Barnes now resides. He 
continued to carry on agricultural pursuits 
throughout his remaining davs, his death occur- 
ring February 26, 1894. His wife, wdio was 
born in Arg}-leshire, Scotland, June 29, 1836, 
came with her parents to the new world in 18.^0, 
and the familv home was established in Cale- 



544 



I 'AST AXl) I'RKSRXr OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



(Ionia. I'oonc coiiiuy. Illinois, wIk-r- she lived 
until she ^ve her hand in marriage to .Mr. Ral- 
ston. She survived her iuisban<l l\)r a luniiher of 
years, and died at the home of her daughter, ^frs. 
Rames. on the 5th of May. 1903. The members 
of her family were as follows : Peter, who died 
in 1880: .Mrs. Martha ( irifliths. of .Manchester. 
Illinois: .Mrs. Janet Ralston, who is living in Cale- 
donia, Illinois, and has two sons and three daugli- 
ters: Mrs. Jeannie Potter, of Mason City. Iowa, 
who has two sons and three daughters: Mrs. 
Mary .\nn Thornton, of .\rgyle, who has three 
daughters : and Elizabeth E., who is living with 
her sister. .Mrs. Harnes. Two sisters of the fam- 
ily tlied in infancv. 

L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have been lx)rn 
three children, but one son died in infancv. The 
others are: Ralph E.. born .\pril 8. 1892. and 
George R. born November 30. 1895. 

Mr. I'.arnes belongs to the Modern Woodmen 
camp at Caledonia. Illinois, and in politics is a 
stalwart republican, having firm faith in the prin- 
ciples and policy of the party. I'.oth he and his 
wife arc members of the Willow Creek Presln- 
teriaii church of Argyle. and the\- arc well known 
in this part of the county, having manv friends 
who esteem them highly for their genuine wnrtli. 



JOHN W. BE.\TSON. 

John W. Beatson is living a retired life in 
Rockford but for many years was actively and 
successfidly engaged in fanning in Burritt town- 
ship. His birth occurred in Scotland on the 20th 
of .April, 1839. his parents being William and 
Elizabeth (\\ilson) Beatson, who in 1843 came 
with their family to America, settling in Mont- 
gomery county. New York, where they resided 
until 1849, when they came to Winnebago 
county, Illinois. The father was a stone- 
mason and worked at his trade in the Empire 
state. On coming to Winnebago county he en- 
tered eighty acres of land from the government 
in Burritt township and at once began to open up 
a farm, transforming the raw prairies into rich 
and cultivated fields. He was thus identified with 
agricultural interests until 1875. when he re- 
moved to Rockford. spending his remaining days 
in the city. His death occurred in 1882 and his 
wife passed away in 1893. To his original tract 
of eighty acres he had added forty acres, so that 
at the time of his death he was the owner of a 
good farm of one hundred and twenty acres. In 
the family were three sons and five daughters, 
namely: George A., now deceased; John W.. of 
this review : Mrs. Jennettc Wimple, living in 
Rockford : Nellie, who died in 1865 ; Mrs. .Agnes 
Hickox. who is living on North Winnebago 



street, Rockford ; David, whose home is in Bur- 
ritt township ; Caroline Lillie, of Rockford ; and 
Julia, who lives with her brother. John W. Beat- 
.son. 

\\"lu-n but four years of age John W. Beatson 
was brought by his parents to .America and in the 
public schools of New York state he began his 
education, which was continued in Burritt town- 
ship. He remained at home until 1859 and then 
went to Colorado, where he was engaged in min- 
ing for a year, after which he again came to this 
state. He had made the journey overland to Col- 
orado with teams, arriving there in .\pril. 1859. 
It was not long after his return that he ofifered 
his services to the government as a defender of 
the I'nion cause. Hardly had the smoke from 
I'ort Sumter's guns cleared away when he had 
joined the L'nion troops, enlisting on the i8th of 
.April. 1 861, as a member of Company D, Eleventh 
Illinois X'olunteer Infantry, with which he served 
f(5r three months at Bird's Point. He then re-en- 
listed in Company D. Seventy-fourth Regiment 
of the Illinois Infantry on the 7th of August, 
1862. and served until the close of the war. He 
was in the Army of the Cumberland, doing duty 
in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alaljama and Georgia. 
I-'or some time his regiment was under the com- 
mand of General lUiell. was afterward with Rose- 
crans and later particii)ated in the movement of 
General Sherman's army. He took part in a num- 
ber of hotly contested engagements, including 
those of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, 
Alissionary Ridge and the .Atlanta campaign, af- 
ter which the regiment returned to Tennessee 
and was in the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin. 
Nashville and many minor engagements. 
Mr. Beatson took part in every engagement with 
his company. He was wounded at Missionary 
Ridge in the breast by a minie-ball and also in the 
foot and his clothes were ])ierced by seventeen 
bullets. He took a bullet out of his breast with 
his knife. At Nashville, on the lolh of June, 
i8fi5, he was honorably discharged under general 
orders from the war department, hostilities hav- 
ing been brought to a close. While in the army 
he served as first sergeant for six months, was 
made second lieutenant in .Ajiril, 1863, and first 
lieutenant on the 2^i\ of .April, following, and 
from that time until the close of the war was in 
command of his company, his own valor often 
insiiiring his men to deeds of bravery. 

When the war was over Mr. Beatson returned 
to his home and began farming in Burritt town- 
shii). In the spring of 18^)6 he was elected col- 
lector of the township and discharged the duties 
of that office in addition to his labors as an agri- 
culturist. For three years he operated his father's 
land and then in 1869 ixirchased a farm of sev- 
entv-three acres in Winnebago countv, which he 




yOHX \V. BEATSOX. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



547 



further cultivated and improved until 1875, when 
sold the property and took up his abode 
south of the village of Winnebago, where 
he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land. 
Eventually he sold that and removed to Rockford 
in 1882. The following year he was appointed 
to a position on the police force of this city and 
acted in that capacity for six and a half years, 
while in 1889 he was elected county treasurer and 
remained the incmnbent of the office for four 
years. In 1896 he was chosen alderman of the 
seventh ward for two years' term. He still owns 
one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming 
land in Marion township. Ogle county, together 
with a house on Cherry street, one on Winnebago 
street, a double house on Acorn street and his 
beautiful residence at No. 236 Avon street. 
Aroiuid this he has an acre of ground and the 
fine lawn is adorned with beautiful flowers and 
trees. In fact the home is one of the attractive 
residences of this part of the city. 

On the 6th of December, 1865, Air. Beatson 
was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Van 
Alstine, who was born in iMontgomery county. 
New York, and was a daughter of Jacob G. Van 
Alstine, who came from the Empire state to Illi- 
nois and followed farming in Burritt township. 
For forty years Mr. and Mrs. Beatson traveled 
life's journey together and were then separated 
by the death of the wife, who passed away on the 
26th of February, 1905, leaving a husband and 
four daughters : Rosella A., who is with her 
father ; Daisy, the wife of James W. ^Miller, 
whose home is near Portland, Oregon, 
]\Iargaret, the wife of Dr. ^^^ S. Howell, of 
Trenton, Iowa ; and Harriet, who married Lea- 
nion Woodruff, who lives on Avon street and, 
owning a team and wagon, is engaged in deliver- 
ings goods for D. J. Stewart & Company. 

In his political views Mr. Beatson is a republi- 
can and takes an active interest in the work of the 
party, serving as a member of the republican 
township committee. In addition to the offices 
mentioned that he has filled he has had charge of 
tax books for two years and has handled two 
hundred and twenty thousand dollars each year. 
The trust reposed in him is well placed, for he 
displays unswerving fidelity to the public welfare. 
Air. Beatson is a self-educated and self-made man 
and. desiring that his children should have good 
advantages, he has enabled them all to obtain 
good educations, one having been a student in 
Chicago, while all have attended the public 
schools of this county. In a review of the life 
history of J\Ir. Beatson we notice that while he is 
now the possessor of valuable property he started 
out for himself without financial assistance or the 
aid of influential friends but has utilized his op- 
portunities and by good business ability has 
steadily worked his way upward until with a 
comfortable competence he is now enabled to 
live retired. 



ilr. Beatson is a member of Nevius post, No i, 
G. A. R., of Rockford, of which he has been 
senior vice commander for several years. He is 
also a member of the Masonic order, belonging 
to Star in the East lodge, No. 166, A. F. & A. M., 
\Mnnebago chapter. No. 24, R. A. M. ; Crusader 
commandery. No. 17, K. T. ; and Tebala Temple 
of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Beatson is a member 
of the township republican committee and he at- 
tends the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. 



^^TLLIAM P. FARNHAM. 

William P. Farnham, following the occupation 
of farming on section 8, Rockford township, 
where he owns a well improved tract of land of 
ninety-seven acres, is a native son of this town- 
ship, born September 14. 1856, and his parents 
were Sidney and Catherine (Jones) Farnham, 
earlv residents of ^^'innebago county. The 
father was born in the Empire state and the 
mother in Canada, and in early life they came to 
this countv, where they were married. Sidney 
Farnham first wedded Dorcas Freeman, who died 
at Durand, Illinois, leaving five children, but 
only one is now living, Lanson Farnham, a resi- 
dent of Sedalia, Missouri. After losing his first 
wife, I\Ir. Farnham wedded Catherine Jones, and 
thev became the parents of seven children, of 
whom William P. is the eldest, the others being: 
Joseph H., who resides in New Wadena. Minne- 
sota, where he follows farming: George, a 
farmer of Rockford. Iowa : Addie, who became 
the wife of Daniel Richards, and died in 1895 : 
Benjamin, a resident of Independence, Iowa ; 
Deborah, who died in 1882 ; and John, who is liv- 
ing in Rockford, Iowa. The father passed away 
in 1886, at the age of seventy-three years, the 
mother surviving until January 7, 1905, at which 
time she was seventy-eight years of age. 

AMlliam P. Farnham was reared in Winne- 
bago countv upon the old farm homestead, save 
for the period of two years, 1876-77, spent in 
AlcPberson county. Kansas. Having arrived at 
vears of maturitv, he was married in this county, 
in the spring of 1876, to Miss Addie Champlin. 
and almost immediately afterward they started 
for the Sunflower state, but two years convinced 
them that thev preferred a residence in Illinois. 
Her father. Alfred Champlin. who died January 
2, 1878. resided upon a farm on section 5, Rock- 
ford to^\•^lship, which is now owned and occupied 
by :\Ir. and Mrs. J. A. i\IcCulloch. He was born 
in Sullivan county. New York, June 19, 1806, 
and became a resident of Winnebago county in 
1845. settling in Rockford township, where he 
purchased land. He was married three times. In 
1833 he wedded Sophronia Gleason, who was 
born in \'ermont, and died in 1835, while her two 



34« 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COL'XTY. 



cliildren also passfil away. Tlie scconil wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Pauline Adams, 
was born in Xew York, and became Mrs. Champ- 
lin in 1S36. Slie died in 1848, and of the five 
children of that union but one .'■urvives. .Mrs. 
Kate Drake, who is now a resident of Pearlaiul, 
Te.xas. For his third wife -Mr. Cham]jlain chose 
Elvira Drake, who was born in Xew York. July 
21. 1823, and died in April, 1890. There were 
si.\ ciiildren of that marriage : H. Sophia, the 
eldest, l>orn January 24. 1851. is now residing: 
in McPherson. Kansas: .^usan, born .\pril 3. 
1834. married W'illiani Whittle, a resident of 
Canton. Kansas, and died in December, lyoo: 
.\ddie. born October i, 1837, is the wife of Wil- 
liam Farnham; Sarah, born June 26, 1861, is now 
a member of the .McPherson Countv (Kansas) 
Abstract Otmpany ; Lizzie. l>orn A])ril 20. i8'')3. 
is the wife of J. A. .McCullocb. re])resi'nted else- 
where in this work; Clara, born June 24. 1866. is 
the wife of Frank Hamilton, of Canton, Kan- 
sas. Two s<ins of the family were killed 
in tlie army, ami another .son, Alfred. Jr., 
was accidentally killed in Rockford town- 
ship alx)ut forty years a^o. The soldier 
boys were Bradford, Joel and Giarlcs. who 
w-as twice wounded, and the first two gave 
their lives in defense of the L'nion, while Charles 
was accidentally shot after returninpf from the 
army, his death occurrinjj in 1890. 

Mr. and Mrs. I'arnliam have four children: 
Mabel, born Se])tember 9, 1878; Harry, born 
April 2<j. 1881 : Charles. December 24. 1883: and 
Effie, April 19, 1891, all at home. The family 
occupy a fine new residence which has been built 
by Mr. Farnham. In addition to his farming 
operations, be is a stockholder in the Winne- 
bago County Telei)h()ne Comi)any. )n his busi- 
ness affairs he has prosijered. and has now a 
valuable and attractive property. Politically, he 
!S a rei)ublican, and has served as school director, 
but the honors and emoluments of office have 
had little attraction for him, as his labors have 
been concentrated upon his business affairs. His 
reputation in agricultural circles is a creditable 
one. tor liis name is a synonvm of straightfor- 
ward dealing. 



ISRAEL SHOUDY. 

Among the men who occupy a position in the 
foremost ranks of the business men of Rockford 
stands Israel Shoudy, who by reason of his in- 
tense and well directed activity — the embodiment 
of the spirit of the age — has gained a large 
measure of prosperity. One can not be long in 
his company without recognizing his energv and 
sagacity — his dominant qualities — and his opera- 
tions as a member of the real estate firm of 
Shoudy & Melville bnve been e-xteu'^ivf :i"il im- 
portant. 



A native of Illinois, he was born in Lee county, 
in 1859, a son of Israel and Abigail (.\llen) 
."^houdy. In the maternal line the ancestry is 
traced back to England, and the progenitor of 
tile family was well known to history as a pas- 
senger on the Mayflower. In the '30s the father 
removed from the vicinity of Syracuse, New 
York, to Michigan, and later went to Rock 
Island, Illinois. He was a blacksmith by trade, 
and while in that city he made the first steel 
plow ever manufactured in Illinois. He remained 
in Rock Island for three years, and then re- 
moved to Lee county, where he purchased a 
farm, which he tilled up to the time of his re- 
tirement from active business life. He then 
rented the property and enjoyed a well merited 
rest until called from this life in 1892. His wife 
died in 1890. They were parents of si.x child- 
ren, and by a former marriage the father had 
eight children. 

Israel Shoudy, the third child of the second 
marriage, attended the ])ublic schools, and after- 
ward pursued a course in a business college in 
Rockford in 1881. He then spent one year in 
the college as an instructor, followed by one 
winter spent in a similar position in Elgin, Illi- 
nois. Me afterward spent one year as a teacher 
in the high school at I'awpaw, Illinois, and then 
renting the home farm gave his attention to agri- 
cultural jnu-suits until 1887. In that year he 
look u]) his abode in Rockford and began the 
manufacture of tank healers. Later he organ- 
ized a company for this purpose and continued 
the business for three years, when he withdrew 
from the company and turned his attention to 
real estate operations. He dealt at first in gen- 
eral real estate, made loans and built up an 
excellent business. In 1891 he was appointed 
agent to handle the lands of the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company, and in 1898 he formed a 
]>artnership with F. L. Melville, under the firm 
name of Shoudy & Melville. The firm is 
regarded as one of the most enterprising in the 
city. Mr. .'^lioudy owns valuable interests in 
farming lands at Belleville and Whitewater, 
Wisconsin, and Marengx). Illinois, and also three 
tlKHisand acres in the Yazoo valley in Missis- 
sijipi, and three thousand acres in Clark county, 
Wisconsin, and in addition to this the firm owns 
si.K thousand acres. They run excursions which 
are very popular throughout the year, doing 
everything possible for the comfort of the excur- 
sionists. They are most progressive in their 
methods, displaying many of the qualities of the 
pioneer in working out new methods for the 
advancement of their business, and as the years 
have passed their operations have constantly 
increased in volume and importaiice. 

Mr. Shoudy was married in Rockford. in 1884, 
to Miss Belle K. Miller, a daughter of Cyrus 
Miller. His fraternal relations are with Ellis 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



549 



lodge, A. F. & A. M. : Kent lodge, I. O. O. F., 
of which he is past noble grand : Alodern Wood- 
men camp, No. 51, and the Knights of the 
Globe, and politically he is a republican. While 
he is continually forming new plans for the en- 
largement of his business, he is a man of action 
rather than of theory, and when his plans are 
once formulated, he is prompt and energetic in 
their execution. His judgment is rarely at fauh 
in business transactions in the line of real estate 
dealing, and his position of prominence is well 
merited because of the enviable success he has 
achieved. 



GEORGE W. SAXRORN. 

George W. San1>orn was one of the most prom- 
inent and respected citizens of Pecatonica, and 
his worth was so widely acknowledged that no 
history of this community would be complete 
without mention of his life record. He was born 
in Roxbury. [Massachusetts, in 1828, and died in 
Pecatonica. April 20, 1903. His parents were 
Abrani and Rebecca (Swallow) Sanborn, both 
of whom were natives of New England. The 
father died at the age of seventy-six years and 
the mother in early life. Abram Sanborn was 
twice married. George W. being of the first fam- 
ily, and also Rebecca and Eliza Ann. both de- 
ceased. 

George Sanborn was about seven years of age 
when his parents removed to Canada, settling at 
Roxton. .Shefford county, where he attended the 
public schools, completing his high school course 
hi Frost Milage. Canada. He after\vard became 
a student at St. .Vlbans Academy, St. Albans. 
Vermont, and when his own education was com- 
pleted he taught school in Canada. Attracted by 
the greater opportunities of the United States, 
with the livelier competition and advancement 
more quickly secured, he made his wav across 
the border, arriving in Illinois in 1850. Through 
the succeeding winter he engaged in teaching 
school at Sugar Grove, this state, and in 
the second winter he taught school at North 
Grove. 

On the Qth of ]\lay. 1852, ]\lr. Sanborn was 
united in marriage to Miss Grata N. Emery, a 
daughter of David C. and Margaret (Savage) 
Emer\-. Her ancestry is traced back to Daniel 
Emier\', who was born May 5, 1730. and died Au- 
gust 23, 1819. His son, Noah Emery, was born 
September 6, 1760, and died August 9, 1837, at 
the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Phil- 
brick, was born July 18, 1762. and died February 
22, 181 3, at the age of fifty-one years. In their 
family were fourteen children, of whom the elev- 
enth in order of birth was David C. Emerv. the 



father of Mrs. Sanborn. He was born December 
31, 1797, in Grafton, Vermont, and died in Peca- 
tonica, Illinois, December 10, 1869. He married 
Margaret Savage. He lived with his parents 
until twenty-one years of age, when he went into 
the wilderness of Canada to make a home. He 
located in Shefford county, near Shefford moun- 
tains, on a tract of timber land, and worked hard 
at cutting timber and clearing the farm. He first 
li\ed in an old sawmill and later he built a log 
house. He continued clearing and improving his 
land until most of it was under cultivation, erect- 
ing a fine residence in 1840, and he re- 
sided thereon until 1851. when he sold 
his farm in Canada and came to Ogle 
county, Illinois, settling near B^•ron. He 
then purchased a farm of two hundred acres, and 
in addition a tract of ten acres of timber land. 
On the place was a small house, in which he lived 
until he could build a better dwelling. He broke 
the wild prairie and improved the farm, making 
his home thereon for about ten or twelve years, 
after which he engaged in the grain business in 
Pecatonica for one year in connection with his 
son-in-law, George W. Sanborn, having previ- 
ously sold his farm. From this time on until his 
death he lived retired, spending his years in the 
enjoyment of a well earned rest. P)0th' he and 
his wife attended the services of the Universalist 
church, and in politics he was a stanch and earn- 
est republican. They were the parents of eight 
children, two sons and six daughters, but Mrs. 
Sanborn is the only one now living. Her sister, 
Jane F., who resisded in Des Moines, Iowa, died 
when sixty-one years of age in Pecatonica. 

h'ollowing the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. San- 
born., they removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where 
he worked at the carpenter's trade until the fol- 
lowing summer, when, on account of cholera, he 
left that city, returning to Ogle count\-. In the 
spring of 1853 he went to Osage, Mitchell county, 
Iowa, where he took up a claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, with ten acres of timber 
land additional. He then built a house and broke 
some of his land, but two years later he returned 
to North Grove, where he lived for about 
two years, working at the carpenter's trade, and 
also conducting the farm belonging to his father- 
in-law. David C. Emery. On the expiration of 
that period he estabblished his home in Pecaton- 
ica, where he was engaged in the grain business, 
continuing in the trade for about thirty years. 
He twice met with severe reverses, having his 
elevator destroyed by fire, also losing heavily by 
the great Chicago fire, which burned a quantity 
of grain which he had stored there, but he perse- 
vered, and as the years advanced he met with a 
gratifying measure of success that enabled him 
to live retired for about six years prior to his 
death. 



55° 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



L'nlij Mr. and .Mrs. Saiiljoni were horn ten 
chihlren, of whom two died in infancy, while 
three .sons and five daujjliters are yet living. 
George C, the eldest, has heen on the Hoard of 
Trade in (.liicago for the past thirty years, and 
is a ]ininiinent hnsiness man and a promoter of 
a nuniher of im|xirtant enterprises. He is now 
the president of the Sanb(jrii Lumber and De- 
velo|)ment Company, with capital stock of one 
hundred thousand dollars, with offices in the Jour- 
nal iiuildinjj, in Chicago, while the works of the 
company are at .^anhoni in the stale of \'era 
Cruz, Mexico. The company there owns 
nine thousanil acres of lieavily tiiubered land. 
He is also the president of the Mexican .Mutual 
Planters" Company, conducting extensive busi- 
ness interests at \'era Cruz. He married .Miss 
Cora Allen, of Shabbona, Illinois, whose father 
was a captain in the Civil war, and they have 
two children. Harold and Grata (r. Margaret 
Sanborn is now the w-ife of Frank Stephens, of 
Cedar Rapids. Iowa, and they have two children. 
Mabel .\. and Carroll. Addie who was formerly 
engage<l in school teaching and stenographic 
work, is now living at home with her mollur. 
May is the wife of Albert \ an .\ntwerp. of Peca- 
tonica, and has one son, Max. Lucy E., living 
in [''redcricksburg, Iowa, is the wife of Frank 
Thorn, and lias two daugliters, P.eth and Grata. 
Bertha, living in lielvidere, Illinois, is the wife 
of IJr. 1-Vank A. Weld, and they have one son, 
Frank .\., Jr. Giarles. a resident of Des Moines. 
Iowa, formerly engaged in the grain business, but 
now living retired, married Miss Alice Lowcr\-, 
and they have four children, three sons and a 
daughter. lister. Clarence. Walter and .Mice. 
Will, living at Moville, Woodbury county, Iowa, 
where he is engaged in the grain business, mar- 
ried i'.elle Sinan, and their chihlren are Clifi'ord. 
Florence, Willie, Frank, Grata and Neil. 

Mr. Sanlxirn was well known in Pecatonica as 
a kading an<I intluential citizen, whose worth was 
widely acknowledge<l and whose interest in pub- 
lic affairs was manifested in tangible support of 
many movements for the general good. He acted 
as president of the village Ixjard for two terms, 
and was a member of the school board for some 
time, the cause of education finding in him a 
wanii and stalwart friend. He favored the Cni- 
versalist church, and in jiolitics was a republican 
until 1S84, when he became a supporter of the 
prohibition party, with which he was connected 
up to the time of his ilcath. He was known as 
tile champion of intellectual development, the 
temperance cause and all that is right and hfm- 
orable between man and his fellowiuen, and his 
genuine personal wnrth gained him the uncpiali- 
fied respect of those with whom he was associ- 
ated. He lived for many years in this count\. 
passing away -it 'i"- ntr'- "f seventy-five vears. 



L'nto his family he left not only the fruits of 
earnest labor, but also an untarnished name, 
which is rather to he chosen than great riches. 



CAT.X'TX A. IIEMRXWAY. 

Calvin A. Hcmenway. deceased, was a member 
of one of the early families of liurritt township, 
who settled in Winnebago county about 1837 and 
the old home farm is still in their name, being 
now owned by Mrs. Calvin A. Hemenway. Her 
hnshaiid was a native of \ermont. born January 
13. i<S22. His parents, .\sa and Isabclle Hemen- 
wav, were likewise natives of the Green Mountain 
state and they had a large farm. In 1837 Air. 
Hemenway and his children removed to the west, 
settling in r>inTitt township, Winnebago countv, 
in what was then a frontier district, the work of 
improvement an progress having been scarcely 
begun. His wife had died in Canada, at the 
home of a daughter. After reaching their desti- 
nation he purchased a tract of land and at once 
began its cultivation and improvement, continu- 
ing to engage in general farming until his life's 
lalx>rs were ended. Only two members of the 
family are now living, one lacing a resident of 
Canada and the other of California. 

Calvin .\. Hemenway was reared on the old 
farm homestead in Rurritt township froiu the 
age of fifteen years and his education, which was 
begun in the east, was continued in the schools 
of this locality. He assisted his father in the 
arduous task of develo])ing a farm and continued 
to reside upon the old homestead after putting 
aside iiis text-books, .\fter his marriage he re- 
moved to the south and lived for one year at 
Memphis. Tennessee. Later he located at La- 
gonia, Arkansas, wdiere he carried on farming 
and also engaged in teaching school for about six 
years. He then returned to his farm in Burritt 
township and placed his fields under a high state 
of cultivation, improved his buildings and kept 
everything about his place in splendid repair, 
being accounted one of the practical, painstaking 
and progressive agriculturists of his community 
until 1802, in which year he removed to Rock- 
ford and there lived retired until his death. 

Mr. Hemenway was married, in Burritt town- 
ship, to Miss Elizabeth Rodd, a native of Eng- 
land, lx)rn December 18, 1828, and a daughter of 
Richard and Mary (Caldwell") Rodd, who were 
likewise natives of that country. They became 
residents of Winnebago county, however, during 
an early epoch in its settlement and established 
their home in P.nrritt township, where Mr. Rodd 
carried on farming for a long period, both he and 
his wife dying on the old homestead there. Only 
two of their children are now living: Mrs. 



31 




.MKS. t . A. lll•:Mi•:^■\\•A^■ 




C. A. HEMENWAY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



555 



Henienway ; and Thomas, a resident of Grundy 
county, Iowa. Air. and Mrs. Hemenway became 
the parents of nine children, of whom three yet 
survive. WilHam Henry, who married Laura L. 
Tush, has recently sold his flour and feed store in 
Rockford and is now living retired, his home 
being on Forest avenue. Libby is the wife of 
Kindred Wood, a resident farmer of Watertown, 
South Dakota. Rollo Asa married Annie Mc- 
Clish and is living on the old Hemenway farm in 
Burritt township. Those deceased are : Chester, 
Alice, Christina, Charles and two who died in 
infancy. 

The death of the father occurred September 27, 
1897. He had served as supervisor of Burritt 
township for several terms and was also township 
clerk, discharging his duties in a manner most 
creditable, prompt and reliable. His political 
views accorded with republican principles and he 
never wavered in his allegiance to the party or 
in his support of the cause which he believed to 
be right. Both he and his wife were members 
of the First Baptist church of Rockford and 
were interested in its growth and the extension of 
its influence. Mr. Hemenway was a great reader 
and became a well informed man, keeping in 
touch with measures of progress along all mod- 
ern lines. This rendered him an entertaining 
companion and he had many warm friends who 
greatly enjoyed his society. His life, too, was 
characterized by honorable principles and worthy 
motives and although he attained a gratifying 
measure of success his business career was credit- 
able and honorable. His widow still owns the old 
home farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 
Burritt township and she has a nice residence at 
No. 441 Forest avenue. This was built by Mr. 
Hemenway when he took up his abode in Rock- 
ford in i8g2 and it has since been the family 
home. 



WTLLIAAI H. C. MILLER. 

. ^^■illiam H. C. Miller, at one time engaged in 
the jewelry business in Chicago, is now residing 
at Rockford, where he is living retired. He was 
born March 28, 1833, '" ^^^"^^^ Jersey, his parents 
being Isaac and Susan (Miller) Miller. The 
father was born June 15, 1791, ^nd died August 
8, i86q, while his wife, whose birth occurred 
September i, 1793. departed this life on the igth 
of .\pril, 1874. in their family were nine chil- 
dren, five sons and four daughters, and there 
were no deaths among them for fifty years. Three 
generations of the family had previously been 
Ijnrn in New Jersey, which indicates that the 
Millers were long connected with that state. 
Isaac Aliller was a farmer and carpenter, and was 



very progressive and enterprising in all that he 
did. The family is noted for longevity, and he 
passed away at the extreme old age of eighty-nine 
years, while his wife died at the age of eighty-one 
\ears. Those of their family yet living are: 
Mrs. Sarah P. Thomas, who, residing in New 
Jersey, is nearly eighty-eight years of age, but 
iias never had to wear glasses ; William H. C. 
and Isaac, of New York city, who was formerly 
a manufacturer of jewelry and later engaged in 
mining in New Mexico. 

\Mlliam H. C. Miller spent the days of his 
boyhood and. youth in the east, where he acquired 
a public-school education, and on the 30th of 
iVpril, 1856, he arrived in Illinois, settling in Chi- 
cago, where he became a representative of the 
jewelry trade. He had learned watchmaking 
while in New Jersey, and had afterward gone to 
}\Iassachusetts, where he lived for a year, com- 
ing from the old Bay state to the middle west. 
At the time of his arrival Chicago contained a 
population of only about seventy-five thousand 
people. He lived there for sixteen years, or un- 
til the memorable fire of 1871, in which he lost 
nearly everything. He then traded his home for 
a fruit farm in the south, which he afterward 
sold, and in August, 1873, he took up his abode in 
Rockford, and has since lived at No. 749 Johns 
street. In 1882, however, he went to South Da- 
kota, where he secured a government claim, 
which in ifjOi he traded for property in this city. 

( )n the 20th of January, 1863. I\Ir. ]\Iiller was 
united in marriage to Miss Adda Garrison, a 
native of New Jersey, who was born Alarch 7. 
1844. and is a daughter of Thomas and Electa 
( Walker ) Garrison. Her father was a specu- 
lator and also engaged in the grocen,- business. 
He came to the west in September, 1853, bring- 
ing with him a capital of seventy-five thousand 
dollars, and, locating in Rockford, he bought 
property on Main street, where the Talcott prop- 
erty now stands. At one time he owned all of the 
northern portion of the city and was a very prom- 
inent and influential man here. In i860 he went 
west to the Rocky mountains, and during the last 
ten years of his life he frequently visited that 
section of the country, his death occurring in Col- 
orado in 1 87 1, when he was fifty-seven years of 
age. His wife passed away in December, 1868. 
They were the parents of five daughters and one 
son : Mrs. Harriet N. Cedarholm. a widow, re- 
siding in Englewood, Illinois ; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Garrison, who is living in Woodstock. Illinois ; 
Mrs. Theodocia Cleveland, a resident of Evans- 
ton, Illinois: Mrs. Miller: Airs. Anna Know, of 
Alichigan ; and Thomas J., who is also living in 
that state. 

The home of Air. and Mrs. Miller was blessed 
widi six children. Harry G., who was born De- 
cember 17, 1863, is a machinist and inventor of 



556 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUXTV. 



considerable iiruiiiineiice. living in Denver. Colo- 
rado. Eclward W'.. horn Jannary 4. iS'/). is cnn- 
ducting a restaurant in tliat city, (irace, born 
June 25, 1868. (lied in 1869. Mortimer R.. born 
March 2. 1871. is superintendent of the city 
water works and also city engineer at W'aukegan, 
llilnois. Ruth E.. born January 11. 187^), died 
June 22. 1882. Mabel A., born June 10. i87«^. is 
a stenographer for the Emerson .Manufacturing 
Company of Rockford. 

Mr. and Mrs. Miller are well kni>\\n in this 
city, where they have now long resided. He owns 
here ten acres of very valuable land.^the tract Ix-- 
ing favorably situated in one of the best resi- 
dence districts of the city, so that it will com- 
mand a high ]jrice. Always interested in ques- 
tions of the day, he keeps well informed on [xt- 
litical and general subjects. lie belongs to thi- 
]\Iasonic fraternity, while his wife is a member 
of the Presbyterian church, and although he is 
now seventy-two years of age he presents the a|) 
pearance of a man in his prime, being very active 
and vigorous. He has enjoyed remarkably good 
health throughout his entire life, and his c<jn- 
linned interest in public atTairs and in local pro- 
gress makes him a congenial ci>m])anion and a 
valued citizen of Rockford. 



I. T. WKLTY. 



J. J. W'elty, a retired farmer residing at No. 
1410 Charles street. l^)ckford, was born in I'erry 
county, Pennsylvania, .Xovcmbcr 19. 1841. His 
parents were John and Elizabeth (Linehart) 
Welty. The father was born in Fredericksburg, 
Maryland, in 1810, and in Pennsylvania was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Einehart. a native of 
Switzerland, whose birth also occurred in 1810. 
She came to this country witli her parents in 
1820. They left their old home in the month of 
June, and with a horse and wagon drove to P>asil 
in 1826. There they s|)ent the night, and then 
went across the mountains into l-'rance, where 
they had to ])ay the exorbitant jirice of si.xleen 
cents per jjound for bread. They continued on 
their way to Havre de (Irace, France, a distance 
of six hundred miles, which was accomplished 
with horse and wagon, and from tliat port they 
took passage f)n a sailing vessel lK)nnd for New 
■S'ork, being thirteen weeks on the ocean. Thev 
encountered some very severe .storms, including 
three whirlwinds, which took every sail off the 
Ixiat three times for three different days. Their 
supply of provisions was exhausted, and they 
were nearly starved. The boat drifted helplessly 
here and there, but finally drifted to Theresa 
island, where they got bread, spending three davs 
at that ])ort. Finally they landed at Philadelphia 

nil ibf I vt of \'i i\ iiiiliir 1820. 



When only nine years old Mrs. Welty began 
working out. and later was paid fifty cents per 
week for her services. When seventeen years of 
age she learned dressmaking, at which she earned 
twelve and a half cents per day. When she was 
twelve years old she carried sap in a sugar camp, 
having two buckets suspended from a pole which 
she carried across her shoulders. She remem- 
bers, too, i)urchasing some fine calico for a Sun- 
day dress at forty cents per yard. When fifteen 
years of age she started on foot with her father 
to Philadel])hia, leading an ox from the block- 
house in the vicinity of their home to the city 
market, a distance of two hundred miles. The 
entire journey was accomplished on foot, and the 
last day they walked twenty-seven miles. Her 
father became ill with typhoid fever in the city, 
and Mrs. \\'eh\ tlien returned alone to her home 
over that entire distance. She became the wife of 
John W'elty in Pennsylvania, and they drove with 
a wagon to Illinois in 1851. in which year the 
Xortliwestern railroad was being built to Rock- 
ford. They were five weeks on the way, and they 
located in Cherry \'alley township, where Mr. 
Welty purchased one hundred and ninety-seven 
acres of land, for which they ])aid two hundred 
dollars. The second year they ])lanted one hun- 
dred acres of corn. Mr. Welt\' jiaid twenty-five 
cents per bushel for seed wheat the first year. 
Some of the land which he Ixnight was improved 
and a log cabin had been l)nilt. and with strong 
])ur])ose and courageous hearts this worthy pio- 
neer cou])le continued the work of reclaiming the 
farm for the uses of civilization. .\s his financial 
resources increased, John Welty kept adding to 
his possessions, until at one time he owned over 
one thousand acres of land in Illinois and eight 
himdred acres in Iowa. In all of his work he had 
the able assistance of bis wife. wIk^ was a most 
capable helpmate, and who. in her management 
of the household affairs, contributed in large 
measure to the success which attended her hus- 
band. Mr. Welty passed away October C\ 1882. 
at the age of sevent\-fwo years, and is still sur- 
vived b\ his wife, who is now ninety-five years of 
age. -Still strong in intellect, she related in most 
interesting manner the incidents given in this 
sketch concerning her childhood days in the old 
world and her early exiiericnccs in this country. 
Three of the children born inito them arc yet !iv- 
iuir: I'-lizabeth. the wife of James Dawson, re- 
siding at Xo. 1410 Giarles street, Rockford; 
Calvin, who lives near the city limits of Rock- 
ford : and J. J., of this review. 

In the county of his nativity J. J. Welty spent 
the first ten years of his life, and then accompa- 
nied his parents on their removal to Winnebago 
county, where he continued his education in the 
common schools of Qierry X'alley township, to 
which he had to go a distance of three miles. 




MR. AND MRS. JOHN WELTY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



559 



He assisted in the arduous labor of developing a 
new farm here, and continued at home until the 
Civil war broke out. In 1862 he responded to his 
country's call for aid. enlisting in Companv A, 
Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, but was rejected 
on account of his youth. In 1863 he joined the 
Eighth Illinois Cavalry, of which General Farns- 
worth was then colonel. He served until June 17, 
1865, when he was discharged in Missouri. On 
the return trip, which was being made up the 
river, and when they were near St. Louis, the 
boat sank and five of the men were drowned. Mr. 
Welty participated in the battles of Culpeper, 
Colfax Courthouse, Middlesbury, Malvern Hill, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg and others of less im- 
portance. 

When the war was over Mr. Welty returned to 
his home, where he worked for some time, and 
later engaged in farming on shares. In 1878 he 
purchased two hundred acres of land in Iowa, re- 
taining it in his possession until 1900, when he 
sold out. He now owns the home where he re- 
sides at 1410 Charles street, and his mother has 
two houses and lots in Rockford. He has never 
married, and his sister Elizabeth and her hus- 
band, James Dawson, reside with him. Thev 
have four sons: James Robert: Calvin, of Rock- 
ford : Emery, of Harvard, and John, who is liv- 
ing in Allen Grove, Wisconsin. Mr. Welty is a 
republican, stanch in his advocacy of the partv, 
and is a memlier of Nevius post, No. i, G. A. 
R., of Rockford, maintaining pleasant relation- 
ships with his old army comrades by attendance 
at camp fires. His parents were members of the 
Congregational church, and lived together as man 
and wife for over fifty years, celebrating their 
golden wedding in Rockford. 



CHARLES WILLS. 



Charles Wills, whose life historv was a record 
of activity, and who. in the conduct of business 
affairs in Latham Park and Rockford became 
well known, was a native of Carbon countv, 
Pennsylvania. His father, Adam Wills, spent 
his entire life in that county, and was an expert 
machinist, following his trade until seventy years 
of age, when he retired from active business life. 
He was a member in high standing in the Ma- 
sonic order, and was always true to the teachings 
and tenets of the craft. Both he and his wife 
died in the Keystone state. 

Charles Wills was indebted to the public-school 
system of his native countv for the educational 
privileges he enjoved and aft'er finishing his 
school life he learned the machinist's trade under 
the direction of his father. He then entered the 
employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company 



as fireman, and was afterward pnimoted to loco- 
motive engineer, running upon that road for a 
few years. Subsequently he returned to his trade 
as a machinist, being employed in the shops of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Hazelton, 
Pennsylvania, and it was while he was working 
there that he was married. He continued in that 
service for a few years, and next sougltt a home 
in the west, settling at Janesville. Wisconsin, 
where he began as engineer in the employ of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Com- 
pany, his run being between Janesville, Rockford 
and Chicago. After acting as engineer for a few 
years, he gave up railroad work and removed 
from Janesville to the village of Latham Park, in 
\Mnnebago county, where he established a gen- 
eral store and also served as postmaster. When 
he had remained at that place for a few \-ears, he 
took up his abode in Rockford and accepted the 
position of janitor and engineer in the Winne- 
bago county courthouse, which position he held 
for six years. His health then failed and obliged 
him to resign, so that he returned to his countrA- 
home at Latham Park. Again he engaged in 
general merchandizing there, and was once more 
made postmaster, continuing in mercantile life 
and also as the incumbent in the office uyi to the 
time of his demise, which occurred Octolier 29, 
1897. . 

\\ bile living in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. 
Charles Wills was married to Miss Man,' B. Blay, 
a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of 
Richard and Sarah Blay. Her father was an 
architect and builder and was prominent in Ma- 
sonic circles. He died in Mauchchunk, Pennsyl- 
vania, and his wife, after removing to 
Janesville, Wisconsin, died at the home of 
her daughter there. Mr. and Mrs. Wills 
became the parents of two daughters : Lilly, 
the wife of Frank Severance, a promi- 
nent citizen of Rockford and Esther May, 
who has always resided with her mother, 
who since the death of Mr. Wills has sold 
the property at Latham Park and removed to 
Rockford. purchasing her present home at No. 
610 Bruce street. She has a cottage here, but in- 
tends soon to sell this place and build a larger 
residence in the northern part of the citv on other 
lots that she now owns. 

Mr. Wills cast his ballot in support of the men 
and measures of the republican party, and was 
always interested in its success, but aside from 
the position of postmaster, held no other office. 
He was a valued rejiresentative of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows at Rockford, and he 
had a wide circle of friends in this city. He was 
a man of domestic tastes, alwavs spending his 
evenings with his family, for he found his great- 
est enjovment at his own fireside, in the company 
of his wife and daughters. He was very tem- 



5C0 



PAST AND PRESENT OF W lX.\i:i: AtiO OKXTV. 



in-rato, and his life was straightforward and ujj- 
riijht, Ix-inj; jjiiidcd by lionorable. manly princi- 
ples. Mrs. Wills antl her daiij^-htcr arc members 
of the Court Street .Methoilist Eiiiscopal church. 



\\lLLI.\.\i 



I'.IKR. 



William I.. lUirr, of Rockford. is a native of 
Wa\ne county. Ohio, born in 1831. his parents 
beiiiij James and Polly ( Smitii ) P>urr. His 
father was a native of \'erniont, and owned a 
farm there, also conducting a sawmill. Follow- 
in.jjf the death of his wife, he removed to Iowa, 
an<l he passed away at Cctlar I"alls, that state. 
In the family were nine children, of whom four 
are yet living. 

W. L. lUirr, of tliis review, rcniained a resi- 
dent of Ohio until fiftem years of age, when he 
supplemented his early educational advantages 
by study in a school at .Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
He had continued his education for but a l)riet 
period there, h(5wever, when he put aside his text- 
books and began learning the jeweler's trade, 
wliich he completed in Waukegan, Illinois. He 
then went to Giicago. where lie worked for ten 
nwnths, at the end of which time he embarked 
in business in coimection with his brother at Hea- 
ver Dam. Wisconsin, where they remained ior 
twelve years, enjoying a good patronage and be- 
coming leailing and successful merchants of that 
city. ( )n selling out there, Mr. llurr removed to 
Winona, .Minnesota, where he was connected 
with merchandizing interests for ten years, when 
he traded his stock of goods for five himdred 
acres of land near the city and turned his atten- 
tion til farming. .After carrying on agricultural 
pursuits for several years in that locality he re- 
moved to Rockford and here he established his 
sons in business in the store adjoining the Chick 
House. He has not been active in mercantile life 
since, .save for the assistance which he has ren- 
dered to his sons, and now he is living in well- 
eanied ea.se, the fruits of his former toil making 
life pleasant for him. 

.Mr. jiurr was married to Miss Lucetta J. .Mc- 
Clure. a native of ( )hio. and they Ixxame the 
])arents of ten children, of whom eiglit are liv- 
ing. William J., who is engaged in the grocery 
luisiness in Rockford, married .Miss l-^llen Wills, 
and with her one son they reside on National ave- 
nue. Giarles D., a grocer residing at Burr 
Heights, married Miss (Irace Switz, and has one 
.sfjn. Prank R., likewi.sc connected with the gro- 
ccPi- trade, and now living on Haskell avenue, is 
married and has two children, a son and daugh- 
ter. .Xddi.son. who is engaged in the sporting 
goods business, and lives on Second street. Rock 



ford, is married, and has one daughter, lulwin, 
who is also a merchant dealing in sporting goods, 
and living on Giestnut street, is married and lias 
two sons. Lee, engaged in the grocery business, is 
at h<jme with his lather. .Mar\- .Nettie is the wife 
of Theodore ISaker, who is engaged in the stock 
business and mining, and they have one daughter, 
Jennie is the wife of N. D. Taylor, who resides 
at 322 Fisher avenue. Rockford. and manages 
the grocery business on the east side for the firm 
of llurr llrothers. Martha became the wife of 
Charles McGlashen. and left one daughter. 

The firm of lUirr llrothers own three stores in 
Rockford and carry a full line of groceries. Their 
business is now very extensive and important, 
constituting one of the most i>roniinent commer- 
cial concerns of the city, and em]>loyment is fur- 
nished to sixty men. From a small store they 
have built up a mammoth trade. The father gave 
to his sons six thousand dollars and with this as 
ilu- nucleus of their business they have dcvelo[>ed 
an enter])rise whi>se annual trade is represented 
by a very extensive figure, .\fter s«ime years the 
father sold his interest to his sons, but he now 
owns two large farms, one including a half sec- 
tion of land, and the other an entire section of 
very valuable land in Kansas. He also owns a 
fine home where he resides at No. 526 Giestnut 
street. Rockford. 

.Mr. Purr was reared in the faith of the whig 
party, and in early manhood became a stanch 
advocate of republican principles, having since 
given his support to the party organization, 
but without desire for office as a reward 
for his fealty. His wife is a member of the 
Congregational church. In a review of his 
record we note the manifestation of strong and 
forceful business elements, keen perception, 
ready adaptability and clo.se a]i])lication. .MI 
these have combined to make him a very suc- 
cessful man and the family has long been a 
prominent one in Rockford, becau.se of the gen- 
uine personal w<>rth of the father and his sons, 
the latter now ranking with the bist business men 
of the cit\. 



|(>1IN S. W ATSMN. 



John S. Watson, deceased, was a prominent 
farmer ot New .Milford townshij), and his success 
and the honorable methods whereby it was se- 
cured won him the admiration and re.spect of his 
fellowmen. He was l)orn in Coventry, England, 
in 1823, and ,s]K'nt the first seventeen years of his 
life in that land, after which he emigrated to 
the new world, taking up his alxidc in Indiana 
about 1840. There he lived for a few years, ami 
in 1845 he came to Winnebago county, where lie 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



S6i 



filed a claim to a tract of land constituting the 
present home fann of his family. This has never 
been mortgaged nor has it passed out of the pos- 
sesion of the family since Mr. Watson received 
the deed from the government. In his native 
countn,^ he had learned the trade of ribbon weav- 
ing-, following that pursuit until he crossed the 
Atlantic, and in Indiana he learned the black- 
smith's trade, to which he gave his attention in 
that state. Subsequent to bis arrival in Illinois, 
he engaged in farming. His educational privi- 
leges were limited, but he made the most of his 
opportunities and progressed along the line of 
intellectual development as well as of material 
progress. As the years went by, he made sub- 
stantial improvements upon his farm, erecting 
good buildings, including a comfortable home, 
which replaced the little log cabin that had first 
furnished shelter to the family, following their 
arrival in the county. As his financial resources 
increased, he extended the boundaries of his place 
by the purchase of an additional tract of eighty 
acres, .so that the farm now contains two hundred 
acres. It was wild and uncultivated when it came 
into his possession, but t'be arduous task of de- 
veloping it did not deter him from setting reso- 
lutely to work to transform the place into pro- 
ductive fields, and his labors were crowned with 
success, for in the course of a few years he was 
gathering abundant harvests, where iiefore the 
wild prairie grasses were found. 

On the gth of December, 1847, Mr. Watson 
was united in marriage to Miss Addie L. Stick- 
ney, who was born in Addison, Addison county, 
A'ermont, in ^larch, 1827. and removed to 
Rochester. Xcw York, with her parents, the 
family there remaining until 1846, when they 
came to Winnebago county. The party consti- 
tuted the father, mother and eight children. The 
father, Abial Stickney, secured a tract of land in 
New Milford township near the site of the pres- 
ent village of that name, but a year later removed 
to Ogle county, where he purchased a farm. He 
did not live, however, to make a home there but 
his widow afterward removed to the farm with 
her children and spent her remaining days upon 
that place, dying about thirty years ago. Subse- 
quent to the mother's death the children removed 
to various locahties and with the exception of 
Mrs. Watson none are now residents of Winne- 
bago county. To her husband she proved a 
faithful companion and helpmate on life's jour- 
ney and since his death she has conducted the 
farm, renting the land, however, largely to her 
children. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. \\'atson were born three 
sons and two daughters: Robert S., born Octo- 
ber 13, 1848, is a traveling salesman residing in 
Chicago. He served as a soldier during the lat- 



ter part of the Civil war. He married Jo- 
sephine Burdick, and their only child died when 
si.x years of age. Elizabeth L., born February 
21, 1850, is the wife of James Strong, a resident 
of Allen county, Kansas, and tliey have three 
children, Bdith, Walter and Curtis. Thomas F., 
born May 21, 1853, was frozen to death while 
crossing the mountains in California, February 
5, 1876. Eva A., born March 24, 1859, is the 
wife of George Skinner, a fanner of New Mil- 
ford township, who also operates a part of the 
old homestead farm. They have .six children of 
whom four are living, Charles, Blanch, Vera 
and Herbert, while May and George are de- 
ceased. Cieorge C. Watson, the yoimgest mem- 
ber of the family, was born January 3, 1868, 
and is now operating the old homestead farm. 
He married Miss Laura L. Bryant, a native of 
England, who came to this country and settled 
near the village of New Milford with her par- 
ents, William and Mary Bryant, who are resi- 
dents of Clarion. Wright county, Iowa. Mr. 
and Mrs. George C. Watson have two sons, 
Robert C, ten years of age, and Emer\' J., aged 
four wars. 

The family are all republicans in politics and 
John S. Watson filled various township offices, 
to which he was called by his fellow citizens who 
reoognized his lo\'alty to the general gooil and 
his capability. He was a Mason, belonging to 
Cherry \'alley lodge, and in his religious views 
he was liberal. In his life he displayed many 
excellent traits of character in harmony with the 
teachings of the craft and he was well known 
as a prominent and enterprising farmer, his life 
being crowned with a high measure of success. 
The nxethocls which he followed were straight- 
forward and commendable and a definite plan of 
action and a close adherence to the course which 
he marked out were salient features in his pros- 
perity. He was devoted to the welfare of his 
famil}', doing everything in his power to pro- 
mote the comforts of his wife and children, and 
his death, which occurred in 1886. \vas also 
deeply regretted b\- many friends as well as 
his own household. 



OLINER A. PENNOYER. 

Oliver A. Pennoyer, deceased, a factor in the 
public life of Rockford for many years, served 
through a long period as circuit clerk and also 
as deputy circuit clerk and maintained his resi- 
dence here from 1857. A native of Groton, New 
York, he was born July 15, 1826. His parents, 
Justus P. and Elizabeth Pennoyer. were both 
natives of the east and throug-hout his entire life 



562 



PAST WD PRESENT OF WT.WECAGU CUL'XTV. 



the fatlier followed tanuiiii; near Grolon, Xcw 
^'o^k. His wife also died in the same loealitv. 
Tliere are only two of the children now living. 
two sisters makings their home near Detroit. 
Michigan. A brother. Hon. Sylvester Pennoyer. 
was at one time jjovemor of (!)regon. 

( Hiver .V. Pennoyer. reared as a farm lad. at- 
tended the common schools of the east and 
worked in the fields when not occupied with the 
duties of the .scho<ilroom. Having arrived at 
years of maturity he chose as a companion and 
helpmate on life's journey Miss .Margaret P. 
Morris. Her parents were hoth natives of the 
east and her father died in .Michigan during the 
early girlhixxl days of his daughter. .Mr. and 
Mrs. Pennoyer bc-came the parents of four chil- 
dren. Frank. Hattie. .Mattie and Charles, hut all 
died in childhood. 

After his marriage Mr. Pennoyer resided in 
the east until 1857. when he came to Illinois, .set- 
tling in Rockford. The same year he was ap- 
l)ointed deputy circuit clerk, serving in that 
cajiacity for four years, when he was elected cir- 
cuit clerk and filled the position for the usual 
four years' term. ( )n the cx])iration of that pe- 
riod he was again appointed deputy and later he 
serve<l as police magistrate for two years. He 
then went to W'ashingtcjn. D. C. where he occu- 
pied a clerical position in the treasury deijart- 
ment for over .seven years during President 
Grant's administration. On returning to Rock- 
ford he engaged in the abstract business for a 
few years but eventually retired on account of 
ill health. Indolence and idleness, however, were 
utterly foreign to his nature and he could not 
content himself without some business interest. 
He therefore accepted an insurance agency and 
gave Iiis attention to that business until his death, 
which (x-curred December 13. 1882. He was 
also interested in the great political (|uestions 
wliich divide the two parties and gave an un- 
faltering support to republican principles. He 
was identified with Masonic lodge in the east 
and again in Rockford and he held memlx;rship 
in the Westminister Presbyterian church, of 
which his wife is also a member. Mr. Pennover 
w;is a very fine penman and a most rapid writer. 
He also possessed considerable artistic talent and 
although lie never received instructions he pro- 
duced some very excellent works of art, devoting 
his leisure time while in Washington to paint- 
ing. .\ numlxT of his works now ailorn 
the home of his widow. He tlelighted in 
the l)eautiful and had a great apprecia- 
tion for color and form so that his paint- 
ings display a supcTiority much a1)ove the 
amateur. Mrs. Pennoyer now occupies an 
apartment in the residence of E. L. Herrick at 
Xo. 303 South Second street. She lias resirk-d 



in Rockford iluring the greater part of the time 
fcr a half century and is well known here, the 
circle of her friends being extensive. 



i:.M!L l.( )l-(,Ri:X. M. D. 

Dr. Fmil Lofgren. who for the second term 
has served as commissioner of health of Rock- 
ford. where he is also engaged in the general 
])ractice of medicine, was born February 27. 
1874, in Chicago. Illinois, his parents be- 
ing ( )ttn and Loui.sa Lofgren. The former 
emigrated from Sweden about 1872, made 



his wav direct to C'liicasj 



and after residing: 



about two years there came to Rockford is the 
fall of 1874. Here he was employed by the 
L'nion I'urniture Coiupany, later the Skandia 
Furniture Company. In his family were two 
sons and three dau.ghters. of whom Fmil is the 
eldest. 

Dr. Lofgren was onl\- a few nidulhs did when 
brought by his ])arents to tiiis city. Here he 
began his education in the public schools, and 
afterward attended .Augustana College, at Rock 
Island, in 1891. In the fall of 1895 'i^ com- 
menced teaching at the .\ndover ( )rphans' Home 
and continued in that institluion until 1897. In 
the fall of that year he matriculated in the 
Iowa L'niversity. where he remained for two 
years, or until the spring of 1899 ^^ a 
student in the medical dejiartment. In the fall 
of 1891) he entereil the medical department of the 
Xorthwestcrn Cniversity. at Chicago, and was 
graduated with the class of kjOI. He then re- 
turned to Rockford. where he opened his office, 
and has since enga.ged in general practice. 

In 1896 Dr. Lofgren enlisted in the Illinois 
.National Guard as a member of Company F, 
.Sixth Regiment, of Moline. He was afterward 
transferred to the hospital corps of the regular 
army, and was in Porto Rico under General 
Miles during the i)eriod of the Spanish-.-\incrican 
war, being mustered out on Thanksgiving day 
of i8<)8. In 1903 he was ajipointed commis- 
sioner of health of the city of Rockford. and is 
now serving for the second term of one year 
each. He visits St. .\uthony"s hos])ital in addi- 
tion to caring for the work of private practice, 
which is extended to him by those who recog- 
nize liis professional skill and capability. He 
belongs to the Illinois State Medical .Society, the 
\\ imtebago L'oiuity Medical Society, the .\mer- 
ican Medical .\ssociation and the Spanish War 
X'eteran .\ssociation, and of the last named he is 
|)ost surgeon. He al.so has membership with tlie 
Zion Lutheran church, and in i)olitics he is a 
republican. The field of business is limitless. 




DR. EJNIIL LOFGREN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



565 



and its prizes are many and }et comparatively 
few who enter the "world's broad field of battle" 
come off victorious in the struggle for success 
and prominence. This is usually due to one or 
more of several causes — superficial preparation, 
lack of close application or an unwise choice in 
selecting an avocation for which one is not fitted. 
The reverse of all these seems true of Dr. Lof- 
gren, who although yet a young man, has made 
for himself a creditable position as a represent- 
ative of the medical fraternity in Rockford. 



ELL\S COSPEK 



Among the men who have been builders 
of Rockford and promoters of its progress and 
prosperity Elias Cosper is numbered. Various 
business enterprises felt the stimulus of his 
energy, far-sighted sagacity and unfaltering per- 
severance. He became a resident of Rockford 
in 1854 and for years thereafter figured promi- 
nently in banking and manufacturing circles. 
He was also the prime mover in the establish- 
ment of the Rockford public librar\-, and mam- 
other interests of the city owe their existence in 
whole or in part to his efforts. 

Mr. Cosper was born in East Union, Ohio. 
March 19, 1824. Iiis parents being Daniel and 
Margaret ( ^larr ) Cosper, both of whom were 
natives of eastern Pennsylvania. He followed 
general merchandising to a limited extent but 
his attention was chiefly given to agricultural 
pursuits in Ohio to which state he removed when 
a young man. He lived with his family in 
Fredericksburg. Ohio, where both he and his 
wife resided until called to their final home. 
Only one of their children is now living, Daniel, 
who has retired from business life and makes his 
home in Fredericksburg. 

Elias Cosper acquired a good education in the 
public and ]5rivate schools at Wooster, Ohio, and 
afterward began learning the watchmaker's 
trade there with a Mr. Sprague, being at that 
tin^je alx)ut twenty-one years of age. Later he 
went to Lancaster, Ohio, where they engaged in 
watch manufacturing for six years, and on the 
expiration of that period Mr. Cosper sought a 
home in Chicago and conducted a jewelr}- busi- 
ness at No. "jj Lake street, remaining there until 
his removal to Rockford in 1854. His identifi- 
cation with the business interests of this cit\- 
began as cashier of the banking house of Robert- 
son, Coleman & Company. The business after- 
ward clianged hands and 'Wx. Cosper became one 
of the stockholders, his associates being Messrs. 
Robertson, Starr and Coleman, and tlieir bank 
was the predecessor of what is now known as 
the \\'innebago National Bank. Mr. Cosper con- 



tinued to engage in the banking business for 
several years or until after the outbreak of the 
Ci\'il war, when he put aside business duties in 
order to respond to his country's call. 

EnHsting in the Union Amiy ilr. Cosper be- 
came captain of Company E, Seventv-fourth Illi- 
nois Infantry, under Colonel J. C. ^lorris. His 
command took jjart in many battles of importance 
and while at Nashville Mr. Cosper was assigned 
to office duty, being made first assistant provost 
marshal general, in which capacity he served 
both at Nashville and Stone River. Following 
the battle of Chatttanooga he resigned his posi- 
tion as captain and was then made pa}-master, in 
which capacity he rendered signal serv'ice to the 
amiy until the close of the war. 

After receiving an honorable discharge in 
1865. Mr. Cosper returned to Rockford. where 
he entered into partnership with John P. Manny, 
now deceased. The}^ dealt in reapers and other 
farm implements, conducting the business with 
success for several }"ears, at the end of which 
time they organized a stock company and be- 
gan the manufacture of tacks under the name 
of the Rockford Tack Company. Air. Cosper 
continued his connection with that business 
throughout his remaining days. The enterprise 
grew and became a profitable concern and Mr. 
Cosper in the course of years was known as one 
of the wealthy men of the cit\\ He owed his 
business advancement entirely to his own efforts 
and the utilization of opportunities. He pos- 
sessed keen discernment and readily compre- 
hended an intricate business situation and in all 
of his dealings he was notably prompt and re- 
liable. 

Mr. Cosper was married in \\'ooster, Ohio, to 
Miss Ehza McMonigal. a native of Wooster and 
a daughter of Andrew McMonigal, who was ex- 
tensively engaged in farming in the Buckeye 
state. He also carried on general merchandis- 
ing and in his later years he lived retired in 
Wooster, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. 
There both he and his wife died. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Cosper were born seven children, of 
whom five are now living. Frank is engaged 
in the printing business as a member of the 
Cosper Printing Company, of St. Louis, Alis- 
souri. Harry, residing in Chicago, is manager 
of the wholesale house of tlie Becken Jewelry 
Company. Alar\', who has always resided with 
her motlier is secretary and treasurer of the L. 
Peake Harness Compan\-, wholesale and retail 
dealers in harness, saddlery and trunks at No. 
1 16 West State street in Rockford. This is the 
largest concern of the kind in the city and Aliss 
Cosper gives careful attention to the development 
of the business under her care. Charles A. is 
employed in a supply warehouse at Chicago. 
Laura Marr is the wife of P. A. AlcPherson. 



566 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COLX IV. 



who is a partner in tiic I'.rinkcrhoff Maniifactiir- 
inn- Company, manufacturers of pianos at Jack- 
son, .Micliistui. Those deceased are 1-izzie, who 
died at the age of eighteen years, just as she 
completed her course in the Rock ford seminary ; 
and Anna, wliu died in infancy. 

Mr. Cosper was never an office seeker but 
gave an unfaltering support to the republican 
party. His habits and tastes were those of a 
student and he found great pleasure in the midst 
of his botiks. He was the prime mover in the 
estal)lishment of the Rockford public library, 
worked hard to raise funds for this purpose and 
contrii)uted lKR)ks, time and money to the enter- 
prise, until the library was an assureil fact in 
1872. He l>clonged to the Clrand Anny Post of 
Rockford and enjoyed in full measure the good 
will ami respect of his fellownncn. His business 
career was such as any man niiglit be proud to 
possess for he steadily worked his way upward 
making oi)portunity where none existed, over- 
coming the difficulties and obstacles that always 
beset a business career, and by liis inherent force 
of character and strong purpose gaining the 
handsome competence that enabled him to leave 
his family in very comfortable financial circum- 
stances. .Mrs. Cosper is a member of the Con- 
gregational church. She owns a beautiful home 
at Xo. 134 Cosper Place, in the northern part 
of Rockford on the banks of the Rock river. Mr. 
Cosper at one time owned this addition to Rock- 
fonl. comprising over thirty-seven acres, but 
most of it has since been sold in town lots, Mrs. 
Cosper, however, retaining possession of the 
family residence and one acre of land. He also 
owned other valuable property in Rockford. 
The family is very prominent here, occupying an 
enviable position in social circles, and their own 
home is noted for its gracious and cordial hos- 
pitality. 



JOHN SCHMAUSS. 

John .^chmanss, passing from this life left to 
his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished 
name together with a handsome forttme that rep- 
resented a life of honest purpose, of laudable am- 
bition and indefatigable industry. Moreover he 
endeared himself to his fellowmen by those ster- 
ling traits of character which awaken regard and 
warm friendships, being very considerate, loyal, 
courteous and kindly, while in his home he exem- 
plified all of the best elements of the devoted hus- 
liand and father. His life record was an honor to 
the land of his nativity and the land of his adop- 
tion. 

His birth occurred at Scheittach, not far from 
Nuremburg. Bavaria, August 14, 1830. His father 
owned and conducted a well established meat 



market and bis five sons, George, John. Joseph, 
Leonard and Wolf, all became experts at that 
trade. Josejih and Leonard were the first repre- 
sentatives of the family to seek a home in Amer- 
ica and secured employment in Kettlewell's mar- 
ket, in Rockford. Seeing that there was a favor- 
able o])ening for workmen of their nationality 
they urged their brothers, John and Wolf to join 
them here and the request was complied with 
when in 1855 these two brothers sailed from the 
fatherland for New York and a few davs later 
reached Rockford. John Schmauss also entered 
the cm])loy of Mr. Kettlewell, with whom he con- 
tinued until after the discovery of gold at Pike's 
Peak, when he made his way to Colorado. He 
did not find the fortune he there anticipated and 
became convinced that he was as likely to win 
success in the Inisincss opportunities afforded in 
Rockford as in the gold fields of the mountain 
districts. He therefore returned to Rockford 
with a belief in her future, the infallibility of 
which was proven as the years went by. He re- 
alized that industry and thrift are the basis of all 
success and he worked persistently and energet- 
ically for the successful conduct of the business 
in which he engaged as a partner of Charles 
dehorn, the firm being established under the firm 
style of Schorn & Schmauss. This was in May, 
1867, and for five years they conducted a profit- 
able trade, at the end of which time Mr. Schorn 
established a meat market on Matlison street, 
while Mr. Schmauss removed to a farm. 

In 1871 Mr. Schmauss purchased the property 
known as the Twogood farm in Cherry Valley 
townshi]). He was identified with the meat busi- 
ness until 1855, when the firm of Schmauss 
Brothers sold out to Leonard and Joseph 
Schmauss, sons of Leonard Schmauss, Sr. Dur- 
ing the interval from 1871 until 1885 Mr. 
Schmauss had labored constantly to improve 
what had become a most valuable farm property 
and after he had retired from the market he drove 
almost daily down to the farm, comprising more 
(ban three hundred acres, giving to its develop- 
ment and cultivation his personal supervision 
and making it a valuable property. In connection 
with the tilling of the soil consideralile attention 
was given to the raising of cattle and in all of his 
business he was practical, systematic and ener- 
getic. Pie seemed to use his opjiortunities to the 
very best advantage and his farm became a very 
paying investment. At the same time he did much 
to improve his beautiful home on East State 
street an<l here the first spring flowers and the 
last blossoms of autunnt were seen, together with 
all the rare and beautiful jilants nurtured through 
the smnmer months. He likewise had a garden 
which was his pride and indeed he had every 
reason to feel the utmost gratification. He raised 




JOHN SCHMAUSS. 



32 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



5f'Q 



the earliest and best veg'etal)les anil his opinions 
concerning the cultivation of garden products 
were received as authority. His reputation as a 
far-sighted financier was widespread and his 
judgment was seldom if ever at fault in any busi- 
ness method. He readily comprehended intricate 
business situations and mastered difficult prob- 
lems, so using existing conditions that the de- 
sired result was gained. 

There were other sides to the nature of Air. 
Schmauss, however, that awakened for him the 
warmest regard, while his business ability com- 
manded the respect and excited the admiration 
of his contemporaries. A biographer at the time 
of his death said: "Mr. Schmauss did not think 
solely and incessantly of his work. He had a 
genial disposition and found great enjoyment in 
social life. As long as his health permitted he 
participated in social pleasures. His jovial, cor- 
dial nature made him always a welcome addition 
to a large and congenial circle of friends. He 
was one of the founders of the Germania Gesang- 
verein, of which he was an honorary member." 

If Mr. Schmauss had been questioned concern- 
ing the most important chapter in his life history 
he would probably have replied that it was the one 
which related to his home for he was pre-emi- 
nently a man of domestic tastes, displaying the 
utmost devotion to his family and considering no 
personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would 
enhance the welfare and happiness of his wife and 
daughter. He was married April 4, 1866, to 
Miss Anna Frohlich, of ^^'aldsassen. Bavaria, 
Germany, and the relation that existed between 
them was a most congenial one, Mrs. Schmauss 
proving a most capable helpmate and companion 
to her husband on life's journey. She made it her 
object to share and lighten his care. Had the 
day been full of trials and annoyances the home 
was bright and cheerful and a welcome always 
awaited him. Had he worked past hours on his 
farm to return tired out, the home-coming was 
a satisfaction that made him forget his weariness. 
Mrs. Schmauss is pre-eminently a housewife, 
or "housemother"' as the Germans put it and she 
studied constantly the wishes and desires of her 
husband and made it her work to minister tmto 
these, thus contributing to the comfort and hap- 
piness throughout the long years of their married 
life. They had one daughter. Katharine, who has 
attained superior ability in various art lines, in- 
cluding needle work and painting, .\mong her 
laces there is a collar of the finest material for 
which she was oflfered two hundred and fifty dol- 
lars by Marshall Field & Company, of Chicago. 
Her reputation as an artist indicates the value 
of her marked talent in painting and she has a fine 
collection of oil and water colors in her home. 
Mr. Schmauss departed this life February i, 
1904, and his wife and daughter now reside in the 



beautiful home wdiich he has prepared for them 
at No. 821 East State street. His memory is en- 
shrined in the hearts of all who knew him and 
were familiar with his many excellent traits of 
character, his kindly spirit, his generous sympa- 
thy and his devotion to the good, the true and the 
beautiful. While he has achieved a success that 
made him a notable figure in business circles this 
was not the end for which he was striving save 
as it gave him the means to minister unto his 
family and to take part in many good works. He 
was quick to recognize true manhood in others 
and he counted his friends not by what they pos- 
sessed in worldly goods but because of their gen- 
uine worth of character. He was indeed one of 
the most prominent factors in the German-Ainer- 
ican citizenship of Winnebago county and his 
life record is indeed worthy of emulation. 



GLEASON F. BRIGGS. 

(_;ieason F. Briggs, now living retired in W'in- 
nebagq, where for the past twenty years he has 
been engaged in loaning monev, has resided in 
this county for sixty-seven years. He was born 
in Erie county. New York, near Buffalo, May 
25, 1825, his parents being Albey and Zerviah 
I Jewell ) Briggs. natives of Rhode Island and 
Massachusetts, respectively. Following their 
marriage they resided in the state of New York 
until 1838, and on the 2d of July of that year 
they arrived at Dixon, afterward locating at 
Westfield Corners. Tliey had sold their farm in 
the east, and were accompanied on the westward 
journey by a family of old neighbors from New- 
York. Mr. Briggs purchased two hundred and 
forty acres of land at Westfield Corners, and for 
thirty years owned the four corners there. He 
conducted the postoffice there for a long period. 
He devoted his energies to the tilling of the soil 
and raised .stock and was very successful in his 
business afl:"airs, the entire family being noted as 
money-makers, having the sound judgment and 
indefatigable energ\- which always results in the 
acquirement of prosperity. Mr. Briggs served as 
school director and also as a church officer, and 
the chapel at \\'estfield Corners was erected on 
his farm. He lived a ver\- honorable, upright life 
and truthfully said that he never sued any man 
or was ever sued by any one — a fact which indi- 
cates a business career that will bear the closest 
investigation and scrutiny. He died December 
8. 1878, at the age of eighty-six years, while his 
wife passed awa\- August 28, 1870, when sev- 
enty-two years of age. G. F. Briggs. of this re- 
view, like his father, can say that he has never 
sued or been sued by an}- man. He has two 
brothers and three sisters : Paulina became the 



57° 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



wife of Horace Hudson, and died Marcii lo. 
1879, in the village of Winnebago, where they 
made their home. Irene married Levi Burch. 
and died December 27, 1S77, in Byron townsiiip, 
Ogle county, Illinois. .Mary Ann is living with 
lier brother, Curtis Briggs, in Winnebago. Irvin 
died in 1840, at the age of nine years. Curtis, 
boni in Erie county, New York, March 14. 1823, 
antl now living in the village of Winnebago, 
owns a tine farm in Winnebago Mwnship. He 
married Rachel Wood, wiio died alj<jut 1880. and 
he afterward wedded Narcissa Fulsom, who died 
in April, 1901. Byron W. Briggs, the next mem- 
ber of the family, was born July 14, 1838, soon 
after the arrival of his parents in this county. 
He lives in Winnebago and married Miss Jennie 
Ixggett, whose father. Jacob Leggett, came to 
this county about 1850. 

G. F. Briggs spent a portion of his youth in 
the Empire state, and the remainder in Winne- 
bago county, whither he came with his parents 
at the age of thirteen years. He has always fol- 
lowed famiing, and to a considerable extent has 
engaged in real-estate operations. In all that he 
has undertaken he has been successful, making 
judicious investments, and during the' past 
twenty years he has loaned money. At one time 
he owned two farms, which he afterward sold, 
and he has recently disposed of the old home 
property. 

Mr. Briggs was married to Rebecca Ann Hunt, 
who was Ixjrn in Mount Pleasant, New jersev. 
and is a daughter of Joscjih Hunt, who went 
west, settling in Independence, Iowa, but soon 
returned to Rockford. and later purchased a farm 
near I'.yron, Ogle county, where he resided until 
he retired from business life, when he took up his 
abode in Bjron about ten or twelve _\ears prior 
to his death, there passing away when over eighty 
years of age. His widow still resides at Byroii, 
and is now more than ninety-four years of age, 
making her home with her son, who is the post- 
master tiierc. In 1903 Mr. Briggs was called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died June 
17 of that year, in the sixty-eighth year of her age. 

Studying the issues and questions of the day, 
Mr. Briggs has found that his views have long 
been in harmony with the principles of the repub- 
lican party, which has always received the sup- 
port of the family. He served as constable forty 
years ago, but has never l)een active as an office- 
seeker. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
churcli of Winnebago, and his life has been actu- 
ated by its teachings. The residence of few men 
in the connty antedates that of our subject, who 
during sixty-seven years has witnessed the 
changes that have occurred, as roads have been 
made, the land subdivided, farms cleared and 
cultivated, schools and churches built and busi- 
ness interests established. He has taken much 



pride in what has lieen accomplished and has 
borne his part as a citizen of worth who desires 
the best good of the county. He is now over 
eighty years of age. and says he has never missed 
a meal. 



WILL K. WATKINS. 

W ill L. Watkins. residing on section 20, Guil- 
ford township, owns a farm of three lunulred 
and sixty-tive acres, lying on sections 19, 20, 
and 29. He was born in this township, JIarch 
30, 1866, and is a son of N. W. Watkins. His 
boyhood and youth were spent on tlie old family 
homestead, where he early Ixjcame familiar with 
all the work of the farm. After mastering the 
elementary branches of learning as taught in 
the common schools he continued his education 
in Carpenter's and Selsby's school in Rockford 
and thus well ec|uipped for life's practical and 
responsible duties he entered upon his independ- 
ent business career. He has always carried on 
general fanning and his property of three hun- 
dred and sixty-five acres is one of the most 
valuable farms of Guilford township. He has 
not been active in famiing operations for a num- 
ber of years, but derives from his farm an in- 
come sufficient to supply him with all of the com- 
forts and many of the luxuries of life. He also 
has a fine residence property at No. S3S North 
Church street, in Rockford. 

Mr. Watkins was married in this county to 
Miss Mar>- Lacey, who was born in W^innebago 
county, and is a daughter of Miles Lacey, an old 
resident of Winnebago county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Watkins have one daughter. Catherine, now ten 
years of age. Their circle of friends in Winne- 
bago county is extensive and is constantly grow- 
ing as the circle of their acquaintance increases. 
Mr. \\'atkins has always been known for relia- 
bility in business affairs and in the management 
of his property interests displays keen discern- 
ment and capability, gaining thereby a comfort- 
able competence. 

It will be interesting in this connection to note 
something of the history of Mr. Watkins' par- 
ents. His father. N. W. Watkins, now living 
retired at No. 619 Oak street, in Rockford, was 
born in Cattaraugus county. New York, in 1838, 
his parents being N. \\'. and Julia (Brink) Wat- 
kins, who, in 1839, removed to Kalamazoo. Michi- 
gan. The father, however, was not long per- 
mitted to enjoy his new home for his death 
occurred there the same year. The mother and 
her son, N. W. Watkins, Jr., afterwartl came to 
Cherry Valley township, Winnebago county, 
where she resided with her sister. Mrs. Darius 
Fish, for several years. I^ter she made her 
home with a brother for sometime and subse- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



571 



qucntly she became the wife of a Mr. Dubois. 
Siie then resided in Belvidere until her death, 
which occurred in 1888, when she was about 
seventy years of age. She made the trip over- 
land from Kew York to the state of Illinois, 
traveling after the primitive manner of the timer 
before tlie era of railroad transportation and she 
was cn<; cf the well known pioneer women of 
this part of the state. By her second marriage 
she had a son, Louis Dubois, who is now resid- 
ing in Los Angeles, California. 

N. W. Watkins was reared in Winnebago 
county, but from the age of ten or eleven years 
has been dependent entirely upon his own re- 
sources for a living. He is justly entitled there- 
fore to the praise indicated by the term, "a self- 
made man." He attended winter schools as he 
spring planting until crops were harvested in 
found opportunity until crops were harvested in 
the late autumn he was busy in the fields. It 
\\as his own frugality and industry that brought 
him the capital, wherewith he purchased a farm. 
He finally became owner of a tract of land 
just east of Rockford, in Guilford township, and 
there he sncessfully carried on general agricul- 
tural pursuits until 1894, when he retired and 
removed to Rockford. He then purchased and 
improved his present comfortable home and here 
he has since enjoyed a well earned rest. 

N. W. Watkins was first married to Miss Mary 
Turner, a native of Guilford township, who died 
in 1898, at the age of sixty years. She was born 
on the farm where our subject now resides, 
a daughter of Melgar and Julia (Kelly) Turner, 
natives of New York and Ireland respectively, 
the latter coming to the LTnited States with her 
father. James Kelly. The only child of the mar- 
riage of N. W. Watkins and wife is Will E. 
Watkins. Politically ^Ir. Watkins is a demo- 
crat, but the honors and emoluments of office 
ha\'e never had any attraction for him. Through 
manv vears he gave his undivided attention to 
his business affairs and now he is enjoying a 
well earned rest in his home in Rockford. where, 
surrounded by many friends he is enjoying all 
of the comforts and manv of the luxuries of life. 



NAHUM F. PARSONS. 

Nahum F. Parsons of the Winnebago Grain 
& Lumber Company, whose watchful attention 
to and utilization of opix>rtunities has given him 
rank with the representative business men of 
this section of the county, who was born in 
Brimfield, ^Massachusetts. Dcember 4, 18.^4. his 
parents being Luke and Tryphena H. (Fisher) 
Parsons, who came to Illinois in 1836 and 1839 
respectively. The father located first at Byron, 



then called Bloomingdale, and his wife made her 
wav to the west from Westborough, Massachu- 
setts. By trade Mr. Parsons was a hatter and 
not only became active in business life at Byron 
but was also influential in public affairs, serving 
as deputy county surveyor and in other local 
Dffices. He died in Byron in 1844, at the age 
of forty-six years, while his wife passed away 
in 1893, ^^ '^'t^ '^S'^ o^ eighty-three years, having 
survived her husband for almost a half century. 
In the family were three sons and two daughters, 
namelv : Luke F., residing in Salina, Kansas; 
Samuel E. of Brookville, Kansas ; and Nahum 
F. of this review. The sisters are both deceased 
but Mr. Parsons has a half-sister ajid two step- 
sisters living, his mother having married Lucius 
Read, of Bvron, after losing her first husband. 
;Mr. Read passed away in December, 1864. 

Nahum F. Parsons was reared in Byron, Illi- 
nois, being but four and a half years of age when 
the family arrived at that place. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools of that locality and 
worked upon the home farm until he became a 
factor in the business life of Winnebago. Tak- 
ing up his abode here, he entered the stock busi- 
ness in 1864, in connection with John K. Bing- 
ham, and later he extended his field of operations 
to the lumber trade in connection with D. C. 
Lewis in 1867. Subsecjuently he purchased the 
interest of ^Ir. Lewis. ]\Ir. Bingham having 
previously retired. In 1871 he began handhng 
grain and in 1890 he commenced dealing in coal. 
He built his grain elevator in 1879 — the first 
one erected in this vicinit\- and he actively con- 
ducted the business alone until he decided to 
organize a company capitalized at twenty thou- 
sand dollars. The incorporation was effected 
in 1893 under the name of the Winnebago Grain 
& Lumber Company with John C. Compton as 
president and Robert Spottswood as secretary 
and treasurer. The board of directors included 
these officers together with i\Ir. Parsons and El- 
der Moore, all of Winnebago. Mr. Parsons had 
continued sole owner of the business until, wish- 
ing to retire and put aside the arduous duties 
that devolved upon him in connection with the 
control and management of interests that had al- 
ready become extensive, he determined to in- 
corporate and now for the past few years he 
has practically rested from business cares. 

In 1873 Mr. Parsons was married to Miss 
Nancv, daughter of David B. and Maria (Stev- 
ens) Hendry, of Delaware county. New York, 
who had been a successful teacher in the public 
schools of Iowa prior to her inarriage. They 
have three sons. Nahum H., a member of the 
firm of Parsons & Company conducting a lum- 
ber business on North Madison street in Rock- 
ford, married Harriet Ruezey, of Winnebago, 
and has one child, Nahum \'incent. George, a 



.•>/- 



PAST AX I) PRESENT OF WINXEBAGO COUXTY. 



fjratluate of L'uriKll I'liivtTsity. at Ithaca, \c\v 
York, is an dtrtrical i-iif^iiiccr in the Wcstin^j- 
1k)Usc shops at I'ittshnrjj. Hiijjh G.. who is a 
graduate of the high scliools of W'iimebago and 
of Rock ford and also pursued a business course 
in Rtx'kford. is now associated with his eldest 
l>rotlu'r in the lumlier l)UsiiK'ss in the county seat 
and tile father is likewise largely interested in 
tlie Parsons Lumber Company there. 

Mr. Parsons joinetl the Congregational church 
at Byron when but thirteen years of age. At 
W'innelxigo. however, he has affiliated witii the 
Preslnterian church. In jiolitics he has been a 
stanch republican from the organization of the 
|)arty. having voted for John C. I'Veinont. its 
first candidate. For two tenns he ser\'ed as 
su]X'rvi.sor of Winnebago township but his am- 
bition has not been in the line of office-holding. 
In liis business career he has been watchful of 
opixirtiinities and of all indications pointing t<i 
success, has Ix-en alert and energetic and has so 
utilized the means at han<l that his labors have 
brought a satisfactory reward. In 1X7(1 lie built 
his fine lit)me in the soutlK-rii part of the village 
of \\innebago. where he is now living in prac- 
tical retirement from lalior. having reached tlv 
Psalmist's sjian of tiirce score years and ten with 
a liaiids(nne comi)etence that sii])plies him with all 
of the necessities and comforts and nianv of the 
luxuries of life. 



I'LIXY /. XF.WTON. 

Pliny /,. Xewton. who for the past twenty 
years has been engaged in the undertaking busi- 
ness in Winnebago, came to this county in 1852. 
first locating in Seward township, where he still 
owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, 
lie is numbered among the worthy sons that the 
Empire state has furnished to this section of 
Illinois, his birth having occurred in St. Law- 
rence county. .Xovember 2t;. 1830. his parents 
being Ziba and Martha (Burnapp) Xewton. The 
mother died in the Fni])ire state <ibout 1850 but 
the father afterward came to Winnebago countv. 
arriving here in comjiany with his son. Plinv Z. 
.Xewton. in 185J. lie continued to make his home 
in this county until his death, which occurred 
about forty years ago. Mr. Xewton of this 
review ha(l two brothers and four sisters, who 
also came to this county and of these three sisters 
are yet living within its borders, namely: Mrs. 
Lucelia Wells and Mrs. Kozora Proctor, of Rock- 
lord : and .Mrs. Susan Seeger. of Winnebago 
township. Winthrop resided here until his death, 
which occurred in Seward township several years 

Pliny Z. .Xewton was reared in the ljii])ire 
state and had attained his majority when lie 



came to Illinois. llis education had been ac- 
((uired in the public schools and he had became 
familiar with farm work. He was then identified 
with general agricultural pursuits until he em- 
barked in his present business. When he ar- 
rived in this county fifty-three years ago he set- 
tled in Seward township, where he .still owns a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He pur- 
chased it soon after he reached Illinois and has 
made all of the improvements thereon, it being 
now a splendidly developed property, .\bout 
twenty years ago. however, he came to the vil- 
lage of Winnebago, where he established under- 
taking parlors, becoming the successor of ( ). E. 
liunlick. now residing in t"liicago. The business 
had been purchased from .Mr. liurdick by .\. D. 
aii<l j. 1'-. Xewton, .sons of our subject, about a 
(|uarter of a century ago and they conducted it 
until 1885. when the father took charge. 

.Mr. Xewton was married to Miss .Martha J. 
riiclps. who was born July 21. 1838. and is a 
daughter of Silas and Clarinda (Williams) 
Pheljis. Her father was one of the early resi- 
dents of Seward township, who came from Ohio 
to this county in 1850 and here died a number 
of years ago. lie had nine children: Josiali. 
Silas. William, Mrs. ( )rinda Shelden, Mrs. Sarah 
liurdick, and three who died in infancy. Mr. 
and Mrs. Xewton have become the parents of 
three sons: J. F... who is now residing in W'in- 
nebago. where he operates a mill and thresher, 
married Jessie Seaton and has one child, Lloyd; 
.v. D.. who conducts the home farm in Seward 
township, married Carrie Brown and has one 
child. \'iola : and .-\lva, wdio resides in Kirkland. 
is married and has one child. Lerov. He owns 
a farm near there but is now living retired, mak- 
ing his home in the village. There is also an 
ado])te<l daughter, now Mrs. .\ugusta Mack, re- 
siding in Waterloo, low.i. who has three cliil- 
tlren. Elmer. Lillian and .Maybeth. 

Politically a re])ublican. Mr. Xewton has 
served for several years t)n the town board of 
\\'innebago township and he gives a iiublic- 
spirited siip])ort to measures which he deems of 
benefit to the locality. He and his wfie are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church of 
Winnebago and are well known in this city. 
His sterling traits of character and good (luali- 
ties make him |jersonally ])opular with a large 
circle of friends. 



xi:i.s T 



■||( i.MIS( )X. 



Xels T. Thompson, who has been engaged in 
the tail<iriiig business in Rockford since 187S 
and has nride his home here since i8()0. was 
born in .*^weden. .\|)ril 22. 1833. The days of 
his boyhood an<l youth were s])eiit in his native 





MR. AND MRS. P. Z. NEWTON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



575 



land but he was ambitious to enjoy better busi- 
ness privileg-es than could be secured in that 
country and, attracted by the reports which he 
had heard concerning America, he sailed for the 
United States in 1854. He had already acquired 
a fair education and had learned the tailor's 
trade, so that he came well equipped to make a 
creditable position for himself in the business 
world. He first located in Qiicago, where he 
secured employment in the line of his chosen 
occupation but was obliged to discontinue his 
labors there on account of his health. 

As before stated, he took up his abode in 
Rockford in i860, six years after arriving in the 
new world, and, entering Thompson's repair 
shop, he was employed there for a number of 
years, after which he embarked in business on 
his own account in August, 1878. From the 
beginning he has prospered and a constantly 
growing trade has made him one of the leading 
merchant tailors of the city. He now employs 
a number of experienced workmen who are kept 
busy all the time. His stock of goods is thor- 
oughly up to date and he receives orders from a 
large number of the best citizens here, for the 
clothing made in his shop carries with it a guar- 
antee of good workmanship and of st^'le. 

In 1859, in Chicago, Mr. Thompson was mar- 
ried to Aliss Johanna Vaul, who was born in 
Sweden and came with her husband to Rockford, 
where she died in February, 1862. He has since 
wedded Emma Peterson, of this city, also a 
native of Sweden and a sister of P. A. Peterson, 
of Rockford. Mr. Thompson has five children : 
Laura, the wife of Gus Hultquist, of Rockford: 
^^'illie : ]\Iarie ; Hattie, and Blanche. 

Mr. Thompson, giving careful consideration 
to the questions and issues of the day, became a 
champion of republican principles when he was 
made a naturalized citizen. He belongs to the 
IMasonic fraternity. His reliability in business 
interests is a matter alxive question and his 
energy and strong purpose have been salient 
elements in a successful career. The hope which 
led him to seek a home in the new world has 
been more than realized, for he has not only 
established a profitable business but has also 
gained a good home and made many friends in 
the land of his adoption. 



M. W. HAYWARD. 



"SI. W. Hayward, owns, occupies and operates 
one hundred and twenty acres of land lying on 
section 3, Roscoe township, and constituting one 
of the well improved farms of the locality. He 
was born in \'ermont January 27, 1849. His 



paternal grandfatlier, Azel Hayward, was a na- 
tive of New England and a cabinet-maker by 
trade. He married Polly Drake and they lived 
in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, for sometime but 
subsequently removed to the Green Mountain 
state. Their son, Edwin Hayward, father of our 
subject, was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 
in 1803, and having arrived at years of maturity 
he was married in the Green Mountain state to 
Miss Lucy Ann Warner, who was born in Corn- 
wall, Vermont, January 10, 1818. The father 
died at the age of fifty-two years, his last days 
being spent in Vermont, but the mothep, is now 
living in Chicago, Illinois.. Following the death 
of her husband she came with her six children to 
the west in 1855, settling in Roscoe township, 
\\'itmebago county, and has since made her home 
in this state. Edwin Hayward was a man of 
prominence and influence in Vermont, doing 
much to mold public thought and action, and 
he was called to represent his district in the state 
legislature. Of the six children who came with 
the mother to Illinois five are still living, namely : 
Harriet F.. Levi G., Laura A., \l. W. and Susan 
]\I. The other son, Azel D., was a soldier of 
the Civil war, enlisting in the First Board of 
Trade Regiment of Cliicago, Company B, Sev- 
enty-second Illinois Volunteers, and he died of 
illness contracted while he was in the army. 

M. W. Ha\-ward came with his mother to Illi- 
nois when a youth of only six years and was 
reared to manhood in Winnebago county, where 
he has resided continuously since, always living 
on the old homestead which became his mother's 
place of residence when she reached Roscoe 
township. He now has a tract of sixty acres on 
each side of the road;, so that his farm comprises 
altogether one hundred and twenty acres situated 
on sections three and four. The land is rich and 
productive and the fertile fieklis yield golden har- 
vests in return for the care and labor he be- 
stowed upon them. In all of his farm work Mr. 
Havward has been practical and at the same time 
progressive and he is quick to adopt improved 
methods which promise good results. He has 
modem macliinery and everything to facilitate 
the farm work and his labors have brought to 
him a gratifying measure of success. 

On the 2d of Januan,-, 1884, occurred the 
marriage of Mr. Hayward and Miss Lucy W. 
Wooster, a native of Vermont and a daughter of 
Benjamin P. and Hannah (Warner) Wooster. 
They have become the parents of four children : 
Olive M., Qiarles P., Marion F. and Lucy A. 
Mr. Havward is recognized as a devoted husband 
and father, as well as an enterprising agriculturist 
and useful citizen. He belongs to the Knights 
of Pythias fraternit)- and the Alodern Woodmen, 
and in politics he is a republican, having always 
supported the party, but he never seeks office. 



.-)/' 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



preferring lu ii'we his undividcil attention to 
his business affairs, whereby he provides a com- 
fortable Hviiifj and gtjod home for his wife and 
children. 



(iEORGE A. CK()\Vl.i:V. 

( ieorge A. Crowley, following;' the occiipatinn 
of farming on section 35, .Shirland townshii), 
has a valuable projx'rty of one hundred and 
twenty acres and tlie rich and productive soil 
yields him excellent harvests. He was born in 
\ictor township. Cayuga county. New York, 
December 12, 1852, his parents being Walker 
and Rosana ( Camp ) Crowley, both of whom 
sjienl their last days in Winnebago county. The 
father settled in what was then Howard but is 
now Durand township, ])urchasing a tract of 
land, and uj) to the time of his death he owned 
that farm, carrying on general agricultural pur- 
suits. His political allegiance was given to the 
re])ublican party from the time of its organiza- 
tion and when the country became involved in 
the Civil war he joined Company H. of the 
Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, serving from 
1862 until the clo.se of the war or for almost 
thri-c years. He then returned to engage again 
in general agricultural pursuits and remained a 
resident of this county until his death, which oc- 
curred June 13. iix>5. when he had reached the 
advanced age of seventy-eight years. He had 
long survived his wife who passed away in 1855. 
when she was twenty-seven years of age. .'^he 
left two children. (leorge A. and Mrs. Nancy T. 
C(x>ney, of Harrison townshij). .\fter losing his 
first wife. Walker Crowley was again married, 
his second union being with Miss Martha Camp- 
bell, of this county, who was born in the Empire 
state. They became the |)arents of four children : 
Mrs. Mary lane I'ritz. who is living in Harr 
rison township; Henry, a farmer, who is mar- 
ried and has a farm, their home being in I^ona 
township : David, who is married and carries on 
agricultural pursuits in Durand townshi]) : and 
Mrs. Ellen I'.aker. who is living in the village of 
Durand. Mrs. Crowley, the mother of this 
family, died about 1875, and for his thinl wife 
Walker Crowley chose Mrs. Lord, nee Camp- 
hell, a sister of his second wife, also of Winne- 
bago county. They had two children : Walter, 
who died in infancy: and I-'rederick, a farmer, 
residing im the old homestead in Durand town- 
ship. 

George .\. Crowley was reared in Winnebago 
county and ])ursned his education in the public 
schools. He has followed farming throughout 
the greater ]>art of his life and now owns one 
hundred ami twenty acres of land on sectif>n 35. 



Shirland lownshi|). where he makes his home 
and another tract of two hundred and one and 
three-quarters acres in Harrison townshi]). This 
is also well im|)rove(l and is being operated by 
two of his sons. Robert and Leonard. Mr. 
Crtjwley resided in Harrison township until De- 
cember. i<KX). when he purchased his present 
farm in .'shirland townshijj and has since made 
his home thereon. It is an excellent tract of 
land and its productive soil makes his labors of 
good effect in the raising of crops. He is prac- 
tical in all that he dtx\s, reliable in his methods 
and trustworthy in his business dealings. 

Mr. Crowley has been married twice. He first 
wedded Mrs. .-\nnie Cooney. who was born in 
Winnebago county and is a daughter of Robert 
Cooney. a pioneer settler of Harrison township. 
Her mother still resides in Durand township at 
an advanced age. Mrs. Crowley was reared in 
this county and died in October. 1898. at the age 
of forty-seven years, leaving the two sons, who 
are now o])erating their father's farm in Har- 
rison townshi]). For his second wife Mr. 
Crowley chose .Mrs. .Mary lilack. nee Harvey, 
who was born in this county and is a daughter 
of J. Harvey, who came here at an early day. 
There is one son by this marriage. George .-\.. 
three years of age. 

Politically Mr. Crowley was formerly a re- 
])ublican but now gives his support to the pro- 
hibition i)arty. He has served as commissioner 
and is interested in the public welfare to the ex- 
tent of giving his co-operation for the support 
of many measures for the general goo<I. P>oth 
he and his wife are members of the Methodist 
ICpiscnpai church of Shirland. 



IK\I\ l"Ki-.\Cli. 



To know Irvin I'rench was to respect and 
honor him. for his u|)right life, his kindly nature, 
his genial manner and cheery smile endeared him 
to all with whom he came in contact. He was 
a pioneer business man of Winnebago county, 
the family settling here in 1840, and when he 
was called from this life on the 8th of Ma\ . 1902, 
his death was the occasion of deeji and wide 
s]>read regret. 

Mr. I'rench was lx)ni in Medina county. Ohio, 
on the "th of May. 1833. and was a son of 
I-lverrtt and Wary (. 'skinner) I-"rench, both of 
whom were natives of Connecticut, whence thev 
removed to .Medina county. Ohio, at an early 
epxh in its development. There the father en- 
gaged in farming until i84(;. when he brought 
his family to Winnebftgo county. Illinois, and 
purchasing l:nid in .*-^eward townshi]) was there 




GEORGE A. CROWLEY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



579 



eng-aged in farming for many years or until fail- 
ing health caused him to put aside active business 
duties. He then traveled with the hope of 
benefiting his health and died in California, after 
which his widow made her home in Rockford 
with her son Irvin until her death. 

Irvin French was educated in the common 
schools of his native county. When a boy it 
was his great desire to travel and learn the 
world and at the age of seventeen years in order 
that he might fulfill this wish, he joined a survey- 
ing party and carried the chain as the part_\- 
traveled through the timber regions of northern 
Iowa, North and South Dakota and Minnesota. 
He continued with the surveying party for sev- 
eral years, during which time he became con- 
vinced that there was money to be made in the 
lumber business, so he returned to Winnebago 
county, settling in the town of Pecatonica. where 
he established a lumberyard. He would go north 
and buy large tracts of timber land, have it 
cleared oiif and the lumber sawed and shipped 
to the yards in Pecatonica. He endured all the 
privations of the lumber camp and b\- reason of 
his connection with the business he became 
familiar with it in all of its departments 
from the time the lumber was in the tree 
until it was finished and marketable com-, 
modity. He was identified with the lum- 
ber trade in Pecatonica until 1879 and his 
success grew year by year, making him one 
of the prosperous citizens of his community. At 
the time mentioned he came to Rockford and 
practically lived retired until his death. 

On the 8th of March, i860, Mr. French was 
united in marriage to Miss Sarah \Miittlesey, a 
native of Brownhelm, Ohio, who died in Rock- 
ford, Ma)- 6, 1891. She was a daughter of Solo- 
mon and Sarah (Sherman) Whittlesey. There 
were three children of that marriage : Jo- 
sephine, now the wife of Frank R. Brown, the 
president of the Nelson Knitting Company and 
one of the leading and influential business men 
of Rockford ; Nell, the wife of W. B. Lxiwry, a 
representative of an old and prominent family 
here, where he engaged in business for several 
years but now resides in Denver, Colorado, 
where he is interested in mining ; and Gertrude, 
who resides with Mrs. French. On the 22d of 
August, 1894, Mr. French was married to Aliss 
Sara Foster, a native of Massachusetts and 1 
daughter of Nahiun and Mary (Cassidy) Fos- 
ter, the former a native of Southampton, Massa- 
chusetts, and the latter of New Brunswick, Mas- 
sachusetts. At an early day Mr. Foster removed 
to the west and later took up his abode in 
Pecatonica, where he spent his remaining days. 
Mrs. Foster resides in Rockford. 

Although Mr. French came to Rockford with 
the intention of living retired he could not con- 



tent himself without some business interest, hav- 
ing previously led a life of intense and well di- 
rected activity. He therefore engaged in loaning 
monex' and when the Rockford Watch Company 
failed he was appointed receiver and acted in 
that capacity until his death, making his last 
report to the circuit court during the January . 
term. He was a stanch republican in politics, al- 
though he was reared in the faith of the demo- 
cratic party, his father having been equally 
strong in support of the latter organization. Air. 
French was a member of Ellis lodge, 'No. 17, 
A. F. & A. AI., of Rockford, and the Knights 
Templar commandery, joining the organization 
(luring the early period of its existence. He 
was likewise a member of the Court Street Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, to which his widow now 
belongs, and he took a deep and helpful interest 
in church and temperance work. His widow 
and daughter are prominent in social circles here 
and Mrs. French owns a fine large brick resi- 
dence at No. 204 North First street, where the 
familv have remained since the removal to Rock- 
ford.' 

Although the educational privileges of Mr. 
French were limited he broadened his knowledge 
through his varied business experience and his 
extensive travels and became a well informed 
man. He looked at life from a practical and yet 
a humantarian standpoint, rejoiced in the prog- 
ress made by his fellowmen and in the advance- 
ment of county, state and nation along material 
and moral lines. He also did much to uphold 
the legal and political status of the community 
and his influence and co-operation could always 
be counted upon to further an_\- movement whicli 
promised to promote the general good. He left 
to his family a very desirable fortune but more 
than that he gave to them the priceless heritage 
of a name that was respected and honored in 
business circles. 



PATRICK REDDY. 



Patrick Reddy, who is engaged in the livery 
business in Pecatonica, was born in Stephenson 
couty, Illinois, March 10, 1862, and spending 
his boyhood days under the parental roof ac- 
quired his education in the public schools. His 
parents were Matthew and Bridget (Cufif) 
Reddy. The father was bom in Ireland and the 
mother in Pecatonica township, Winnebago 
count}-, Illinois. Matthew Reddy came to this 
country on a sailing vessel, landing at New York 
city when about thirty-five years of age. He 
worked his way westward to Stephenson county 
and there obtained employment from a Mr. 
Flulce, with whom he worked until he had money 



;S<i 



I'AST AM) I'KllSKXT UF W IXXliLiAcK ) Ci )L-XTV. 



c-nijiiyh to purohast' a yoke of cattle. Latir lie 
trailed the cattle for eighty acres of timber latul, 
on which he built a log house. He then cleared 
a part of the land and when he had thus far 
completed arrangements lor a home of his own 
he was married in 1848. As the years passed 
he added to his land until he had lietween four 
and five hundred acres, a fact which indicates 
iJiat his has been a prosperous business career. 
He not only provided for his own family but he 
also assisted his sisters to come to this country 
and settled them u]>on a part of his land. He 
likewise brought his father and mother to this 
country and his parents s])ent their last days here. 
In all of his business interests Matthew Reddy 
was practical as well as industrious and jierse- 
vering. In connection with the cultivation of 
his fields he was extensively engaged in raising 
cattle, hogs and horses. At first he had onlx 
oxen when he began his farm labors here but 
eventually he jiurchased a team of horses which 
he used as the lead team with the oxen in break- 
ing his cleared land. His life has indeed been 
a l)usy one and exemplifies the term "dignity of 
labor." He is now living a retired life, having 
in 1874 built a fine home in Stephenson county, 
where he resides with his wife and son John. 
He has never cared for public office but has al- 
ways given his sup]X)rt to the democratic party. 
He was a school director for fifteen or twentv 
years and he and liis family are communicants 
of the Catholic church. His life has been active 
and hoiKirable. crowned with success and also 
the respect of his fellnwnieii. In his family were 
fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters. 
of whom si.x sfHis and five daughters are yet liv- 
ing, namely: William: .\nnic: Patrick: Mat- 
tlicw, wlio died at tlie age of twenty-three vears ; 
John: Mary: Katherine: Rosella : James: Xora : 
Morris: Julia, who died at the age of five years: 
Hugh, who died in infancy: and Charles. 

I'atrick Re<ldy s])tnt his boyhood days upon 
the homestead farm, early becoming familiar 
witli all the duties and labors tliat fall to the lot 
of the agriculturist. He lived at home during 
iiis minority, working in the summer months on 
the farm, while in the winter sea.sons he attended 
the district schools. He was employed by the 
month as a farm hand between the ages of four- 
teen arwl twenty-six years and during that period 
he worked for eight years for his father-in-law. 
He then began fanning on his own account, en- 
gaging in the tilling of tin? soil anil in the raising 
of .stock ff>r thirteen years. He then held a sale 
in 1<)CX). after which he ])urchase<l a liver\- stable 
from J. I'. Dickson at I'ecatonica. He 
was associated for a short time with a 
partner. William Mahan. but after a year 
sold his interests to his partner and then 
Iviught the ol<| Strutz property, since which 



time he has conducted a livery business 
on his own account. He has a well equipped 
barn, having g(jod horses and a fine line of 
vehicles and he is accorded a liberal patronage by 
the public, who recognize his straightforward 
methods. 

On the 4th of January, 1887. .Mr. Redd\- was 
married to Miss Ella Ma\ l^lliott, a daughter of 
Giles S. and i'.ctsy .\. (.Mitchell) l^lliotl. Her 
father was born in ( )hiio, October I. 1838. and 
died l-'ebruary 14. i88<), but is still survived b\- 
his widow, wiio was lK)rn September 21. 
184(1. and now makes iier home with Mr. 
and Mrs, Ueddy. Mr. Elliott on com- 
ing to Illinois settled in l-.lgtn. whence he after- 
ward removed to I'ecatonica. His father as- 
sisted in the building of the old Cliicago & 
Calena Railroad, now a part of the Chicago & 
Xorihwestirn system. Ciles .S. Elliott also as- 
sisted in the construction of this road and after 
its completion he and his father bought one hun- 
(Ireil and seventy- four acres of land from the 
railroad com])an\-. They carried on farming to- 
gether for about twenty-five years, after which 
(iiles Elliott purchasetl his father's interest and 
continued to engage in active agricultural pur- 
suits u|) to the time of his death, which was 
caused 1)\' the explosion of a lanij). In politics 
he was a republican but had no aspiration for 
office, preferring to give his attention to his busi- 
ness pursuits and he was widely recognized a.s 
an honest, industrious man, who received and 
merited the respect of all who knew him. He 
was quite extensively engaged in the breeding 
of fine cattle, making a specialty of short-horn 
Durhams and at the time of his death he had a 
herd of between forty and fifty head. He took 
great pride in raising the best grades of cattle 
and was justly celebrated for the fine stock oti 
his place. In his family wiere four sons and a 
daughter: Charles W., IClla M.. (ieorge H., 
tides I-'., and William H. 

Mr. Reddy gives his political allegiance to the 
democratic party but, he, too, is without aspira- 
tion for office. He is a worthy representative of 
an honored i)ioneer family and is well known in 
l'ecat<inica and the surrounding districts, where 
his ca|)al>ly directed business interests are win- 
ning him success. 



I'.DW \Ri) nrxwb; 



M. n. 



Dr. ICdward Dunwoll, who came to Winne- 
bago countv when a young man and settled in 
Cherry X'allcy town.ship, was a well known phy- 
sician in that ])art of the comity aiifl enoyed a 
large practice there. Many contend that the 
profession of medicine is the most im|iortnnt to 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



581 



whicli a man can direct his energies and all ac- 
cord its great worth to the world. Dr. Dunwell, 
with a conscientious regard of the responsibilities 
and obligations that rested upon him in this con- 
nection, performed his professional services with 
a soundness of principle and a conformity to a 
high standard of professional ethics that won him 
the esteem and confidence of his brethren in the 
fraternity as well as of the general public. 

A native of New York, his birth occurred Au- 
g"ust 4, 1836, his parents being William and So- 
phrona Dunwell, who were also natives of New 
York, On leaving that state they removed to a 
farm near Cleveland, Ohio, where the father en- 
gaged in the further cultivation of his land until 
he brought his family to this county, arriving 
here in 1853. Settling in Cherry X'alley town- 
ship, he resumed agricultural pursuits and for 
man\- \ears was an enterprising and successful 
farmer of his community but ultimately retired 
from active business life. He died in 1876 and 
was survived for several years by his wife. Four 
of their children are yet living: Chandler, a res- 
ident of Spencer, Iowa; Mrs. Sophia White, of 
Taylorvnlle, IlHnois; ]\Irs. Sutherland, of Fair- 
dale, Illinois ; and Mrs, Norman, of Irene, Illi- 
nois. 

Dr. Dunwell acquired his early education in 
the schools near Cleveland and was a fellow stu- 
dent of James A. Garfield, afterward president 
of the United States. He later entered upon the 
study of medicine but with his parents came to 
the west and married Miss Mary Aldrich. After 
a short time, however, he returned to Cincinnati, 
where he completed his cotirse in medicine and 
surgerv and was there graduated. Going to the 
west be entered upon practice in Mar\sville, Cali- 
fornia, where he followed his profession for a 
few years and then returned to Illinois, opening 
an offic^^i Gilman, 

His wife died in Gilman a few years later, 
leaving a daughter, Alida, now the wife of Sim- 
eon Hoff, of \Vinterset, Iowa. Dr. Dunwell con- 
tinued to practice in Gilman for a short time and 
then removed to Cherr\- Valley, where lie contin- 
ued his professional labors to the benefit of his 
community for two years. Here he was again 
married, his second union being with Miss Re- 
becca Farley, a native of Washington county, 
Ohio, and a daugliter of James and Ellen (Tay- 
lor) Farley, the former a native of N'irginia and 
the latter of England. Mr. Farley resided for a 
few vears in Pittsburg, Penns\dvania, where he 
learned die trade of brickmaking and then went 
to Morgan county, Ohio, where he purchased a 
store, flour and saw mills, continuing their oper- 
ation for seven years. On the expiration of that 
period he settled in \A'ashington count}-, Ohio, 
where he carried on farming for five \-ears, and 
in 1853 he came to \\'innebago county, Illinois, 



purchasing land in Cherry \'alley township. 
Here he followed farming for fifteen years or un- 
til 1868, when he retired and took up his abode 
in the village of Cherry Valley, where lioth he 
and his wife .spent their last days. In their fam- 
ily were ten children : Mrs, Kirkland, now liv- 
ing in Henr\- county. Illinois ; Elizabeth, who is 
the widow of Benjamin B. Hovey, who died in 
July, 1905, leaving her an estate of eighty thou- 
sand dollars; Thomas, a farmer of Cherr}- \'al- 
ley township; Mrs, Brooks, of Lawrence, Kan- 
sas; Mrs. Lewis Keith, of Rockford; Mrs. Dun- 
well and Mrs. Eckert, twins ; Mrs. Frowe, of 
Wamego, Kansas; and Mrs. Heckman and Mrs, 
Carpenter, Ixith deceased. Nellie Farle\-, now 
Mrs. David Eckert, was twice married, first to 
John Hicks, of Blair cotmty, Pennsylvania, who 
was an army officer, serving as colonel in the 
volunteer service and afterward as first lieuten- 
ant in the regular army. He died in Louisiana, 
of yellow fever, in 1867. His widow afterward 
became the wife of David Eckert, of Burbank, 
Ohio, who was a hardware merchant there and 
in 1872 removed to Topeka, Kansas, where he 
lived for several years. He then became general 
agent for the Deering Manufacturing Company, 
of Qiicago, and made his home in Dallas, Texas, 
for several years, after which he returned to 
Topeka, where he lived retired until his death. 
He was first married to Catherine Idleman, who 
died in Topeka, leaving two children, Franklin 
and William, both now residents of that state. 
Following the death of her second husband Mrs. 
Eckert returned to Qierry \'alley, where she 
lived for one year and then removed to Rock- 
ford with her twin sister, ^Irs. Dunwell. 

Unto Dr. and Mrs. Dunwell two children were 
bom, but the first died unnamed in infancy and 
Walter H. died at the age of eleven years and 
seven months. Following his second marriage 
Dr. Dunwell left Cherr\- \'alley and removed to 
Coflfeyville, Kansas, where he engaged in prac- 
tice for six vears. He then went to Chama, New 
Mexico, where he practiced and invested in 
mines. He had been there only a brief period, 
however, when he became ill and his death oc- 
curred February 4, 1880. He was a man of 
strong purpose and marked capability and wher- 
ever he went he left the impress of his individ- 
uality upon the public life. While in Marysville, 
California, he served as county superintendent 
of schools and while living in Coflfeyville, Kan- 
sas, he was elected a member of the state legis- 
lature for the term of 1871-72. He took a ver}- 
deep interest in political questions and gave earn- 
est support to the democracy. He became a 
member of the Masonic fraternity while living 
in California. As a practitioner of medicine he 
was ver\- successful and both he and Mr. Eckert 
became well-to-do. His worth was widelv ac- 



PAST AND PRKSrXT OF WIXXEFSAGO COUNTY. 



kiiowkxljjcd, and I'aiilllcss in honor and Kark>> 
in con<lucl all who knew him entertained for hini 
hitjh and nn(|ualitied rejjfard. 

I-"ollo\vinj; her husband's death .Mrs. IXnnvell 
returned to Cherr> X'allcv, where she lived until 
1903. when with her sister ^Irs. Eckert, slie came 
to Rock ford and they purchased their present 
fine home at Xo. 136 South Prospect street, 
where tliev now reside. Mrs. Uunwell still owns 
her home in the villajjc of CherrA- X'alley, and 
lioth sI:p and Mrs. Eckert have fine farms in 
Kansas wliicli thev rent. They arc both mem- 
bers of the Cliristian church of Rockford and the 
circle of their friends here is extensive. 



lOlIX 1. CRILL 



John J. Crill. deceased, was a self-made man. 
whose enterprise, executive ability and persever- 
ance constituted the basis of a pro.spcrity which 
made him one of the leading and substantial 
farmers of Ogle county, Illinois. His home was 
just south of the boundary line of Winnebago 
county, and he had a wide acquaintance in Rock- 
ford and this county. His birth occurred in 
Oneida county. New York. May 12, 1825, his 
l)arents being Henry and Betsy (Brooks) Crill. 
The father was born in London, England, and 
after coming to America settled first in Connecti- 
cut. At the time of the Revolutionary war he 
served as a member of General \\'ashington's 
body guard. Tn Connecticut he was united in 
marriage to Miss Brooks, a native of that state. 
the wedding taking place in 1818, after which 
tliey removed to the state of Xew York. On 
leaving the Empire state. Henry Crill took up his 
alx)de in Winnebago county, Illinois, settling first 
in Xew Milford townshi|), where he engaged in 
farming for a year. He then removed across the 
border line to Monroe township. Ogle county, 
where he purcha.sed fifteen hundred acres of land 
and was there engaged in general farming and 
dairying for many years. He prospered in his 
undertakings, anrl was one of the extensive land- 
owners of this |)art of the state. Taking up his 
abode in Rix-kford. he resided in the state for 
only a brief period, and then returned to the farm 
in Ogle county, whereon he and his wife spent 
their remaining days. They have one son, Har- 
vey, who is still living in Rockford, his home be- 
ing on Xorth Main street. 

John J. Crill was a young lad at the time of the 
removal of his parents to the west, and he ac- 
quired a good education in the schools of Ogle 
county. He early became familiar with all the 
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- 
culturist, and acquire<l a practical knowledge of 
the best methods of farm work. He married Miss 



.Margaret J. Keith, a daughter of LJalsar and 
Lucy (Smith) Keith, ln)th of whom were natives 
of Virginia. Removing to Monroe county. Ohio, 
the father there resided until 1835, when he con- 
tinued his westward journey, settling near the 
old .Shirley mill in Cherry N'alley township, Win- 
nebago county, Illinois. He resided at that place 
for a few years, after which he purchased two 
hundred acres of land in Ogle county, and was 
there engaged in farming. His wife died there 
in 1837, '"'"' li'-' continued to reside upon that 
place until the fall of 1855, when he removed to 
Cedar county. Iowa, where he lived until called 
to the home beyond in 1874. 

Mr. Crill was always a very busv and indus- 
trious man. When he attained his majority he 
began teaming, for there were no railroads at that 
time, and all products had to be taken by wagon 
to the markets. He hauled grain from Winne- 
bago county to Chicago, and received a good 
price for his services. He was soon enabled to 
invest in lanil, and as his financial resources in- 
creased, bought more and more property, until 
he was the owner of nearly six hundred acres 
of fine farming land in Ogle county. He then 
gave his undivided attention to farming and stock 
raising, and for many years was recognized as a 
leading representative of that line of activity in 
this part of the state. He also traveled quite 
extensively over the country in the interests of 
his business. In 1886 he went to Chicago with 
a carload of stock, and u])on his return he rode 
on top of the car. When the train reached Elgin 
he fell and was instantly killed, this deplorable 
accident occurring April 8. 1886. The county 
thus lost one of its active and representative busi- 
ness meri, and his family a devoted husband and 
father. He had an extensive circle of friends, 
being held in high regard by those who came in 
contact with him through business or social re- 
lations. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Crill were the parents of three 
children : Michael J. married .\melia Houbshell, 
and they reside with her mother, Mr. Houbshell 
having now retired from active business life. 
They had four children, but one died in infancy; 
Ruth Ella is also deceased : and Maud A. died 
at the age of nine years: Xellie A. is the wife of 
H. Dresser, of Lynnville, Illinois, and the mother 
of two children. Armour Crill and Frances Mar- 
garet. Orlando F.. the only son of Mr. and Mrs. 
Crill, married Julia E. Matthews, and is engaged 
in the real estate business in Rockford, his home 
being at No. 423 South Church street, .\ugusta 
L. Crill became the wife of C. Henry Hardy, who 
is also a retired business man, and their home is 
at No. 216 X'^orth Third street. Mr. and Mrs. 
Crill had an adopteil son. Ellsworth E.. who mar- 
ried Luna Kane, and resides in DeKalb. Illinois, 
where he is engaged in the drug business. 



33 




JOHX .1. CRILL. 




-AIRS. .MARGARET T. CRILL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



587 



Following her husband's death, Mrs. Crill re- 
sided in Monroe, Ogle county, Illinois, until 
1903. when they removed to Rockford, and she 
purchased her present home at No. 222 North 
Third street, where she and her son and his wife 
all reside. They still own land in Ogle county. 
The Crill family are well-to-do and are promi- 
nent in Rockford and this section of the state. 



RICHARD W. ROGERS. 

There are men who because of an ability- to 
command are held in awe, men who because of 
successful accomplishment are held in admira- 
tion, men who by reason of rectitude of charac- 
ter awaken respect, but it is the man of gentle 
nature, kindly spirit, deep interest in his fellow- 
men and unselfish devotion to their welfare that 
wins love of those with whom he is associated. 
Such a man was Richard W. Rogers, who was 
well known in Rockford and W^iimebago county. 

A native of Dudley, England, ]\Ir. Rogers was 
born February 2, 1827, and his parents, Richard 
and Fanny Rogers, were also natives of that 
countn,-. Both died in New York cit}' shortly 
after coming to America. Their son Richard was 
only nine }-ears of age wdien he was left an 
orjjhan and was then sent back to Dudley, Eng- 
land, where he was reared and educated by an 
uncle, who was a jeweler and watch repairer and 
with whom Mr. Rogers learned the trade. He 
also received a good musical education. He re- 
mained in England until twenty-one }-ears of age, 
when with the desire to establish his home in the 
land where he had lived for a brief period he 
again crossed the Atlantic, this time settling at 
Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he began busi- 
ness for himself as a jeweler. 

While living there Mr. Rogers was married to 
Miss Susan H. King, a native of tliat state. Her 
father died in Connecticut during her early girl- 
hood and her mother afterward came west with 
Mr. and Airs. Rogers and died at their home in 
Beloit, Wisconsin. Mr. Rogers continued to 
engage in the jewelry business and watchmaking 
in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for five years and in 
1853 came to the Mississippi Valley, settling in 
Rockford, where he opened a store. He re- 
mained here, however, for only a year as he did 
not have capital sufficient to enable him to carry 
on the business in the manner he desired. He 
then removed to Beloit. Wisconsin, where he es- 
tablished a jewelry store on a smaller scale. His 
trade soon increased, however, and enabled him 
to enlarge his stock and as time passed he was 
accorded a very liberal patronage there. He 
continued in business in Beloit for twelve years 
and then removed to Freeport, Illinois, where he 



conducted a jewelry store for three years. Again 
he was successful and this enabled him at the 
end of that period to once more identify himself 
with mercantile interests in Rockford. Here he 
began business but after a few years was obliged 
to discontinue the store on account of ill health 
occasioned by indoor life. He therefore sold out 
and turned his attention to the work of tuning 
pianos, which pursuit he followed in twelve dif- 
ferent towns in the vicinity of Rockford. For 
several years he was thus engaged and was very 
successful, having many patrons in the various 
cities which he visited, so that his labors brought 
him a gratifying financial return. 

Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Rogers were born six chil- 
dren, of whom four are living. Charles G. is a 
piano tuner residing with his mother in Rock- 
ford. Harriett C. is the wife of George W. 
Greene and they reside with her mother. They 
have one child, Richard. Mr. Greene, a native 
of England, learned the printer's trade in that 
country and is now employed by the T. W. Clark 
Company of this city. John is a resident farmer 
of South Dakota. ]Mary is the wife of Arthur 
Chubbuck, a newspaper man and postmaster at 
Ipswich, South Dakota. Those deceased are 
William, who died in 1886; and Frank, who died 
in infancy. 

The death of Mr. Rogers occurred December 
22, 1881, wlien he was fifty-four years of age. 
After becoming a naturalized American citizen 
he gave his political allegiance to the republican 
partv. and he was a member of Ellis lodge, A. 
F. & A. M., of Rockford. He was also a com- 
municant of the Episcopal church, to which all 
of his family belonged, and he took a very active 
and helpful part in the church work. For a few 
years he served as organist and the family, all 
of whom possess musical talent, have contributed 
in large measure to the attractiveness of the 
musical circles here. In fact at one time the 
choir was known as the Rogers choir. Mr. 
Rogers was a man of broad humanitarian prin- 
cijiles and of kindly sympathy and these traits 
of character endeared him to all who knew him. 
He was also very- industrious and energetic and 
never had an idle moment. When not connected 
\\ ith business or church duties he would work in 
his shop at home and, possessing superior me- 
chanical ingenuitv, he manufactured book cases 
and furniture of most attractive and pleasing 
designs. He took an optimistic view of life, be- 
lieving that the world was growing better and 
doing his full share toward this end. He was 
charitable and generous and the poor and needy 
found in him a wami friend, but while he ac- 
complished much in business and won the re- 
spect and good will of all with whom he was 
associated the best traits of his character were 
reserved for his famih* and his interests centered 



588 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



in his home. -Mrs. Rogers now owns a nice resi- 
dence at No. 962 Grand avenue where she is now 
Hving with her son and daughter and in social 
and church circles in Rock ford they are widely 
and favorably known. 



FREDERICK A. COLLINS. 

Frederick A. Collins, whose success in life and 
present creditable financial standing are the re- 
sult of earnest and persistent labor through many 
years, is now following fanning in Owen town- 
ship. He was born in Chautauqua county. New 
York, February 19, 1837, and was brought to 
Wiiuiebago county when twelve years of age 
by his parents, Albert G. and Emeline (Fair- 
child) Collins, both of whom were natives of 
the Empire state. The father was born in New 
York, June 30, 181 1. and in early life learned 
the tailor's trade, which he followed in the east 
until 1849, when he made his way around the 
Great I^-ikcs to Racine, Wisconsin, from which 
point he traveled by team to Winnebago county, 
for there were no railroads at that time. He first 
rented a farm near Roscoe for one summer and 
the following year removed to Owen township, 
where he purchased eighty acres of land, to which 
he afterward added a forty-acre tract, and eventu- 
ally he further extended the boundaries of his 
property until he had one hundred and eighty 
acres of land. Willi characteristic energy he 
began its cultivation and improvement. Pic set 
out trees and fenced the j^lace with a rail fence. 
He also built a house on the farm. Mis second 
home was a log cabin and later he erected a 
frame house in 1850. After following farming 
for many years he purchased a home in the village 
of Harrison, where he lived retired up to the 
time of his death. He was school director for 
many years and while in Chautauqua county. 
New York, sers'cd as town clerk. He manifested 
little aspiration for office, however, preferring to 
give his undivided attention to his farming in- 
terests whereby he won a comfortable competence 
that enabled him in his last days to enjoy rest 
from further labor. P.oth he and his wife at- 
tended the ser\-iccs of the Methodist Episcopal 
church although they were not members. Mr. 
Collins belonged to Rockton lodge. No. 74, A. F. 
& A. M., and was also an Odd Fellow, while his 
political support was given to the democracy. He 
died October 14, 1884, at the age of seventy-two 
years, three months and fourteen days. His wife, 
who was born April 25, 1S18, died in September, 
1892, at the age of eighty-two years. 

This worthy couple were the parents of thir- 
teen children. Charles Oscar, the eldest, enlisted 
at Bclvidere, Illinois, in the Ninety-fifth Illinois 



Infantry and died of measles while still in the 
army at Lake Providence, February 26, 1864. 
His birth had occurred December 15, 1834. 
Frederick A. is the second of the family. Amy 
R.. born July I, 1839, is the wife of Andrew 
Bingham, who was a member of a Michigan regi- 
ment during the Civil war. They have four chil- 
dren and are now living in Rockton. The fourth 
member of the Collins family died in infancy. 
F.llen, l)orn November 24, 1842. died April 22, 
1S92. She was the wife of Charles Price and had 
four children, of whom three are now living. 
Jared H., born July 11, 1845, ^^'''^ ^ member of 
the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry during the Civil 
war and is now living in Iowa. He married 
Miss Mary Harper and has two children. Wil- 
liam W., born December 24. 1847, died in in- 
fancy. Mary L., born March 24, 1851. became 
the wife of a Mr. X'^ernon and died May 17, 
1891, at the age of forty years, two months and 
twenty-five days. Her hu.sband is living in South 
Dakota and of their four children three survive. 
Laura J., born January 25, 1849. became the wife 
of .^erenus Roonc. who died sometime after his 
return from the Civil war. They had six chil- 
dren, all of whom are yet living. Following the 
death of her first husband Mrs. Boone became 
the wife of Louis Fairchilds and is living in 
Rockton. Albert N., born February 14, 1854, 
married Catherine Shrump, by whom he had a 
daughter. He was married the second time and 
is now living in Montana. By his second mar- 
riage he had a son. Elizabeth E.. born November 
12, 1856. died October 25. 1871. Plarriet F. be- 
came the wife of William Littlcjohn and had four 
children, of whom three are now living. Her 
second husband was William Gray and they are 
residents of California. There are six children 
by this marriage. Eva, the youngest of the fam- 
ily, born January 12, 1862, married Peter Mc- 
Laren. 

Brought to Winnebago county by his parents 
at the age of twelve years, Frederick A. Collins 
was reared in this part of the state and pursued 
his education in the public schools. He early 
began working on the Wisconsin and Mississippi 
rivers, rafting lumber down the river for one sea- 
son. He afterward entereil the employ of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, in 
which service he took up the old straj) rails be- 
tween Footville and Magnolia. Wisconsin, re- 
placing them with T chain rails. He was fore- 
man of the iron gang which laid the rails from 
Magnolia to Madison. Wisconsin, and afterward 
he went to Iowa, where he laid the track from 
Toledo to Marshalltown. He next went to 
Springfield. Massachusetts, where he worked at 
the carpenter's trade until 1862. when he removed 
to Oil Creek, Pennsylvania, where he entered the 
service of the Oil Creek Railroad Company, 




MR. AND .AIRS. F. A. COLLINS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



591 



building bridges and buildings. In 1864 he again 
arrived in Winnebago count}", where he pur- 
chased the old family homestead upon which he 
yet lives, and is to-day the owner of thiee hun- 
dred and twenty acres of land. His handiwork 
is seen in the fine modern residence upon his 
place. It is a commodious frame structure with 
stone basement built in attractive style of archi- 
tecture and is one of the fine countr}- homes of 
Owen township. He has also built a good barn 
and everything about his place is kept in ex- 
cellent repair, showing his watchful care and me- 
chanical ingenuity. 

]\Ir. Collins was married to Miss Elnora G. 
Crittenden, a daughter of Leander and Hannah 
(Dwy) Crittenden. Her tather, who was born 
April 16. 1817, is now living with Mr. and Mrs. 
Collins, but her mother, who was born April 19, 
1830, passed away October 30. 1897. They were 
married July 6. 1845. '"''^1 their children were as 
follows: Laura F., born January 2. 1848, died in 
infancy. I\Irs. Collins was born September 8, 
1851. Harmon B.. born August 5, 1854, died in 
infancy. Laura M., born April 24, 1858, died in 
infancy. Izora, born November 5. 1859, ^^ the 
wife of Frank Smith, of North Dakota, and has 
two children. William M., born December 15, 
1861, and now living in Rockford, married Ella 
Rochester and has one child. Harmon L., born 
March i, 1864, and now living in Rockford, 
married Florence Bennett, and had three children, 
of whom two are living. Robert D., born October 
31, 1866, and also a resident of Rockford, mar- 
ried Alice Bennett and had four children, of 
whom three are living. Mary O., born January 
16. 1870, is the wife of Gilbert Lake, of Rock- 
ford, and has two children. Lucy E., born Sep- 
tember 26, 1872, is the wife of Andrew Hickey, 
of Egan, Illinois, and had four children, of whom 
three survive. Theodore G., born July 6, 1875. 
and now a resident of Rockford, married Lucy 
Bickford and has two children. 

Leander Crittenden, father of Mrs. Collins, be- 
gan his education in the pioneer schools of his 
boyhood, days, but when alDOut nine years of age 
stepped upon a thorn in such a manner that he 
was crippled for life. His opportunity of at- 
tending school was therefore very limited, but 
he has always been an extensive reader and has 
kept well informed on the issues and questions 
of the day. He was born in Greene county. New 
York, and in that state was married, after which 
he removed to Wisconsin in 1856, settling about 
two miles north of Juda in Green county. He 
followed farming for a number of years there and 
afterward removed to Calhoun county, Iowa, 
where he spent two years, on the expiration of 
which period he came to Winnebago county, 
where he has since been living with his children, 
now making his home with his daughter Mrs. 



Collins. In politics he is a democrat and at the 
advanced age of eighty-eight years he regularly 
reads his newspaper, keeping up with the prog- 
ress of the times, and he does not find it necessary 
to use glasses. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Collins was blessed 
with four sons and two daughters. Walter F., 
born November 4, 1873, married Miss Etta 
Kelley and they had five children, of whom four 
are living. He makes his home in Owen town- 
ship and owns one hvmdred and thirty and a half 
acres of land in Winnebago township. Ben, born 
February 2, 1875, married Louisa Black and is 
living near his father's farm in Owen township, 
where he owns and operates two hundred and 
forty acres of land. He has one son. Alta M., 
born April 14, 1876, is the wife of Leonard Webb, 
a farmer of Harrison township cultivating one 
hundred and thirty acres. They have two daugh- 
ters. Bessie E., at home, has been a public 
school student and also educated in music. 
Frankie, bom November 15, 1875, died Novem- 
ber 16, 1880. Robert, born January 31, 1887, 
completes the family. 

Mr. Collins, interested in the public welfare and 
active in community interests, has been a helpful 
factor in many measures for the general good 
and while serving as school director for nine 
years the cause of education found in him an 
efficient friend. Although he usually votes with 
the democracy at local elections he does not con- 
sider himself bound by party ties and casts his 
ballot for the candidate whom he thinks best 
qualified for office. He is a member of Rockton 
lodge. No. 74. A. F. & A. M. The greater part 
of his life has been passed in Winnebago county 
and for more than forty consecutive years he has 
lived continuously upon the farm which is still 
his home. He owes his business advancement en- 
tirelv to his earnest labors and his life has been 
one of untiring activity, now crowned with a 
gratifving measure of success. 



GEORGE FALCONER. 

George Falconer, whose valuable farming pos- 
sessions comprise three hundred acres of very 
productive land on sections 5 and 32, Rockford 
township, his home being situated on the north 
piece of land, has in an active business career 
demonstrated the power of industry and enter- 
prise as moving forces in the acquirement of suc- 
cess. He was Ixirn in i860, on the farm which 
is vet his home, his parents being Robert and 
Jennett (Thompson) Falconer. The father and 
mother were liorn in Scotland and he was a black- 
smith by trade. Coming to America in 1832 he 
followed his trade in the state of New York for 



592 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



eight years and llien made liis way westward 
to Winnebago county, where he took up his 
abode upon what is still the Falconer home farm. 
He built a stone house which has since been torn 
down, being rejilaced by the present fine fann 
residence now occupied by our subject. W'hile 
cultivating his fields he hauled his produce to 
Milwaukee and Oiicago by team, and as the 
years passed his earnest labors were crowned 
with a fair measure of prosperity. He became 
a well known and highly respected citizen of his 
community and his death occurred here 
June i6, 1884, when he was about eight}' 
j-ears of age. He was known as a man 
of integrity and honor and accumulated 
his property through careful industry. He 
had long sun-ived his wife who dqiarted this 
life in 1864. They had but two children, George 
and Rolx^rt, Jr. The latter was for a niunber of 
years a reporter for the Register-Gazette, of 
Rockford. and died in 1891, at the age of thirty- 
three years. 

George Falconer was reared in Winnebago 
county, where he has always made his home. He 
spent the days of his boyhood and \outh with 
his uncle and aunt. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mc- 
Cullough. and divided his time between the du- 
ties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play- 
ground and the work of the home farm. He 
continued to assist his father throughout the 
period of his minority and eventually assumed 
the management of the old homestead which is 
now in liis possession. He to-day owns three 
hundred acres of valuable lantl Iving on sections 
5 and 32. Rockford township, and devotes his at- 
tention to general farming and to the feeding 
and shipping of stock. He raises fine high grade 
cattle and hogs, favoring the Durham and sliort- 
horn cattle and the Poland China hogs. Each 
year his annual sales of stock add a considerable 
fund to his income and he is regarded as one of 
the prosperous :igriculturists of this community. 
He has improved the fann by the erection of a 
fine home, in the rear of which stand good build- 
ings for the shelter of grain and stock. These 
in turn are surrounded by well tilled fields and 
the entire farm presents an attractive appearance 
characterized by neatness and thrift. In addi- 
tion to his agricultural interests Mr. Falconer 
became one of the seven promoters of the Win- 
nel>ag<) Telephone Company, of which he is still 
a stix'kholder. 

His political views accord with republican 
princif>les anrl he desires the success of liis i)arty 
without seeking office as a reward for partv 
fealty. .Socially he is connected with the L'.enev- 
olent and Protective ( )nler of Elks. No. 64, of 
Rockford. and with Rockford camp. No. 31, 
M. W. .v.. while his religious views are in ac- 
conl with the teachings of the Presbyterian 



church. He is known as an enterprising busi- 
ness man, alert and energetic and in the control 
of his fanning interests is annually meeting with 
gratifying and deserved success. He has now 
rented his fami for a year and expects to take a 
well earned rest. 



rilAKLFS F. CLOVER. 

Giarles l'. Clover, following the occupation of 
farming on section 17. Rockton township, was 
born in the village of Rockton July 18, 1850, 
and conies of English lineage. His father, John 
Clover, was a native of England, bom in 1820, 
and there remained until he had attained 
his majority and was married. He wedded 
Miss ^Iary Clark, also a native of that country, 
and two children had been added to the family at 
the time of their emigration to the new world in 

1844. Crossing the Atlantic, they did not tarry on 
the eastern coast but at once continued their jour- 
ney into the interior of the country, settling in 
Rockton. In 1847 the father purchased land upon 
which Oiarles F. Clover now resides, entering 
a claim from the government and thereby secur- 
ing one hundred and sixty acres. He at once 
began the arduous task of breaking the prairie 
and ]ilacing the tract under the plow and as the 
years advanced his labors brought to him a good 
return. In 1834 he began railroad contracting as 
a member of the firm of Frazcr, Talcott & Qover 
and was thus engagetl for sometime but subse- 
quently he turned to his farm an<l was connected 
with general agricultural interests up to the time 
of his death, which occurred in i8<;)4. His wife 
survived him until 1877. passing away at the age 
of sixt)' years. They were the parents of eight 
children, of whom six are now living, namely: 
John J., Henry ^\'., Elizabeth A.. Charles F., 
Emily J. and lulward C. 

Charles F. Clover has always been a resident 
i)f Rockton. living on the old family homestead, 
where he has continuously followed farming 
from his boyhood days down to the present. In 
his youth be became familiar with the best 
methods of tilling the soil bv assistance which he 
rendered his father during the simimer months. 
In the winter sea.sons he attended sclux)l and was 
thus engaged until having ])ut aside his text- 
lxx)ks he concentrated his entire attention upon 
his agricultural interests. He now owns one 
hunilred and sixty acres, constituting a gootl 
t'arm well e(|uipped and sni>[)lie<l with all modern 
facilitiis. 

In 1878 Mr. Clover was married to Miss A'iola 
D. Shores, a native of Rockford, Illinois, and a 
daughter of Orrin P.. Shores, who was one of the 
early settlers of the county, arriving here alxwt 

1845. u|) to which time he hail been a resident of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



593 



Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Clover have two 
sons and two daughters : Murray C, born in 
1880, married Angle Palmer, of Rockford, and 
has one child, Lore Virginia; Pearl A., eighteen 
jiears of age ; Essie Mae, sixteen years of age ; 
and Fred W., fifteen years of age. All were 
born on the old family homestead. Mr. Clover 
belongs to Shirland lodge, M. W. A., gives hi« 
political allegiance to the republican party and 
served as road commissioner for three years. 
His co-operation can always be counted upon to 
further movements for the benefit of town and 
count}- and yet he has never sought the honors 
or emoluments of office, content to do his duty 
as a private citizen. 



ARCHIBALD H. TYNDALE. 

Archibald H. T\-ndale, whose enterprise and 
industry proved a stimulating force in business 
circles in Rockford and whose labors were di- 
rected along lines of modern activity that pushed 
forward the wheels of progress, took up his abode 
here in September, 1873, ^"d became manager 
of one of the large dry goods stores. A native 
of Paisley, Canada, he was born near Montreal, 
on the 28th of January. 1842, and was a direct 
descendant of William Tyndale, who was the 
first translator of the Bible into English. His 
parents were Mathew and Alargaret (Scive- 
wright) Tyndale, both of whom were natives of 
Yorkshire, England, whence they went to Can- 
ada at an early da}-. The father owned a large 
farm near Paisley and at one time controlled all 
the stage and mail lines in that part of the coun- 
try. He continued general agricultural pursuits 
there for a number of years and then removed 
to the city of Montreal, where he became one of 
the pioneers in a milKng company manufacturing 
infants' food. That enterprise was successfully 
conducted for some time and eventualh". with a 
handsome competence obtained through years 
of carefully conducted business affairs, he re- 
tired, making his home in Montreal until his 
death. His widow now resides there at the home 
of her daughter and is ninet}' years of age. They 
also have a son residing in that cit}-. 

]\Ir. Tyndale was afforded excellent edu- 
cational privileges in the best schools in Mon- 
treal and was a college graduate and fine French 
scholar. It was always his desire to travel and 
at the age of twenty-seven years he left home, 
after which he spent much time upon the road, 
visiting many parts of the United States. He 
combined business with pleasure in this regard, 
going first to New York city, where he was em- 
ployed as a salesman in various stores. He 
afterward visited all of the southern cities and 



then made his way to the west, meeting the ex- 
penses of living and of his trips by occupying 
a position as salesman in various places. He 
ended his trip in aiicago in 1871 and secured a 
good position in one of the large stores there, 
acting as clerk until 1873. 

Mr. Tyndale was married in that city on the 
9th of October, 1873, to Mrs. Harriet A. 
(Holden) Ashley, a native of Prescott, Canada, 
and a daughter of James and Chloe M. (Wood) 
Holden. who were likewise born in Canada. Her 
father, however, was descended from an old Con- 
necticut family of English ancestr}'. James 
Holden never engaged in any business because 
at the age of twenty-three years he became an 
invalid and he died in Canada at the age of 
thirty-five. His widow died at the home of her 
son in Nebraska when eighty years of age. Mrs. 
T}-ndale was first married to William W. Ashley, 
a native of \'ermont, who, on coming to the west, 
settled in Chicago, where he was associate press 
reporter for the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
pany, residing there until his death in 1868. Mr. 
and Mrs. .\shle}' became the parents of two 
daugnters : Florence, who died when five 
months old ; and Emma M., who has always made 
her home in Rockford with her mother. 

Following the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tyn- 
dale they came at once to Rockford, and he ac- 
cepted the position of manager in the dry goods 
store of L. Mothrope, with whom he was con- 
nected for two years and under his control the 
business grew in volume and importance. He 
then went to Central Cit}-, Nebraska, where he 
established a dry goods store of his own, intend- 
ing to move his family there, but became ill and 
seeing that he could not remain in the country 
he placed his business in the care of his brothers, 
■who are still conducting the store. Islr. Tyndale 
then returned to Rockford and accepted a posi- 
tion in the Ashton dry goods store, although he 
still retained the ownership of the business in 
Nebraska and made visits three or four times 
each }-ear to Central Cit}-. While on a trip there 
in 1891 to look after his invested interests he 
became ill and died on the 19th of April. His 
remains, however, were taken back to Montreal 
for interment. 

Mr. Tyndale voted with the republican party- 
after becoming a citizen of the United States. 
He attained the Royal Arch degree of Masonry, 
holding membership with the lodge and chapter 
in Illinois, and he was also a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod- 
ern W'oodmen camp in Nebraska. He was a 
man of generous impulses and warm heart, kind 
to the poor and needy and considerate at all times 
of those with whom he came in contact. He 
held membership in the Episcopal church in 
Rockford, of which his widow and her daugh- 



594 



i'AST AND I'R1-:SEXT OF WlXXlilBAGO COUNTY. 



tor are also ooninuinicants. Mrs. TviKlale lias 
recently erected a larj^e. fine residence at Xci. 
1I2() Grand avenue and also owns considcralile 
other property in Rock ford, including a nnmher 
of dwellings, the rental from which returns her 
an excellent income, .'^he and her daujsjhter are 
|iroiiiinent in social circles in Rixklord. Mr. 
Tyndale was verA- devoted to his family and he 
lield friendship inviolable. Those who placed 
trust in him found that it was never betrayed 
and his business record was at all times unas- 
sailable. 



BEADON R. LYDDOX. 

Beadon R. Lvddon. connected with the build- 
injj interests of Rockford, is to-day one of the 
most prominent contractors of the city, and has 
probably done the largest amount of Iiouse 
building of any representative of the trade here. 
A native of England, he was born in Somerset- 
shire in 1866, his parents being Benjamin and 
Elizabeth Ann (Withers) Lyddon, who were 
also born in the same country. The father died 
there on the 25th of March, 1874, when sixty- 
nine years of age. He was a tailor by trade, and 
had always followed that pursuit in order to pro- 
vide for his family. Subsequent to his death. 
the mother and her three sons came to the United 
States, crossing the Atlantic in 1877. They lo- 
cated at Malta. De Kalb county, Illinois, reach- 
ing their destination on the i6th of March, and 
there Mrs. Lyddon made her home until the 
fall of i8<^o, when she removed to Rockford. 
where she now resides, at the age of seventy-six 
years. The sons are: Beadon R., of this re- 
view : Benjamin A., a contractor and builder of 
Rockford. who married Miss Anna R. McDou- 
gle. and has three sons. Forest A., Albert I. and 
Clyde O. ; and Earnest E., who married Amanda 
Wright, and has a daughter, Eva Crystal. Their 
home is also in Rockford. 

Beadon R. Lyddon spent the first eleven vears 
of his life in the land of his nativity, and began 
his educatinn in the public schools there. He then 
came with his mother to America and continucrl 
his studies in the schools of De Kalb countv. 
When not occupied with the duties of the school- 
room his attention was given to the farm w^ork, 
and he did arduous service in assisting his mother 
in imprnving the homestead farm on which she 
located upon her arrival in the new workl, .At 
the age of sixteen years he started out in life 
on his own account, going to Belvidere, where 
he began learning the carpenter's trade, for 
wliicli he had displayed a natural predilection 
from his boyhood days, being very handy with 
the use of tools. lie was not long in gaining a 
thorough and accurate knowledge of the busi- 



ness : was recognized as a skilled workman, and 
even prior to his removal to Rockford he began 
contracting. In the fall of 1890 he took up his 
abode in this cit\-, and has since been connected 
with its building o])erations as a contractor. He 
has erected on contract about one hundred and 
seventy-five houses here and has also built the 
C'cii'.iUry C tub building, numerous manufacturing 
l)lanis and imi)ortant business houses. He has 
made a specialty of flat buildings, and in 1904 
he erected two large fiat buildings in addition to 
twenty private residences. He has perhaps done 
the largest amount of house building of any 
contractor in the city, and employs on an av- 
erage of twenty men, sometimes having as many 
as forty or fifty men in his emi)loy. He also 
furnishes plans for buildings. He entered upon 
his varied duties with admirable equipment, be- 
ing a ])ractical builder, and has carried out his 
])n)jects with such industry that he is credited 
with the erection of many of the best residences 
here. These are an ornament to their respective 
neighborhoods, pleasing to the eye and con- 
structed with conscientious regard for real util- 
ity and thorough workmanship. 

Mr. Lyddon was married in Belvidere. Illinois, 
to Miss Mary T. liauman, who was born July 
10. 1867, in Morris, (jrundy county, Illinois, her 
parents being Andrew and Crescent (Read) 
Baunian, both of whom were natives of Ger- 
many, the father's birth having occurred in Wurt- 
temburg, while the mother was born in Bavaria. 
Mr. ISauman died in March, 1877, at the age of 
fifty-three years, while his wife, who was born 
.\ugust 13, 1827. is now living in Knoxville, and 
is still a very active woman. ]\Irs. Lyddon has 
three brothers and two sisters, namely : John, 
w'ho is engaged in the bakery business in Utica, 
Xew York : Casper C, a commercial traveler, 
residing at Cherry \'alley ; Joseph, who is also 
a traveling man : Louise, the wife of Louis 
I'^agle. a baker conducting business at Knox- 
ville. Iowa : and Frances R.. the wife of J. H. 
Lawrence, who is engaged in the restaurant busi- 
ness at Exira. Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Lyddon 
have three children: ( iordon Robert, who was 
born at Belvidere. Illinois, May 12, 1890: Beadon 
Francis, born in Rockford, February 16, 1892 ; 
and Ella Mae, born in this city, April 13, 1894. 
.\11 are attending school here. 

Mr. Lyddon votes with the republican party, 
ami his religious views accord with the teachings 
of the Ba])tisl church, the services of which he 
attends. lie is prominent in his fraternal rela- 
tions, being a member of the Modern Woodmen 
camp, while in Masonry he has attained a high 
degree. He is now affiliated with Star in the 
East lodge. Xo. ir/"., A. F. & A. M. : Winnebago 
Chapter, Xo. 24, R. \. M. : Crusader Command- 
ery, Xo. 17, K. T. ; Tebala Temple of the Mystic 




B. R. LYDDON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



597 



Shrine and the Order of the Eastern Star, of 
which i\Irs. Lyddon is also a member. He is 
deeply interested in the growth of the craft, and 
in his life exemplifies its tenets and teachings. 
Like all successful business men he gives the 
greater part of his attention to the line of activity 
in which he has directed his eiiforts, and his 
work as a contractor has met with cordial and 
general appreciation, as is evidenced by the at- 
tractive edifices he has erected and the liberal 
patronage accorded him. 



D. E. TURNER. 



D. E. Turner, who follows fanning in Guil- 
ford township, where he is also serving as road 
commissioner, has filled this office for twelve 
years, a fact which stands in uncontrovertible 
evidence of his capability, his fidelity' to dutv and 
the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. 
He came to \\'innebago county about forty-one 
years ago and is a native son of the middle west, 
exemplifying in his life the spirit of enterprise 
and progress which have been the dominant fac- 
tors in the upbuilding of this section of the coun- 
try. He was born in \Vaverly, Bremer count}-, 
Iowa, November lo, 1861, his parents being 
Thomas and Rebecca J. (Evans) Turner, who 
removed to this county about fifty-four years 
ago. Thomas Turner came from Canada to 
Rockford, but after a brief residence here he re- 
moved to Iowa, where he remained for seven 
years. He was a farmer by occupation and after 
his return to ^^'innebago county lived in Cherry 
\'alley and Guilford townships, devoting his at- 
tention to the tilling of the soil. He died in the 
spring of 1904, at the age of seventy-seven years, 
and is still survived b}- his wife. They celebrated 
their golden wedding on the 12th of October, 
1903. In their family were three sons and a 
daughter, but one son and the daughter died in 
childhood. E. T. Turner is now living on a 
farm near Waverly, Iowa, the land having been 
pre-empted by his father from the government 
when the family home was established in that 
state. 

D. E. Turner, whose name introduces this rec- 
ord, was reared in Winnebago count}-, which has 
been his home for more than four decades, and 
in his youth he gained intimate knowledge of 
farm work through assistance which he rendered 
to his father in the fields and meadows. Having 
arrived at years of maturity- he was united in 
marriage to Miss Ella O. Krans, who was born 
in Sweden and was brought to the United States 
when a young maiden, her parents being Gust 
and Fredericka Krans, who now reside in Rock- 
ford, her father being employed in one of the 



factories there. j\Irs. Turner was engaged in 
teaching in the Henr}- Freeman school of Rock- 
ford for several years and is a lady of culture 
and refinement. She has become the mother of 
two daughters, Lorene and Lucile, both at home. 
Politicall}- a republican, upon the party ticket 
^Ir. Turner was elected road conunissioner and 
by re-election has been continued in the ofiice for 
the past twelve \-ears. He has done much to 
secure good roads here and his labors have been 
attended with excellent results. He belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity, his membership being 
in Cherry Valley lodge, and his life is in har- 
mony with the spirit of the craft, which is based 
upon mutual helpfulness and brotherh- kindness. 
From boyhood down to the present time he has so 
lived that his stanchest friends are those who have 
known him from his early youth. His business 
success has come as a legitimate result of well 
directed efforts, liis life being another proof of 
cause and eiifect in the business world. 



T. N. SAYLOR. 



J. N. Saylor, a farmer located on section 19, 
Cherry \"alley township, has resided in Winne- 
bago county for more than six decades, having 
taken up his abode here in 1843. He was born 
in Tompkins county. New York, April 20, 1818. 



C. JEROME ROBERTS. 

C. Jerome Roberts, who was for many years a 
well known business man of Rockford. took up 
his abode in the city when it bore little resem- 
blance to the metropolitan center which we find 
here to-day. He settled here in 1846, being at 
that time a young man of about twenty-one years. 
He was born near Montrose, Pennsylvania, No- 
vember 8, 1825. his parents being Caleb and Mary 
Roberts. The mother spent her entire life in the 
Keystone state, where she died when her son Je- 
rome was about twenty-one years of age. Later 
the father came to the west and departed this life 
in Rockford. One of their sons is still living in 
this city, Jacob W. Roberts, who is a retired shoe- 
maker now residing with his son-in-law, G. R. 
Warren, at No. 831 North Court street. 

Mr. Roberts of this review acquired a good 
education in the schools of the east, for after at- 
tending the public schools of his native town he 
was afforded the privilege of continuing his edu- 
cation in Montrose Academy at Montrose, Penn- 
sylvania. He did not complete the full course 
there, however, because his health failed him and 
for this reason he came to the west in 1846, hop- 



598 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



ing that a chaiig:t? of climate would prove bene- 
ficial. He made his way direct to Rock ford, where 
he entered the bakery business in partnership with 
his cousin. Amos Roberts, on West State street. 
This relation was maintained for a few years, 
after which Mr. Roberts joined his brother in a 
partnershi]) in the shoe business on West State 
street, following that pursuit for several years. 
Mr. Roberts then accepted a position as sales- 
man and bookkeeper in the grocery store of W. 
G. King, but impaired health le<l him to seek out- 
door work as he could not stand tlie close con- 
finement of the store. lie then began traveling 
over the country, buying butter for Mr. King, in 
whose employ lie remained for several years, after 
which he began business for himself, o]>ening a 
store on West State street near .Main street. Pie 
there engaged in buying butter, eggs and cheese, 
which lie ship[)ed to I'.oston, New York and St. 
Louis, carrying on the business for several years. 
He was very successful in this undertaking, and 
he then returned to keeping books for a few years, 
after which he want uixin the road as a traveling 
saleman, selling soap for sometime. Subse(iuent- 
ly he acceptcil the i)osition of bookkeeper for 'Sir. 
Sturtevant, of Rockford, with whom he remained 
for four years, but later he abandoned all business 
cares and retired to private life, spending his re- 
maining days in the enjoyment of a well earned 
rest. 

Mr. Roberts was married three times. He first 
wedded Mary J. Dewey, who died in Rockford. 
For his second wife he chose Mrs. Hettie Quack- 
enbush, of New York, who died in Rockford. 
There were four children of that union, but all 
died in early life with the exception of Carroll J., 
a painter residing in Chicago. For his third wife 
Mr. Roberts chose Miss Hortcnse Moore, who 
was born in Winnebago county, and was a daugh- 
ter of Washington and Lucia (Holt) Moore, who 
were natives of the east, and came to Winnebago 
county in 1838, settling in Winnebago township, 
where Mr. Moore engaged in farming until his 
death in 1846. Mrs. ^roore afterward married 
Clark Fisher, who conducted a sawmill in this 
coimty for many years, and both he and his wife 
died here, Mrs. Fisher passing away in 1805. 
There were three children born unto Mr. Roberts 
by liis last marriage: Tracy M., who wedded 
Catherine C. McLaughlin and is a molder by 
tra<le. residing in Rockford with his wife and one 
son, I'^arle Jerome ; Dena W., who has always re- 
sided with her mother; and Newell IL. who mar- 
ried Genevieve A. Tuttle. They have one child. 
Clement, and they also reside with .Mrs. Roberts, 
Mr. Tuttle is a painter by trade. 

.Mr. Roberts, in adflition to his other business 
interests, was at one time a director in the old 
Forest City Itank of Rockford. .About ten weeks 
before his death he became ill and was confined to 



his bed. He passed away May 8, 1904, his de- 
mise being tlie occasion of deep regret to his many 
friends. In |)()litics he was a republican, actively 
interested in the success and growth of the party, 
and he always kept well informed on the (|uesti()ns 
and issues of the day. He possessed a very reten- 
tive memory and was thoroughly informed con- 
cerning the important events in the history of 
Rockft)rd and Winnebago county. He had a wide 
ac(|uaintance among pioneer settlers here, as well 
as among later arrivals, and all recognized his 
honorable manhood and his genuine personal 
worth. He contributed to the improvement of 
the city by his indorsement of many measures for 
the general good and al.so aided in the material 
upbuilding by the erection of several houses. .\t 
one time he was the owner of a very fine residence 
on Rockton avenue, which he afterward sold, 
building the present home of the family at No. 
316 Hinkley avenue. Mrs. Roberts and her chil- 
dren are all members of the Coiu-t Street Meth- 
odist E[)iscopal church. 



W. .\l. l.AWTO.V. 



W. .M. Lawton. who for the past three years 
has conducted a prosperous business in Rockford 
as an oil dealer, is a native of the Empire state, 
but has made his home in Illinois since about two 
years of age. He was reared and educated here, 
and in his boyhood days remained with his par- 
ents, who are now deceased. He entered upon 
his business career in Chicago, where he was em- 
]iloycd for some time, .\fterward he became an 
oil dealer in Capron, Pioone county, Illinois, 
where he was located for several years prior to 
his removal to Rockford. Since 1902, however, 
he has been engaged in business in this city, and 
he now has a large storage plant, with a capacity 
of fortv-four thousand gallons. He runs three 
tank wagons and also supjilies seventeen towns 
besides Rockford. handling the best grade of 
Pennsylvania oil. He furnishes employment to 
three men, and devotes his entire attention to the 
business. He is the only one thus engaged in 
Rockford, aside from the Standard Oil Com- 
pany, and he handles all refinery products. His 
lionorable methods, ()roniptness in attending to 
the wants of his customers, his unflagging enter- 
prise and energy have brought him richly merited 
success. 

In 1886 Mr. Lawton was imited in marriage 
to Miss Carrie Cooper, a daughter of .Arthur 
Cooper, and a native of Illinois, although she was 
reared near Mount Pleasant. Michigan. In his 
political views Mr. Lawton is a republican, and 
served as trustee of the village board while re- 
siding in Capron, Boone county. Socially he is 




W. M. LAWTOX. 



34 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Goi 



a member of the Masonic fraternity at Capron 
and the Knights of Pythias at Delavan, Wiscon- 
sin, and was formerly identified with the Red 
]\Ien and the Odd Fellows at Delavan. He is 
now connected with the Alodern \\'oodmen of 
America, and his wife is a member of the Wom- 
an's Relief Corps of Rockford. They have a 
pleasant home at 1009 Horsman street, and al- 
though their residence in this city covers but a 
Drief period, they have already gained many warm 
friends in Rockford. 



PETER ABRA:\I. 



Peter Aljram. deceased, who was a mason con- 
tractor and became a resident of Winnebago coun- 
ty about 1880, was born in Southport. England, 
January 11, 1844. His parents always resided in 
that cotmtry and both died there. The educa- 
tional privileges afforded the son were limited, and 
he had no special advantages of any kind to aid 
him as he started out upon his business career. 
^M^ile a young man he began to learn the trade of 
a brick-mason, which he followed while still in 
England. 

'Sir. Abrani was also married in that country on 
the 1 6th of June, 1864. He wedded JMiss Jane 
Ball, who died in Southport. ]\Iarch 27, 1866, 
leaving a daughter, Alice, who now resides in 
Iowa. On the 31st of December, 1866, Mr. 
Abrani was married in England to Miss Hannah 
Price, who died in Rockford. They were the 
parents of eight children : Samuel, who married 
Ann Croucher and resides in Chicago ; John, de- 
ceased : John, the second of the name, who was 
born August 28, 1872, and resides in Iowa ; Eliza- 
beth, who was born February 5, 1875. and is the 
wife of Henry Maxiner, a resident of Rockford ; 
Mary Anna, deceased: Mar\- and Annie, twins, 
who were born June 18, 1878, the latter now de- 
ceased, while the former resides in Rockford ; and 
William Henry, who was born November 7, 1880. 
and makes his home in Chicago. 

Peter Abram, after his second marriage, re- 
sided for sometime in England, working at his 
trade, and then came to America, making his way 
into the interior of the country. He settled at 
Latham Park, \\'iniiebago county, Illinois, where 
he lived for a short period and then removed to 
Rockford. It was subsequent to this time that 
his second wife died and on the 7th of Novem- 
ber, i8y3, he married .Mrs. ^fartha 'Slary Ann 
( Stanbury ) Tuckfield, who was born in England 
and is a daughter of Benjamin Stanbury, who died 
in that country during her early girlhood. There 
she became the wife of John F. Tuckfield, also 
a native of England, in which country he learned 
the miller's trade. On coming to the new world 
he settled in Rockford, and worked at the miller's 



trade until his death. He left one son, Henry 
Francis Stanbury Tuckfield, who married Bur- 
della Phillips and resides in Beloit, Wisconsin. 
He is a machinist by trade. 

Mr. Abram worked at the mason's trade in 
Rockford for a number of years, and then began 
contracting along that line. He was accorded a 
liberal and important patronage. After following 
that business for several years he went to the 
west on account of his health, but onlv remained 
for three months, after which he returned to Rock- 
ford. Here he was taken ill and died May 3, 
1905. He was a republican in his political views 
and fraternally was connected with the Modern 
Woodmen and also the ^Mason's Union. Both he 
and his wife were members of the Rebekah lodge, 
and he belonged to the Court Street Methodist 
Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of 
the Episcopalian church. 



DANIEL B. REDINGTON. 

Daniel B. Redingtoii, whose prominence in com- 
munity affairs and place in public regard is indi- 
cated by the fact that for seventeen years he has 
been supervisor of Rockford township, is now re- 
siding on his farm on sections 3 and 4. He was 
born in this township, July 24, 1844, and has prac- 
tically spent his entire life on this same farm. 
His ]3arents are Henry P. and Jerusha ( Bradford ) 
Redington, who came to Winnebago county, in 
1836, from Keene, New Hampshire, and settled 
on a claim on section 4, Rockford township. With 
characteristic energy the father began the im- 
provement of his place in the midst of the dis- 
trict where the work of civilization had scarcely 
been begun. His land is now a part of the three- 
hundred-acre farm owned by Daniel B. Redington. 
Throughout his entire life the father carried on 
agricultural pursuits and he held several minor 
offices, to which he was called by the vote of his 
fellow townsmen. He died on the old farm home- 
stead, ill 1888, when about seventy-three years of 
ag'e, while his wife passed away in California, in 
1881. They Avere both members of the Unitarian 
church. An older brother of our subject, C. H. 
Redington, is now living in Oakland, California, 
occupying the position of assistant treasurer with 
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, having 
been associated with railroad interests from his 
youth to the ]M-eseiit time. One sister is also liv- 
ing, L. A., who is now the widow of S. S. ^lon- 
tague, who was chief engineer for the Southern 
Pacific Railroad Company at the time of its con- 
struction, her home being still in California : and 
S. F., who is the deceased wife of Milton Morse, 
a native of Massachusetts, and a mechanic in his 
businesss pursuits, now residing in the old Bay 
state. 



6o2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Daniel 1>. Rcdington was reared in Winnebago 
county, where his entire life has been passed. No 
event of special importance occurred to vary the 
routine of farm life for him in his youth, and he 
enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, a jiart of 
the First Independent Cavalry Corps of the East- 
ern .\rmy, and was himorahly discharged in 1865. 
He was never wounded, although he was fre- 
quently in the thickest of the fight, and made a 
creditable military record. 

Subsefjuent to his return home Mr. Redington 
was imited in marriage to Miss Louisa Steward, 
of this county, who was born in ( )wen township, 
antl they now have two daughters. Alice and Leta, 
the latter at home. The elder daughter is now the 
wife of Charles D. Cliflford, of Rockford, who is 
conducting the Sujicrior I^iundry of that city, of 
which he is part owner. They have one .son, Har- 
old. Almost contiiuinusly since his marriage Mr. 
Redington has followed the occu])ation of farm- 
ing, and now living u|)on the old farm homestead 
is giving his time and energies to the tilling of the 
soil, his fields being well cultivated, so that rich 
crops are annually harvested. The place com- 
prises three hundred acres of land, which is very 
valuable, constituting one of the good farms of 
W'iimebago county, and in all his business deal- 
ings he is reliable and trustworthy, so conducting 
his affairs that he has made for himself an hon- 
orable name. Well known as an advocate of re- 
pid)lican principles and prominent in the local 
ranks of his party he has served as supervisor of 
Rockford townshii) for seventeen years. Socially 
he is connected with Xevius post. No. i, G. A. R., 
and with Farmers" camp. No. 449, M. W. A. 
Both he and his wife hold membership in the 
Christian Union church, and their interests are 
centered in lines of activity, wherein the county is 
benefited and public progress is conserved. 



ALovzo j. i-:ns()X. .m. d. 

Dr. .\lonzo j. Edson. who for many years de- 
voted his irfe to the practice of medicine, follow- 
ing the ])rofession for forty-seven years m ( )gle 
and Winnebago counties, is now residing in the 
village of New Milford, where he has lived since 
t8(;8, anil where he is now practically retired. He 
was born in Genesee county. New York, .\pril 
7, iS.2(;. his parents Ix-ing (iemaliel and Haiuiah 
(Boylan) Edson, the former a native of .\ew 
York and the latter of New Jersey. They re- 
moved to Ogle county. Illinois, in 1857, settling 
in .Monroe townshi]), where Dr. i-ldson and his 
father ])urchased a farm, and upon that place his 
])arents both died, the father itassing away in r877 
and the mother in |8'>4. They hail four children: 
Elizabeth A.. Marietta J.. Malvina and .Moiizo |.. 
bi;t Dr. Ivlson is the onlv one now livinsr. 



L'ntil twelve years of age Dr. Edson worked 
u])on his father's farm in New York. He then 
attended the common schools for the first time, 
but later he was afforded good educational privi- 
leges, becoming a student in the academy at Wy- 
oming, New ^'o^k, where he remained for two 
tenns, mastering the branches of learning that 
constitute the curriculum in that institution. 1 le 
afterward took up the study of theology, placing 
himself under the instruction of Elders Hard, Mc- 
Cuin and Fuller, who directed his reading and 
investigation for a year. It was his father's wish 
that he became a minister of the Christian religion, 
but owing to a division in the church regarding 
the slavery i|uestion. Dr. Edson jnit aside his orig- 
inal intentions of following his father's wish and 
took u]) the study of medicine, matriculating in 
Cincinnati .Medical College, from which he was 
graduated with honors in the class of 1847. He 
then practiced in (ienesee county. New York, un- 
til 1854, when he formed a partnership with Dr. 
Jacob DeLamater, of Batavia, New York, which 
relation was maintained until 1856. In 1858 he 
came to Illinois. He has practiced continuously 
since 1847, meetmg with excellent success in his 
profession, and he has continuously studied and 
read to keep in touch with methods of modern 
practice, being quick to advocate any new idea 
that would prove of value in his chosen work, yet 
he never discarded hastily the old and time-tried 
methods whose value he had proven through long 
years of active work. 

C)n the 1st of October. 1850. Dr. Edson was 
married to Miss Cornelia Howe, who died twelve 
years later, and on the 2d of January. 1865, he 
wedded Mrs. Mercy M. Pardee. They have four 
children : Curtis G. and Bertis S.. twins, the 
former residing at New Milford. where he is eni- 
])l(>yed as an engineer, while the latter resides on 
a farm in ( )gle county; (jeorge .\.. who assists 
his brother Bertis in operating the farm: and 
Kittie .M.. at home. By her former husband Mrs. 
Edson had two children, one of whom. Roland 
C, resides in Monroe, Ogle county. He is now 
married and has four daughters, twt) of whom are 
school-teachers. 

Dr. Edson is the owner of a good farm of one 
hundred and eighty acres, and he recently sold 
seven acres for the right of way for the Iowa, 
Illinois &• Minnesota Railroad, now in course of 
construction. The farm lies jiartly in Winnebago 
and ])artly in < >gle counties, one hmidred and 
tliirtx -three acres being in the townshi]) of New 
.Milford, ami the Doctor's practice has naturally 
extended into both counties. In November. i8q8. 
he removed to the village of New Milford, where 
he ]iurchased and imi)roved his present comfor- 
table home. He formerly owned several proper- 
ties in the city of l\(X"kford, but has disjxised of 
these. Politically Dr. I'Mson is a republican, and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



603 



in religious faith his wife is connected with the 
Wesleyan Methodist church. Fraternally he was 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fol- 
lows and the [Masonic lodge in New York, but 
has never affiliated therewith in the west. In the 
line of his profession he was identified with the 
New York State Medical Society and is now a 
member of the Illinois State Medical Society. He 
is a social, genial gentleman of genuine worth, 
whose life has been of benefit to his fellowmen, 
and he is yet the loved family physician in many a 
household. He has now attained a venerable age, 
having passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's 
journey, but his era of usefulness is not yet over. 
Old age does not naturally suggest lack of occu- 
pation or helplessness, for there is an old age 
which grows stronger and better as the years go 
by and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and 
experience. Such has Ix^en the career of Dr. Ed- 
son. 



HEXRY P. KIMBALL. 

Henry P. Kimball as secretary of the County 
Agricultural Society and as a private citizen con- 
tributed in substantial measure to the welfare and 
upbuilding of Rockford and ^^'innebago county, 
and, while he started out in business empty- 
handed, in his later years he was classed with the 
prosperous citizens whose records prove the force 
and value of industry and integrity as factors in 
the business world. 

;\[r. Kimball was a native of New Hampshire, 
born in 1829, and his parents were Samuel and 
Hannah (Tasker) Kimball, who were natives of 
New England, spending the greater part of their 
lives in Kennebunk, r^Iaine, where in his younger 
years the father followed the miller's trade. Both 
he and his wife died in Salmon Falls. New Hamp- 
shire. 

Henry P. Kimball acquired a good education 
in the east. He was largely reared in Maine, and 
after mastering the elementary branches of learn- 
ing in the public schools continued his studies in 
Colby University, of Alaine. while subsequently he 
was graduated from Rochester (New York) Uni- 
versity. He then turned his attention to the pro- 
fession of teaching, which he followed for several 
years in the Pine Tree state. Attracted by the 
business opportunities of the great and growing 
west, however, he made his way to Winnebago 
countv in early manhood, arriving in Rockford 
in June, 1852. He first taught school here for 
three years and then turned his attention to hor- 
ticultural pursuits, owning twenty-six acres of 
land in the northern part of the city, now included 
within the main residence portion of Rockford. 
He also bought another tract and set out both 
places in fruit trees. He made a close study of 



the needs and requirements of different kinds of 
fruit trees, and his opinions were largely regarded 
as authority on horticultural questions in this 
part of the state. He produced high grades of 
fruit and met with excellent success in his busi- 
ness career. He was also secretary of the County 
Agricultural Society, and put forth his best efforts 
to promote its interests, so that the farming class 
of Winnebago county owe him a debt of gratitude 
for what he accomplished in that direction. 

In i8q2, Mr. Kimball was united in marriage 
to Miss Ellen Haskell, a native of [Massachusetts 
and a daughter of Dr. George and Eunice (Ed- 
wards) Haskell. Her mother was born in Acton, 
[Massachusetts. Her father. Dr. Haskell, was one 
of the early physicians of Rockford and a grad- 
uate of Dartmouth College. Retaining his resi- 
dence in New England for some time he practiced 
both in Maine and [Massachusetts, and then re- 
moved to the west, settling first in Edwardsville, 
Illinois, whence he afterward went to Alton, re- 
maining in active practice there for a few years. 
He afterward proceeded by boat up the river to 
Rockford, becoming one of the pioneer phvsicians 
of this city. Here he practiced with benefit to the 
community until his own health failed and he 
found it necessary to live an outdoor life. How- 
ever, before following that course he purchased 
a small stock of dry goods and conducted a store 
for a few years after his retirement from practice. 
He found that he could not stand the close con- 
finement and embarked in the nursery business, 
giving his attention largely to fruit trees. At a 
later date he removed to New Jersey, where he 
invested in land and spent his last days,, but Mrs. 
Haskell died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. 
Kimball, in Rockford. Dr. Haskell was a man 
of marked integrity of character, of unquestion- 
able honor in all life's relations and one whose 
flevotion to the public good was characterized by 
untiring elTort and imselfishness of purpose. 

[Mr. and [Mrs. Kimball became the parents of 
four children : Frank H., a practicing physician 
of Rockford. who is represented elsewhere in this 
work; Willis [M.. who married Isabelle [Mears and 
resides on Haskell avenue, now representing the 
fourth ward on the board of aldermen, a position 
which he has filled for many years with marked 
capability ; Carlton C, who wedded [May Irish 
and is city collector, residing on Winnebago 
street : and Cora, who died at the age of four 
vears. The death of [Mr. Kimball occurred [Mav 
10, 1889. 

He was a republican in politics and took an 
active and deep interest in the questions and is- 
sues of the day. He long ranked as one of the 
leading residents of his adopted city, and was 
closely identified with its upbuilding along varied 
lines. He was a gentlemen of broad humani- 
tarian spirit, of ready sympathy and unfailing 



6o4 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



courtesy and always stooil as a friend <>f educa- 
tional and philanthropic measures. The consensus 
of public opinion conceminii him was very favor- 
able, and lie had the haiipy faculty not only of 
winnint; friends, but of (Irawins them closer to 
him as- the years passed by. In i8i)2 .Mrs. Kim- 
ball built her present beautiful home at .\o. •t^j 
l-'isher avenue. The family are well known here 
and occupy an enviable pfisition in social circles 
and public life. 



A. P.. MILLER. 



.\. 1!. .Miller, a farmer ami stock-raiser also 
enirased in the breeding of stock, is located on 
.section 27, Shirland township, where he is 
larfjcly en,c;a,tje<l in the breediiiij of jersey cattle 
and P.erkshire ho.ys. lie is to-day one of the 
most ])roniinent representatives of farmins; inter- 
ests in this part of the county, and his judg'.nent 
concerning: farm animals and jiroducts of all 
kinds is considered autlioritative. He is a na- 
tive of Orauije county, X'ermont, born in 1835, 
and was a lad of ten years when in 1845 he was 
lir<)ut;ht to \\'iimeba<.jo county by his parcr.ts, 
Alexander and .Mary ( Mackey^„^Uer. 'JTie 
father was born at Ryegate, Vermont, and .-ifter 
his removal to the west settled in the village of 
Rockford. where he oluained employment in tlie 
salt works. Later he |)iircliased the farm now 
owned by I-Vank Zahn in Shirland township, .'md 
for a time continued its improvement, but later 
sold out there and removed to Harlem tovvn- 
shi|), where he resided for a number of yetr-;. 
lie then again i)urchased a farm in Shirland 
townshi]) and devoted his time and energies to its 
(leveloi)ment and imi>rovement until he retired 
from active business life and took up his abode in 
the village of .Shirland. where he made his home 
until his death, which occurred about fifteen years 
ago. when he was eighty-five years of age. His 
wife died about 1<>X). when ninety-two years of 
age. IJoth were very active u|) to the last. They 
were natives of \'ermont and manifested the 
thrift and industry .so characteristic of the .\ew 
I'^ngland people. In their family were twelve chil- 
dren, as follows: Mrs. Margaret Reckhow. of 
Uockforfl : John, a stock buyer <if that city; 
Rii'^riT, who is engaged in the fruit business in 
.Michigan; ICduKynd. a resident farmer nf ( )wen 
trtwnship; Mrs. Fidelia Ilarley. who owns a 
fine farm in Shirland townshi]) and makes her 
home in the village of Rockton ; Mrs. Henrietta 
Robinson, of Reloil ; .Mrs. Mary A. Llo\d, of 
Roscoc ; .Mrs. P.. Jewett. of Harrison; A. P., of 
this review; one who died in infancy; l-Vank. 
who died in California; and William, who was 
a farmer of Shirland township and was acci- 
rlentallv killed bv working about a thresher. 



.\. !'.. Miller spent the first ten years of his 
life in the place of his nativity, and from the age 
of ten years has resided in Winnebago county, 
while for forty years he has made his home upon 
his present farm. Here he has carried on gen- 
eral agricultural ])ursuits and stock breeding and 
r.iising. He devotes special attention to the 
breeding of Jersey cattle and 1 Berkshire hogs, 
and he owns some fine ])ure bred Perkshires. He 
has bred these animals for thirty-eight years, has 
exhibited at various fairs and has won many 
jjrizes, often times carrying olT the first prize. 
.Ml of his cattle are eligible to record, and indeed 
most of tliem have been recorded. They average 
three himdred jvnuids in butter t<j each cow per 
year. That .Mr. .Miller is considered an excellent 
judge of farm animals is shown by the fact that 
he has often been chosen to act as judge of 
fowls, cattle and hogs at various fairs at I-'ree- 
])nrt and elsewhere, and also as judge upon flow- 
ers and plants. He owns and operates his farm 
of seventy acres, which is finely improved, and 
he conducts an extensive dairy, having a large 
herd of Jerseys. This branch of his business is 
proving very ]irofitable. and indeed in all that 
he undertakes he wins success because he is 
])raciical, energetic and reliable. 

.Mr. Miller was married here to Miss Mar\ j. 
Rochester, who was born in Janesville, Wiscon- 
sin, and is a daughter of James Rochester, an 
early resident of this ])art of the state. The 
father resided in Rockford. and was a mill- 
wright by trade. Ivventually. however, he re- 
moved to Kansas City, where he enlisted in the 
I'nion army, his death occurring while he was 
in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have six 
children. Henry, agent at .Shannon. Illinois, for 
the Chicago, ^lilwaukee & St. Paul Railroad 
Com])any. is married, and has six children. Ed- 
ward, a farmer of Shirland township, is married, 
and has oiie daughter, but has lost his wife. 
William is associated with his father in business. 
Clara is the wife of Henry Piemielt. a resident 
farmer of Shirland township, and has one daugh- 
ter. Mae is the wife of h'a^ctte Stilwell. and 
li.is four children. Jemiie is at home. .Mr. 
-Miller exerci.ses his right of franchise in support 
of the men and meas ires of the reimljlican ])arty. 
but has little as))iration for office, and has served 
onl\' in a few minor iiositions. He was formerly 
identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
I'ellows, but he now concentrates his attentions 
largely ui)on his business affairs, and he is justly 
re,'arded as one of the most jirogressive agri- 
culturists of this part of the county, being so 
iboroughh- informeil on the best methods of 
raising slock and farm ])roducts that his ojiinions 
are considered valuable throughout the entire lo- 
cality. 



7^ 



S-. 



> 



r 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



607 



NELSON EUGENE BENOIT. 

On Sunday, the 23d of March, 1902, there oc- 
curred an event which caused general mourning 
in the city of Rockford, the death of Nelson E. 
Benoit, who at the hour of 2 :30 departed this 
life. He was a remarkable man in many respects. 
He achieved splendid success in business, and in 
him were embodied many virtues, including a 
steadfast purpose, unimpeachable integrity and 
devotion to the general good. Moreover, he pos- 
sessed a nature which enabled him to shed around 
him much of the sunshine of life. This was per- 
haps his most distinguishing characteristic, as all 
who knew him were familiar with his intense good 
nature, his ready reply and his quick wit, but 
those who came within the closer circle of his 
friendship knew more of a kindly, generous spirit, 
a philanthropic purpose and a serious and philo- 
sophic insight into life, its duties and its possi- 
bilities. He was known in business circles of 
Rockford for many years as one of its leading 
merchants, first taking up his abode here in 1868. 

Mr. Benoit was a native of Frelighsburg, Que- 
bec, Canada, born in the 6th of March, 1841. His 
parents always lived in Quebec, where his father 
was a carriage-maker by trade. The son pursued 
his education in the public schools of his native 
countv. and then became his father's assistant in 
the shop, there learning the trade, which, however, 
he followed for only a brief time. He afterward 
learned the art of photography in Canada, and 
followed it as a business pursuit until he came to 
Rockford in 1868. Here he secured a position in 
the paint shop of the N. C. Thompson Company, 
but when he had been thus employed for about 
two years he turned his attention to the jewelry 
business, securing a position in the store of Mr. 
Manning, with whom he worked for a few years. 
He afterward clerked for Mr. Freidman in his 
jewelry store for about a year, and in 1880 he 
purchased a stock of goods and began business 
on his own account at No. 310 West State street, 
where he carried a complete line of jewelry, 
watches, clocks, silverware and fine optical goods. 
At the beginning the new enterprise was attended 
with success. The safe, conservative policy which 
he inaugurated commended itself to all, and the 
public knew that it would receive fair and hon- 
orable treatment at his hands. He continued in 
the jewelry trade with constantly growing success 
until 1900. when he sold out to C. E. .\xt, who 
still conducts the store. 

Mr. Benoit was married twice. He first wed- 
ded ]\Iiss Julia P. ChaiTee, who was born in Berk- 
shire, \'ermont, and died in Rockford in 1 87 1. 
Seven years later, in 1878, Mr. Benoit wedded 
Mrs. Martha (Thayer) Hobart, the widow of 
Randolph E. Hobart, who came to Rockford and 
was employed in the shops of this city until his 



healtn failed him, when he returned to Pl_\nnouth, 
Pennsylvania, where he died. Mrs. Benoit was 
a daughter of John and Maria Thayer, both na- 
tives of the state of New York. They came to 
Rockford in 1857. and Mr. Thayer, who was a 
carpenter by trade, assisted in the erection of many 
of the fine buildings of this city, including the 
\\'estminster Presbyterian church. He afterward 
engaged in the pump manufacturing business un- 
der the firm name of Springer & Thayer, con- 
ducting that enterprise with success for several 
years. He next removed to Dakota, and after- 
ward visited California, and while on a return 
trip to Rockford he was taken ill. dying before 
he reached his destination. He was well known 
in this city, and many friends entertained for him 
warm regard. His widow, now aged eighty-seven 
years, makes her home in Rockford with her two 
daughters, Mrs. Benoit and Mrs. Tymesen, at No. 
1003 Haskell avenue. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thayer 
were born five children, of whom four are yet liv- 
ing, Airs. Benoit lieing the third in order of birth. 
The others are Clara W.. the wife of Harvey L. 
Tymesen, who is engaged in the express business 
in Rockford ; Mrs. Frank Johnson, who is residing 
in Los Angeles, California ; and Mrs. A. I. Man- 
uel, of Denver, Colorado. The eldest daughter, 
Nancy, now deceased, was the wife of A. M. Man- 
ny, who was formerly a prominent business man 
of Rockford and now resides in Chicago. 

Mr. Benoit disposed of his business interests 
in Rockford on account of ill health, and then 
went to California, where he spent about nine 
months. On the expiration of that period he re- 
turned to Rockford with the intention of going 
again to California and make that state his home, 
but while here he entered into partnership with 
W. H. .-Vllen in the organization and control of 
the business of the Rockford Glass Company, Mr. 
Benoit managing the store, while Mr. Allen trav- 
eled upon the road selling their goods. In Jan- 
uary. 1902, however, Mr. Benoit was taken ill. 
He somewhat recovered his health, but again be- 
came worse, and on the 23d of March, 1902, he 
passed away. 

In his political relations he was a republican, 
and fraternally was a thirty-second-degree and 
Knight Templar Mason. He was also a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and 
other fraternal societies. He and his wife at- 
tended the Christian Union church, and it was 
there that his funeral services were held. There 
were few men better known in Rockford and cer- 
tainly none more popular. He was called "Ben- 
nv," a term of good fellowship, popularity and 
affection. It is said that none ever heard an ill 
word spoken of him. He was to every one who 
came in contact with him a merr\^ soul, brimming 
over with good nature and kindness and scattering 



6o8 



FAST AND I'RKSEXT OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



sunsliinc ulu-nver he went. A local paper said 
of him: "His kindness of heart, his tolerance of 
the views of others, his sympathy for the weak 
and unfortunate were {|ualities which always abid- 
ed with him. not ostentatiously, for it was only 
upon close ac(|uaintance that his true nature be- 
came revealed, lie was a lifelonij republican in 
politics and was hapi)y in his fidelity to his party's 
principles, thoutjh he was genenius to a fault with 
those who held opposing views. The passing 
throng knew him best as a wit, and in this regard 
he was uni<iue. His sallies into the grotesque and 
ridiculous were always free from bitterness or 
malediction. His sayings and characteristic de- 
scri])tioiis of places and incidents which came into 
his daily life never failed to arouse wholesome 
laughter. Had he placed his genius as a humorist 
more into the public eye thousands would now 
mourn for one who had brought sunshine into 
their lives. He will never be forgotten by scores 
of friends on whom his bright sayings were be- 
stowed so prodigally. His genial ways made 
warm friendships among people of all ages and 
all classes of men. He was one of the best known 
business men in the city and was respected by all 
for his rectitude in his dealings. He was a type 
of luerchant which the new order of things will 
not produce, for with him trade was a |)lcasant ex- 
change not only of luerchandise, but of good fel- 
lowship. .\ French-Canadian by birth, he was 
intensely loyal to his adopted couiUry. He loved 
.\merica. its progress, its catholicity of opinion 
and its democracy. The death of President Mc- 
Kinley was a great shock to him, for he idolized 
the martyred President. To those who knew him 
well the deep sincerity and jjhilosophic mood 
which lay luider his most excellent Inimor rounded 
out his nature into an ideal worthy of any man's 
affinities, and a treasure for those who learned to 
appreciate his true worth." 

.Vmnng the numerous tributes to Mr. Tienoit's 
life and condolences received by Mrs. Uenoit, is 
the following from one of his most intimate ac- 
quaintances, Frank C. Lander: "Dear Friend: 
Sympathy is but an em|)ty name in the depths of 
a sorrow like vours, but I can not refrain from 
giving expression to the ])rofoun(l grief which is 
mine through the great loss you have sustained. 
I know as could few others the rare nohilitv of 
character, the loyalty in friendship, the almost 
womanly tenderness, the unselfish generosity, the 
charity for the weaknesses of others and the will- 
ingness to forgive and forget the blows received in 
the strife we call life which belonged to the de- 
parted one, and I loved him as I have loved no 
other man save my father. In lightening the bur- 
dens of others and increasing the ha]i])iness of all 
who came within the circle of his genial influence 
he found for himself the only en<luring jr)y which 



earth affords. None knew him but to hold him 
in the highest esteem, and in all the years I have 
been jirivileged to call him my friend 1 have never 
heard an ill word spoken of him in any connec- 
tion. Rest and peace are his ; while the rich her- 
itage of his spotless name and honorable career 
are yours. I do not believe that ever man stood 
before the great white throne of eternal justice 
with cleaner hands or a purer heart than Nelson 
E. P>enoit." 

.Mrs. Penoit is now residing with her sister and 
mother at No. 2oy South West street, but has 
spent much of her time since her husband's ileath 
in traveling, mostly in the west, spending much 
time with her sisters in California and Colorado, 
and she intends soon to take up her permanent 
abode in California. 



N. P. |( )IiXS( ).\. 



N. P. Johnson, conducting an extensive men's 
and ladies' tailoring establishment at No. 318 
East State street, Rockford, was born in Skone, 
Sweden, in i860, a son of Johanes Pearson. He 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the 
land of his birth, but the sui)erior business op- 
])(>rtunities of the new worUl attracted him. and 
in 1881 he crossed the .\tlantic to America, mak- 
ing his way direct to Rockford in .May of that 
year, where he has since remained, with the ex- 
ception of a brief period of three months spent 
in Chicago. I'ollowiug his arrival here he was 
employed for nine years by the Glove Manufac- 
turing Coiupany. and later he worked for three 
and a half years with the Globe Clothing Com- 
]iany as a salesman, lie then began the tailor- 
ing business on his own account, and has since 
been engaged in this way. He carries the larg- 
est stock of woollens of any tailoring establish- 
ment in Rockford, and does all kinds of ladies' 
and mens tailoring, receiving a large patronage 
fntm the best ])eoplc of the city and county, his 
business having reached such ]>roportions that 
he is justified in liie employment of from six to 
eight first-class t:iilors. Ilis work is all guaran- 
teed and gives uniform satisfaction and his es- 
tablishment is thoroughly modern in all of its 
equii)ments. 

In 1885 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage 
to .Miss Ingrid Eind.strom. a native of .Sweden, 
who came to .\merica in 1883. They have two 
chilflren, (ieorge and .\lbin. The family home 
is at No. 1528 East State street, where Mr. John- 
son owns a beautiful residence, having lived here 
for eighteen years, lie votes with the rejnib- 
lican |)arty. but is too busy to devote any time to 
])olitical work. He belongs to the Modern 




i\. r. yoHXSox. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



6ii 



^^'oodmen camp oi Rnckford, and he and his 
wife are members of the Swedish Methodist 
Episcopal church. Pie is a man of fine appear- 
ance, of unfaihng courtesy and genial disposi- 
tion, and his business record is notable from the 
fact that he came to America without capital and 
but limited education. He, however, soon mas- 
tered the English language and with a mind that 
is continually broadening through reading and 
experience he has acquainted himself with the 
conditions of the new world and by ready adapt- 
ability to business life has worked his way stead- 
ily upward in the field of labor which he has 
chosen. 



JAMES P.. HARDY. 

James B. Hardy, an agriculturist of Roscoe 
township, has for a number of years been actively 
engaged in the raising of cattle, horses and sheep 
and also conducts a dairy business, and the record 
which he has made as an agriculturist is a com- 
mendable one, having been characterized by suc- 
cessful accomplishment as well as straightforward 
methods. He was born in Roscoe township in 
1854, and is a son of Seldon S. and Caroline 
Hardy, both of whom were natives of Maine. The 
Hardy family is of English Imeage. but little def- 
inite history can be obtained concerning earlier 
generations of the family. Seldon S. Hardy came 
from the Pine Tree state to Illinois in the late 
'30s and settled in Roscoe, Winnebago county, 
where he followed mechanical pursuits. At a 
later date, however, he turned his attention to 
farming and continued to make his home in this 
county up to the time of his death, which occurred 
when he was sixty-fotir years of age. His wife 
passed away at the age of forty-five years. In 
their family were seven children, of whom three 
are living, the brothers of our subject being Har- 
ris W. and Nicholas. 

James B. Hardy, the youngest of the family, 
has always resided in Winnebago county with 
the exception of a period of twelve years spent in 
LaSalle count)', Illinois. He acquired his early 
education in the district schools, dividing his time 
between the work of the schoolroom, the pleas- 
ures of the playground and the duties of the fields, 
for under his father's direction he was trained to 
habits of industry and economy upon the home 
farm and early gained a practical knowledge of 
the best methods of cultivating land and caring 
for stock. When he had reached man's estate he 
resolved to make his life work the occupation to 
which he had been reared. 

Mr. Hardy married ^.tiss Amanda T\irter. a na- 
tive of Illinois and a daughter of Robert Porter. 
They had one son. Paul, who was born in Roscoe 
township and has married Gladys Newton, a na- 



tive of Boone county, Illinois. Mrs. Amanda 
Hardy died at the age of thirty-two years, and for 
his second wife Mr. Hardy chose Laura Blair, 
also a native of Roscoe township and a daughter 
of Alva Blair, who was one of the earl)- settlers 
of this county, of 1836, coming to Illinois from 
Bufl^alo, New York. He arrived in Winnebago 
count)- when Mrs. Hardy was only two years of 
age, and secured a tract of land which he devel- 
oped. Air. Hardy in recent years has purchased 
the interest of the other heirs in this property, 
whereon he now makes his home, having here one 
hundred and ninety acres of rich and productive 
land. He works it all, being one of the most ac- 
tive and energetic agriculturists of his community. 
He raises good crops, but pays more particular at- 
tention to stock-raising, keeping cattle, horses and 
sheep. He also does a dairy business and the prod- 
duct of his dairy finds a ready sale on the mark-et. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hard)' are the parents of five 
children, all born in Roscoe township, namely : 
Kate, Ruth, Dora, Blair and Harold. Mr. Hardy 
gives his political allegiance to the republican 
part)-, and is a member of the Woodmen of Amer- 
ica. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance in 
the county where his entire life has been passed 
and where he has so directed his labors that now 
a fine farm gives proof of his activity, energy and 
business discernment in former vears. 



ALLEN RICE. 



Having in an active business career acquired a 
handsome competency, Allen Rice then retired to 
private life and was for a number of years a resi- 
dent of Rockford. enjoying there the fruits of his 
former toil. He became a resident of Winnebago 
county in 1856, at which time he purchased a farm 
in Harrison township. A native of the Empire 
state, he was bom in W'ashington county, New- 
York, April 3, 1817. His father. Jonathan Rice, 
and his grandfather, Abraham Rice, were like- 
wise natives of the same locality, and the latter 
served as a soldier of the war of 1812 in early 
manhood. He was united in marriage to Miss 
Eda Deuell, who was likewise born in Washington 
county. New York, and one of her brothers was 
a soldier with the American army in the second 
war with England. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Rice 
always remained residents of the county of their 
nativity. Jonathan Rice, however, removed from 
Washington to Genesee county. New York. He 
alwavs carried on general agricultural pursuits, 
and he died in Genesee county at the age of fifty- 
two years. 

Allen Rice is indebted to the public-school sys- 
tem of \\'ashington county. New York, for the 
earlv educational advantages he received, and in 



6l2 



PAST AND I'RESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



1831, when a yoiiili of fourteen years, he accom- 
panied his parents on their removal to (ienesec 
county. While hving tliere lie he.ijan learning:; 
the carpenter's trade, and soon hecame a skilled 
workman, followino; that calling until 1856, whei. 
he removed to the west. He had two hrotliers 
then living in Winnel)ago county, and this led him 
to seek a home here, liotii iirothcrs were farming 
at that time, hut have now ])assed away. One sis- 
ter, however, .Mrs. William Kinney, the wife of 
a retired farmer, now resides in the village of 
Durand. As before stated Mr. Rice secured a 
tract of land in Harrison township, and with 
characteristic energy began the tilling of the soil, 
placing his farm under a hi.gh state of cultivation. 
There he worked jiersistently and energetically for 
eight years, after which he took up his abode in 
Rockford and purchasetl the Harlem Park farm 
at the north end of the city, the district that now 
constitutes Harlem Park. .Mr. Rice there owned 
one hundred and seventy-five acres of well im- 
proved land near Rock river and continued its 
improvement and develo])ment until 18.S7. when 
he sold out to the ])ark com])any and ])urchased a 
residence at the corner of Mulberry and Church 
streets. Taking uj) his abode there he lived re- 
tired until his (kath, but for several years he 
was in an invalid condition owing to a stroke of 
paralysis, and he passed away April 14, 1902. 

Mr. Rice was married twice. He first wedded 
a Miss Miller, a native of New York, who died 
in that state leaving two children, Charles E. and 
Joseph A., the former now a farmer of Storm 
Lake, Iowa, and the latter a speculator of Chi- 
cago. Mr. Rice was again married in Genesee 
county. New York, his second union being with 
Miss Lydia .\. Mead, a native of Montgomery 
county. l)orn .\pril 17, 1835, a daughter of Charles 
and Polly ( Pierce) Mead, of h'ulton county. New 
York. Her father was a millwright and carpenter 
by trade, and during a part of the time in the east 
worked for Mr. Rice. Both he and his wife were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rice Ix-came the ]iarents of two sons, 
but Willie was (Irf)wned in Rock river on the 8th 
of September. 1865. when ten years of age. The 
sur\'iving son, Harris H. Rice, was born July i<). 
1850, and acquired a good education in the schools 
of Winnebago county. Following the removal of 
his ])arents to Rockford he obtained a ])osition in 
the watch factory and soon became an expert 
watch-case maker. He was later ])r(Mnoted to 
sho|) superintendent an<l acted in that capacity for 
several years, or until ill health forced him to re- 
sign his position, since which time he Ins lived 
at home with his mother. 

Mr. Rice served as supervisor and was justice 
of the peace and also held minor offices while in 
Harrison township. He was actively interested in 
|)olitics a* a >u])|)orter of the democratic party. 



He had a large acquaintance in this city and 
county, being known to all the pioneer residents 
of this |)ortion of the state, for he located here a 
half century ago, and his death was deeply re- 
gretted by many friends as well as his family. 
Mrs. Rice has recently sold some of her property, 
but still owns a fine brick residence at No. 317 
.Mulberry street, where she and her son now re- 
side. Her long residence in the county makes her 
familiar with its history, and during the fifty 
years in which she has lived in this part of the 
.state she has gained many warm friends, her good 
traits of heart and mind endearing her to those 
with whom she has been associated. 



AXDRI'.W 1". Ck AIIAM. 

Andrew I'. Graham, numbered among the suc- 
cessful farmers of Rockton township, living on 
.section 31, was born in that township December 
19, 1858. He traces his ancestry back to his 
great-grandfather, who was a native of the north 
of Ireland, and came with his family to America 
in colonial days. When the colonists could no 
longer endure the o])pressive measures of the 
mother country he joined the .\nierican .\rmy and 
fought for independence, and the maternal great- 
grandfather of our subject was also one of the 
heroes of the Revolution. The grandfather, Mat- 
hew (iraham, was born in Pennsylvania, and his 
business pursuit was that of farming, whereby he 
jirovided the necessities and some of the comforts 
of life for his family. He came with the father 
of our subject to Illinois, but shortly afterward re- 
turned to his native state. His wife bore the 
maiden name of Martha Shannon and was like- 
wise a native of Pennsylvania. 

Henry Graham, father of .\ndrew F. Graham, 
was born in Northumlierland comity, Pennsyl- 
vania, and in early life learned the plasterer's 
trade, which he afterward followed along the Mis- 
sissippi river for sometime. On .going through 
the south and witnessing the abuse of slavery he 
became a very stanch abolitionist and because of 
his intense feeling against the custom of holding 
the negroes in bonda.ge he awakened the antago 
nism of southern people, and for this reason was 
obliged to return to the north. He then settled 
in Rockton. Winnebagt) county, where he engaged 
in |)l'istering. taking the contract to plaster the 
church in the viliige. He afterward removed to 
Rockton townshi]). wlu're he |nirchased the eighty 
acres of land on which his son Henry now resides. 
He had lived ])reviouslv for a short period in Be- 
loit, Wisconsin, but after coming to Winneba.go 
county s]ient his remaining days here, and for 
(|i'ite a long' ])eriod was actively and successfully 
identified with its agricidtural interests. He mar- 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



613 



ried Ellen Foster, a native ot Ohio, and his death 
occurred in Rockton, in 1895, when he was sev- 
enty-one years of age, while his widow is still liv- 
ing- in Rockford. They were the parents of eight 
children, of whom seven are living: Andrew F., 
Mrs. Elizabeth Smith. i\Irs. Margaret Ruhl, Mrs. 
Rachel Keagle. ]\Irs. Jennie Hanghey, Henry and 
jNIrs. Lucy File. 

.\ndrew F. Graham has spent his entire life in 
Rockton township, and was reared to the occupa- 
tion of farming, which he has made his life work. 
He makes a specialty, however, of the dairy busi- 
ness and for this purjaose keeps thirty Jersey 
cows, manufacturing from five to six thousand 
pounds of butter each year, which he readily dis- 
poses of to families in Rockford, because of the 
excellence of his product. He also owns a full- 
blooded bull by Brown Bessie Cadet. No. 57522, 
which is at the head of his herd. He has one hun- 
dred and forty acres of land which he purchased 
in 1 88 1, and since that time he has made many 
modern and substantial improvements upon his 
farm until it is now one of the attractive features 
of the landscape. 

In 1882 ;\Ir. Graham was married to Miss 
Emma Donner, a native of Akron, Ohio, and they 
have three children : Frank H., Floyd N. and 
Gladys F. In igo2 ]\Ir. Graham built a modern 
and beautiful residence, finished inside in light 
hardwood, supplied with hot-water heat and illu- 
minated by acetylene gas. It is a lovely home, and 
j\Ir. Graham, who possesses much natural me- 
chanical ingenuity, installed all of the plumbing 
and heating apparatus in his house. This beauti- 
ful home is a momnnent to his enterprise, and in- 
dicates his progressive spirit. In politics he is a 
republican and fraternally is connected with the 
Modern \\'oodmen of America. He and his wife 
are members of the Methodist church. 



LEVI RHOADES. 



Levi Rhoades, the extent and importance of 
whose business interests justify the use of the 
term "captain of industry" in connection with his 
life work, figured honorably and actively in in- 
dustrial, commercial and financial circles of Rock- 
ford for many years. He was born in Hinsdale, 
Cattaraugus county. New York, and in 1836 re- 
moved from his native town to Troy, Wisconsin, 
with his parents, who settled upon a farm. Dur- 
ing the summer months he aided in the work of 
the fields and when opportunity offered he at- 
tended school until seventeen years of age. when 
ambitious to become a factor in business life and 
lay the foundation for future success, he came to 
Rockford. where he accepted any employment that 
would vield him an honest living. In 1848 he en- 



tered the cooper shop of Harry Landers, where 
he applied himself so diligently and assiduously 
that he not only thoroughly mastered the business 
in principle and detail, but also won the promo- 
tion that, bringing him a good salary, enabled 
him to purchase a half interest in the business at 
the end of three years. The partnership was main- 
tained for three years with excellent success, and 
in 1853 Mr. Rhoades purchased Mr. Landers' in- 
terest and continued the business alone until 1884. 
the output of the factory finding a ready and 
profitable sale on the market. In the meantime he 
had extended his efforts to other fields of business, 
becoming in 1865 a partner of Isaac and C. M. 
L'tter & Co. in the manufacture of paper, and 
was still at the head of the house at the time of 
his death. He brought to every business under- 
taking keen discernment, clear insight and indom- 
itable purpose supplemented by an honesty of in- 
tent and action that was recognized by all with 
whom he had business dealings. When the Peo- 
ple's Bank was organized he became one of its 
leading promoters, its heaviest stockholder and 
one of its directors. He was equally prominent 
in the organization of the Rockford Watch Com- 
pan}-, was chosen its vice president and served 
as a member of its board of directors until his de- 
mise. He aided in the removal of the works of 
the watch case company from Racine to Rockford, 
thus adding another important productive indus- 
try to the city, and he became a stockholder in the 
Phoenix Furniture Company and the Rockford 
Boot and Shoe Company. Indeed at the time of 
his oeath he held responsible positions in many of 
Rockford's important indtistries, and was finan- 
cially concerned in many more. He realized the 
value and force of close application and a thor- 
ough understanding of every business with which 
he became connected, and he had a wonderful ca- 
pacity for detail work, at the same time capable 
of controlling the important interests of the con- 
cern with which he was associated. As the years 
passed hx his financial interests continually in- 
creased until he became known as one of Rock- 
ford's wealthy men. 

On the 24th of December. 1854. Mr. Rhoades 
was married to Mrs. Frederica fReik) Rhoades, 
his brother's widow, and of their three children 
two are living. 

I\Ir. Rhoades was popular socially, and while 
controlling extensive commercial and industrial 
concerns, he vet found opportunity for active co- 
operation in the political and moral development 
of his community. He was most generous in his 
contributions toward the building of the Court 
Street Methodist Episcopal church, contributing 
the sum of six thousand dollars toward its con- 
struction. He was long a member of the congre- 
gation, and felt a deep and abiding interest in its 
work and the extension of its influence. In 



6i4 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WLVXEBAGO COUNTY. 



1876 he was chosen mayor of Rnckford. 
His interest in the welfare and upbiiild- 
ingf of the city was very deep and sincere, 
and his was a well rounded character in which 
due and proportionate attention was jjiven to busi- 
ness concerns, social relations and jiolitical anil 
church interests. His success won him the ad- 
miration of his contemporaries, and those who 
came to know him personally entertained for him 
the warm resjaril which is given in reco,sfnition of 
arcnuine worth in the individual. 



JOHN S. Wir.Ar ARTTT. 

John S. Wilmarth. who never sought to figure 
in public life but in the every-day affairs of a 
business career won success and also an honor- 
able name by reason of his straightforward 
methods, was a native of Gloucester. Providence 
county. Rhode Island. He was born June 2^. 
1828, his parents being Stephen and Hannah 
(Wade) \\'ilmarth, both of whom were natives 
of Rhode Island. The father removed to the 
west with his family in 1831 and settled in Ogle 
county, Illinois, not far from the boundary line 
of W'imiebago county. There he purchased a 
tract of land and engaged in general farming. 
His wife died in Ogle county, and after a resi- 
dnece of fifteen years upon his farm there Mr. 
Wilmarth removed to Rockford, where for 
twenty years he lived in honorable retirement 
from active business cares, passing away in this 
city. He was deeply interested in political ques- 
tions and gave a strong support to the repub- 
lican party. In his family were four children 
who yet survive. The eldest, Alonzo B., is a 
retired farmer residing near Rockford. Charles 
M. is a prominent citizen of Ogle county. Lewis 
C, who left home at the age of seventeen years 
with a capital of only one dollar, entered Oberlin 
college and was graduated there. With six 
other students he then went to Topeka, Kansas, 
and the entire number aided in staking out the 
citv. Lewis C. Wilmarth became the owner of 
considerable land there where the city now 
stands, and he afterward went to .\shland, Wis- 
consin, where he ])urchased timber land and at 
one time had thirty camps. He also ojiened one 
of tile first banks of that |)lace and at one time 
lost much that he possessed through a bank rob- 
bery. Frf>m .\shland he removed to Pennsyl- 
vania, where he invested in oil lands and he was 
very successful in his operations there. His life 
has been an extremely busy, active and useful 
one. his attentii'n l)eing given to varied interests 
which have been carefully managed by him, 
until to-day, as one of the wealthy men of Ash- 
land, Wisconsin, he is now living retired. Susan 



A. Wilmarth is now a resident of Rockford. 

John S. Wilmarth, whose name introduces this 
record, was educated in the east and there 
learned the machinist's trade in the town of 
Foster, Rhode Island. He never followed that 
pursuit to any extent, and in 1S51 he came to the 
west with his ]iarents after which he resided on 
the home farm in Ogle county for a few years. 
He later purchased a farm in Winnebago county 
near the village of Roscoe, where he engaged in 
tilling the soil for a few years, after which he 
sold that property and returned to Providence, 
Rhode Island, wliere he spent two years. He 
next took up his abode in Tracey, Minnesota, 
where he purchased a farm and carried on agri- 
cultural ]iursuits until his return to Rockford. 
Here he spent his remaining days. 

Mr. Wilmarth was married in the east to Miss 
Eliza Heath, of Providence, Rhode Island, who 
died while they were still on the Atlantic coast 
about six months after their marriage. After 
coming to Rockford Mr. \N'ilmarth lived a re- 
tired hfe, he and his sister making their home 
together at what is known as the old Wilmarth 
residence at Xo. 1234 Rock street, the sister still 
occupying this home. It was there that Mr. Wil- 
marth died March 16, 1895, and his remains 
were interred in the cemetery near the old home 
farm in Ogle county. 

Mr. Wilmarth took little active interest in 
political questions but voted with the republican 
party. \Vhile in Providence. Rhode Island, he 
held membership in the Baptist church but never 
united with the church in the west. He was a 
very industrious man, having the faculty of so 
managing his business interests that success re- 
sulted. His path was never strewn with the 
wreck of other men's fortunes, for in all his 
dealings he was straightforward and reliable. 
Miss Susan A. Wilmarth still resides in Rock- 
ford, owning and occupying the old homestead 
here, and she is the owner of other valuable 
projierty in the city and of good farming land in 
Winnebago county. She has recently adopted 
a child. Miss Bessie Sandwick. who is now eight 
years of age, and whose mother died in Rock- 
ford a few months ago. 



JA.MICS I'.. SKIXXICR. 

James P.. Skinner, deceased, was numbered 
among the men of prominence, who gave to Rock- 
ford i^restige as a manufacturing center, and 
throughout an active business career he enjoyed 
the full confidence and trust of his contemporaries 
and made a business recor<l which any man might 
be proud to ])ossess. His jiath was never strewn 
with the wreck of other men's fortimes. for he was 
strictly just in his dealings and jet he advanced 



35 




JOMX S. Wll.MAlM'l 




STEPHEN WIL^IARTH. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



619 



from a humble financial position to one of afflu- 
ence. A native of Barre Center, New York, he 
was born on the 19th of October, 1823, his par- 
ents being Stephen and Sophia (Butler) Skinner, 
both of whom were natives of the Empire state, 
and the mother was a relative of General Benja- 
min Butler. The family removed to the west in 
1839, settling in Rockford, where the father, who 
was a blacksmith, followed his trade until he re- 
tired from active business cares in old age. Both 
he and his wife passed away here. The\' were 
people of the highest respectability, devoted mem- 
bers of the Congregational church, and at the time 
of his death Mr. Skinner was serving as one of 
its deacons. 

James B. Skinner acquired his education in the 
schools of New York, and was also for one year 
a student at Willoughby, Ohio. He was thus 
well equipped by splendid and thorough mercan- 
tile training for the practical duties of life, and 
on putting aside his text-books he began work 
with his father in Rockford at the blacksmith's 
trade, which he thoroughly mastered, following 
that pursuit for a number of years. He possessed 
excellent mechanical ability and ingenuity, and his 
study and experiments along mechanical lines led 
to his invention of the sulky and gang plow and 
the stdky cultivator. His blacksmithing business 
soon became extensive, and he built a two-story 
blacksmith shop, having eleven forges, which were 
kept constantly in operation. A large trade made 
him successful and enabled Mr. Skinner to turn 
his attention to other departments of labor. As 
l)efore stated he invented the sulky and gang 
plows, a walking and riding cultivator and the 
rolling coulter, and was also the inventor of other 
dev'ices. He then formed a partnership with C. 
C. Briggs and I. A. Enoch, under the firm style 
of Skinner, Briggs & Enoch, and they built a 
large factory on the water power here, beginning 
the manufacture of the farming implements that 
Mr. Skinner had invented. The new enterprise 
was successful from the beginning, for the value 
of his plows and cultivators was soon demon- 
strated and became utility factors in farm life not 
only in the coimty, but throughout the country. 
They transacted an extensive business in the man- 
ufacture of agricultural implements, and Mr. 
Skinner was identified with the enterprise up to 
the time of his death. 

In 1 85 1 was celebrated the marriage of James 
B. Skinner and Miss Charlotte Leonard, a native 
of_\'ermont and a daughter of Benjamin and Lucy 
(Chandler) Leonard, who were also natives of the 
(ireen Moiuitain state, whence they removed to 
the west in 1850, settling in Burritt township. 
Winnebago countv, the father a pioneer farmer of 
this localitv. and continued to engage in agricul- 
tural pursuits until in advanced life he retired 
from business cares and made his home with his 



son in Wisconsin until his death. His wife passed 
away in Burritt township. The Leonard family 
was represented in New England at a very early 
day, Benjamin Leonard, his father, Benjamin 
Leonard, Sr,, and the grandfather all being born 
in the same house — one of the old-time dwellings 
which was built of bricks brought from England. 
The great-grandfather of Airs. Keyt was an em- 
ploye in the iron works at Raynham, Massachu- 
setts, and spent his entire life in that town. Her 
grandfather was also an iron worker and lived 
and died in Raynham. He married Judith Mc- 
Cumber, wdio was of Scotch lineage, and their 
son Benjamin Leonard, Jr.. when a young man 
went to Vennont, settling in the town of Ludlow, 
where he married Lucy Chandler. He afterward 
removed to Milton, that state, where he remained 
until 1850, when he came westward to Illinois by 
way of Lake Champlain to Whitehall, thence by 
the railroad and the Erie canal to Buffalo, New 
York, and from that port by way of the Great 
Lakes to Chicago. At the latter place he again 
boarded the train and proceeded to Elgin and on 
by steam to Rockford. the journey from Elgin to 
this county covering one and a half weeks. He 
then purchased a tract of land in Burritt town- 
ship and was engaged in general farming until 
after the death of his wife, when he removed to 
Lake Alills, Wisconsin, where his last days were 
spent, Mrs. Leonard, whose birth occurred in 
Chester, A^ermont, was a daughter of Thomas 
Chandler, Jr.. probably a native of the same place. 
His father, Thomas Chandler, Sr.. was the first 
.supreme judge of the Green Mountain state. The 
grandfather of Mrs. Keyt was reared and edu- 
cated in the place of his nativity, where he spent 
his entire life, being engaged in literary pm-suits 
during the greater part of his time. He married 
Aliss Asenath Adams, who belonged to the same 
family of which John Adams and John Quincy 
.•\dams were members. In advanced life Mrs. 
Chandler came to Illinois and spent her last days 
at the home of her daughter, Airs. Robert Short, 
in Seward township. Winnebaa^o county, while 
Mrs. Lucy Chandler, mother of Airs. Keyt, died 
upon the hoinestead farm in Burritt township. 

Unto Mr. and Airs. Skinner were born three 
children : Alarv Charlotte, the wife of A. C. 
Grav, of Rockford ; Fanny Sophia, the wife of 
C. F. Henry, the leading clothing merchant of 
Rockford : and \\'ilbur Then^in. who died when 
but five days old. 

Air. Skinner continued to engage in the manu- 
facturing business on an extensive and profitable 
scale up to the time of his death, which occurred 
.April 15, 1872. The city thereby lost one of its 
representative business men. known and respected 
by all for what he had accomplished, his active 
business career being marked by consecutive ad- 
vancement. In politics he was a stanch repub- 



620 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



lican and in early life was a nieniher oi the In- 
dependent Uriler of (^dd Fellows. He held mem- 
bership in the Court Street Metlioilist Fpiseopal 
church, took much interest in its work and filled 
all of its offices and his Christian faith was a per- 
meating inrtuence in his life. 

In 1873 Mrs. Skinner became the wile of David 
Keyt, a native of LMijua. ( )hio, born September 
20, 1876. His father, John Keyt, was a native of 
New Jersey and in New York city learned the 
carpenter's trade, after which he became a resi- 
dent of Ohio, where for sometime he was identi- 
fied with building operations. He afterward went 
to Piqua, where he erected a house for Colonel H. 
D. Johnson, Indian agent at that place. He re- 
mained there until 1850. meanwhile carrying on 
his work as a carpenter and builder and in the 
year mentioned he went to California by way of 
the Isthmus of Panama, attracted by the discov- 
ery of gold on the Pacific coast. There his death 
occurred the following year. He had married 
Margaret Widney. a native of Peiuisylvania, and 
a niece of Colonel H. D. Johnson. She died in 
Piqua in the spring of 1857. In the family were 
eight children, who reached adult age : Elizabeth, 
Mary A., John W'., James R.. David, Caroline. 
Stephen and Sarah J. 

David Keyt spent the first twenty-one years of 
his life in the place of his nativity and at the 
age of eighteen years he began work with his 
father. In the spring before he attained his ma- 
jority he commenced business on his own ac- 
cotmt as a contractor and builder, living at Piqua 
until 1857, when he arrived in Rdckford and l)e- 
came connected with building operations here. 
The first contract which he secured was for the 
erection of the Second Congregational church and 
the excellent w<irk which he executed established 
liis reputation and brought him many other con- 
tracts. He was also superintendent of construc- 
tion of the llrown P.uilding. the Nelson P.uilding 
and the Centennial and Court Street Methodist 
Episcopal churches, also designing the last men- 
tioned. He developed considerable taste and 
talent in the line of architectural designing and 
(irnamentatiiin and he won for himself a |iromi- 
nent position as a representative of building oper- 
ations here. He was an invalid for seven years 
prior to his death, which occurred on the utli 
of February, 1899. 

Mr. Keyt was twice married. In 1847 '^^ 
wedded Lydia .\. Sawyer, w'ho was born in Dav- 
ton, Montgomery county, Ohio, her [)arents being 
I'riah and Sarah Sawyer, the former a native of 
Massachusetts and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. Keyt 
died in 1861 and twelve years later Mr. Keyt was 
united in marriage to ^lrs. Cliarlotte (LeonanD 
Skinner. J'.y his first marriage he had a daugh- 
ter, Clara, wlio is now the wife of James H. 
Rhodes, of Chicago. Prominent in .Masonic cir- 



cles Mr. Keyt attained the Knight Teiuplar de- 
gree and was also identified with other civic or- 
ganizations here. He Ixlonged to the Court Street 
.Methodist Ivpiscopal church, in which he served on 
the official board and in its work he took an active 
and heljjful interest for many years. He was 
the builder of that church and architects of Chi- 
cago have stated that it is one of the finest in 
northern Illinois. Mrs. Keyt now resides in 
Rockford, at No. 125 North Main street, known 
all over the city as the Henry Block. The block 
is bounded by Main, State, Wyman and Mulberry 
streets and was at one time all owned by her first 
husband. Mr. Skinner. It is to-day one of the best 
business corners of Rockford. Recently Mrs. 
Kexi has sold most of this property to her son- 
in-law. C. F. Henry, and his wife, and Mr. Henry 
is conducting a large clothing store on this site 
and the remainder of the block is also built up 
with store buildings. Mrs. Keyt is a very active 
lady, who in early life taught school in (uiilford 
townshi]). two and one-half miles east of Rock- 
ford. She was of much assistance to her hus- 
bands, acting as bookkeeper for both, and she 
did other work for them and her excellent busi- 
ness and executive force is supplemented by the 
true, womanly (lualities which in every land and 
clime awaken respect. 



P. P.. nUKI'.RMAN. 



In till' (|uii't |)ursuits of farming, devoting his 
attention to the tilling of the soil and raising of 
stock year after year. P. P.. Dickerman has ac- 
cumulated a com])etence that now enables him to 
live retired and those who are familiar with his 
histoi\ know that his success has been worthily 
won. He resides at the present writing (1905) 
at No. ~22 Kent street. Rockford. but still owns 
a fine farm in New Milford township. He came 
to Wiiuiebago county in 1865, inunediately after 
leaving the army. He is a native of the .state of 
New York, his birth having occurred in Greene 
■rounty in 1840. His parents were Joel and 
F.iuiice (I'.ailey) Dickerman. who arrived in this 
comity, in I"el>ruary, 1866, and .soon afterward 
the father retired from fanu life, removing to 
Rockford, where he resided until his death in 
1895. when he was seventy-.seven years of age. 
His wife died in this city in the early ■80s. 
In their family were five children: M. L.. a re- 
tired farmer of New Milford township, now re- 
siding on Jilson avenue in R<ickford : P. P>.. of 
this review: Mrs. Emert P.ailey, who is living on 
Cunningham street in Rockford : Mrs. Ella K. 
Mcl.arty. residing in New Milford township: 
and .Mrs. L'ora A. Plackstock. whose hoiue is on 
Forest avenue in Rockford. 




MR. AXD MRS. I'. B. DlCKl-IRMAX. 




JOEL DICKERAIAX. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



623 



P. B. Dickerman was reared in the Empire 
state and his early educational privileges were 
supplemented by a course of study in the 
seminary. He afterward engaged in teaching 
school for three years, but in 1862 put aside his 
business interests in order that he might respond 
to his country's call for aid, enlisting in August 
of that year as a member of Company F, One 
Hundred and Twentieth New York Infantry. 
He joined the army as a private, but his 
meritorious conduct on the field of battle won 
him promotion to the rank of lieutenant and he 
actively served until the close of the war. 
Although he participated in sixteen hotly con- 
tested engagements he was never wounded and 
yet he was often found in the thickest of the 
fight. It was in the same year of his return 
trom the war that Mr. Dickerman came to Win- 
nebago county, locating in New Milford town- 
ship, where with his father, Joel Dickerman, he 
purchased a farm of over three hundred acres 
of land. The son improved and operated this 
place, for the father soon afterward retired, and 
P. B. Dickerman continued to engage in the 
tilling of the soil here until 1898, when he took 
up his abode in his present home in the county 
seat. About two hundred and fifty acres of the 
original homestead is now owned by his son, 
E. B. Dickerman. 

It was also in the year of his arrival in Win- 
nebago county that Mr. Dickerman was united in 
marriage to ^liss Emily F. Peck, who was born 
in Greene county. New York, a daughter of 
Munson and Mary (Peckl Peck, both of whom 
are now deceased. Both the Dickerman and Peck 
families were established in New York at an 
early day, representatives of the names going 
from Connecticut to the Empire state. Mrs. 
Dickerman, however, was the only one of her 
family that came to Illinois, her parents both 
returning to New England, their last days being 
passed in ^Massachusetts. Unto our subject and 
his wife have been born two sons and a daugh- 
ter, who are yet living and they also lost one 
son at the age of fifteen months. Alfred G. Dick- 
erman. born in Winnebago county in 1867, is 
now a farmer of New IVIilford township. He 
married I\Iiss Fanny Holdridge, of this county, 
and they have two children, Harold and Lucia 
P. ]\Iary E.. born in this county in 1870, is 
the wife of Chris W. Hammond, who is residing 
in Rockford, and they have two daughters, Eliza- 
beth and Frances. E. Burton, born in 1872 and 
now following farming in New Milford town- 
ship, married Miss Delia P. Hurd, a native of 
Ohio. 

]Mr. Dickerman maintains pleasant relations 
with his old army comrades through his mem- 
bership in Nevius post, No. i, G. A. R., and 



his wife was formerly connected with the 
^^'omen's Relief Corps. In politics he is a re- 
publican, of which party his sons are also ad- 
vocates, and both he and his wife hold member- 
ship in the ^Methodist church. During a resi- 
dence of forty years in this county he has gained 
a wide and favorable acquaintance and wann 
friendship, and high regard is accorded him by 
those who know him best. His business activity 
has been crowned with a competence and to him 
has been vouchsafed honorable retirement from 
labor in recognition of his diligence in former 
vears. 



ANTHONY COLLINS. 

Anthony Collins was the founder of a business 
which has been conducted for more than a half 
century in Rockford under the name of the Col- 
lins Dray Line, and throughout the 3'ears of his 
residence here he was known as a trustworthy 
man who made the most of his opportunities and 
was always straightforward in his dealings. He 
was born in New York, June i, 1831, and his par- 
ents. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Collins, were both 
natives of Ireland, whence they came to America 
at an early day, settling first in the Empire state. 
They afterward removed to Detroit. Michigan, 
and then took up their abode in Rockford in 
1850. Here the father began in the dray business 
which he conducted for a few years, while later he 
removed to Iowa, settling near Cascade, where 
both he and his wife died. Of the children born 
unto them only three are now living, two being 
residents of South Dakota and the other of Du- 
buque, Iowa. 

.\nthony Collins had but little educational privi- 
leges in his youth. He was only four years old 
when his parents removed to Detroit, where they 
remained for a brief period, .\fter he arrived in 
Rockford it was necessary that he assist his father 
in the draying business, and he thus continued to 
work until able to take charge of the business. 
\Mth the growth of the city his patronage in- 
creased, and throughout his remaining days he 
was at the head of a large transfer line and dray 
business, receiving an extensive patronage and 
furnishing employment to a large number of men. 

;\Ir. Collins was married to Miss Julia Sheehan, 
who died in Rockford. They were the parents of 
ten children, but only four are now living: Julia, 
who is the wife of Mr. Walsh, a partner of C. E. 
Collins in the Blue Line Transfer Company and 
now residing on North Winnebago street ; Lucy, 
the wife of John Clififord, a resident of Du- 
buque, Iowa; Anthony, who is living in 
Des Moines, Iowa : and Charles E.. who 
is manager of the Blue Line Transfer Com- 
pany in Rockford and resides with his 



624 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



stepiiuitlicr. It was in tliis city tlial Anthtniy 
Collins was niarricil to Miss Marijarci Mortjan. 
a liauglitcr of Thomas and Catlicrinc Morgan. 
both natives of Ireland, in which coinitry they 
s|xnt their entire lives, .\nthony and .Margaret 
Collins had one child. Catherine Frances, who died 
at the age of nine years. 

.Mr. Collins voted with the tleniocratic iiarlw 
and he was a connnunicant of St. .Mary's Catholic 
cluirch. to which his wife and children also be- 
long. He died February 9, 1901, after having 
been a resident of this city for nearly a half cen- 
tnry. His business hail grown with the develop- 
nuiil of the city and he built a nice residence 
where his widow and son now reside at No. 412 
South Court street. It stands as the visible evi- 
dence of his life of thrift, business integrity and 
unfaltering diligence. He commanded the respect 
which is always accortled to him who wins suc- 
cess honorably and through his own efforts, and 
he i)assed away I'ebrnary (). njoi. esteemed by all 
who knew him. 



|()i; .\li:.\a\i)i-:r. 



Jol> .Mexander. a teaming contractor residing 
at .\'o. Kiw; ICast State street, was born in Catta- 
raugus county. New York, and spent the days of 
his boyhood and youth there. He became a resi- 
deiit of Illinois in 1861, making his way in the fall 
of that year to Cherry X'alley, Winnebago county. 
During his younger years he engaged in clerking 
tlun and in Kockford. and he also bought stock 
which he shi])))e(i to Chicago. .\t one time he 
was ])ro]3rietor of a meat market at Cherry Val- 
ley, and for ten years he resided upon a farm be- 
tween that place and r)elvidere. which ]>roperty he 
still owns. The following five years were spent 
in Cherry N'alley, and in .May. i8t;o. he came to 
Rock ford, where he has since engaged in busi- 
ness as a general teaming contractor, with stables 
on Twelfth street. He cm])loys about a dozen 
teams and from twelve to twenty men. He was 
likewise mgaged in a harness business for eleven 
years as a member of the firm of Wheeler & .Alex- 
ander, this |>artnershi]) being formed in i88() and 
ci>ntinuing imtil .Mr. .\le.\andcr engaged in the 
♦eaming business. 1 le also bandies wagons, bug- 
gies and agricultural imjilements and both 
branches of the business are proving jirofitable. 

.Mr. .Mexander was married at Clierrv \'allev to 
Miss .\nna E. (ileasoii, (laughter of William ( dea- 
son. who came to Wiinu-bago comity about the 
spring of 1834. He was truly a pioneer settler, 
of whom a biographical sketch appears elsewhere 
in this vohmie. and nuich ot the land was yet wild 
and unimproved when be entered one thousand 
acres from the government in (iuilford township, 
and he contributed in large and substantial meas- 



ure to the early (levelo|>ment of this part of the 
state. He was born in Worcester. .Massachusetts, 
whence he removed to \'ermont, and from the 
(ireen Mountain state he came to Cherry Valley. 
Here he was widely known as a jirominent and 
])o])ular citizen, and while his lalwirs brought to 
him a very desirable financial return he also be- 
longtd to that class of men who while promoting 
individual prosperity likewise contribute to the 
general welfare. He died April 22, 1884, at the 
age of sixty-nine years. His daughter, Mrs. Alex- 
ander, is a native of Winnebago county, and by 
her marriage has become the mother of two chil- 
dren : Mrs. I-'rank Howe, who is now living in 
.Monroe Center, ( )gle county, and has two chil- 
tlren, .Maynard .\lexander and \'era May: and 
Claire (i., who is in the emjiloy of the Hmiter 
Hardware Company in Rock ford. 

Mr. .Mexander votes with the reiiuhlican jKirty, 
having given to that organization his sui)i)ort since 
attaining his majority. l-'ratcrnally he is con- 
nected with the Independent ( )rder of ( )dd Fel- 
lows and the bVaternal League Society, while his 
son Claire is a number of the Masonic lodge. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Alexander attend the .State 
.Street r.a])tist church. During a residence of 
forty-four years in Winnebago county he has be- 
come well known, and his activity in business, his 
fidelity and friendship and his faithfulness in citi- 
zenship c<institute him a representative man of 
Winnebago countv. 



MRS. I-:.\1II.Y .MILX!-:. 

-Mrs. Emily Milne, living on section 22, llurritt 
township, was born February 22. 1848, in Rock- 
ford township, Winnebago county, her parents 
being William and .\nn Dickinson. Her father 
was born in England in 1822, and when a young 
man c-ime to Illinois, arriving in Winnebago 
county in .\ugust, 1843. He lived for about four 
years in Rockford and sper.t his remaining days 
in lUirritt townshi]) on the old homestead, which 
he took up from the government in 1841). The 
land was entirely unimproved, and he turned the 
first furrows upon the ])lace, breaking the prairie 
until it was possible to i)lant the seed that in due 
course of time made |)roductive fields out of the 
once barren tract. .\s the years passed by he con- 
tinued his farming o|>erations and became one of 
the well-to-do and res))ected agriculturists of his 
commimity. He married \nn C"oward, who was 
born in England in 1823. The\ were married in 
that country and with her nnsband she came to 
the I'nited .States in 1845. She died in Pmrritt 
townshi]) at the home of Mrs. Milne in i<X)2, and 
.Mr. Dickinson died July 13. 181)5. In their family 
were the following named: Fred W. Dickinson, 
l>orn Mav 12. 1830, is living in Rockford and has 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



625 



two sons and two ilatighters. (George W'., born 
June 12, 1852. IS living in Huron, South Dakota, 
and has two sons and one daughter. WilHam died 
in 1882, at the age of twenty-four years. Charles 
died in 1885, when twenty-three years of age. 
Theodore P., born December 16, 1853, is living on 
the old Dickinson homestead, and has one son and 
one daughter. Rebecca, who died August 16, 
1905, was the wife of W. W. Hooker, a resident 
farmer of Burritt township, and had four daugh- 
ters and one son. Florence is the wife of Robert 
Robbins, a resident of Burritt. Annie is the wife 
of James Robbins, of Rockford, and has one son 
and one daugliter. 

Emily Dickinson spent her girlhood days in 
her parents' home and after completing her early 
education in the common schools continued her 
studies in Lounsbur)- Academy in Rockford. On 
the 1st of January, 1880, she gave her hand in 
marriage to Frederick A. Alilne. who was born in 
Burritt township, January 2. 1854, and was a son 
of William and Fanny Milne. He had two broth- 
ers, Alfred and Lorin, aged forty-two and forty 
years respectively, and now living upon a farm 
which adjoins that of 'Sirs. Emily Milne. Unto 
Frederick and Emily Alilne was born one son, 
Wendell P., who was born October 3, 1886, and 
is now operating the home farm for his mother. 

In early life Mrs. Milne engaged in teaching 
school with excellent success for a number of 
years, and for the past twenty-eight years has 
been town treasurer of Burritt township. She has 
practically lived in this township throughout her 
entire life, and has a wide acquaintance here. She 
lost her husband on the 14th of January, 1892, and 
has since managed the home property, comprising 
eighty acres of land. She is a lady of excellent 
executive force, keen discernment and business 
ability, and, moreover, she possesses those true 
womanly qualities and social traits which render 
her popular with a large circle of friends. 



THEODORE L. LEON DE TISSANDIER. 

Theodore L. Leon de Tissandier, county sur- 
vevor of Winnebago county, is a descendant of a 
prominent French family. He was born in 
Diep]3e, France, and received his first education 
through private tutors in that country. For po- 
litical reasons, however, the family moved to 
Germany when Air. de Tissandier was still very 
voung and both his parents died there shortly 
after. His education was then under the guidance 
of a guardian and was continued and completed 
in the most thorough manner in the best edu- 
cational institutions of Germany, of which coun- 
try he became a naturalized citizen. Being gifted 
with very quick conception and an extraordinary 
zeal for learning and no means being spared to 



encourage and push Iiim along by aid of private 
tutors, he succeeded in passing through all the 
schools preparator}- to and by law conditional for 
admission to the university so rapidly that he was 
enabled to enter the university of Jena for the 
study of mathematics at an extremelv early age. 
Having spent one year there he continued his 
studies at the famous old University of Heidel- 
berg until his prevailing taste for the applied 
sciences made him enter the Polytechnical Acad- 
emy of Charlottenburg ( Berlin ') to study civil 
and mechanical engineering. 

However, before he could finish the long and 
difficult course the war with France broke out in 
1870 and he joined the German army as volunteer 
in a crack cavalry regiment. During the cam- 
paign he took part in numerous bloody engage- 
ments and was repeatedly wounded. The war 
being over and army life agreeing with him, he 
remained with the army for a number of years, 
being in turn promoted to second and first liett- 
tenant, in which latter capacity he finally asked 
for his discharge in order to pursue his vocation 
as civil and mechanical engineer. Although the 
temptation to spend his free time in idle pursuits 
are very great for a young, wealthy officer in a 
crack cavalry regiment stationed in one of the 
great capitals of German\- with its brilliant social 
life, of which the officers' corps of the army virtu- 
ally forms the center, Mr. de Tissandier never lost 
sight of his initial purpose in life and, although 
by no means denying himself all the pleasures to 
which his wealth and social standing entitled him, 
devoted much of his time to study, even enrolling 
again, while yet wearing the uniform, as student 
at the pohtechnical academy, listening to such 
lectures as his military duties gave him time to 
attend. This zeal being well appreciated by his 
su])eriors, ample opportunity was afforded him 
during the many years of service in the army to 
gather practical as well as theoretical experience 
in his line. He was repeatedly detailed for serv- 
ice in diiTerent branches of the service, such as 
artillery, engineer corps, etc.. and he took part 
in the triangulation of the country carried on by 
the military authorities for the purpose of furnish- 
ing military maps giving the minutest details. 
Consequently Mr. de Tissandier had the satisfac- 
tion of successfully passing the final examinations 
at the Polytechnicum and obtaining the degree 
of civil and mechanical engineer before quitting 
the military service. 

Returning to civil life Air. de Tissandier sought 
and found employment as civil engineer, first in 
subaltern but. pushing rapidly forward was soon 
given responsible positions with different rail- 
roads and other corporations of similar nature in 
difi'erent countries, being employed on construc- 
tion, bridge, tunnel, canal work, etc. He thus 
he had occasion to travel over the greater part of 



Gib 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Europe, iiiciilentally l)ecoining acquainted with 
maiiv lansjuag'cs. of whicli he masters six per- 
fectlv. After this, however, he gradually drifted 
more and more into the line of mechanical en- 
gineering, having a remarkable inventory vein. 
As mechanical engineer he found employment as 
designer with some of the most prominent ma- 
cliinery manufacturing concerns until he finally 
decided to invest his considerable fortune in a 
manufacturing enterprise of his own. Good luck 
onlv had hitherto favored him. but from this 
moment t>n fortune turned her face away from 
him. Through fire he lost nearly all he possessed. 
I'ndaunted he started anew and working a few 
years amassed quite a fortune but again luck 
was against him. bad times came on and the 
failure of a bank left him almost penniless. 

Then, in i8<^^/S, he came to .\merica. soon finding 
eniitloyment as designer with ])romincnt firms in 
New York. Pennsylvania and Chicago, from 
where he finally drifted to and settled in Rock- 
ford. There he was at first connected with a 
manufacturing concern until through the death 
of .Mr. Kbenezer Caldwin the office of county sur- 
vcvor became vacant and he was called upon to 
fill tliis vacancy. Conse(|ucntly he filled out the 
unexpired term and. having during this time 
am()ly demonstrated his ability and qualification, 
he was in 1904 by a majority of about seven thou- 
sand votes — in fact almost unanimously — elected 
county surveyor of Winnebago county. His lib- 
eral education, his broad travel and experience 
render him a most efficient officer. 



JOHN LTNDS.AY. 



John Lindsay, who for a quarter of a century 
was a well known grocery merchant of Rock- 
ford standing high in business circles because of 
his fidelity and straiglittorward and honorable 
principles, was a native of Ireland, born October 
8. 1R40. his parents being William and Elizabeth 
Lindsay, both of whom were natives of the 
i'juerald isle. Thev emigrated to America 
alxtut iS5,S. settling in .\msterdam. New York, 
wliere the father engaged in business until his 
death. The mother still resides at that jilace 
with some of her children. 

John Lindsay was not yet thirteen years of 
age when he bade adieu to the friends of his boy- 
liood antl his native country and sailed with his 
parents for the new world. He ac(|uired liis edu- 
cation in the schools of Amsterdam, but his 
privileges in that direction were somewhat 
limited, for his father died when the son was 
a young lad. and it was necessary that he earn 
his living. He workefl at whatever he could get 
to do until after the Civil war broke out. when 
his patriotic spirit was aroused and he ofTer< 1 '"- 



services to the government, enlisting as first 
sergeant of Company B. Thirty-second New 
York Infantry. He participated in several en- 
gagements of importance and was very fortunate 
in that he was never wounded. He remained 
with his comjiany until the close of the war and 
was then honorably discharged. He was a faith- 
ful soldier, ever true to his duty even when it 
called him into the thickest of the fight or sta- 
tioned him on the lonely picket line. 

W lien the country no longer needed his serv- 
ices Mr. Lind.say returned to Amsterdam and re- 
mained at home until 1866, when he came to the 
west and took uj) his abode in Rocktord. Here 
he worked as a lalwrcr in different shops for a 
few years and he also s])cnt one season as a farm 
hand near Rockford. He was economical and 
industrious and by saving his earnings he ac- 
cumulated a capital sufficient to enable him to 
engage in business on his own account. He 
therefore established a grocery store in 1875 •** 
.\'o. 1102 South Main street, and continued in 
that line of business up to the time of his death. 
The neat arrangement of his store, his care- 
fully selected goods and his earnest desire to 
])lcase his patrons secured him a good patronage, 
and he constantly enlarged his stock in order to 
meet the growing demands of his trade. .Vlthough 
he began business on a small scale he was after- 
ward enabled to employ several men. and his 
grocery store continued one of the well known 
business enterprises of the city up to the time of 
his death. 

In 1886 Mr. Lindsay was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary C. Derstine, a native of Rockford 
and a daughter of Samuel Derstine, who was 
one of the early residents of this city. His birth 
occurred near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. No- 
vember 30, 1820, and his father, Michael Derstine 
was also a native of that jilace. He re]>resented 
one of the old Pennsylvania Dutch families that 
was noted for longevity. Michael Derstine was 
a blacksmith by trade, conducting a shop of his 
own for manv years in I'ennsylvania. He re- 
moved from flarrisburg to Bellefonte, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he was eni])loyed in a stove factory, 
and there his death occurred in 1846 when he was 
fifty-two years of age. In his political views 
he was a whig, and his religious faith was in- 
dicated bv his memberslii]i in the Dutch Re- 
formed church. He married Margaret SchafFer 
in Dauphin county. Pennsylvania. She. too. was 
iMirn in that county and was of Dutch descent. 
Her death occurred in I'ellefonte, in i8"0, when 
she was in her seventieth vear, and she too had 
been a faithful member of the Dutch Reformed 
church. Mr. Derstine enjoyed consiilerable 
reputation because of his musical talent, and on 
the outbreak of the war of 1812 he joined a com- 




[OHX LINDSAY 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



629 



pany of soldiers as a musician, but because of 
his youth his father persuaded him to return 
home. 

Samuel Derstine, the elder son and second 
member of a family of six children, was reared 
in the Keystone state, and after reaching 
adult age, was married in Bellefonte, 
Pennsylvania, to I\liss Susan Fye, who was born 
in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1829. In 
1856 he came to Rockford and entered the em- 
ploy of Emerson, Talcott & Company, proprietors 
of the foundry, with wnom he remained for 
twenty-seven years, and his capable service and 
devotion to the interests of his employers won 
him promotion from time to time, his wages 
being correspondingly increased. By economiz- 
ing he was enabled to accumulate a competence 
that in his later years permitted his living in re- 
tirement from further business cares. His life 
exemplified the term "dignity of labor," and he 
justly merited tlie rest which came to him in his 
later years. In her early life Airs. Derstine be- 
longed to the Lutheran church, but after re- 
moving to Rockford became a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and lived a most 
earnest Christian life. She died here April 19, 
1885, and was survived by Mr. Derstine until 
May 22, 1904. His political support was given 
the republican party. In his family were six 
children ; Michael L., who died when four years 
of age ; Charles H., who died when a year old ; 
Mary, who married John Lindsay ; David W., a 
machinist of Rockford, who married Fannie 
Higbee and after her death wedded Sarah Sex- 
ton; Ellen R., the wife of H. B. Bussing, of 
Chicago ; and Minnie C, the wife of P. H. Bar- 
rett, a partner in the firm of Barrett Brothers, 
extensive wholesale dealers in confectionery in 
Rockford. They reside at No. 1003 Harlem 
avenue. 

Mr. and Airs. Lindsay became the parents of 
two children ; Samuel John, who is now a sales- 
man in Rockford ; and William Walter, who is 
attending school. They are both with their 
mother. Mr. Lindsay served as alderman in the 
Rockford city council for one term, and was also 
supervisor, being elected to these offices on the 
Republican ticket. He was a stanch advocate 
of the party and did all in his power to promote 
its growth and insure its success. He held mem- 
bership in Rockford post. No. I, G. A. R., and 
also belonged to E. F. W. Ellis lodge. No. 633, 
A. F. & A. M., in which he was treasurer for 
several years. He was very successful in busi- 
ness here and became one of the leading mer- 
chants of Rockford. Steadily pursuing his way, 
undeterred by obstacles and difficulties in his 
path, he achieved creditable and gratifying pros- 
perity. Steady application, careful study of busi- 
ness methods and plans to be followed, close at- 
36 



tention to details, combined with an untiring ener- 
gy and directed by a superior mind, those were 
the traits of character which brought him success 
and made him one of the foremost men of Rock- 
ford. Airs. Lindsay still owns the business prop- 
erty on South Alain street, in which her husband 
conducted his grocery store. The Derstine estate, 
to which she is an heir, has not yet been divided, 
and consists of much valuable property in Rock- 
ford. She now resides at the old Derstine home 
at No. 1203 South Alain street, which was oc- 
cupied by her father for more than forty years. 



TOHN C. SMITH. 



John C. Smith is the owner of a finely improved 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 
6, W'innebago township, and has made his home 
in this county since the fall of 1854. Scotland has 
furnished a number of representative men to this 
county, including Air. Smith, who was born in 
.\rgyleshire, on the 8th of Alay, 1 831. His par- 
ents were Andrew and Elizabeth (Colville) Smith, 
who spent their entire lives in Scotland, both dy- 
ing in Argyleshire, where the father had followed 
the occupation of farming. In their family were 
ten children, who reached adult age and four of 
the number came to America. Of these Robert 
died two years ago, while Archie resided in Har- 
lem township, where his death occurred about 
seven years ago. 

John C. Smith spent the first twenty years of 
his life in the land of his nativity, being reared 
to the occupation of farming, while in the public 
schools he acquired his education. As before 
stated, he reached Winnebago county in the fall 
of 1854, and established his home in the Scotch 
settlement in Harlem township. He first worked 
as a farm hand there, and afterward rented land 
in that locality for some years. He was associated 
in his early business interests here with his brother, 
Robert C. .Smith. They had come together to 
the county, and in 1858 settled in Winnebago 
township, residing together for a year on the 
Keith farm. In 1859 Air. Smith purchased his 
present fann, where he has made improvements 
and has carried on general farming with excellent 
success, his fields annually yielding him rich har- 
vests. In all of his work he has been practical and 
enterprising, quick to adopt modern methods, 
which he readily recognizes, and his labors are 
bringing him a good competence. 

Air. Smith was married in this county to Aliss 
Jeanie AIcNair, also a native of Argyleshire, Scot- 
land, and a daughter of James and Anne (John- 
ston) AIcNair, both of whom died in Argyleshire. 
They have a large family of ten children, but Airs. 
Smith and her brother, Robert AIcNair, were the 



630 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



only oius who came to Winnebago county, aiul 
the latter died here about four years ago. Mr. 
and .Mrs. Smith have become the parents of seven 
children, all of whom are living : James M.. a 
farmer, residing in Winnebago township ; Andrew 
D.. who is a resident of Redwood Falls. Minne- 
sota : Mrs. Cieorge l'>ri<lgland. living in Seward 
town.ship. this county; .Mrs. Flizabelh Greenlces. 
a resident of Sidney. Australia; Martha, at home; 
Mrs. Jessie llagley. of Duliith. Minnesota; and 
David, at home. 

In his political views Mr. Smith is a stanch pro- 
hibitionist, thoroughly in sympathy with temper- 
ance ])rinciples and doing all in his power to in- 
culcate his temperance sentiment in the commu- 
nity in which he resides. lie has filled some of the 
townshi]) offices and has done effective service in 
behalf of public education as a school director. 
He and his wife hold membership in the Presby- 
terian church, of Winnebago, contribute gener- 
ously to its sni)port. and are actively interested in 
its work and welfare. 



ROLK\Z( ) r.. SllL'MW.W. 

Rolenzo B. Shumway, now retired from active 
life, having recently sold the farm on which for 
many years he was engaged in general agricul- 
tural pursuits, yet resides near the village of New 
Mil ford and through a long period has been an 
active and influential citizen here. He was born 
in Lorain county. Oliio. May 25. 1835, bis par- 
ents being David S. and Sallie (Greeley) Shum- 
way, the latter a relative of the noted journalist. 
Horace Greeley. David Shumway was born at 
Jamaica, X'^ermont. on the S/tb of March. 1803, 
and his wife's birth occurred in Andover. that 
state. February 8. 1806. They were married at 
Chester. Vermont. November 20. 1823. and after 
a brief residence in the Green Mountain state 
started for Ohio in the .spring of 1828. locating 
in a pioneer district. They resided at what is 
now the city of Oberlin and David Shumway. be- 
ing a carpenter by trade, was employed to build 
a church there. Soon afterward, however, they 
started back to Vermont, where they remained 
until .\pril, 1831, but they found that the west 
had a stronger attachment for them than they be- 
lieved and again they went to Ohio, this time set- 
tling in Lorain county, where they continued to 
live until April. 1836. Resuming their westward 
way at that time they traveled overland to Illi- 
nois, arriving at Fox River on the 24th of May, 
1836. and five days later they reached Kish- 
waukce, establishing their home in a small log 
cabin near the Rock river. The next year the 
father built a sawmill on Killbuck Creek but the 
plant was later destroyed by fire. He afterward 
built a sawmill at South Bend on Kishwaukce 



creek and tliere he sawed the lumber for the hotel 
which was erected in 1839. Mr. Shumway was 
closely connected with the early material progress 
of the county, his name being inseparably asso- 
ciated with many events which constituted the 
|)ioneer history of this section of the state. On 
the farm which he secured near Kishwaukee 
creek he contimied to make his home until his 
death, which occurred July 22. 1879. His widow 
afterward removed to Rockford. where she made 
her home with the other members of the family 
until her deatii. which occurred there on the i8th 
of .August. 1888. In public affairs Mr. Shumway 
was also ])rominent and he served as justice of the 
peace and in other ]iosiiions of trust and responsi- 
bility. With keen insight into the needs 
of a ])ioneer district he so directed his 
labors that his efforts proved a tangible 
force in the work of public improvement. 
In his family were five sons, who reached 
mature years, while three daughters died 
in early life. Rosanna passed away in 1839. at 
Kishwaukee. when alxiut twelve years of age. 
Romanzo G. is a banker residing in Polo. Ogle 
county, and is a very wealthy man. being inter- 
ested in a number of banks in this i)art of the 
state. R. r>. is the next of the family. Al- 
varo. who was born in 1838 at Kishwaukee. being 
one of the first native white children of that lo- 
cality, died in Tacoma. Washington. November 
5. 1819. Ro.setta. who was U^ru in 1840, at 
Kishwaukee. died in infancy. i\. 11.. of Rock- 
ford, born in Kishwaukee in 1842. now pays the 
heaviest tax upon jicrsonal jiroperty of any resi- 
dent of the city, a fact which inHicates f^iat his 
has been a prosperous career. Monroe. Ixirn in 
Kishwaukee in 1845. became a druggist of 
Arlington, Iowa, and died there in 1895. Ro- 
salinda, born in 1848. at Kishwaukee. died in 
1852. 

R. I'l. Shumway was reared in New Milford 
tow^nshi]) amid the conditions of pioneer life, shar- 
ing witli the family in the hardships and trials 
and also in the pleasures incident to settlement 
u])on the frontier. He has remained in New Mil- 
ford township almost continuously with the ex- 
ception of two years s])ent in Rockford. Here 
he engaged in farming and in buying and ship- 
|iing stock, making shipments from Rockford. 
Stillman N'alley and New Milford. He is an ex- 
cellent judge of stock, so that his purchases were 
carefully made and his sales brought to him a 
g(V5d ])rofit. In the development of the fields 
too he displayed a thorough and practical knowl- 
edge of the business and as the years passed 
he has gained a comfortable competency that now 
enables him to live retired in the enjoyment of the 
fruits of his former toil. 

Mr. Shumway has l)een married twice. He 
first wedded .'^arah Hall, who dietl in 1883. leav- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



631 



ing the following children, all of whom were born 
in New Milford township. Alva E., who was 
born January i, 1859. is engaged in merchandis- 
ing at Newell, Iowa. Carrie F., born March 17, 
i860, became the wife of John McEvoy, now a 
policeman of Rockford and her death occurred 
July 7. 1889. Hattie M.. born December 2. 1861. 
became the wife of William Homer and died in 
Indianapolis, Indiana, July 14, 1890. Nora J., 
born August 11, 1863, is the wife of George 
Graham, a resident of New Milford township. 
Minnie C, born April 17, 1869, is the wife of 
Arthur Erickson, who resides at Rockford, where 
he is employed in the watch factory. Harry E., 
born September i, 1874, was formerly engaged 
in merchandising at Monroe Center, Ogle county, 
but is now emplo_ved in the store of Mr. Kinson 
at New Milford. 

He was again married. November 26. 1884. to 
Lovina Sherman, widow of Robert B. Holdridge. 
;\lrs. Shumway was born October 4, 1835, in 
Troy, New York. 

Mr. Shumway has been very active and influ- 
ential in public affairs and his opinion has carried 
weight in councils of the republican party in this 
countv. He has been honored with a number of 
local offices. For fifteen years he was clerk of 
the board of school trustees of New ]\Iilford and 
in 1873 he was elected assessor of his township, 
in which office he has continued to the present 
time, now covering thirty-two years. He was 
also elected treasurer of the school trustees but 
resigned that position in 1883. when he removed 
to Rockford. In January, 1885, he was chosen 
treasurer of the Guilford Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company and has acted in that capacity to the 
present date, being also one of its directors. He 
likewise handles the policies of the Rockford Dis- 
trict Tornado Insurance Company. He is a man 
of strong determination and sturdy purpose, suc- 
cessfullv accomplishing whatever he vuidertakes. 
He realizes that persistency of purpose and hon- 
orable effort can overcome all difficulties and in 
his business career he has allowed nothing to 
deter him in his onward march to success. The 
community recognizes his worth of citizenship 
and he iustlv deserves mention in this volume. 



LOREN S. .VLLEN, :\I. D. 

Dr. Loren S. Allen, remembered by many as 
a pioneer physician of Winnebago county of 
marked professional skill and personal worth that 
gained him the friendship and regard of the best 
citizens of this portion of the state, came to Rock- 
ford in 1851. He was a native of Heath, ]\Iassa- 
chusetts, born July 28. 181 1, and his parents were 
Elijah and Rhoda (Thompson) Allen, both of 
whom were born in the east and alwavs resided 



in the vicinity of Heath, where the father devoted 
the greater part of his life to farming. They 
reared a large family and two of their sons, Loren 
S. and S. T. Allen, came to the west. The latter, 
Rev. S. T. Allen, now deceased, was a minister of 
the Episcopal church in Aurora, Illinois, where 
his death occurred and where his family now re- 
side. 

In his boyhood days Dr. Allen of this review- 
was notable among his companions because of 
his energy, enthusiasm and industry and from an 
earh' age was his father s able assistant on th» 
home farm. He attended the country schools 
near his native town and then, becoming imbued 
with the desire to enter professional life, he re- 
solved to become a member of the medical fra- 
ternity and was sent by his parents to a medical 
college in- Pittsfield, Alassachusetts. where he 
graduated in 1829. Having become equipped for 
practice, he located in South Deerfield, Alassachu- 
setts. and entered upon the work of the profes- 
sion, soon demonstrating his capabilities in the 
success which attended him in the administration 
of remedial agencies. 

It was while living in South Deerfield that Dr. 
Allen was married, in 1839, to Miss Sarah 
blather, a native of Windsor, Connecticut, and a 
daughter of Allyn j\I. and Parthenia (Hunting- 
ton) Mather, the latter a cousin of Bishop Hunt- 
ington, of central New York. The father was a 
native of \vindsor. Connecticut, and became a 
merchant in the town of Windsor, being thus 
identified with its commercial interests during the 
greater part of his life. Both he and his wife 
died there. 

Dr. Allen resided in the east until 1 85 1, when 
he came to Illinois, settling in Rockford, where 
he remained for a brief period engaged in active 
practice of his profession, with office on North 
Second street over Kettlewell's meat market. He 
then removed to Polo, Ogle county, and pur- 
chased a large tract of land near there, which he 
subsequently divided into farms. He devoted his 
attention to the practice of medicine and the loan- 
ing of money, until about 1867, when he returned 
to Rockford. He then no longer made profes- 
sional visits but was frequently called in consulta- 
tion. In 1882 he and his wife went to make their 
home with their daughter, Mrs. Warren, on the 
west side in Rockford, with whom they remained 
until called to their final rest. Having resolved 
to devote his life to a calling demanding intel- 
lectual force, keen discrimination and unfaltering 
devotion. Dr. Allen so directed his labors that his 
_ professional services were for many years in con- 
stant demand by the best families of the locality 
and at all times his practice was actuated by a 
humantarian spirit. He came of a distinguished 
New England ancestry and throughout his life 
manifestecl the strong and sterling traits charac- 



63-' 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COr.\T\" 



tfrislic of ilu- puoplf oi that country. .More 
tiviT he was imljiu'd witli the profjressivc spirit 
of the initlillf west, wliich fact was noticeable in 
his professional work as well as in other relations 
of life. 

L'nto Dr. and .Mrs. .\llen were born two dauj^h- 
tcrs and a son: jiilia 1'.. Charles 11. and Sarah 
Elizabeth, but the last named died in Kockford at 
the a}je of five years, and Charles H. passed awa\ 
in June. lyoi. He hail married Carrie Friedman, 
of Rockford. In his service in the Union army 
during; the Civil war he contracted a disease 
which disabled him for the remainder of his life. 
He was only twenty years of afje when the war 
ended. From Rockford he removed to Oak Park. 
Illinois, but after a brief period went to New 
York city, where his last days were passed. The 
survivinij daujjhter. Julia P., is the widow of 
-Moses Warren. Dr. .\llen |)assed away October 
X>, 1890. and his wife departed this life Xoveni- 
ber 22. 1903. 

Moses Warren was never a resident of Rock- 
ford but his family are well known and prominent 
in this city. He was born in East Lyme. Connec- 
ticut. ( )ctober 25. 1826, and is of the fourth gen- 
eration bearing tliat name. The ancestry of the 
family can be traced back to William the Con- 
(jueror, the first Xorman king of England, and in 
America the family was through colonial davs 
and through the Revolutionary ])eriod prominent 
and influential in affairs that shai)ed the history 
of New England. The great-grandfather of 
Moses Warren of this review was a colonel of 
the RevolutioTiary war. His parents, Captain 
.Moses Harris and Mary (Miner) Warren, were 
Ixith natives of East Lyme, Connecticut. Moses 
Harris Warren was a surveyor, following the 
profession throughout his entire life, and he was 
also recognized as a leading political worker in 
early days. IJoth he and his wife remained at 
East Lyme until called to the home beyond. Their 
son, Moses Warren, ac(|uired a good education in 
the schools of his native state and there learned 
the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 
1841;. when attracted by the discovery of g6ld in 
California made the previous year he determined 
to visit the I'acific coast and went to the far west 
on a sailing ve.ssel. There he became the founder 
and builder of the town of Georgetown and for 
sometime owned most of the property but in 1857 
that place was entirely destroyed, a great con- 
llagration wi|)ing it out. He remained, however, 
in California, |)aid all of liis financial obligations 
and then rebuilt the town, after which he con- 
tinued to reside there for a few years. Later he 
returned to his native state. 

He was first married to Mi.ss Flora Whiteside, 
a native of Xew York state, who died after two 
years leaving one child. John, who died at the 
age of si.\ years in the home of his aunt in East 



•L\nie. Connecticut. .Moses Warren then came 
west and on the 231! of June. 1869, was married 
in Rockford to .Miss Julia P. .Mien, the elder 
daughter of Dr. Loren S. .\llen. Three children 
were born of tliis marriage but the eldest died 
unnamed in infancy. Claire Louise, who is a 
graduate of WelKsly and the Chicago L'niversity, 
has always resided with her mother in Rockford. 
while .Moses .-\llen Warren is an attorney in .\'ew 
York city. He acquired his early education in 
Rockford and C'hicago and later graduated from 
Yale Lniversity in i8<;i;. He then became a stu- 
dent in the law office oi Eaton & Lewis, promi- 
nent attorneys of Xew York city, with whom he 
studied during his course at the Xew York I.^w 
School, where he completed his course. Entering 
u]ion ])ractice in the eastern metropolis, he is now 
a member of the law firm of Thomjison & War- 
ren with offices at .Xos. 41; and 51 Wall street. 
Xew \'(irk city. 

.\fter his marriage Moses Warren went to Chi- 
cago to make that city his home and was the 
western agent for the publishing house of D. Ap- 
pleton & Company and also for Charles Scribner 
& Sons, having offices at the corner of State and 
Washington streets. He was engaged in book 
publishing until his death, which occurred in Chi- 
cago on the lOth of October, 1881, when his re- 
mains were brought to Rfx-kford for interment. 

Xeither Dr. Allen nur Air. Warren were ever 
office setkers and both were independent in their 
])olitical affiliations in early days, while later both 
voted with the republican party. Dr. .\llen was 
a member of the Congregational church of Rock- 
ford and Airs. Warren and her daughter are now 
connected with the mcmbcrshiii of that organiza- 
tion. In the spring of 1882 they returned from 
Chicago to this city to make their home and .Mrs. 
Warren built one of the most ])alatial residences 
here at Xo. 711 .Xorth Main street. P>oth are 
very prominent in society circles and the social 
functions of their home are notable events in 
Rockford. Mr. Warren always interested in 
literary subjects and various publications and was 
a man of broad cidture as well as of excellent 
business capacity, enabling him to control and de- 
velop extensive and important interests, while Dr. 
.•Mien, known and honored for his professional 
skill, won and retained the friendship of many 
through a genial nature and kindly spirit tliat was 
nevertheless accomjianied by a dignified manner 
that ever awakened respect. 



MRS. HELEN V. LEVINGS. 

Mrs. Helen V. Levings. owning and occupying 
a valuable farming property of eighty acres in 
Rockl'ord township, is the widow of George W. 
Levings. who was for many years actively con- 





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GEORGE W. LEVINGS AND FAI\JILV, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



63s 



nected with agricultural pursuits and who died 
upon the home farm May 2, 1904. He was born 
in New York, June 25, 1839, his parents being 
Peter R. and Anna (Nunn) Levings, and in early 
life he learned the carpenter's trade but followed 
farming through much of his active business 
career, giving undivided attention to that pursuit 
after his marriage. He was only three years of 
age when brought by his parents to Winnebago 
county, the family home being established here 
in 1842, when it was largely a pioneer district. 
He was thus reared amid the scenes of frontier 
life and in his youth assisted in the arduous task 
of developing a new farm, while in the public 
schools he accjuired his education. George W. 
Levings was married June 29, 1869, to Miss 
Helen V. Kimball, who was born July 4, 1835, 
in Ohio, and came to Illinois in earlv life. She 
was an adopted daughter of Edson A. Kimball, 
of Elgin, and her girlhood days were spent in this 
state, her education being acquired in the schools 
of Rockford. She went south in 1864 to act as a 
teacher among the freedmen. The old medical col- 
lege at Memphis was turned over to Mrs. Levings 
for her school. At times she had four hundred pu- 
pils. The grandmother, mother and child were 
often members of the same class. She was as- 
sisted in her work by four lady assistants fur- 
nished by the American Missionary Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. She followed 
that professional work among the colored people 
for five years. She was in Memphis at the time 
of General Forrest's raid. She remembers very 
well how frightened every one was when the Gen- 
eral with his command rode into the city. She 
with many others took refuge at Fort Pickering. 
She then returned to Illinois in 1869, and on the 
29th of June, of that year, gave her hand in mar- 
riage to Mr. Levings, the wedding being cele- 
brated in the village of Roscoe, for she was then 
residing there in the home of Rev. Stuff. Mr. 
Levings had also been in the south, having enlist- 
ed in 1864 in the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, with 
which he remained until mustered out at the close 
of the war in 1865. He served in the Western 
Army. The regiment was at the battle of Shiloh, 
in the siege of Vicksburg and on the Red River- 
e.xpedition and engaged in chasing the cavalry 
forces of Generals Smith and Forrest through 
Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and 
Louisiana. He was a faithful soldier, ever loyal 
to his duty, and his valor was manifest on more 
than one battle-field of the south. 

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Levings 
located on a farm and continued residents of 
Rockford township for many years. Five chil- 
dren were born to them : Frank M., born August 
II, 1870, a graduate of the Rockford high school 
and prominent in athletics, is now engaged in 
the stock business in Mitchell, South Dakota. 



Annie, born December 28, 1875, is the wife of 
Henry H. Coffin, of Rockford and has one son, 
Lawrence H. Nellie F., born September 4, 1877, 
is employed by the American Insurance Company 
of Rockford. Ralph S., born October 4, 1881, 
and Golden Winifred, born June 9, 1884, are at 
home. 

In politics Mr. Levings was a republican, giv- 
ing his support to that party from its organization 
until his death. He was also enthusiastic in 
temperance work and in fact was interested in all 
movements for the betterment of mankind and 
for the promotion of general progress and im- 
provement. He held membership in Rockford 
camp, NTq_ ^^i^ ^i_ w. A., and also in 
Nevius post. No. i, G. A. R., of Rock- 
ford, while his wife has long been a mem- 
ber and officer of the Women's Relief Corps 
of Rockford. She likewise belongs to the Court 
Street Methodist church. In manner Mr. Lev- 
ings was unassuming, free from ostentation and 
yet his worth was recognized by all who came in 
contact with him either socially or through busi- 
ness affairs, and in a review of his history it will 
be seen that he possessed many excellent traits of 
character which endeared him to family and 
friends and made him a representative citizen of 
Winnebago county. 



CHARLES A. CHl'RCH. 

Charles .\. Church was born in Chemung, Mc- 
Henry county, Illinois, July 21, 1857. He was 
the oldest of three sons born to Dr. Richard C. 
and Eliza A. Church, and a grandson of Dr. 
Qiarles Church, who settled in Guilford town- 
ship in Winnebago county, in 1844, and later re- 
moved to Belvidere. Mr. Church's father died 
when he was eight years of age. In 1873 he en- 
tered the office of the Belvidere Standard and be- 
gan the printer's trade. In two years from that 
time he made regular contributions to the edi- 
torial as well as to the local department of the 
paper. He remained with the Standard until 
.April I, 1878, when he became city editor of the 
Rockford Journal, of which Hiram R. Enoch was 
proprietor. 

"Mr. Church remained in Rockford until the 
autumn of 1878, when he returned to Belvidere 
and purchased an interest in the Semi-Weekly 
Recorder, which he published with C. E. Kelsey 
until C)ctober, 1881, when he assumed entire man- 
agement of the paper and made it a weekly. He 
continued its publication until 1883, when he sold 
the business and good will. 

Mr. Church in 1884 again made his home in 
Rockford, where he has since resided with the 
exception of a few months spent in Savanna, Illi- 
nois. In 1887 he became foreman and assistant 
editor of the (jolden Censer, which position he 



636 



PAST AND PRESENT (^E WTXXEBAGO COLXTV. 



rctainf(l until iS«)_'. In iluit xiar lie organized 
tlic Siiectator PuMisliing; Coni]>any. in connectiim 
with A. E. Smith and otliers. It was the highest 
grade literary i)ai>er ever published in this city, 
but it was continued in tliis form only one year. 

In 1897 the Calvert I'.rothers ]nirchased the 
liolden Censer and Mr. Church was chosen its 
editor. In 1898 he became editor and proprietor. 
and published the Censer until the subscription 
list was sold to the Ram's Horn. Since ujoi .Mr. 
Church has been on the staff of the Register- 
(iazate. 

In 1887 -Mr. Church was appointed evening 
assistant at the Rock ford ]nil)lic library, and he 
has served in that capacity eighteen ami one half 
years. No other person ever on the library staflf 
iias served .so long a time, with the single exception 
of Mr. \V. L. Rowland. 

In lar.uarv. i8t;4. Mr. Church was licensed to 
jtriach by the State Street liaptist church. Since 
that time he has supplied more than thirty 
churches in northern Illinois. He spent portions 
of 1894 and 1895 '" divinity work in the Uni- 
versity of Chicagt). .\niong his instructors were 
President Harper and Professor .\lexandcr 11. 
I'nice. the famous Scotch author and theologian. 
.Mr. Church graduated in the CbautaiKiua Liter- 
ary and Scientific Circle in the class of 1889. 

In K/oo Mr. Church's History of Rockford, 
from 1834 to 1861. was published and is the recog- 
nized authority on local history. In H)02 he 
wrote the life of (ieneral .Mien C. I""ullcr. the war 
adjutant of Illinois, and delivered an address 
upon him before the Chicago Historical society. 

.May 22, 1878. Mr. Church was united in mar- 
riage to Hattie M. Lake, daughter of Dr. L. L. 
Lake, one of tlie earliest ])ractitioncrs in Belvi- 
dere. and surgeon in the Civil war in the Fifteenth 
Illinois Infantry, and in the Thirteenth Cavalry. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cluirch have four children : Hol- 
land L., advertising manager for the .\shton Dry 
Goods Company; Lorena M., a graduate of Rock- 
ford College: Cierlrude M.: an<l Ruth A. 



EDWIN MORTON REVELL. 

Edwin M. Revell, whose name stood as the 
synonym of success and honor in business circles 
in Rockford, where for many years he was 
known as a real-estate dealer and operator, was 
l)orn in Stillman \'alley, Illinois. .August 13, 
1854. His parents, William and ^iary A. 
(Morton) Revell, were both natives of Canada 
and the father, a tailor by trade, followed that 
[jursuit in Canada until his removal to Stillman 
Valley, where he purchased a tract of land and 
engaged in general farming throughout his re- 
maining (la\s. Poth he and his wife died upon 
the homestead farm there. Four of their chil- 



dren arc now living, one daughter being a resi- 
dent of Nebraska, while a son is the postmaster 
of Stillman N'alley. Those now living in Rock- 
ford are Timotlix H. and Mrs. James Graham. 

Edwin M. Revell si)ent the days of liis boy- 
hood and youth in his father's home, where he re- 
mained until 1875. Then at the age of twenty 
years he came to Rockford to attend the public 
schools here, but after a short time he put aside 
his text-books and secured a jiosition as sales- 
man in the dry-goods store of G. H. Dennett, 
with whom he reniainetl for abi>ut five years. He 
afterward engaged in clerking in the dry-goods 
store of .\ndrew Ashton for four years and on 
the expiration of that period he accepted a clerical 
position in the real-estate office of J. G. Penfield, 
with whom he remained for some time. In 1882 
he embarked in the real-estate business and the 
following year entered into partnership with R. 
F. Crawford, an attorney of Rockford. and they 
engaged in the real-estate business together until 
Mr. Crawford removed to California. Mr. Revell 
then continued business alone and devoted 
the remainder of his life to real-estate operations. 
He had a very extensive clientage and the realty 
transfers which he annually negotiated repre- 
sented a very large figure. He organized the Ran- 
dol])h Revell Land .\ssociation and platted what 
is now known as Highland in tiie eastern part of 
Rockford. He named all of the streets in that 
subdivision of the city and did much to promote 
real-estate activity. He ])ersonally owned prop- 
erty all over Rockford and likewise engaged in 
the real-estate business, carrying on both pur- 
suits up to the time of his death. He was also 
the president of the Real Estate Exchange of 
Rockford at the time of his demise. 

In 1880 Mr. Revell was united in marriage to 
^liss Helen M. Penfield. a native of Rockford 
and a daughter of John ( '•. and Mary E. (Crosby) 
Penfield. The mother is now <leceascd. but the 
father still resides in Rockford, where he is en- 
gaged in the real-estate business. The Penfield 
family was an old and prominent one here. 
Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Revell. Constance E., Mildred Penfield and Ed- 
win M.. all of whom are at home with their 
mother. 

Mr. Revell voted with the Republican party, 
but never sought or desired office. He was a 
member of the .State .Street P.ajitist church, to 
which all of his family belong. He took a very 
active and hel])ful |)art in church work, serving 
as one of the church trustees, contributing gen- 
erously to its su])port and doing everything in 
his power to further the cause <if Christianity. 
He was likewise secretary of the Sunday school 
and was serving as assistant sui)erintendent at the 
time of his death and his intlneiiec was a potent 




EDWIN M. REX'ELL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



639 



factor for good. He was spoken of as a 
"Christian business man," a term which indicates 
the strict integrity and honor with which he car- 
ried on all business transactions. His name be- 
came the synonym for honesty in business life 
and he was never known to take advantage of the 
necessities of his fellowmen in any business 
transaction. His death occurred very suddenly 
on the i6th of July, 1891. He was one of the 
original members of the Young Men's Christian 
Association and was treasurer for many years. 
He earnestly desired the uplifting of his fellow- 
men and co-operated as far as possible in move- 
ments for the moral development of his race. He 
stood at the time of his death, when clothed with 
the honor of wealth and host of friends his life 
work had won, just where he stood in earlv man- 
hood when beset with difficulties because of his 
limited financial condition — the champion of the 
best elements of Christian progress, of education, 
of temperance, absolute justice, the dignity of 
manual labor, the Bible, the church and the 
spread of the gospel. .Such lives are well worthy 
of study. Airs. Revell now owns a fine residence 
at No. 1226 East State street, where she and her 
children reside and she also has other valuable 
property in the city. 



AI.\TOR FRANK F. PE.\TS. 

Major Frank F. Peats, deceased, was well 
known in business and political circles in Rock- 
ford and Winnebago county. He held a number 
of offices, both elective and appointive, and he did 
an appreciable amount of work in connection 
with the republican party, his labors being prac- 
tical and efl^ective. Moreover, he was always 
actuated by a spirit of devotion to the public good 
and his political service was of much value to the 
interests which he represented. In his business 
career his work was also characterized by ability 
and skill and his methods were ever honorable. 

Major Peats became a resident of this county 
in 1855. He was born in New York city, Octo- 
ber, 21, 1834, his parents being Alfred H. and 
Margaret Peats, also natives of the eastern 
metropolis, whence they removed to the west in 
1846, settling in Chicago, where they resided un- 
til 1855. In that year they came to Rockford and 
the father died soon afterward, at the residence of 
Captain Weldon. The mother also died in this 
city. 

In the public schools of Chicago Major Peats 
completed a fair English education, and while liv- 
ing in that city he began learning the trade of a 
sign writer. Following the removal of his par- 
ents to Rockford, he began business here at paint- 
ing, decorating and sign writing, and followed 
that pursuit until the inauguration of the Civil 



war, when in May, 1861, he responded to the call 
of his country in her hour of peril and enlisted in 
the Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry under 
Colonel Ross. He was then made captain of his 
company and thus served until April, 1862, when 
he was promoted to the rank of major, in which 
capacity he remained until mustered out in June, 
1864. He went on every march with his com- 
mand, participated in every engagement and ren- 
dered valuable service in the preservation of the 
Union, his own valor and loyalty inspiring his men 
to deeds of valor. He took part in the battles of 
Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Vicksburg and many 
others of importance, and he was especially noted 
as a superior drill master. He made a most cred- 
itable record, and his military life is one of which 
his family have reason to be proud. 

Following his discharge. Major Peats returned 
to Rockford and again took up his trade of sign 
writing, painting and decorating, and did much 
fine work in the city. In 1872 he was elected 
sheriff" of Winnebago county and held that office 
for eight )-ears, or four terms, under the old law. 
In 1890 he was elected chief of police of Rock- 
ford, but only served for a brief period, resigning 
in August of that year in order to accept the 
office of adjutant of the Soldiers and Sailors' 
Home at Ouincy, Illinois, after which he removed 
to that city, continuing in the office until April, 
1894, when he was replaced by a democrat. He 
had many friends there among the old soldiers, 
who felt great regret at seeing him depart. He 
then returned to Rockford and not long afterward 
succumbed to the illness which terminated fatally, 
on the 20th of March, i8c;5. 

In 1861 Major Peats had married Miss Bessie 
R. Tew, a native of Connecticut and a daughter 
of Mrs. B. C. Tew. Her father had died in Con- 
necticut, and in 1852 the mother came with her 
daughter to Rockford, where she conducted a 
boarding house for many years. She was well 
known here and died in this city. Mr. and Mrs. 
Peats became the parents of a daughter, Mabel, 
now the wife of E. J. Bloodgood, who is traveling 
auditor for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad 
Compan)-. They reside at Oak Park, a suburb of 
Chicago, and they had one child. Frank Peats 
Fjloodgood, who died in infancy. 

Major Peats had a wide and favorable accjuaint- 
ance in Rockford, where he made his home for 
the greater part of the time through four decades. 
He was well known as a leader in republican ranks 
here, and in addition to the offices already men- 
tioned, he served as a clerk in both the house and 
senate at Springfield. His opinions carried weight 
in the local councils of his party. He was a mem- 
ber of the Masonic lodge at Rockford and of Nev- 
ius post. No. I, G. A. R., aiding in its organiza- 
tion and taking an active interest in its work. He 
alwavs delighted in the gatherings of his old armv 



640 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



cninradcs ami in the ox])rcssions of i)atrioiisni. 
He was an i-ntiTtainiiijj cuiiipaiiion. and was noted 
for liis fjifts of story Icllinjj. His political and 
military career, his business record and the strong 
traits of his private life made him a man worthy 
of high res^ard. and his death occasioned sincere 
sorrow among- his large circle of friends. Mrs. 
Peats is a member of the Conrt Street Methodist 
Episcopal cluirch. and resides in an attractive resi- 
dence at No. 61 1 Peach street, which was built 
and improved by her hnsband. 



Lll \RLi:S -M. CLARK. 

Charles .M. Clark, 1302 East State street. Rock- 
ford, was born I'ebruary 11, 1854, on a farm in 
the town of New Milford. Mr. Clark's whole life 
has lieen identified with Winnebago connty, and 
since lie was eight years of age with the city of 
Rockford, where he receiveil his education and 
grew to manhood. 

In 1874 he was marricil to Jennie E. Eake, a 
daughter of John Lake, who was one of the early 
settlers of the connty, as was also ^[r. Clark's 
father. James H. Clark, who settled in the town of 
New Milford in 1844 on a farm, removing to 
Rockford in 1862. 

Mr. Clark identified himself in business with a 
former classmate, Robert Rcw, and for a good 
many years conducted a large and successful real- 
estate business under the firm name of Rcw & 
Gark. .Mr. Clark has been quite successful: has 
an elegant home. and. having retired from busi- 
ness, is enjoying the fruits of his labors. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clark have one child, a daughter, 
Alice E., wife of Max Hciliger, assistant manager 
of the Rockford Edison Electric Light Com])any. 



JOEL P.. WHITEHEAD. 

Joel 1'.. Whitehead, who is engaged in the real- 
estate, loan and insurance business in Rockford, 
is a native of Montgomery county. Illinois, his 
birth having occurred on a farm near Hillsboro, 
January 31. 1864. His parents were Jacob and 
Elizabeth .Xim ( Paisley I Whitehead, the former 
i>orn in New Jersey in 1815, and the latter near 
Hillsboro. Illinois, in 1830. The mother's people 
were originally from Scotland, and came from 
CJuilford Courthouse. North Carolina, to this 
state. The father was descended from English 
ancestry and was born shortly after the arrival of 
the parents in this country. He came to Illinois 
in 1837, and was a farmer ami blacksmith, follow- 
ing the dual pursuit imtil he retired from active 
business life. He died in 1900, at the advanced 
age of eighty-five years. They had seven children. 



who reached mature years — four sons and three 
daughters. ( )ne brother, John M., is an attor- 
ney and now a state senator of Wisconsin, while 
another brother. Jacob P.. is a minister and |)astor 
of the I'ir.st I'resbyterian church at .Newport. Ken- 
tucky. Charles W. died in Rockford in 18S7. 

Joel P.. \\hiteliead, the youngest son, acquired 
his early education in the country schools and at 
Hillsboro, and afterward attended I'eloit College 
for two years. He ])ut aside his text-hooks in 
1 836 and has since been a resident of Rockford, 
where for the first five years of his residence he 
had charge of the wholesale glove and mitten 
stock of Henry W. Price. ( )n the ist of January. 
1 891. he opened his office in the real-estate, loan 
and insurance busircss. and for fifteen years has 
been a leading representative of this deijartment 
of activity, his office being now located at Nos. 
408 and 4<y.) William lirown I'.uilding. He was 
one of the organizers and has been continuously 
on the board of directors of the Insurance Com- 
]iany of the State of Illinois, one of the leading 
fire-insurance com])anies of the west, rie is also 
a director of the Rockford National I'.ank. one of 
the strong financial institutions of Rockford. 

Mr. Whitehead is interested in many other pub- 
lic concerns of this city, and is a man of influence, 
having assisted materially in molding public 
thought and action in recent \ears. He is a di- 
rector of the Rockford Chautau(|ua Association, 
and was secretary and manager for nine or ten 
years of the \\'inncbago County .\gricultural So- 
ciety, and took a leading part in ])romoting its af- 
fairs. He is now serving his third term as a mem- 
ber of the county board of sui)ervisors. and dur- 
ing the erection of the Soldiers and Sailors' Me- 
morial Hall he was the secretary of the building 
committee, and when the hall was dedicated on 
June 3, 1903, he had general charge of the ar- 
rangements for the recej>tion to President Roose- 
velt, who delivered the dedicatory address on that 
occasion. He has served on the Rockford school 
board, and in all of these positions as a servant 
of the people, he has had the confidence and re- 
spect of all. In politics he is an ardent republican, 
and he has always been active in jiromoting its in- 
terests. 

(^n the 20th of May. i8«;o. occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Whitehead and Miss Emma \. 
Leech, a daughter of Shepard and Phoebe .\. 
Leech, of Rockford, her father being one of the 
old settlers of Winnebago county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Whitehead became the parents of two daughters 
and a son: Kuth. who die<l in .\ugust, 11)04, at 
the age of twelve \ears: Crace, who died in in- 
fancy: and Loren L.. who was born SeiHember 
28. i8<)7. an<l attends the Lincoln school. Since 
the death of their daughter RiUh they have taken 
two sisters into their home. Gladys and Ethel, 
aged eleven and eight years, as a memorial to their 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



641 



lost little ones. Their home is at No. 848 North 
Main street, where they have a fine residence. 
Air. Whitehead is a member of the Second Con- 
gregational church, and has been chairman and 
treasurer of the board of trustees for a number 
of years, but retired from the board some time 
ago. His interest in the work of the church is 
deep and sincere, which has been manifested by 
his active co-operation in its various activities. He 
figures prominently in connection with public af- 
fairs at Rockford, and is a popular citizen, alert, 
enterprising and progressive. 



ALBERT J. ATWOOD. 

Albert J. Atwood is living in the village of 
Pecatonica, but is justly regarded as a leading and 
successful representative of agricultural interests 
in the comity, where he is engaged in general 
farming and stock raising. He has spent his en- 
tire life in this county, and in recent years has 
been prominent in the public affairs of the village 
in which he makes his home, having retired from 
the office of mayor on the ist of May, 1905. 

He was born May 10, 1848, in Burritt town- 
ship, Winnebago county, his parents being Thomas 
J. and Lois (Cable) Atwood. His father was 
l3orn in Vermont, May 26, 1818, and died July 4, 
1898, in the eightieth year of his age. He came 
fto Winnebago county in 1840, having been pre- 
Iceded by his parents two or three years. He was 
educated in the public schools of Rutland, Ver- 
mont, and afterward clerked in a store at that 
place. When twenty-two years of age, however, 
he came to the west, and after reaching Winne- 
bago county entered one hundred and sixty acres 
of government land, thus making arrangements 
for carrying on farming on his own account. 
Later he sold that property and entered another 
quarter section, on which he built a house. He 
was married here in Pecatonica township, Alay 4, 
1847, to JMiss Lois Cornelia Cable, who was born 
in Stratford, Connecticut, November 19, 1816, and 
came to Illinois with her parents in 1837. The 
young couple began their domestic life upon the 
claim which he entered, and he commenced the 
improvement of his farm by breaking the raw 
prairie and fencing it with the rails which he split 
himself. He was a typical pioneer, bravely bear- 
ing the hardships and labors that fall to the lot 
of the frontier settler. He capably performed the 
arduous task of developing a new farm, and later 
he added to his land from time to time until he 
had about four hundred acres. He was a prosper- 
ous, successful farmer, raising cattle, hogs and 
sheep in addition to the cultivation of the fields. 
He carted his wheat to the Chicago markets in 
early days, and later, when the railroad was built, 
he used that means to get his farm products to 



the city markets. ])ut he was a resident of this 
locality for fourteen or fifteen years before the 
railroad was constructed. He led a very busy and 
useful life, and his history proves that earnest 
labor will eventually win success when supple- 
mented by sound business judgment. He con- 
tinued upon his farm until within twelve vears 
of his death, and during that period lived retired, 
enjoying a well earned rest. He was active and 
influential in public affairs, serving as supervisor 
of the township of Burritt, and for many vears as 
school director, while in other ways he contributed 
to the general good, being the champion of all 
meastires that tended to benefit his communit^•. 
He held membership in the Odd Fellows societv, 
and both he and his wife were devoted members of 
the Congregational church, in which he acted as 
deacon for many years, holding the office up to 
the time of his death. He was survived by his 
wife for about three years, her death occurring 
November 21, igoi, when she was in her seventy- 
sixth year. In the family of this worthy and 
honored couple were six children, four sons and 
two daughters, namely : Albert J- ; Rollin C, who 
died at the age of twenty-one years ; Emma C. the 
wife of Harris Neadman, a resident of Fonda, 
Iowa, by whom she had a daughter, Nellie, who is 
now married and resides in that state ; Ella, who 
died at the age of nine years : and Ezra and Amos, 
twins, who died in childhood. 

Albert J. Atwood, whose name introduces this 
record, was reared upon his father's farm, where 
he worked through the summer months, while in 
the winter seasons he attended school. His early 
education was acquired in the township schools, 
and he afterward continued his studies in the 
Rockford Business College, where he completed 
his course in April, 1868. He then returned home 
and assisted his father in the operation of the farm 
from that time until the spring of 1870, when he 
began farming on his own account, not only culti- 
vating the soil, but also raising cattle, horses, sheep 
and hogs. He was practical in his methods, in- 
dustrious in all that he undertook, and his well 
directed labors brought him a gratifying measure 
of success. He continued active in the business 
until 1894, when he removed to the village of Pe- 
catonica, where he has since made his home. He 
was here engaged in the ice business for seven 
years, but on the expiration of that period he re- 
sumed his farming operations and is now conduct- 
ing a farm of two hundred acres of rich and pro- 
ductive land, and he also has forty acres which he 
rents. His long experience in agricultural pur- 
suits, his keen sagacity in business matters and his 
unflagging diligence make him one of the leading 
and successful representatives of farming inter- 
ests here. 

On the 26th of September, 1870, Mr. Atwood 
was united in marriage to jNIiss Caroline M. 



6+2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



BiertT, a (laughter of David and Amanda M. 
(Hitchcock) P>ierer. Her father was born in 
Uniontown. l'"ayctte county, Pennsylvania, July 
29. 1820, and was the second in a family of ten 
children. He came west when a young man, 
located in Rockford in the fall of 1839, and the 
following year he built the first brick store in 
East State street, near Second street. There he 
embarked in the dry goods business in 1840, and 
for twenty years was connected with mercantile 
interests of the city, being one of its early and 
prominent representatives of commercial life 
there. He married Miss Amanda Hitchcock, in 
1840, and he spent his last twenty years on the 
farm of Mr. and Mrs. .Atwood, living a retired 
life. He was a devoted member of the Methodist 
I-4iiscopal church, and passed away December 1 1 , 
1904. death thus claiming one of the honored pio- 
neer resitients of Winnebago county. He is still 
survived by his wife. In their family were the 
following named: Everett H. died at Templeton. 
California. December 25, 1904, at the age of sixty- 
three years, ^[rs. Atwood is the second in order 
of birth. Helen J- became the wife of J. W. 
Smith, of Rockford. Iowa, and they spent the first 
year of tluir married life in traveling, he being 
quite wealthy. They then took up their abode in 
Rockford. Iowa, where Mrs. .^niith taught physi- 
cal cidturc for fifteen years. They then traveled 
ihriiugh Canada, for she was in ill health, and 
every effort was ]jut forth to restore her health, 
but without avail. She died Decemljer 11. 1889, 
in the faith of the Congregational church, her 
membershi]) being with the Second Congregational 
church, of Rockford. P.enjamin I!., now living in 
Templeton, California, is married, and has one 
child. Zella. Willie died in infancy and an infant 
died unnamed. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Atwood were born five chil- 
dren, of whom four are yet living: Clarence A., 
who is a graduate of the dental department of the 
Northwestern L'niversity at Chicago of the 
class of i8<j8, and is now engaged in prac- 
tice in Durand, married Hattie L. Wag- 
goner and has one child. Florence L. Al- 
gernon .\. .\twood, who completed a course 
in dentistry in the Northwestern I^niversity 
with the class of i8<;7. and is now ]>racticing 
in Pecatonica. married Hortense A. \'aii N^ilken- 
burg. and has two children. Cecel (i. and Harry 
A. Florence A. Atwood died when twenty-one 
years of ape. She was a young lady of most 
sunny disposition and kindly spirit, and her death 
caused profound sorrow among her many friends 
as well as in her family. Zella .\. Atwood is at 
home. \'iola X. is the wife of Claude .\. Colby, 
who is with the Rockford Register-Gazette. 

Mr. Atwood has been very prominent and in- 
fluential in public affairs relating to the material 
welfare and the fraternal, political and moral in- 



terests of the community. He was a member of 
the school board in lUirritt township for eighteen 
years, and was one the trustees of the village of 
Pecatonica for six years. In 1903 he was chosen 
president of the village, continuing in the office 
until May i, 1905, when he retired, having com- 
])lied with the law in tlie performance of his du- 
ties, both in the letter and spirit, giving a ])nblic- 
s|)irited, practical and beneficial administration. 
He was strict in the enforcement of all the city or- 
dinances ami also introduced many progressive 
measures. 

Prominent in Masonry. .Mr. .\t\\iMi(l h;is pro- 
gressed from the entered ajiprenlice degree to the 
thirtx-third degree of the Scottish rite, belonging 
to .V W. Rawison lodge. No. 145. A. F. & A. M. : 
Rockford chajHer. Xo. 24. R. .\. M.: Crusader 
commandery. .Xo. \<). K. 1".. of Rockford; Free- 
])ort consistory. S. P. R. S. ; and Teljala Temple of 
the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Elks 
lodge. Xo. 64. at Rockford, while his wife and 
two daughters are members of the White Shrine 
at Freeport and the l-lastern Star lodge at Peca- 
tonica. while Mrs. .\twood is also connected with 
the Rehekah degree of the Odd Fellows society at 
Pecatonica. ancl she and her daughter Zella are 
members of the Relief Corps. The family is one 
of prominence socially and Mr. .\twood has long 
been numbered among the representative citizens 
of the village and township of Pecatonica. his 
labor in behalf of jnililic interests proving far- 
reaching and beneficial. 



DANIEL GOODLANDER. 

Daniel Goodlander, a resident of Rockford 
since 1865, has long been a representative of its 
manufacturing interests, being still with the 
well known Emerson Manufacturing Comjiany, 
successors to the Emerson Talcott Com])any. 
He was born in i\Iilton. Pennsylvania, in 1828. 
His parents \vere Christopher and Mary (Os- 
borne) Goodlander. The father, a lumberman, 
died in 1857. Daniel Goodlander, reared and 
educated in the east, came to the middle west 
in 1850, settling in Rushville, Illinois, and the 
following year he went to California, where he 
was in the government employ in the custom 
house at San Francisco. In 1854 he went east 
to Pennsylvania, and in 1837 he came to Free- 
port, Illinois, where he was engaged in manu- 
facturing. The year 1865 witnessed his arrival 
in Rockford. where he became connected with 
F. H. Maimy in matnifacturing interests, this 
relation being maintained imtil 1876. when he 
became vice-president of the firm of Emerson & 
Talcott. The business was changed to Emerson 
Manufacturing Company in 1885, and Mr. 
Goodlander has continued with the house as 




DANIEL GOODLANDER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



645 



superintendent of agencies. He is well known 
in trade circles in this city, and his conscientious 
performance of every duty, his effective labor 
for advancement, and the broadening out of ac- 
tivity for the houses which he has represented 
have made his efforts of value. 

j\Ir. Goodlander was married to Miss Cather- 
ine F. Rogers, of Rushville, Illinois, and they 
had three daughters, Emma, Alice and Mabel. 
The mother died in 1882, and in 1885 Mr. Good- 
lander married Mrs. Etta Bair, of Rockford. 
He is well known in Masonic circles, belonging 
to Star in the East lodge, A. F. & A. M., also 
to the Knight Templar commandery and the con- 
sistor}'. In his political views he has been a 
stanch republican since the organization of the 
party, and he is a member of the Congregational 
church. His is a well rounded character, in 
which his attention has been proportionately 
given to the varied interest which make for an 
honorable manhood, and render one of use in 
the world to his fellowmen, because of his good 
citizenship and consideration for the rights and 
privileges of others. 



THOMAS J. ABBOTT. 

Among the men to whom has been vouchsafed 
an honorable retirement from labor in recognition 
of activity, earnest purpose and successful accom- 
plishment in former years Mr. Abbott is num- 
bered. He makes his home at No. 448 North 
Avon street, Rockford, and is a native of Rock- 
land county, New York, born January 11, 1839. 
His parents were Thomas and Nancy (Blauvelt) 
Abbott. The father, who was born in Rockland 
county. New York, was of English descent, and 
his father, John Abbott, was likewise a native of 
Rockland county. In the year 1856 Thomas Ab- 
bott came to the west, establishing his home in 
Rockford. where he followed the occupation of 
farming, although in the east he had learned the 
shoemaker's trade. Here he became the owner of 
one hundred and sixty acres of land in Rockford 
township, whereon he resided until 1878, when 
he sold out and took up his abode at Eklora, Hard- 
in county. Iowa. He was also a preacher and 
exhorter. He had twenty-one children by his two 
wives, ten of whom are now living, but Thomas 
J. Abbott is the only one residing in Winnebago 
county. The father departed this life in July, 
1904. at the very venerable age of ninety-three 
years, while the mother of our subject passed 
away in 1853. 

Thomas J. Abbott pursued his education in the 
public schools of New York and Illinois, and 
when not bus}- with his text-books his time was 
devoted to the labors of the farm, and he continued 
to assist in the cultivation of the fields upon his 
father's land until after the inauguration of the 

37 



Civil war. He watched with interest the progress 
of events in the south, noted the indications of 
the oncoming storm, became a champion of repub- 
lican principles and cast his ballot for Abraham 
Lincoln in i860. When war broke upon the coun- 
try he announced uis allegiance to the Union, and 
on the 1st of August, 1861, he enrolled as a mem- 
ber of Company G, Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry. 
The company was organized by ^lajor Hobart, 
and the first captain was M. L. Sabin. The Forty- 
fourth Illinois was formed at Chicago, and its 
commander was Colonel Giarles Knoblesdorph. 
ilr. Abbott served continuously until September 
25. 1865, having re-enlisted January i, 1864, at 
■ Blains Crossroads, East Tennessee, becoming a 
member of the same company and regiment. He 
served as a private until December, 1864. when 
he was promoted to sergeant and afterward to first 
lieutenant, while at the time he was mustered out 
he was holding the rank of adjutant. He was 
twice wounded, being shot in both hips at Adairs- 
ville on the 17th of May, 1864, carrying the bullet 
until September, 1865. while six years passed be- 
fore the wound healed. He now has in his pos- 
session this bullet, which for nearly two years was 
imbedded near his spine. Always in active duty, 
he proved a brave and valiant soldier. His regi- 
ment first went in pursuit of Price in Missouri, be- 
ing thus engaged from September, 1861, until the 
fall of 1862, after which tliey participated in the 
siege of Corinth, Alississsippi, and thence pro- 
ceeded to Cincinnati. Ohio, and again crossed the 
river to Covington. Kentucky, being attached to 
the Army of the Cumberland. The first battle in 
which Mr. Abbott participated was at Pea Ridge, 
and later he was in the engagements of 
Perryville, Stone River, Chattanooga. Chicka- 
mauga. Missionary Ridge, the siege of Knox- 
ville, the Atlanta campaign and the bat- 
tles of Franklin and Nashville. The regiment 
went to eastern Tennessee and was afterward sent 
down the Mississippi river to Texas, where it re- 
mained until mustered out. ^Ir. Abbott also had 
three brothers in the army, one of whom gave his 
life in defense of the Union cause. 

\\'hen the war was over and the countrv no 
longer needed his aid Mr. Abbott returned to the 
north with a military record of which he had 
every reason to be proud. He engaged in farm- 
ing in Rockford township until 1888, and after- 
ward was connected with other business interests, 
but since 1898 has lived retired. He now owns 
two houses and lots in Rockford. one where he 
resides and one adjoining, and his propertv stands 
as the visible evidence of his life of industrv and 
thrift. 

On the 29th of March, 1864, ;\Ir. .\bbott was 
married to iNIiss Adeline E. Kilburn, who was 
born in Rockford in 1846, and is a daughter of 
the late ^Milton Kilburn. the first probate judge of 



646 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



this county, who came here from New Hampshire 
in 1835. The Kilburns were among: tlic oldest 
families of Xew Eiiijlanil, the first representatives 
of the name in the world havings come to America 
on the .Mayflower. Jiulge Kilburn was very prom- 
inent and intUiential in W'innebatjo county, and his 
efforts in behalf of public progress were far- 
reaching and beneficial. In the east he had con- 
ducted business as a drugfji.st. but after his re- 
moval to the west was identified with farming in- 
terests in Rockford township. Mr. Abbott was 
called ujion to mourn the loss of his wife in 1902, 
her death having occurred on the 1st day of De- 
cember of that year. 

In politics he has been a rejiublican since the 
time when he voted for .\brahani Lincoln, and he 
has served as liighway commissioner, constable, 
sidewalk inspector and health officer, and in all 
these offices has lieen prom])t and faithful in the 
discharge of his duties. He is a valued repre- 
sentative of several fraternal organizations, in- 
cluding Xevius post. No. 1, G. A. R., of Rockford, 
in which he is now quartermaster. He likewise 
has membership relations with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Red Men. and is 
a very prominent Mason, belonging to Star in the 
East lodge. No. 166, A. F. & A. M. ; is past high 
priest of Kishwaukee chapter, No. 24, R. .V. M.; 
is a member of Crusader commandery. Xo. 17, 
K. T. : has attained the thirty-second degree of the 
Scottish Rite in l-rceport consistory, S. P. R. S., 
and is a nolsle nf Tebala Temple of the Mystic 
Shrine. Mr. .■\l)bott is a man of genuine worth, 
ever loyal in all life's relations, commanding the 
respect and good will of all with whom he has 
been associated, his record in days of peace being 
equally commendable with his record as a soldier. 



A. C. LANSING. 



A. C. Lansing, to whom has been vouchsafed 
an honorable retirement after many years of 
active business life is now residing at No. 
1517 East State street. He has been a resident 
of the city for thirty-five years and during much 
of that period represented commercial interests 
here. He came to Illinois from Montgomery 
county. New York, and is a native fif .Saratoga 
county, that state, his birth having occurred 
there in 1840. His parents were Cornelius and 
Lydia (Reed) Lansing, both of whom were 
natives of the state of New York, the father 
following the occupation of farming there 
throughout his entire life. They passed away 
many years ago, Mr. Lansing dying in Decem- 
ber, 1870, at the age of seventy-one years, while 
his wife died about 1880. when seventy-seven 
years of age. They had a large family, of whom 



five are yet living, four sisters being residents 
of the Empire state. 

.\. C. Lansing was reared in New York and 
in 1852 accompanied his iwrents on their removal 
from Saratoga to Montgomery county, where 
he resided continu(jusly until 1870. He was 
educated in the common schools and was early 
trained -to habits of industry, economy and in- 
tegrity upon the home farm. Believing that he 
might enjoy better business privileges in the 
younger but rapidly growing west he came to 
Rockford in 1871 and has here lived for thirty- 
four years. He established a feed store here at 
X^o. 416 East State street, where he conducted 
business for eighteen years, and then retiring 
from that line of trade, he devoted his attention 
to the conduct of a grocery store at No. 517 
East State street, being proprietor of the latter 
for seven years. On the expiration of that 
period he retired to private life and is now en- 
joying a well earned rest. He began business 
in Rockford on a small scale but gradually his 
patronage increased and as time passed, saving 
some from his income each year, he was at 
length the possessor of a handsome competence 
which now permits him to put aside business 
cares altogether. 

Mr. Lansing was married ere his removal to 
the west. Miss Sarah Elizabeth File, of Mont- 
gomery comity. New York, becoming his wife, 
while he was still a resident of that state. Their 
only child, George R., died in 1882, at the age 
of eleven years. He owns a fine home at 15 17 
East State street where he and his wife are now 
living. They are well known in Rockford and 
the hospitality of many of the best homes of the 
city is freely accorded them. They hold mem- 
bership in the Centennial Methodist Episcopal 
church and in his political views Mr. Lansing 
is a prohibitionist, which indicates his ideas con- 
cerning the temperance question. By example, 
as well as precept, he has always endeavored to 
further the temperance movement and is evci" 
found as the champion of all measures that 
tend to the betterment of mankind. His life 
has ever been an exemplification of honorable 
principles and he is always found on the side 
of justice, truth, right and kindly consideration 
for others. 



G. S. BROWN. 



G. S. Brown, a retired farmer of Owen town- 
shij). residing at No. 324 Xorth Rockton avenue, 
was born June 23, 1839, in the city of Rockford, 
his birthplace being a part of the Beatty home 
near the water-works, which is still standing and 
is yet occupied. His parents were Mowry and 
Lucv M. (Pease) Brown. His father was a native 





MR. AND MRS. A. C. LANSING. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



649 



of Rhode Island, and his mother of the Empire 
state. The Brown family is of English lineage, 
while the Pease family is of Dutch descent. In 
Alay. 1838, Alowry Brown arrived in Winnebago 
county, taking up his abode in Rockford, where 
he resided for two years, when he purchased a 
claim in Owen township, upon which he spent his 
remaining days. As he prospered in his imder- 
takings he wisely invested in land and became the 
owner of a valuable tract of two hundred and 
forty acres. He voted with the republican party, 
for it embodied his ideas concerning the best ele- 
ments of government, and both he and his wife 
were for many years members of the First Bap- 
tist church, but later he united with the Christian 
Union church. He died June 4, 1878. while his 
wife passed away on the 7th of April, 1897. In 
their family were eleven children, of whom six 
are now living in this county, namely : G. S., of 
this review : Charles E., who is living in Rock- 
ford township ; Mrs. Alary E. Phelps, whose home 
is on School street in Rockford : Henry A., of this 
city : Fred O.. who is living in Harlem township : 
and Richard E., also residing in Rockford. 

G. S. Brown was educated in Owen township 
in the common schools and remained at home until 
twenty-two }ears of age. In the meantime he 
learned the carpenter's trade, whict.i he followed 
with his father for five years, and in 1865 he 
bought one hundred acres of land, which he 
still owns. He added to this from time to time 
as his financial resources permittee^ until he be- 
came the owner of two hundred and sixty-five 
acres, but has sold some of this to a company 
establishing a brickyard, and also to the railroad 
company, so that his holdings in Owen township 
now comprise two hundred and thirty-two acres. 
He also has three hundred and thirty-two acres in 
Ogle county and thus has valuable and extensive 
landed possessions in this part nf the state. He 
continued farming until 1903, and in the follow- 
ing year removed to Rockford, where he pur- 
chased a fine home, and is now enjoying a well 
earned rest. While on the farm he raised stock, 
making a specialty of both cattle pud hogs, and 
that branch of his business proved very profitable. 

In February, 1868, Mr. lirown was united in 
marriage to i\Iiss Jennie Rogers, a v.ative of Eng- 
land, who was born March 8, 1847, and is a 
daughter of John and Jane ( Meagher) Rogers, 
who came to America in 1852, settling in Guil- 
ford township, A\'innebago county. Her father 
was a farmer and stone-cutter by occupation, and 
followed that pursuit in order to provide for his 
familv. becoming owner of one hundred and 
thirtv-two acres ot land, which he carefully culti- 
vated, transforming it into a richly productive 
property. He died in 1893. at the age of eighty 
years, while his wife passed away in 1872. In 
their familv were five children, but Mrs. Brown is 



the only one now living in this county. She has 
a sister, Mrs. Anna M. Spink, who is living at 
Davis Junction, Illinois, while her brother, Hon. 
William Rogers, formerly of Kansas, is now a 
resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. He was a promi- 
nent factor in the public life in the former state, 
and left the impress of his individuaJity upon its 
legislation, serving as state senator of Kansas for 
four years, also as a member of the house of rep- 
resentatives for two years, and as one of the re- 
gents of the university, and while in the legisla- 
ture he was chairman of the ways and means com- 
mittee. At the time of the Civil war he espoused 
the Union cause, enlisting in 1861 as a member 
of Company E, Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry 
under Captain Cosper. He served for four years 
and was promoted to corporal, and during an en- 
gagement he was shot through the left arm. He 
is a self-made man, who has made a notable mili- 
tary and political record, and for a number of 
years was classed with the distinguished citizens of 
Kansas, while at the present writing he is a promi- 
nent resident of Nebra.ska. The other members 
of the Rogers family are : Mrs. Lizzie Ruby, liv- 
ing in Nebraska ; and John G. Rogers, who re- 
sides at Mason City, Iowa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have become the parents 
of eight children: William R., who married Ade- 
laide Griggs, a <laughter of Dr. Griggs, and lives 
at Stillman N'alley ; Mora ].. the wife of Fred 
Johns, of Rockford : Edith, who died in 1895 • 
Lucy A., the wife of Thomas Shimmin, residing 
in Bloomington, Illinois ; George W., who lives on 
the old home farm ; Jessie G.. Ruby K. and 
Norma G., all living at home. 

Mrs. Brown and the children are all members of 
the Court Street Methodist Ejiiscopal church. Mr. 
Brown votes with the reiniblican party, and for 
nine years was road commissioner of Owen town- 
ship. He owes his success entirely to his own ef- 
forts and the assistance of his estimable wife, and 
their career may well be termed a prosperous one, 
and is ec|ually honorable because in all their busi- 
ness dealings they have been reliable and upright, 
conducting their affairs with strict regard to a 
high standard of business principles. 



JOHN P. MANNY. 



In preparing the history of the men, past and 
present, who have been prominent in the upbuild- 
ing and improvement of Rockford, it is imperative 
that mention be made of John P. ]Manny because 
of his activity in business affairs and his co-op- 
eration along lines contributing to the intellectual 
and moral development of his community. He 
was likewise a pioneer citizen of Rockford, hav- 
ing settled here about 1853 and for many years 



6.SO 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



as a mamifactiirer of knife sections and inventor 
and manufacturer of reapers and mowers he was 
well known tlinuijjhout the slate. Mr. Manny was 
born in Amsterdam. .New York. March 8. 1823. 
his parents being James and Hester (Marcelhis) 
Manny, both of whom were natives of the Empire 
state, and there resided until about 1842, when 
they removed t<5 the west, settling on a farm at 
Waddams Grove, Stephenson county, Illinois, 
where the father devoted his attention to the till- 
ing of the soil for a number of years. In his later 
life he took up his abode in Rockford, where he 
lived retired, making his home with his son John 
until his death. His wife also passed away in 
tliis city. 

John P. Manny was educated in the common 
schools of his native county and in Stephenson 
county, and when not engaged with his lcxl-b<ioks 
he assisted in the farm work, early becoming fa- 
miliar with all the duties and labors that fall to 
the lot of the agriculturist. He continued to work 
with his father until early manhood, when he en- 
gaged in the manufacture of knife sections for 
John H. Manny, who was then engaged in the 
implement manufacturing business both in Free- 
port and Rockford. Possessed of natural mechan- 
ical ingenuity, his inventive mind and skilled 
hands wrought along original lines and he was 
continually studying and experimenting for the 
improvement of reapers and mowers. 

John P. Manny manufactured his reapers and 
mowers for the territory east of the Mississippi, 
while N. C. Thompson manufactured them under 
a royalty west of the river. 

\Vhile living in Waddams Grove John P. Man- 
ny was married to Miss Etmice Hicks. They were 
the parents of five children, all of whom passed 
away in early life with the exception of George 
Manny, who married Kitty Dwight. He is now 
deceased, but his widow resides in Rockford. In 
1868 Mr. Manny was again married, his second 
union being with Mrs. Florida L. (Starr) Brown, 
the wndow of Lieutenant-Colonel Addison Brown, 
of the Sixth \'eniiont Regiment in the Civil war. 
Her parents were Melancthon and Lucretia (Nev- 
ins") Starr, the former a native of Albany. New 
York, and the latter of Connecticut. Her father 
was one of the honored pioneer settlers of Rock- 
ford, having arrived here in 1850, after which he 
became a leader in financial circles. Associated 
with others, he established the Winnebago Na- 
tional Bank and his sons are still connected with 
the institution. Mr. Starr was cashier and vice- 
president and continued in the business until his 
death, inaugurating a safe, conservative policy, 
which has made this one of the leading moneyed 
concerns of the county. 

Unto Mr. Mannv and his second wife were 
bom five children : Mary, now the wife of Charles 
T. Sackett. who is now in the insurance business 



in Rockford; Lucretia, who died in childhood; 
J. Starr, who resides in Florida; Henry, who is 
living in New York city, and Mrs. X'ivginia Lar- 
kin, also of that city. 

Mr. Manny lived retired from the time he dis- 
posed of his business interests until his death, 
which occurred in Rockford, November 16, 1897. 
He was never an office seeker, but served as alder- 
man for one tenn and in politics was a stanch 
Republican, believing firmly in the principles of 
the party as most conducive to good government. 
For several years he was president of the Rock- 
ford Cemetery Association and the extent and 
importance of his business interests, his activity 
in citizenship and co-operation in beneficial pub- 
lic interests, combined with his loyalty to the ties 
of friendship and of the home have made him a 
man well worthy of the higii estceiu which 
was uniformly accorded him. The Manny and 
the Starr families are numbered among tlie oldest 
and best known families of Rockford, the names 
being prominent for a long period in business and 
societv circles. 



ALEXANDER COLLIER. 

Alexander Collier, whose name appears on the 
roster of county officials of Winnebago county 
in connection with the office of sheriff, is a na- 
tive of Chenango county. New York, his birth 
having occurred in Smyrna in 1849. He is a 
representative of one of the old families of J\Io- 
liawk Dutch stock. His parents were William 
and Barbara (Vosburg) Collier. The father was 
a bridge builder and carpenter and lost his life 
by accident, when his son .Mexander was a small 
boy. He always made his home in the Empire 
state, and there were born the six children of 
the family, namely : Jane, Isaac, Henry, James, 
Maggie and Alexander. Following the death of 
her first husband. Mrs. Collier was married to 
John Sherman, and they liad two sons. Orvil 
and Oliver. 

.Alexander Collier remained a resident of the 
Empire state through the ])eriod of his minority, 
and when twenty-one years of age came west to 
Illinois, settling in Roscoe. where for fourteen 
years he worked at the miller's trade, which he 
had learned in earlier life. When his untiring 
labors and economy had ))rought him sufficient 
capital to justify the purchase of a farm he be- 
came the owner of one hundred and twenty acres 
of land, upon which he resirled from 1884 until 
1890. During that jieriod he successfully car- 
ried on agricultural ])ursuits on his own account. 
In 1891 he removed to Rockford. and when the 
supervisors sougiit a tru.sty superintendent to 
take charge of the poor farm the position was 
tendered Sir. Collier, lie accepted it and acted 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



651 



in that capacity through the succeeding eleven 
years, his service being entirely satisfactory to 
the general public and to the unfortunate class 
of citizens who are thrown upon the county's 
bounty. 

Previous to this time 'Sir. Collier has been 
recognized as a worker in the ranks of the re- 
publican party, and had served as supervisor of 
his township for three years while living upon 
the farm. In igo2 many of his friends requested 
him to become a candidate for the office of 
sheriff, and he concluded to stand as a nomi- 
nee. Elected by popular suffrage, he entered 
upon the duties of the position in January, 1903, 
and is yet serving in that capacitv. A contem- 
porary publication said of him. "During his term 
of office the people that have necessarih- come 
under his care have found the iron hand of jus- 
tice covered with the glove of sympathy." He 
never falters in the performance of his duty, and 
yet he would do everything in his power to en- 
able the law-breaker to become a law-abiding 
citizen. His son. Charles S. Collier, acts as his 
deputy, and proves very efficient in the office. 

In 1876 Mr. Collier was married to Miss Eliza 
McMullen, a daughter of William and Nancy 
(Mesmore) McMullen. The father was born 
in the Mohawk Valley, in Herkimer count3^ New 
York, and died in Belvidere. Illinois, in January, 
1881, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was 
descended from Scotch ancestry, and in his life 
displayed many of the sterling characteristics of 
that people. By trade he was a blacksmith, 
which pursuit he followed in Herkimer county. 
New York, until his removal to the west, at 
which time he settled in Ogle county, Illinois. He 
was married in this state near Byron, and, enter- 
ing government land, he became one of the pio- 
neer settlers of Winnebago county, where he 
spent many years, his attention being given to 
agricultural pursuits. In the care and cultiva- 
tion of his farm he acquired a comfortable com- 
petence, so that he was enabled to live retired 
in his last years, which were spent in Belvidere. 
Fie was prominent in local affairs, acted as road 
commissioner, and was school director for many 
years. In politics he was a republican, and he 
favored the Methodist Episcopal church. His 
wife was born in Canada, and came to the 
United States when eight years of age with her 
parents. Fler death occurred in Belvidere in 
1866. when she was thirty-six years of age. In 
their family were five children : Mrs. Collier ; 
Eugene, who died at the age of thirty-nine years ; 
Charles W., who died at the age of twenty-eight 
years: Fred R.. who died in infancy; and Ida E. 
After the death of his first wife Mr. Mc^Iullen 
was married to ^Margaret Bear. 

^Ir. Collier is well known in \Mnnebago 
countv. and is held in high regard because of the 



faithfulness which he has displayed to every pub- 
lic trust reposed in him. He discharges every 
duty with conscientious obligation, and has made 
a creditable record. 



WlLIJAAl POLLARD. 

^^'i^iam Pollard, following the occupation of 
farming on section 22, ^^'innebago township, 
where he owns and operates one hundred and 
seventy acres of land, has been a resident of W'in- 
nebago county since 1881. He came to America 
from England, his native country, his birth hav- 
ing occurred in Camljridgeshire in 1854. His 
parents were Jabez and Sarah (Taylor) Pollard, 
who spent their entire lives in England. In their 
family were thirteen ciiildren. three of whom came 
to America and are still living. 

\\'illiam Pollard was reared to manhood in his 
native country and was educated in the public 
schools there. When a }'oung man of twenty- 
seven years he determined to seek his fortune in 
the United States for he believed that better op- 
portunities might be enjoyed in this country. Ac- 
cordingly he crossed the Atlantic and made his 
way direct to Rockford, where he arrived in 1881. 
He had been married in England to ]\Iiss Rebecca 
Lambert, also a native of Cambridgeshire. They 
had little capital when they arrived in America 
but by earnest labor, business tact and inde- 
fatigable energy i\[r. Pollard has gained a fine 
property in AMnnebago township, in addition to 
which he owns extensive landed interests in South 
Dakota. The place which he now has comprises 
one hundred and seventy acres and was formerly 
known as the Kerns farm. ]\Iany of the present 
modern improvements have been placed thereon 
by 'Sir. Pollard, who has erected a residence and 
commodious outbuildings. He has also placed 
scales upon his farm and various facilities for 
the successful conduct of his place. He became 
the owner of this land in 1893 and personally cul- 
tivated the place until the present year. 1905, 
when he turned over the active work of the farm 
to his sons. 

L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Pollard have been born ten 
children, of whom six are living : Emma, a resi- 
dent of Rockford : Ethelbert, a farmer of South 
E)akota. who married Emma Layng and has two 
children, Wayne and Jane : ^^'ilfred. who is liv- 
ing on the home farm and married Addie Guynn, 
by whom he has one child, Winifred C, born in 
July. 1905 ; Isabella, the wife of Harry Gillett, 
and the mother of one child, Audrey : H. Jackson, 
at home ; and Rosa Mae, who is the wife of Earl 
Andrew-s, a farmer of South Dakota. The others 
all died in early childhood, two in England and 
two in this coimtrv. 



6,2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



l\)litically Mr. Pollard is a rcpiiljlicaii. liaviiig 
supported the ijarty since becoming a naturalized 
American citizen. He has served for six years as 
road commissioner and has been interested in the 
material development and progress of his coni- 
nnuiitv. The family attcnil the Episcopal church 
and the members of the household are esteemed 
for their genuine worth. He is thoroughly rep- 
resentative of that class of citizens w ho in the new 
world have taken advantage of business conditions 
here and through earnest, persistent and honor- 
able labor have worked their way upward to suc- 
cess. 



JA^rES G. TETi.nw. 

James G. Tetlow, who in the practice of law 
lias lieen accorded a good clientage that is an 
indication of his professional standing, was born 
on a farm in Columbiana county, Ohio. March 
24, 1869. His parents were Zachariah and 
Elizabeth (Chappell) Tetlow, the latter a daugh- 
ter of James Chappell, a man much respected for 
his sterling qualities. Zachariah Tetlow was a 
native of England, where he spent his boyhood 
days and acquired a common-school education. 
Emigrating to the United States he made his 
way into the interior of the country and in Ohio 
was married and settled on a farm, devoting his 
time to agricultural pursuits for some years. 
I_-ater he became connected with the coal interests 
of that ])art of the country and was superintend- 
ent of the Cherry \'alley Coal & Iron Works, in 
Leetonia, Ohio, for a period of thirty years. He 
died in 1901, and his wife passed away in 
March, 1905. She was born in England and had 
jxissed the Psalmist's three score years and ten. 

Tames G. Tetlow was educated in Washington- 
ville. r^bio. where he was grafluated from the 
graded schools. He afterward entered the Ohio 
Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where 
he continued as a student for three years and 
then matriculated in the State University Law 
School at Columbus, Ohio, from which institu- 
tion he was graduated with the class of 1895. 
Coming west to Rockford. Illinois, he again read 
law and was admitted to the bar in this state, 
though he had previously been admitted in Ohio. 
He then entered upon his practice in Rockford 
and now devotes his entire attention to his 
professional duties. The consensus of public 
opinion in regard to his ability is favorable and 
he has l)ecn engaged with much of the important 
litigation tried in the courts of his district. In 
addition to civil litigation he has been conspicu- 
ously successful in some very important criminal 
cases, ufitably the Sadwaler grand larceny case 
and the Haight assault with intent to commit 



murder. He is a forcible speaker, logical in argu- 
ment and his ambition to attain success prompts 
earnest devotion to the interests of his clients and 
careful preparation of his cases. 

Mr. Tetlow takes great interest in military af- 
fairs, and in 1898 he enlisted as a member of 
Company K, Third Illinois X'oluntecr Infantry, 
Colonel Fred P.ennett commanding. In the 
Spanish-American war he took part in the ex- 
pedition to Porto Rico and served for several 
months on the islands. With his regiment he 
returned in January, 1899, and soon afterward 
was commissioned by Governor Tanner second 
lieutenant of the National Guards of Illinois and 
is now captain of Company H of that regiment. 
For two years he was secretary of the Rockford 
Merchants' and Business Men's Association, and 
his fraternal relations are with the Star of the 
Ea.st lodge. No. 166, .A. F. & A. M., and Kent 
lodge. No. 689. I. O. O. F. He takes a deep 
interest in the Young Men's Giristian Associ- 
ation, of which he has been a member for over 
eight years, and has been an usher in the gallery 
of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church 
for over four years. 

In politics ^Ir. Tetlow is a pronounced re- 
publican and was a delegate to the state senatorial 
convention. He also took an active part in the 
gubernatorial contest of 1904 and did some able 
work in behalf of Richard Yates. He also 
gained considerable notoriety in an able speech 
made at Owen in the last McKinley campaign. 
He is a man of energ\-, strong purpose and laud- 
able ambition and has gained more than local 
reputation in political circles, while in military 
and legal circles he has won the rcs])ect of those 
wlif> are acquainted witli his career. 



H(1S.MI:K i'. IK >I.I..\\1). 

Ilosmer P. Holland, a member of the Rockford 
bar since 1861 and a resident of the city since 
May, 184^), was born in Millcrsburg, Ohio, on the 
15th of lanuar\, i8?8. I lis parents wore John 
A. and Maria L. (Curtis) Holland, the former 
a lawyer by ()rofession. practicing fir.st in Ohio 
and afterward in Illinois. His son. Hosmer P. 
Holland, brought to this city when a youth of 
eight years, was here reared to manhood and his 
earh educational privileges were supplemented by 
study in Anlinch College, Ohio, and I'nion Col- 
lege. New York. Taking up the study of law, 
he was admitted to the bar in i8('>i and entered 
upon practice in Rockford, but on the 4th of Sep- 
tember, 1862. he put aside professional duties in 
order to aid in the jireservation of the I'nion, en- 
listing in the .Seventy- fourth Illinois Infantry, 




JAMES G. TETLO\V. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



6S5 



with which he served until November, 1864. He 
has been master in chancery of Winnebago county 
for one term, but has mostly confined his atten- 
tion to the active duties of his profession. 

He was secretary of the Rockford Watch Com- 
pany for the first fourteen years of its existence 
and has encouraged and promoted various enter- 
prises that have contributed to the material and 
intellectual progress of the city. In regard to his 
political belief Mr. Holland says he is a demo- 
crat, if to be a democrat is to believe in the gold 
standard and tariff for revenue only. For the 
past four years he has served as a member of the 
board of review. While thoroughly informed on 
the questions and issues of the day, he has been 
without political aspiration, preferring to concen- 
trate his energies upon his law practice. 

Mr. Holland was married in Rockford, Novem- 
ber 21, 1865, to Miss Laura Blinn and their sons 
and daughters are as follows : Louise, now the 
wife of Daniel McMullen, of Western Springs, 
Illinois; Aurilla, the wife of Dwight .Allyn, also 
of Western Springs; Kate, the wife of Goldwin 
S. Patton, of New York Cit}- : Eleanor, of Rock- 
ford ; and Guv. of Zaiuboango. Mindano, 
Philippine Islands. 



SPENCER S. WELDON. 

Spencer S. Weldon, now retired from the active 
management of his farm, which lies in Winnebago 
township, but who still makes his home thereon, 
was bom at Keene, New Hampshire, Tanuarv 26, 
1825, his parents being Jonathan and Mary (Da- 
vis) ^^'eldon, the latter a cousin of Jefferson 
Davis, president of the Southern Confederacy. 
Her father and his six brothers were all soldiers 
of the Revolutionary war. One of the brothers 
afterward established his home in Kentucky and 
became the father of Jefferson Davis. 

Jonathan Weldon brought his family to Illinois 
in pioneer times, traveling the entire distance from 
Providence, Rhode Island, to Ottawa, Illinois, 
with team and wagon. After two months on the 
road they arrived at their destination on the 6th 
of December, 1834, and spent one season at Otta- 
wa, Mr. Weldon planting a crop there, but owing 
to the prevalence of fever and ague among the 
inhabitants of that district he decided to remove 
to Winnebago county. He arrived at Rockford 
May 25. 1836, at which time he found a mere ham- 
let containing no frame houses. There were two 
log houses on the east side and three on the west 
side of Rock river. Jonathan Weldon very soon 
located a claim in what is now the southeast part 
of Winnebago township and it remained his home 
until 1854. when he took up his abode upon the 
farm which is now owned and occupied by our 



subject, there continuing to reside up to the time 
of his death, which occurred in 1873. when he 
was seventy-eight years of age. His wife died 
in 1871. ]\Ir. Weldon, as one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of the county, took an active and helpful 
part in its progress and improvement. He had 
taught two winters in his own log cabin and this 
was one of the earliest schools conducted in what 
is now Winnebago township. He was always in- 
terested in educational development and delighted 
in the progress that was made in the county along 
intellectual and other lines as tlie years passed by. 
The claim which he entered from the government 
in early pioneer times remained in possession of 
the family until about ig02, when it was sold. 

Spencer S. Weldon was a j-outh of nine years 
when he accompanied his parents to Illinois and 
was eleven years old when the family located in 
Winnebago county. He has resided for the past 
sixtv-nine }-ears in the same school district in 
Winnebago township. A picture of pioneer times 
gives a correct idea of his environment in vouth. 
He taught about the first winter school after old 
district No. 2. now district 100, was established. 
It was conducted in the back kitchen of a log 
dwelling. There had been a school taught in the 
district the previous summer by a lady, but Mr. 
^^'eldon was the first male teacher. He followed 
the profession for two winters, one temi' in Fuller 
district, on the river, but did not continue that line 
of work, as he considered farming more congenial 
and more profitable. Throughout his entire life 
he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and 
stock raising and has been ver\' successful. Tliere 
has been erected on his farm a large and attractive 
dwelling of modern style of architecture, standing 
in the midst of a well kept lawn. In the rear are 
good barns and outbuildings, all most ample for 
the shelter of grain and stock. He uses the latest 
improved machinerA- in carrying on the place and 
everything about the farm is neat and thrifty in 
appearance. It is now being conducted by his 
sons. John E. and Lincoln S. Weldon, who han- 
dle well-bred stock, making a specialty of horses 
and cattle. For the past twenty years they have 
raised pure bred Percheron and French coach 
horses and their business in this direction has be- 
come extensive and profitable. 

In 1854 Spencer S. \\^eldon was married to 
Miss Agnes Kelley, who was born in Campbell- 
town. Scotland. May 29, 1825. Her father was 
Peter Kelley, who married Miss Catherine Stuart. 
}ilrs. \\'eldon came to Winnebago county from 
Scotland in 1852 and resided here mitil her death, 
which occurred February 23, 1901. There were 
eight children by this marriage, all born on the old 
home farm in Winnebago township, namely : 
]\[ary, born February 8. i8,'^5. resides at home. 
John E.. born April ig, 1856, living on the home 



656 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



fann, married Ailell Ilenncssy June 8. iS8i3. \\li<> 
died in 1884, leaving two cliildrcii — ICarl Ci., born 
September 18. 1881. and Adell. b(irn .March lu, 
1S84. anil died in 1S81;. i*"or his second wife John 
E. Weldon chose Ida .M. I'lriijgs, of Rockford, to 
whom he was married in 1899. Samuel, born 
October 22. 1857. is engaged in the real-estate 
business in Portland, Oregon. He married Mary 
Wliitney in September, 1899. ^"f' '''"-T ''^^'^ o"^ 
child, Kenneth W. Peter, Ixini ( V-tobcr 19. 1859, 
a fanner residing near Portage. Wisconsin, mar- 
ried Mar>- Scott in February, 1897, ami they have 
one child, Ray, bom in November, 1900. Cath- 
erine, born March 17, 1863, died in childhood. 
William, born May 23. 1861, a retired farmer re- 
siding near Portage. Wisconsin, married Bertha 
I. Olson in (Vtober. i8<X>. and they have one 
child. Clarence 11., born October 31, 1898. Lin- 
coln S., bom July 3, 1865, associated with his 
brother John in the conduct of the old home farm, 
married J^Iargaret TefFt in October, 1895. Mar- 
guerite. Iiorn Xovember 8. i8ri7. died in 1900. at 
the age of thirty-two years. 

Politicallv Mr. Weldon is a republican without 
aspiration for office. In his religious views he is 
liberal, being unhampered by creed or dogma, yet 
is a thorough believer in the Qiristiau religion. 
He is now more than four score years of age and 
has led a useful, active and honoralilc life, charac- 
terized by devotion to duty and by strict adher- 
ence to justice and truth at all times. He well 
deserves the respect which is unifonnly accorded 
him and which makes him one of the valued citi- 
zens of this ])art of the state. 



CARLTON WIT-LTAMS SHELDON. 

Carlton W. Sheldon, the subject of this article, 
was born on a small farm in the town of \'ictor, 
county of Ontario, in the state of New York, 
on the 14th day of March. 1828. He was the 
fourth child of Gad Sheldon and Eunice Williams 
Hosford, who were united in marriage in said 
county in the year of 1820. and to whom were 
Ixirn six children whose names in the order of 
their birth are as follows : Mary Edna, Alex- 
ander. Charles H.. Carlton W., Porter and Ogil- 
vic H. Gad Sheldon was born in Massachusetts 
and was the third and youngest son of Ezra 
Sheldon and Sally Perry, a relative of Commo- 
dore Perry of Lake Erie fame. Ezra Sheldon 
was a deacon in the Presbyterian church at the 
time of his marriage to .Sally Perry, and hence 
gave all three of his sons biblical names. The 
first he named Ezra, the second Asaph and the 
third and youngest, Gad. The latter was a sol- 
dier in the war of 1812 and fought at the battle 
of Sackett's Harbor, where many of liis com- 
rades were killed or wounded. 



Joseph Hosford, the father of Carlton's mother, 
was a much older man than his grandfather Shel- 
don. He went into the Revolutionary war of 
1776 as a drummer boy. and afterward as a pri- 
vate fought with musket and bayonet during the 
whole seven years of that bloody struggle for 
.\merican Independence and before its close was 
raised to the rank of major. He was the co- 
patriot of Washington and of Warren, of Ethan 
.Alien and Israel Putnam and of all that army of 
heroes who were finally crowned with victory 
and brought a new republic above the horizon to 
the astonished view of the kingdoms of Europe, 
to be looked upon by its rulers with dislike, but 
by their subjects with love and admiration down 
to the i^resent time. 

In 1834 the parents of Mr. .Sheldon, with their 
si.x young children, removed to South Bristol in 
the same county on t<i a small farm of fifty acres 
that the father had managed to purchase. It 
was located only four miles north from the beauti- 
ful village of Naples that nestled in a valley at 
the head of Canandaigua lake and was surrounded 
l)v hills and mountains on all sides but one, and 
on that side were the beautiful waters of the lake 
that reached north to the city of Canandaigua. 
The western shore of said lake was but two miles 
east from this new home. 

In the fall of 1840. General William Henry 
Harrison, the grandfather of I'lenjamin Harrison, 
was the old whig candidate for president and 
was elected. As Carlton's father was a whig, 
so of cource was the son and he tells us he shall 
never forget that happy day when he hied himself 
to the west shore of tliat lake and joined the great 
whig procession, which, with log cabins on 
wheels aTid hard cider barrels, were on their way 
u|) from the city of Canandaigua to the village 
of Nai)les, where the great whig mass meeting 
was to be held. He remembers as though but yes- 
terday the speech that was there made by the Hon. 
1-Vancis Granger. t)f Canandaigua. who after 
the election, became postmaster general in Harri- 
son's cabinet. 

At the early age of sixteen our young whig 
friend left his father's home and his mother's care 
to go out into the world to make his own living. 
He maile his first halting place with a farmer who 
lived about a mile from the small village of East 
P.loomfield in the same county, at which place 
there was a very good academy, of which Pro- 
fes.sor S. W. Clark was the principal. Heie 
around this town he worked for different farmers 
during the working seasons and attended the 
academy during the winter months. 

The year he went to P.loomfield was the fall 
of 1844. when another presidential election was 
on, and where he hurrahed for Henry Clay, but 
who was defeated by James K. Polk, of Ten- 
nessee. 




C. W. SHELDON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



659 



The winter he was eighteen he attended a dis- 
trict school in the neighborhood where he lived, 
and the succeeding winter he taught the same 
school, having for pupils the same scholars that 
had been his school fellows of the year before, 
and so every year thereafter until 1851 he 
worked for farmers during the spring and sum- 
mer months, attended the academy in the fall and 
taught some district school in the county during 
the winter, giving to his parents each year all 
he could spare of his wages and making them 
visits as often as possible. 

Having at that time an uncle who \v<'>s a large 
farmer living near Woodstock in this state, 
whose wife was a sister of his mother and who 
had moved from South Bristol to Illinois several 
years before, he concluded he would now follow 
his uncle to this state. So in the fall of 185 1 
he bade his parents a sorrowful good-bye but 
with a hopeful heart he took the cars at Canan- 
daigua for Buffalo and thence by boat around the 
Great Lakes and landed at a place then called 
Southport, in Lake county. From there he went 
to his uncle's home near Woodstock, where after 
visiting a short time his uncle took him to the 
then small village of Woodstock, the county 
seat of ]\IcHenry count}", where he was intro- 
duced to the law firm of Church & Willard, whose 
office he then entered as a student. Not having 
funds to carry him through the winter he en- 
gaged with Neal Donnelly and Richard K. Todd, 
two of the directors of the village school at 
Woodstock, to teach the winter term of 1851 and 
1852, who. at the close of the winter term, em- 
ployed him again to teach the spring term of 
1852. 

While teaching at \\''oodstock he heard much 
about the growing little city of Rockford and 
its beautiful river and thinking it would prove 
a more desirable location than Woodstock, he 
changed his residence to that then small city of 
four thousand inhabitants, where he arrived on 
the I2th day of August, 1852. Having in his 
pocket a letter of introduction from Church & 
Willard to the law firm of Marsh & Wight, of 
Rockford, he went at once to their office and nn 
the same day was admitted as a student. The 
young man soon found out that he would have 
to teach again for the coming winter of 1852 
and 1853 and so secured a district school at a 
place then known as the "Enoch Settlement." 
Among the pupils who attended his school were 
David Hunter and Amasa Hutchins ; the former 
became in after years a state senator, serving the 
people of this district many terms, while the latter 
many years after became sheriff of this county 
and later mayor of Rockford. Both these gentle- 
men are still living in this county and known and 
honored throughout the state. After his school 



was over in the spring of 1853, he resumed his 
studies with JMarsh & \\'ight and with such dili- 
gence that in Jul\- following he secured his li- 
cense from the supreme court to practice law in 
any of the courts of this state. Shortly after he 
commenced his practice in Rockford he formed 
a partnership with the late Judge Brown under 
the firm name of Brown & Sheldon, which con- 
tinued he thinks until the former was elected 
states attorney for this then judicial circuit. 

On the 20th day of December, 1855, at Rock- 
ford, Illinois, Carlton W. Sheldon and Harriet 
J. Hathaway were united in marriage and from 
that union were born six children, two of whom, 
Edward and Edna, died in infancy and the re- 
maining four are still living and wtiose names 
in the order of their birth are : Charles E., born 
July 29, 1857; George P., born July 27, 1859; 
Dora Sheldon Hart, born March 7, 1868 ; and 
Ethel A. Montgomery, born September 27, 1878. 

Harriet J. Hathaway was the daughter of 
Leonard W. Hathaway and Caroline M. Thomp- 
son, all of whom were born in the state af Massa- 
chusetts and afterward moved to Chicago in 
1837, when Harriet was two years of age, and 
then from Chicago to Rockford in 1845. H^i" 
father died at Rockford in the spring of 1852 
and her mother died at the home of her daughter, 
with whom she lived on North Second street, 
on the 1st day of August, 1898, at the advanced 
age of eighty-four ye-i'-s. 

Charles E. Sheldon is the present successful 
western manager of the American Insurance 
Company of Newark, and has acted in that ca- 
pacity for many years. 

In the winter of 1857, Porter Sheldon, who 
had previously been in the practice of the law at 
Jamestown, New York, with his eldest brother 
Alexander Sheldon, came to Rockford and 
formed a pertnership with his brother Carlton 
under the firm name of Sheldon & Sheldon, which 
continued for several years. 

Soon after the war commenced Porter was 
elected city attorney, while at the same time Carl- 
ton was serving the city as alderman from the 
first ward, he residing at that time on the south- 
west corner of North Second and Hill streets, to 
which location he had moved in June, 1858, and 
where all his children were born except the old- 
est, and where he has ever since lived. In the 
year 1893 he moved his old house back to the rear 
part of the lot and built on the old site a large 
and commodious residence in which he now 
resides. 

Before the close of the war Alexander Sheldon 
died at Jamestown and Porter left Rockford at 
once to attend his funeral and close up the busi- 
ness of the estate. While there he was persuaded 
by the citizens of Jamestown to move his family 



66o 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



back to that city and take iij) the ])racticc that 
his brother had left, which he did, and within one 
year thcreaftLT he was elected from the James- 
town district a member of congress to success 
Reuben E. l-enton. who had just been 
elected governor of the state of New York. 
Porter Sheldon was a man of marked ability as 
a lawyer and had great genius as an inventor, 
having patented several inventions, aniDng which 
was one for the manufacture and preparation of 
a paper designed for the special use of photog- 
raphers in the making of pictures, visiting Ger- 
many once to make liis patent periect and secure. 
He i)uilt many large buildings at Jamestown for 
his plant and after making about half a million 
dollars for himself in the business he finally sold 
out the whole plant, including his patents, to an 
eastern syndicate, who paid him five hundred 
thousand dollars in cash therefor. P>eing then a 
millionaire he retired wholly from business, pur- 
chased a plantation in N'irginia. where he and 
his wife spend their winters, while their summers 
are spent at their home near the beautiful Lake 
of Chautau(|ua. on whose shores P>isliop \'incent 
started his first meetings and from which lake 
the name of "Chautauqua" has gone forth 
throughout the land and l>ecome famous. 

Carlton's mother was a Hosford but her mother 
was a \\'illiams. who liad a ncplicw by the name 
of Carlton U'illiams. This young man while 
rowing in a boat with a comrade above Niagara 
Falls was drawn into the rapids ajid went over 
the falls and both were drowned, and it was in 
memory of this unfortunate young man that tlie 
subject of this sketch was named. 

Tn 1870 yir. Shelilrm was called upon several 
times by the secretary of the Rockford Insurance 
Company to settle difficult losses for that com- 
pany, until he finally declined going out so often, 
as it took him too much away from his office. 
Finally they asked him what he would charge a 
day to settle all their losses from that time on 
and have all his expenses paid. He said he 
would do it for eight dollars per day, which 
terms they at once accepted and from that time 
until July 1874, he adjusted all their losses in 
this state and Missouri. During this time he 
gave up his law practice and ran a large local 
agency tmder the name of Sheldoii. Ireton & 
Company, his son Charles E., then only fourteen 
years of age being the company. 

In July. 1874. Gilbert Woodruff, then presi- 
dent of the Rockford National Rank, and some 
of his co-directors urged him strongly to organ- 
ize a new insurance company to be called the 
Forest City Insurance Conipany, and to be in the 
interest of the Rockford National Rank as the 
Rockford Insurance Company had been of the 
I^econd National Rank, to which he finallv con- 



sented and became its secretary. This company 
he continued to run with greiit success for the 
period of over five years when on the 7th day of 
November, 1879, he very suddenly resigned, to 
the great surprise of all his fellow directors, in- 
cluding the president. The cause of such resig- 
nation he fully gave in an "open letter" to the 
president on the 17th day of December, 1879, 
which letter was ])rinled in one of the city papers 
and he afterward struck off one thousand copies 
in pamphlet form which he had intended to dis- 
tribute throughout the state but owing to the 
urgent entreaties of some of his late associates 
I who had not yet sold their stock as he had done) 
tu su])press this edition, he finally promised them 
to do so, as he knew if he did circulate them 
in the state it would probably kill the company 
and entail great loss on some of his friends as 
they claimed. The reasons for his resignation 
were very fully given in this remarkable letter. 
He then at once opened a law. loan, and insurance 
office on the east side of the river where he has 
been steadily in business for the past twenty- 
five years and at no time since said resignation, 
except the first year, has he received less in fees 
and commissions ])cr annum than had been his 
former salary and in many years more, while at 
the same time, so to sp-^ak, he has been "his own 
master." 

He has now reached the "advanced age" as 
the papers would say, of seventy-seven years and 
has not yet retired. .\ccor(ling to Osier he 
should have died, or retired seventeen years ago. 
He does not agree with Dr. (~)sler in this, but 
rather with Russell Sage, who now at ninety, at- 
tends his office daily and says that "frequent vaca- 
tions are not necessary to health. Nor does 
racing back and forth through the crowded 
streets of a city in a huge life destroying automo- 
bile add anything to the prosperity or happiness of 
the people." 



EARI. D. REYNOLDS. 

I-l.'irl D. Reynolds, one of the members of the 
Winnebago county bar, who since 1896 has en- 
gaged in the practice of law in Rockford. was 
l)orn in Hancock county. Ohio, in 1866. his par- 
ents being \olney and Christiana (Smith) Rey- 
nolds. In 1867 the father left his farm in Ohio 
and removed to ijie vicinity of Waldron. Hillsdale 
county. Michigan, there securing a tract of land. 
He devoted his attention to general farming and 
stock raising and still resides in that locality. 

No event of special importance occurred to 
\ary the routine of farm life for Mr. Reynolds in 
his youth. He worked in the fields and meadows 
and gained an intimate knowledge of the best 
methods of caring for stock and the crops. In 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



66i 



the winter months he attended the district schools 
and later became a student at Hillsdale College, 
Michigan, where he completed his course by grad- 
uation with the class of 1891. When eighteen 
years of age he began teaching and followed that 
profession at intervals while attending college. 
He taught for several years in North Adams 
school in Hillsdale county, ultimately becoming 
its principal, and with a view to engaging in the 
practice of law, he matriculated in the law depart- 
ment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor 
and was graduated therefrom in 1896. In the 
autumn of the same year he came to Rockford 
and entered upon practice. He now has a large 
library in his office on East State street over the 
Manufacturers' Bank. His clientage has steadily 
increased and his practice is now of a large and 
important character. He prepares his cases with 
thoroughness and in presenting his cause before 
court or jur>' he is logical and forceful in his 
reasoning and seldom, if ever, at error in citing 
a similar case or quoting an authority'. 

In 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. Reynolds 
and Miss Florence Keith, of Boone county, Illi- 
nois, a daughter of Lewis and Louisa Keith, who 
are represent^^d on another page of this volume. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have four children — 
Keith, now twelve years of age ; Lorenzo, nine 
years ; Dorothy, five years ; and Lois, eighteen ; 
months. 

Mr. Reynolds has always been interested in the 
cause of education and has rendered effective serv- 
ice for the schools of Rockford while acting as a 
member of the board, being elected over five years 
ago, and is the present incumbent. Fraternally he 
is connected with Rockford lodge. No. 102, A. 
F. & A. M., and is also affiliated with the Elks 
and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is the 
attorney for the last named. Throughout his pro- 
fessional career he has lived in Rockford, where 
he is steadily working his way upward by dili- 
gent effort and devotion to the interests of his 
clients. During the last year and a half he was 
assistant attorney-general of the state under At- 
torney-General H. J. Hamlin. 



SILAS W. SHIRLEY. 

Silas W. Shirley, who has retired from active 
business life and resides in the village of Cherry 
Valley, was for many years actively connected 
with agricultural interests and now owns two 
farms, one lying in Boone county and the other 
in De Kalb county, but both near the village in 
which he makes his home. His landed possessions 
aggregate seven hundred and fifts- acres and the 
places are well improved and valuable. 

Mr. Shirley is a native son of Boone county, his 
birth having occurred about two miles from Cher- 
38 



ry \ alley, in 1846, his parents being Lewis and 
Lucinda (Keith) Shirley, both of whom are now 
deceased. The father was born in Ohio, March 
1, 1820, and when twenty years of age came to 
Illinois with his parents. His father, Joseph Shir- 
ley, was born in 1793 and located in Cherry Valley 
township, where he resided for a number of years, 
removing later in life to Iowa. His last days were 
spent in Black Hawk county, that state, where 
he passed away August 11, 1864. His wife, who 
was born April 11, 1797, died October 5, 1868, in 
Black Hawk county. After coming to this state 
Lewis Shirley located on a farm in Boone county 
in Cherr}' Valley, and this land is now owned by 
his son Silas. There he carried on agricultural 
pursuits for many years, biit later took up his 
abode in the village of Cherry Valley, where he 
died on the 13th of May, 1898. His wife, Lu- 
cinda (Keith) Shirley, was also from Ohio, ar- 
riving in this section of Illinois in 1839. She was 
born September 15. 1820, and died November i. 
1888, in Cherr\- Valley township. In their family 
were six children — Elizabeth, who was born Oc- 
tober 31, 1844, is the wife of Captain Van Wort, 
a resident of De Kalb county. Silas W. is the 
second. Lucrctia, born Januan' 6, 1849, i^ living 
in Cherry Valle}-. Phoebe Jane, born April 2, 
1831. is the wife of William Thompson, a resident 
of Kirkland, Illinois. G. B.. born November 28, 
1855, is a farmer of Cherry A'alley township. L. 
E., Ijoni March 13, i860, is an insurance agent, 
residing in Cedar county, Iowa. 

Silas W. Shirley spent his boyhood days in the 
vicinity of the village in which he now makes his 
home and throughout his active business life car- 
ried on farming. He was married here October 
22, 1873, to Miss Julia E. Taylor, a native of No- 
ble county, Ohio, and a daughter of James and 
Rosella (Roach) Taylor, who took up their abode 
in Boone count}-, Illinois, in 1865, settling in 
Flora township. They were farming people and 
both are now deceased. The father, who was 
born in England, October 9, 1810, came to Amer- 
ica in 1817, at which time he settled in Ohio, his 
death occurring in Boone county. July 22. 1893. 
His wife, who was born in Ohio in 1817, died in 
Boone county November 29, 1874. Mrs. Shirley 
was one of a family of eleven children, all of 
whom were born in Ohio, while five are yet living. 
The family record is as follows: Harriet, the 
deceased wife of William Lee ; Hulda, the wife of 
Daniel Cronkhite, who follows farming near Kirk- 
land, De Kalb county; Mrs. Hannah Mason, liv- 
ing in Wirt county. Virginia ; Mrs. Shirley ; Beu- 
lah, twin sister of Julia, who died in infancy ; 
Walter S., who resides on the old homestead in 
Boone county ; Charles R., a farmer of De Kalb 
county ; Irene, who died in Ohio ; Elvin, who died 
in Illinois: Lily, the deceased wife of Charles 
Clinite ; and Willard, who died in infancy. 



662 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WI.WEBAGO COUNTY. 



Mr. and j\lrs. Shirley have two sons — Eugene, 
bom November 28, 1874, and now Hving in De 
Kalb count)-, married Dora Mack, and has a 
(lan.tihter. Ruth: and LcRoy. burn May 11. 1877, 
is a pattern-niaki.r hving witli his parents. In 
pohtics Mr. Shirley is a republican antl served as 
trustee of Chcrr>- \'alley at the time the village 
was incorporated. He belongs to the Masonic 
lodge lliere and liis son LeRoy is a thirty-second- 
degree Mason and a Shriner, belonging to the 
commander}- of Rockford. For many years Mr. 
Shirley worked persistently and energetically in 
the conduct of his farm and as the years passed 
he added annually to his income until now. 
with a desirable competence to supply him with 
the comforts of life, he is living retired in Cherry- 
Valley, having many warm friends there. 



JOHN R. I 'LACK. 



John R. Place, now deceased, was born in Co- 
lumbia county. New York, September 27, 1841, 
his parents being John and Ann (Cowse) Place, 
and when a lad of ten years was brought by his 
parents to the west, the family settling in Dur- 
and township, Winnebago county, upon a farm 
on section 28. Two sons of the family are yet 
living in Durand: David, who is married and 
has a son and daughter, and Marsden. who is 
married and has two sons. The sister of Mr. 
Place is Mrs. Samantha Davis, tiie wife of 
George Davis, of I'.urritt lownshi]). and they 
have five sons and two daughters living. 

John R. Place was reared to farm life and ac- 
quired his education in the public schools of the 
locality. Pie early became familiar with the best 
methods of tilling the soil and caring for stock 
and throughout his active business career carried 
on agricultural pursuits with excellent success. 
He was also a capable schoolteacher in early 
manhood. 

On the 22d of June. 1865, Mr. Place was 
united in marriage to Miss .\manda Morris, of 
Durand townshii). a daughter of William and 
Mehetable (Riche) Morris. Mrs. Place was 
born in Montgomery county, Indiana, May 6, 
1840, and in 1842 was brought by her parents to 
Durand township. Her father was a native of 
Pennsylvania, born September 27, 1807, and 
when young went w'ith his parents to Indiana, 
where he was married to Mehel.ible Riche on 
the 29tli of .\ugust, 1833. They remained in the 
Hoosier state until 1842 and then cast in their 
lot with the pioneer settlers of Winnebago coun- 
ty, where ^Ir. Morris carried on general agri- 
cultural pursuits until his death on the 16th of 
March, 1858. His wife, who was born October 
28, 1812, in the state of New York, died at the 
home of her son in Durand township, January 



8, 1903, having for almost f(jrty-five years sur- 
vived her husband. Mr. Morris was a soldier of 
the Black Hawk war and was a prominent pioneer 
settler, aiding in laying strong and deep the 
foundation for the present pros|)erity and prog- 
ress of the county. Mrs. Place has three broth- 
ers — .\ndrew J. Murris, who is living in Davis, 
Illinois, and has two sons and two daughters ; 
L. J. Morris, of Durand. who has two daugh- 
ters ; and S. H. Morris, of Portland, Oregon, who 
has one son. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Place were born three 
daughters and two suns, .\ndrew M.. born in 
Durand township. June 9, 1876, is now living on 
the old homestead farm. He was married May 
31. 1899. to Cora Belle Bleakley, of Mount Car- 
roll. Illinois, who was born in Pittsburg. Penn- 
sylvania, January 13. 1875, and is a daughter of 
James and .\nna (lUaney) Bleakley. .Vndrew M. 
Place and his wife have one daughter, Gladys 
M.. born February 8, 1902. .\lva J. Place, born 
December 7, 1882, is living in Durand township 
and married Myrtle .Atkinson, of Shirland 
township, by wiiom he has one son. ^lorris G. 
Lottie, born Jiuie 24, 1866. is the wife of Charles 
Thomas, of .\von. Wisconsin, and has seven sons 
and four daughters. Kittie F,.. born November 
2. 1877. is the wife of Thomas Tierney, of Irv- 
ington, California. Eva A., born October 16, 
1868. bcame the wife of Elmer Harris, of 
Durand township, and died December 23, 1898, 
leaving a son and two daughters, one of whom 
died in infancy. 

^Ir. Place departed this life on the 24th of 
August. 1890. after living for thirty years upon 
the old home farm, which he left to his family. 
He was an active member of the Patrons of 
Ilusbandry. was a rc])ublican in politics and 
held many township offices, the duties of which 
he discharged with promptness and fidelity. 
In business he was trustworthy and reliable and 
in all life's relations commanded the respect 
and confidence of those with whom he was asso- 
ciated. ]\Irs. Place now manages the property, 
comprising two hundred and eighty-three acres 
on sections 12, 13 and 14, Durand township. 
She has long been a resident of the county and 
the circle of her friends is an extensive one. 



S. A. NEMETH. 



S. A. Nemeth, proprietor of a tailoring estab- 
lishment in Rockford, was born in Omaha, Ne- 
braska, in 1870. and is a son of Martin and Mary 
(Loss) Nemeth. The father, a native of Austria, 
caiue to the United .States in the '60s and made 
his way direct to Omaha. Nebraska. In that local- 
ity he purchased land and carried on fanuing until 
1882, when he removed to South Bend, Indiana, 





MR. AND MRS. JOHN R. PLACE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



66s 



where he Hved retired until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1893. His widow still survives him and 
is yet a resident of South Bend. In the family 
were five children, of whom two died in infancy, 
the others being: S. A., of this review; Michael, 
a cutter, who is living in Cincinnati, Ohio ; and 
Rose, who is with her mother in South Bend. 

S. A. Nemeth was a district-school student in 
Nebraska and completed his education in Notre 
Dame University, Indiana. About the same time 
he learned the tailor's trade, becoming a cutter. 
He was graduated from the university in 1891 and 
immediately afterward went to Battle Creek, 
Michigan, where he secured a position as cutter, 
acting there in that capacity for three or four 
years. In 1894 he went to Jackson, Mississippi, 
where he spent three years, and in 1897 he located 
in Lafayette, Indiana, where he was employed at 
his trade for four and a half years. The year 1901 
witnessed his arrival in Cleveland, Ohio, where 
he was a cutter for G. S. Rogers, one of the prom- 
inent tailors of that city. He came to Rockford 
on the 1 8th of August, 1902. and entered the em- 
ploy- of the E. & W. Clothing Company, which 
he represented as a salesman until the spring of 
1905, when he opened a tailoring establishment of 
his own at No. 313 North State street, where he 
now carries a fine line of men's tailoring goods 
and has already secured a good patronage, the 
public having become acquainted with his work 
during the previous years of his residence here. 

Mr. Nemeth was married on the loth of Sep- 
tember, 1902, in Belvidere, Illinois, to Miss Dora 
A. Jarvis, of Independence, Iowa. They have 
one daughter, who was born November 20. 1904. 
Fraternally Mr. Nemeth is connected with the 
Knights of Pythias of Cleveland, and with the 
Elks and Eagles at Rockford. He has met suc- 
cess in business since his residence here and has 
gained the favorable regard of many with whom 
he has been brought in contact. He possesses 
the force of character which realizes that success 
depends upon the individual and not upon envir- 
onment, and by thorough mastery of his trade and 
capability in his workmanship he has advanced 
steadily and is now the proprietor of a growing 
business in his adopted city. 



RUFUS H. BURRITT. 

Among the residents of Rockford formerl\- en- 
gaged in farming but now living retired, is Rufus 
H. Burritt, a native of the Empire state, whose 
birth occurred in Ira, Cayuga county, September 
23. 1842. His parents were Charles and Laura 
M. (Remington) Burritt. The father was born 
near Roxburv, Connecticut, January 9, 1813, and 
was a son of Lewis Eben and Polly (Warner) 
Burritt. After starting out upon his business ca- 



reer he followed the occupation of farming and 
later engaged in the hardware and furniture busi- 
ness in Weeds|")ort, New York, where he resided 
until he came with his family to Rockford, in 
1854. He spent the following winter in the city 
and then purchased a tract of land of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Owen township, upon which 
he spent his remaining days, developing there a 
good and well improved farm. In his family were 
four sons and three daughters, namely: Mrs. 
Lucy Ann Moore, who is living in Redlands, Cal- 
ifornia; George A., who died leaving a family in 
Owen township : Rufus H. : Frances M., the wife 
of Charles Brown, of Rockford township ; Dwight 
N., of Los Angeles, California: Ida M., the wife 
of Fred Knapp, of California, and Charles L., liv- 
ing at Compton, California. 

Rufus H. Burritt was educated in the common 
schools of Owen township, having been brought 
bv his parents to Winnebago county in early 
vouth. He was one of the sokUers that Illinois 
furnished to the LInion, for he enlisted in 1864 as 
a member of Company M. Eighth Illinois Cavalry, 
serving for a year and a half, or until the close of 
the war. He was kept in Washington doing 
picket duty and participated in several skirmishes 
in the vicinity of the capital city. Following the 
close of hostilities he returned to his home and 
was engaged in farming. He rented land for 
three vears and then purchased one hundred and 
sixtv acres in Owen township, which he continued 
to cultivate and improve until January, 1886, 
when he removed to Rockford, where he has since 
resided and is now living a retired life. He owns 
a fine residence on Summer street and his wife 
owns an attractive dwelling where they reside at 
No. 624 Ashland avenue. 

Air. Burritt was married May 28, 1862, to Miss 
]\Iar}- Jane Rorebeck, who was born in the state 
of New York and came west when a child. Her 
father, Edwin F. Rorebeck, was a farmer. Mr. 
and Mrs. Burritt became the parents of seven 
children, of whonT five are yet living: Fred E., 
who married Gertrude M. Patterson, and lives in 
Pullman, Illinois ; Rena Alice, the wife of Fred 
J. Corrv, a resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin; 
Walter Roy, who married Ida Erffmeyer and lives 
on a farm in Kishwaukee township ; Leta Mary, 
the wife of Roy R. Skinner, who is with Burr 
Brothers, of Rockford : and Bert N., who married 
yiaud Cain, and resides in Rockford. One daugh- 
ter, Eva L.. became the wife of A. G. Steward 
and is now deceased, while Mr. Steward resides 
in Owen. Mrs. Burritt was called to her final rest 
September 18, 1897, and on the i8th of June, 1903, 
:sir. Burritt was married to Mrs. Mary J. Hall, 
a daughter of John Hamilton and Mary (Agnew) 
McEvoy. Bvher first husband she had four chil- 
dren : Vernon J., who is a professor of chemistry 



666 



PAST A\D PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illi- 
nois; Clare H., who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; 
Willis W.. of Chicago; and Mary F. Hall, who is 
living with her mother. 

Mr. liurritt is a rcpuijlicaii, who has served as 
road commissioner and was also town clerk for 
three years. He belongs to the G. L. Nevius 
post. No. I. G. .\. R.: the Royal Arcannm, the 
Home Fraternal League and the Knights and La- 
dies of Sccuritv, and his wife is a member of the 
Congregational clnirch. Having sold his farm, 
Mr. Burritt purchased cit>- property. When he 
had his country home it was characterized by the 
utmost neatness in every- department and he has 
ever been systematic and methodical in his work. 
The same splendid appearance is indicative of his 
city home and gives evidence of his careful and 
painstaking supervision. His work has been 
crowned with a merited measure of success and 
with a desirable competence, he is now enjoying 
the comforts and manv of the luxuries of life. 



R1C11.\RD jollXS. 



.\mong tho-se to whom has been vouchsafed 
an honorable retirement from labor in recog- 
nition of active and successful toil in former 
vears is Richard Johns, now living in Rockford. 
A native of England, he spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth in that country. He is a 
son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lightfoot) Johns, 
who were also natives of that country, whence 
they came to .America two years after the ar- 
rival of their .son Richard. The father died at 
the age of scventy-si.x years, while his wife 
passed away at the age of eighty-two years. 
Both were consistent members of the Methodist 
church. 

When a young man of twenty-two years 
Richard Johns, desirous of Ijcnefiling his finan- 
cial condition by taking advantage of the better 
business opportunities of the new world, bade 
adieu to friends and native land and on a lum- 
ber vessel crossed the .\tlanlic to Quebec, 
Canada, reaching his destination after a six 
weeks' voyage. He did not remain in the Do- 
minion, however, but at once resumed his jour- 
ney across the country to Illinois, settling in 
Rockford, in 1850, where , for three years he 
was a representative of the butchering business. 
On the expiration of that period he returned to 
his native country and in Cornwall, England, 
was united in marriage with Miss Jane .\. 
Hocken, a native of that county, descended from 
Cornish ancestry. The young couple at once 
started for the I'nited States and after ten 
weeks spent u])on the ocean reached the 
shores of the new world. Mrs. Johns' 



parents always continued residents of Eng- 
land and her father, John Hocken, was ac- 
cidentally killed by the premature discharge of 
a gun when forty-two years of age. His wife, 
long surviving him, was in her seventy-seventh 
year when called to her final rest. They were 
members of the Independent church of England, 
and Mrs. Johns was the second of their ten chil- 
dren. 

( )n again reaching Winnebago county Mr. 
Johns t(jok his bride to a farm and for a mnn- 
bcr of years prior to their removal to the city 
of Rockford they lived in Ri:)ckford township, 
where he devoted his time and energies to the 
tilling of the soil and to the raising of stock. 
He started out in life empty-handed but has 
gradually worked his way u]>wanl, brooking no 
obstacles that could l)e overcome by persistent 
and honorable effort, lie found that labor is the 
basis of all success and by his untiring efforts 
and capable management he became the owner 
of valuable property, formerly owning five hun- 
dred and fortv acres of rich land and now one 
hundred and thirty-five acres near the city, which 
brings to him a s])lendid rental and supplies him 
with all the comforts and many of the luxuries 
of life. The land is not only productive but is 
also underlaid with a splendid grade of stone, 
so that a quarry has been oi)ened and successfully 
oi)erated. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johns have been born 
eight children : Emma, who became the wife of 
Walter H. Morey, of Spencer, Iowa, and died 
leaving five sons; Nathaniel, who wedded Min- 
nie .'^afl'ord and is engaged in general farming 
in Rockford township : \\'ill R.. who married 
Carrie Rowe and resides near this city ; Nellie, 
the wife of John D. Safford. a resident farmer 
of Rockford township : Frank, who married .\da 
Sauber and carries on general farming in 
Rockford township ; Minnie, the wife of Henry 
E. Sauber, who is connected with a furniture 
company in Rockford ; Flora H.. the wife of 
George Sauber : and .\lbert C. now in Denver. 
Colorado, who married Nellie Poarcher. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johns have now traveled life's 
journey together for fifty-two years, sharing 
with each other its joys and sorrows, its ad- 
versitv and jjrosperity. The energies and labors 
of the husband have been supplemented by the 
careful management of the wife, and together 
they have acquired a goodly share of this 
world's possessions, .so tiiat they are now living 
in comfort and ease in Rockford. having a pleas- 
ant home .-It No. 52S Palm street. They have 
gained many friends iii the city and they also 
have a large circle of acquaintances in Rockford 
and other townships because of their long resi- 
dence in the comity and their genuine worth. Mr. 
Johns has never liad occasion to regret his dc- 




RKIIAKI) lOHXS. 




MRS. RICHARD JOHNS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



671 



termination to seek a home in the new world, 
for here he has found the opportunities he 
sought, which by the way are always open to 
ambitious young men and through the use of his 
advantages he has become a substantial citizen, 
possessed of a gratifying competence. 



ABRAHA^I L. CO:\ILY. 

.\braham L. Conily. a representative farmer of 
Seward township, was born in Pennsylvania, Sep- 
tember 18, 1852, his parents being Charles and 
]\Iary (Ludwig) Comly. The father was born in 
Alilton, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, 
October 22, 1814. a son of Thomas and Catherine 
(Hunter) Comly. Thomas Comly was born in 
Chester county. Pennsylvania. August 17. 1789, 
and was a son of Ezra and Hannah (Wedell) 
Comly and a descendant of one Henry Comly, who 
in 1682 accompanied William Penn from England 
to the new world. This Henry Comly was mar- 
ried to Agnes Heaton on the 17th of August, 1695. 
Thomas Wedell emigrated from England to the 
United States in 1700, and was married April 9, 
1705. to Rebecca \Mlliams. 

Ezra Comly, great-grandfather of our subject, 
was a lumber merchant and died in Northumber- 
land county, Pennsylvania, when eighty years of 
age, while his wife's death occurred there when 
she was in her eighty-fourth year. Their son. 
Thomas Comly, married Catherine Hunter, who 
was born July 6, 1799, in Northumberland coun- 
ty. Pennsylvania, and spent her last days in Ly- 
coming county, that state, where she died at the 
age of seventy-six years. She was a daughter of 
David and Isabella ( Patterson ) Hunter, and her 
father, a native of Ireland, died in Lycoming 
county, Pennsylvania, at the age of sixty-eight 
years, leaving a wife and seven children. His 
wife, Mrs. Isabella Hunter, was born in the Key- 
stone state and died in Lycoming county when 
sixty-six years of age. She belonged to the Pat- 
terson family, who were of Scotch-Irish descent, 
while the Conilys were among the old and promi- 
nent families of the United States. 

Charles Comly, father of our subject, remained 
at home until twenty-two years of age, and on the 
8th of December, 1856, was married in Union 
countv, Pennsylvania, to Alisss Mary Ludwig, 
whose birth occurred in Berks county, Pennsyl- 
vania, January 3. 1816. her parents being Abram 
and Hannah (Bower) Ludwig, natives of the 
Keystone state, but who died in Laporte county, 
Indiana, at the ages of seventy-eight and eighty 
years respectively. The Ludwig family were of 
German lineage, and the first ancestors in Amer- 
ica settled in Pennsylvania at an earlv dav. 



Following his marriage Charles Comly worked 
by the month for four years, and then operated 
rented land for three years, after which he pur- 
chased sixty-four acres in Pennsylvania, contin- 
uing its cultivation until 1854. He then sold his 
property in the east and came to Winnebago 
coimty, Illinois, settling on a partially improved 
fann of one himdred and sixty acres, on which he 
long made his home. He placed excellent build- 
ings there, developed the fields and carried on his 
tarm work along modern, progressive ideas, be- 
coming known as a model agriculturist of the 
community. In his later years, however, he lived 
retired, passing away in igoi at the advanced age 
of eighty-seven years, while his wife died in 1904, 
when eighty-four years of age. In politics Mr. 
Comly was a democrat, but never cared to hold 
office, although he acted as road commissioner and 
was school director for a number of years. He 
preferred to concentrate his energies upon his 
business affairs, and at one time was the owner 
of four hundred acres of valuable land, but event- 
ually he removed from the farm to the village of 
Pecatonica. where he spent the last six months of 
his life. He retired from active business about 
fifteen years before leaving the farm. ]\Ir. and 
Mrs. Comly were the parents of eleven children : 
Lucy, who died at the age of thirty-five years ; 
Isabella P.. the wife of E. Anderson, of Peca- 
tonica township, by whom she has four living chil- 
dren ; Caroline, the wife of Daniel Sears, of 
Iowa, by whom she has seven living children ; 
Flannah M., a resident of Pecatonica and the 
widow of Henry Maley, who died at the age 
of forty years, leaving four children, of whom 
one, ^Mrs. John .\nderson, has since died ; 
Catherine, the widow of Peter Connell. who died 
in 1896: ^[ar\- E., the wife of Ambrose Searls, 
of Sanborn, Iowa, who has two living children : 
Thomas, residing in Pecatonica; Abraham L., of 
this review ; Charles Hunter, of Iowa Falls. Iowa, 
who married Fannie !\Iitchell and has one child ; 
John B.. who is married and lives in La- 
dell, .South Dakota; and Edwin D.. who married 
Jennie Lincoln and resides in Seward township 
and has three children. 

Abraham L. Comly was educated in the public 
schools, and through the periods of vacation 
worked upon the home farm imtil twenty-one 
years of age. when he went to California, spend- 
ing two years on the Pacific coast. He followed 
teaming and farming in Sacramento valley, and 
also tried mining for a time. L'pon his return to 
Illinois he settled in Seward township, where for 
three years he operated rented land and then pur- 
chased eighty acres, to which he has added as his 
financial resources have increased until he now 
owns about three hundred and fifty acres. He has 
carried on general agricultural pursuits, and is 



672 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



also huyincj and k-cdiiii; cattle, liaiidlins;' about 
three carloads each year. He buys cattle to feed 
in the ChicajSfo market. He is also a dealer in 
mules and horses, which he ])urchase(l by the car- 
load. 

On the 4lh of December, i^jj,. .\lr. Comly was 
married to Miss Mary .\. Marks, a danshtcr of 
Nathaniel and .Mary .\nn (.Miller) .Marks, the 
former born in .Vortlnnnberland coimtv. Pennsyl- 
vania. .\|)ril 2(y. i8,U. whicli the latter was born 
in llerks county. I'ennsN Ivania, ( )ctober 16, 1829. 
.^he is still livinsj. makintj her home in Pecatonica 
with her daufjliter. but .Mr. Marks departed this 
life in up^. at the age of sixty-nine years. He 
came to W'innebatjo county in March. 1861. and 
bduijht ciijhty acres of land, which he afterward 
sold in i8<>4 ])rior to his removal to Towa, where 
he lived until the sjjring of iSr/i, when he went to 
Missouri. There he carried on farming until 
1871, when he again came to this county, where 
he resumed agricultural |)ursuits. at one time own- 
ing and cidtivating two lumdred and twenty acres 
of land. He devnted his energies to the raising 
of cro]is and stock, and bred and raised some fine 
Durham cattle, having at times from thirty to 
fifty head in his herd, and he sold many fine ani- 
mals. He was interested in comnuinity affairs, 
and acted as school director for a numlier of 
years. The last five or six years of his life were 
spent as a retired farmer, in politics he was a 
rei)iihlican. and favored the Methodist Episcopal 
church. L'nto him and his wife were born seven 
children: Kate; Hunter C, who died in 1894; 
John M. : Mary .\., now Mrs. Comly: C. Wesley: 
Isabelle. wlm died in childhood: and Sarah A. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Comly. celc- 
l)rated December 4. 1903, has been blessed with 
two children, .Minnie and Charles E. In politics 
.Mr. Comly is a democrat. He has contributed to 
the su])port of various churches, and is interested 
in i)rogressive measures for tlie progress and up- 
building nf his CDtmty. where in his farming op- 
erations he has met with verv desirable success. 



WILLIAM L. HARTLEY. 

William L. Hartley is now living a retired life 
in Durand tovmship, while for inany years he was 
actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits, 
owning and f)perating one hundred and forty 
acres f)f laufl on sections 22 and 2~. He is a na- 
tive of Massachusetts, his birth having occurred 
in Tainitnn on the .v' <lay of May. 1850. His pa- 
ternal grandparents were natives of Fjigland, and 
the grandfather flied in Taunton, Masssachu.setts. 
after which the grandmother came to Wiimebago 
coimty and died upon the old Hartley homestead 
in I^urand township. 



William Hartley, father of William L. Hartley, 
was born in I-jigland in i8i(), and s|)ent his minor- 
ity in the land of his birth. When twenty-one 
years of age he sailed for the L iiited .States, land- 
ing at Philadelphia, where he remained ill in a 
hospital for a short time. L'pon recovering his 
health he went to Taunton. Massachusetts, and 
Secured employment at his trade in the locomotive 
works. There he remained muil about 1854. when 
he brought his family to Winnebago countv and 
settled ii])on a farm in IJurand townshij). Hav- 
ing installed his wife and children in their new 
home, he then returned to Taunton, Massachu- 
setts, where he accepted the position of foreman 
in the William Mason Locomotive Works. .After 
many years his wife die<l, and he then returned to 
i-"ngland. where his death occurred in November, 
1887. .Mrs. Hartley bore the luaiden name of 
Julia Redfern. and was born in England in t8i8. 
while her death occurred upon the old home farm 
in Durand townshij) in 1884. The members of her 
family were as follows: P^verett C. born in 1855. 
is now a ])racticing physician at Carver, Minne- 
sota, and has three .sons and one daughter. Ed- 
ward .A., who enlisted in the One Hundred and 
I'iftv-fiflh Illinois N'olunteer Infantry for service 
in the Civil war. died in a hospital at Memphis, 
Tenncs.see. Scott R. S. died January 9, i89(), on 
the old homestead in Durand township at the age 
of forty years, leaving a widow. Mrs. Emily 
( P.arningham) Hartley and a daughter, Ethel 
Julia Hartley. Julia .\. Hartley became the wife 
of .\menzo Moyer. of Taconia. Washington, and 
has two sons. Jane married William Derwent, 
of Minnea])olis, Mimiesota, and died, leaving a 
son and daughter. Amelia E. became the wife of 
John Nelson, of Carver. Minnesota, and died leav- 
ing a son and daughter. Olive E. died at the old 
homestead in June. 1875. 

William L. Ilartlex' was oidy four years old 
when brought by his jiarents to Illinois, and has 
resided in Durand township continuously since, 
with the exception of two years — 1874 and 1875 
— in Charles City, Iowa. He has always carried 
on general agricultural pursuits initil the present 
year, i<P5, when he retired from active business 
life and rents his farm, which com|)riscs one hun- 
dred and forty acres of rich and productive land 
on sections 22 and 27, Durand township. 

On the 1 2th of February, 1874, Mr, Hartley 
was married to Miss Sona .\. Scott, a daughter of 
Henry C. and Mary C. (Muffitt) Scott, of Rur- 
ritt township. Her father was born in Ohio in 
1827, and in 1840 accompanied liis jiarents to Bur- 
ritt townshi]), where he resided continuously until 
1875, when he removed to Rockford, Iowa, living 
there until 1888. when he took up his alxide in 
Rockford. Illinois. He now makes his home in 
the latter city, where he is engaged in the real 
estate business. His wile, who was a native of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



^7^ 



New York state, died in Rockford, Illinois, No- 
vember 29, 1904. In their family were seven chil- 
dren. Horace T., born December 22, 1852, is 
now farming near Rockford, Iowa, and has one 
son and two daughters. William Henrv died at 
Cedar F"alls, Iowa, leaving a wife and two sons. 
Hattie E. is the wife of N. C. Oleson, of Cedar 
Falls, Iowa, and has one son. Delia C. is the 
wife of Walter Davis, of Waterloo, Iowa. Stella 
is the wife of Seth Hanchett, of Estherville, Iowa, 
and has a son and daughter. Jessie M. is the 
wife of LeRoy Shumway. of Rockford, and has 
one son. 

Unto i\lr. and Mrs. Hartley have been born 
three children : Edward Everett, born Julv 3, 
1875, and now living in Chicago, married Rose 
Lauburg, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has a 
son. Wilfred Everett, born June 9, 1905. Edward 
E. Hartley is now cit}- salesman for the Nichols 
Coal Company ; Chester H., born November 27, 
1877. is at home. \'era Maude, born June 25, 
1880, is engaged in teaching in the public schools. 

Mr. Hartley is a member of Camp No. 69, M. 
W. A., of Dnrand, and Durand lodge, No. 302, 
A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a stalwart repub- 
lican. He and his wife are members of the Epis- 
copal church, and are well known for the posses- 
sion of characteristics that commend them to the 
trust and confidence of all who know them. For 
more than a half century Mr. Hartley has resided 
in this county, a witness of its wonderful growth 
and development, and through an active business 
career has gained a comfortable competence that 
now enables him to live retired. 



COLONEL ALFRED R. CHAPIN. 

Colonel Alfred R. Chapin, who was a com- 
mander of the Tenth Wisconsin V^olunteer In- 
fantry during the Civil war, spent his last years 
in Rockford, and his widow now resides in the 
old family homestead which belonged to her par- 
ents, and which is one of the most attractive resi- 
dences of Rockford. Colonel Chapin was a na- 
tive of Hartford, Connecticut, born July 30. 1825. 
His parents were also born in the east, but both 
died in Chicago. He acquired his education in 
the district schools near Rochester, New York, 
and in 1839 came with his parents to the middle 
west, settling in Chicago, which had been incorpo- 
rated onlv two years before and which was still 
a village. There he began learning the tinner's 
trade, and soon became an expert in making tea- 
kettles and winning a good salary at piece work. 
His strongest interests, however, were in the 
drama and in military life, and he organized in 
Chicago a military company, devoting each leis- 
ure moment to drilling the boys of that command. 
Amonp- the number were General Frank Sherman. 



of Chicago, and others, who became distinguished 
in the Civil war. Colonel Chapin worked at his 
trade in Chicago for two years, and about that 
time, the actor, Brutus Booth, filled an engage- 
ment in that city. One of the leading members 
of his company falling ill it was suggested that 
he send for the boy Alfred Chapin. A message 
from Booth was to Colonel Chapin like a royal 
demand — not to be disobeyed. He went and filled 
the part of the actor so acceptably that he was 
offered a permanent position, traveling with Booth 
and his company throughout the remainder of the 
season, in which time his troop visited all the large 
cities in the southern states. Lipon his return to 
Chicago Colonel Chapin left the stage at the de- 
sire of his parents. He then enlisted for service 
in tile Mexican war, but was not called forth for 
active duty. After being honorably discharged he 
went to Port Washington, Wisconsin, where he 
engaged in the commission business for three 
years, and later he went to Milwaukee. Wisconsin, 
where he was also a commission merchant, con- 
ducting important and extensive business inter- 
ests there. 

His time was thus occupied until after the in- 
auguration of the Civil war, when in April, 1861, 
he responded to the country's call for troops. He 
had watched with interest the progress of events 
in the south, and his patriotic spirit was aroused 
at the attempt to overthrow the Union. He of- 
fered his aid to the government and was commis- 
sioned adjutant of the First Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry. On the c;th of June the regiment left 
Milwaukee, going direct to Maryland, and later 
Colonel Chapin was promoted to colonel of the 
Tenth Wisconsin Infantry. He participated in 
many important engagements. ]Many nights he 
lay upon the battle-field in the pouring rain, and 
the exposure and hardships of war undermined 
his health, but he would not give way to disease 
and remained with his regiment, continuing in 
the service for three years, although he suffered 
much of the time. On the expiration of that 
period he put aside the uniform of his nation and 
the insignia of his rank and returned from Vir- 
ginia to his home in Milwaukee. He never re- 
covered his health, remaining an invalid until his 
death. 

After a brief period spent in Milwaukee, Colonel 
Chapin removed to Rockford because of the fact 
that his wife's parents were living there. He then 
purchased the residence in which his widow now 
resides, and it continued to be his home until his 
death. It was in Chicago on his twenty-fourth 
birthday that he was united in marriage to Miss 
Sarah H. Twogood, a native of New York and a 
daughter of William and Sarah (Vandercook) 
Twogood, a representative of the old Vandercook 
family of Holland. Her ancestors resided in New 
Jersev at a very early period in its colonization, 



6/4 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



and licr grandfatlier was one of the early settlers 
of the east. He removed from New Jersey to 
Troy, New York, where his last days were passed. 
Wiliiam Two>;oo<l, father of Mrs. Chapin, was 
horn near I'tica, New York, and served his coun- 
try in the war of 1812. Later he started westward 
with his family, traveling; in a carriage, and they 
first settled in Michigan City. Indiana. They soon 
came to W'innehago county. Illinois, heing among 
the pioneer residents of this ]3art of the state. Mr. 
Twogood hmught with him a considerahle sum 
of money, all in gold, and this he invested in prop- 
erty, purchasing two sections of land in Cherry 
\'alley township, going to Galena. Illinois, to pay 
for the same. The region was wild and unim- 
])r(ived. hut with keen foresight he believed in its 
future devel()i)ment and progress. He built a log 
house upon his land and began making imjirove- 
ments, and for seven years he resided there and 
engaged in farming, after which he removed to 
Chicago to educate his children. He still retained 
the ownership of his land in W'innehago county, 
however, and often visited this district in order to 
su[)erintend his i)roperty interests here. In Chi- 
cago he purchased a lot on Michigan avenue, near 
old Fort Dearborn, and built a house, which he 
occupied for several years. Subsequently he re- 
turned to W'ninebago county and settled in Rock- 
ford, where he lived retired until his death. His 
wife also passed away in this city. The family 
was very ]irominent liere at an early day. and 
Air. Twogood was a promoter of the moral ])rog- 
ress and prosjierity of the county. In his family 
were the following children: Mrs. Chajiin : Mrs. 
Satterlee. who resides at Xo. 2704 Michigan ave- 
nue. Chicago, and is the widf)w of M. L. Satter- 
lee. who owned the first wholesale grocery house 
in that city and died there, but was buried in 
Rockford ; Mrs. Janies F. Hervey, residing at 
2953 Michigan avemie, Chicago; Mrs. S. P. 
Jones, of Jacksonville, Oregon : James H. Two- 
good, of Pioise City. Idaho: William S. Twogood. 
of Los Angeles, California: and Captain Orestes 
T'> Twogood. who commanded a company in the 
Civil war and died at Ottumwa. Iowa, on the 14th 
of December, i^^. 

Tolonel and \Frs. Chapin had but one child. 
Carrie, who is now the wife of A. R. Coonradt. 
a very wealthy and prr)mincnt citizen of Rockford. 
and they reside with her mother. They have two 
children who arc great favorites with their grand- 
mother — Alice T.. who is a graduate of Rockford 
College, and Arthur C. who completed a course 
in civil engineering and was graduated at the uni- 
versity in Pasadena. California, in i<>05. at the age 
of seventeen years. 

Coming to Rockford with his family. Colonel 
Chapin continued a resident of this city until his 
death, but he never recovered his health and 
passed away on the 20th of December, iSC/x Dur- 



ing that time he had gained many warm friends 
who greatly deplored his loss. A flag that had 
been j^resented him by G. D. Norris, of Milwau- 
kee, was tenderly and reverently laid upon his 
casket, and thus under the stars and stripes, for 
which his life had virtually been given, his re- 
mains were interred in the city cemetery on the 
west side. The funeral sen'ices were held under 
the direction of the East Side lodge. A. F. & A. 
.M.. of which he was a faithful member. His po- 
litical views were in accordance with re]jublican 
jirinciples, and he was a member of the Unitarian 
church at Milwaukee and contributed generously 
toward the erection of the house of worship. That 
he believed in honorable principles and upright 
conduct was indicated by his daily life, and in 
every relation in which he was found he was true 
to his dutv. He ])ossessc(I excellent business and 
executive force, and undoubtedly had he remained 
upon the stage he would have won fame because 
of his superior talents as an actor. He was 
equally prominent and distinguished in his mili- 
tarv career, and he won the worthy respect of his 
su|)erior officers and the boys who served under 
him. 



L. M. DALl-:. 

Lvcurgus M. Dale, a member of the firm of 
Dale & Seaton, land agents at Pecatonica, who 
in ])revious years was actively engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits in Winnebago county, is a na- 
tive of Livingston county. New York, where his 
birth occurred July 4. 1S50. His parents were 
Th()m])son and .\delia K. (Satterley) Dale, also 
natives of the Fni]iirc state. The father came 
to this county with his family in 1856 and lo- 
cated one mile north of the town of Pecatonica, 
where he lived for a year, when he removed to 
a farm about five miles northeast of the town, 
making his home thereon for seven years. He 
next took up his abode at Elton. Illinois, where 
he resided up to the time of his death. He was 
a cabinet-maker by trade and conducted a shop 
in Cuylerville. New York, manufacturing furni- 
ture and coffins. He did all of the work in 
those days in connection with the mamifacture 
of furniture, including the ]iainting and decorat- 
ing, and he made all of his own furniture which 
he used after his removal to the west. He like- 
wise did some cabinet w-ork for others and fol- 
lowed ])ainting to some extent, but his attention 
was chiefly given to agricultural pursuits and to 
the raising of grain, cattle, horses and hogs. He 
had one hundred and twenty acres of land, which 
he placed under a good state of cultivation. 
While actively engaged in painting he ground 
his own paint dust and was poisoned from its 
f tunes, which no doubt shortened his life, and 




GILBERT DALE. 




CLIFTON, L. M,, ORVINNIE, ELEANOR 
NETTIE, AIRS. L. M. AND VIOLA DALE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



677 



duriiiy- his last eight years he was in poor 
health. He held membership in the Odd Fel- 
lows' lodge and rather favored the teachings of 
the Baptist church. His political views accorded 
with Jefifersonian democracy. He died Septem- 
ber 20, 1870, at the age of fifty- four years, while 
his wife passed away April 6, 1899, at the age 
of seventy-seven years. In their family were 
eight children. Dallas died in infancy. Homer 
T., living at Carthage, ^Missouri, is married and 
has one daughter. Philetus L. resides in Em- 
poria. Kansas. Lycurgus M. is the fourth of 
the family. Lillie R. died at the age of nine 
years, three months and three days. Chauncey 
C. died at the age of two years. Alexander, a 
tw'in brother of Chauncey, and a resident of Em- 
poria, Kansas, now has his second wife, and tiiey 
have five living children. Perry died at the age 
of eighteen months. 

Lycurgus AI. Dale remained at home until the 
age of nine years, when he went to work. He 
followed the men mowing ha\- and turned the 
hay all day for ten cents. He worked in that 
way for three years and at the age of eleven 
years he was earning six dollars per month. As 
his age and strength increased and he was able 
to do more labor his wages were proportionately 
increased. He was employed as a farm hand for 
thirteen summers and during the last year re- 
ceived twenty-five dollars per month. In the 
winter seasons he attended school until fifteen 
years of age and the winter that he was sixteen 
years old he and his brother, who was two years 
his senior, chopped one hundred cords of wood. 
Other winters he engaged in teaming as well as 
wood-chopping. At the age of eighteen years he 
went to Iowa, but returned to Illinois, where he 
worked in a mill and as a farm hand by the 
month until twenty-five years of age, when he 
began farming on the shares, being thus engaged 
for seven years. He then bought and sold 
stock in 1882, after which he went to Kansas, 
carrying on general pursuits near Emporia for 
three and a half years, but preferring Illinois as 
a place of residence, he again returned to Win- 
nebago county and commenced farming on a 
tract of eighty acres, on which he lived until the 
spring of 1903, when he purchased of John D. 
Jackson a fine home in Pecatonica, surrounded 
by five acres of land. Since that tiine he has 
himself been a land agent and as a member of 
the firm of Dale & Seaton, his partner being W. 
S. Seaton, is now doing a good business. 

On th 28th of September, 1875, Mr. Dale was 
married to Miss Clio Gates, a daughter of Lo- 
renzo and Nancy J. (Thompson) Gates. Her 
father was one of the early settlers of Winne- 
bago county, coming here when thirteen years 
of age. He broke the raw prairie and hauled his 
wheat to Chicago, also hauled dressed hogs to 
39 



Galena. He was identified with many of the 
early events which constitute the pioneer annals 
of this part of the state and was widely recog- 
nized as a most enterprising agriculturist of his 
community. He lived to see a wonderful trans- 
formation in the appearance and advantages of 
the county and passed away September 26, 1901, 
at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife 
died in February, 1897, in the sixty-fifth year of 
her age. Mr. Gates was a charter member of 
the Eureka Camp, No. 50, M. W. A., and his 
political allegiance was given to the republican 
party. Unto him and his wife were born two 
children. The son, Olus, living in Emmet coun- 
ty, Iowa, married Miss Martha Weaver after 
losing his first wife, and they have one daughter. 
Mr. and J\Irs. Dale are the parents of seven 
children ; Clifton, of Pecatonica ; Orvinnie, the 
wife of Byron ^IcGraw, and the mother of one 
daughter ; Eleanor, at home ; Nettie, the wife of 
G. Phelps, of McHenry county, North Dakota, 
by whom she has four children, three sons and 
a daughter ; \^iola and Gilbert, both at home ; 
and Rennie, who died in infancy. 

Mr. Dale has served as school director for 
three years and gives his political support to the 
republican party. He is a member of Eureka 
Camp, No. 50, M. W. A., in which he has affil- 
iated since 1887. His wife is a member of the 
Fraternal League and she and their daughter 
Eleanor are members of the Woman's Relief 
Corps. Mrs. Dale was a school director for two 
years in Durand township and Mr. Dale was for 
three years in the same township. They are 
people of the highest respectability, enjoying the 
favorable regard of many friends, and IMr.Dale 
has led a most busy life since starting out for 
himself at the early age of nine years. What- 
ever success he has achieved is due entirely to 
his earnest labors and persistency of purpose. 



JOHN HENRY FROST, M. D. 

.Among the members of the medical fraternity in 
Rockford Dr. Frost has gained a creditable posi- 
tion, having a comprehensive knowledge of mod- 
ern methods of practice. He was born Novem- 
ber 8, 1866, in Morrison, Illinois, and is a son of 
John and Julia Deming (Webb) Frost, of Ogle 
county. The maternal grandparents were Martin 
and Fannie Webb, wdio came from New York to 
Illinois at an early period in the development of 
this section of the state. John Frost, who was of 
English lineage, was born in Massachusetts, and 
following his removal to the west became con- 
nected with the Rock River conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, devoting his life to 
the work of the ministry. His last appointment 



bjS 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



was at .Morrisnn. Illinois, lie was married in 
Crcstnn, Illinois, and died in iS<)7. I lis widow 
•Still survives liini and is a resident of Ann .\rl)or, 
Micliifjan. They had three sons: Herbert, who 
was a g'raduate of the .Michifran State L'niversity 
i\i the class of 1890, became a teacher of Latin 
and dreek in the hiiLrh schot)| at Sa<:inaw. Michi- 
{•fan, and was occupying;- that position at the lime 
of his death, which occurred in i8<k">. when he 
was twenty-cifjht years of age. William S. l-"rost. 
who conii)leted the law course in the .Michigan 
State L'niversity with the class of 188X, is now 
engaged in the commission business at I'.ristol. 
Tennessee. 

Dr. I'Vosl |)ursued his education in the ])ulilic 
schools of Lreston and was also a high-school 
student. In 1884. at the age of eighteen years, hc 
entered the University of Michigan, at .\nn .\r- 
bor, where he took up the study of pharmacy and 
medicine, comi)leting a course in the former in 
i88f) and in the latter in i8<;4. Following his 
graduation Dr. l-'rost entered upon the practice 
of medicine in Iowa, where he remained for about 
a year, and in December, 1893. he came to Rock- 
ford. Here he became as.sociated with Dr. Green 
as a member of the firm of Green & I'rost. and is 
enjoving a large general practice. He also serves 
on the staff of the City IIos])ital and belongs to 
the Winnebago Coimty .Medical Society and the 
Illinois State Medical Societv. His professsional 
skill is attested by the excellent results which have 
followed his labors and his ready adaptability of 
the |)rinci))les of medical and surgical practice to 
the needs of his ])atients. 

Dr. I-'rost was married on the 14th of June. 
i8(;(j, to .Miss I'jnnia Lewis, a daughter of .Mrs. 
Sarah .\. Lewis, of Cadillac, .Michigan, and they 
have one child. Richard Walker, who was bori. 
October 29, 1902. The parents are members ol 
the Second Congregational church of Rockford. 
and in his political views Dr. I'rost is a repub- 
lican. 



JAMES P. EDIE. 



James I'. I'.die. for a third of a century a resi- 
dent of Rockford, was well known in the city as 
a man of activity and reliability in business af- 
fairs, and of unfailing courtesy and geniality in 
social life, so that he gained in high measure the 
esteem and good will of those with whom he was 
associated. He was fmrn in Pennsylvania, Au- 
gust 24, 1818. and his i)arcnts were Alexander 
and Eleanor (Phillips) Edie, both of whom were 
natives of Scotland, whence they came to Amer- 
ica at an early day. They settled in Pennsylvania, 
where the father carriefl on fanning as a means 
of livelihood for the support of himself and fam- 
ilv. He died in the Kevstone state on the ninetv- 



tliird anniversary of his liirth, and his wife passed 
away at the age of eighty-seven years. .-Ml of 
their children are now deceased, James P. Edie 
having been the last surviving member of the 
family. 

In the ])ul)lic schools of his native state James 
P. Edie obtained a good education. Thinking 
that he might have better business opportunities 
in the west, where competition was not so great, 
and yet where the rapid growth afforded excel- 
lent business conditions, .Mr. Edie came to the 
Mississippi valley. He first settled in Maquo- 
keta. Iowa, where he engaged in teaching school 
for two years, but his health began to fail, and, 
thinking that he might be benefited by outdoor 
life, he engaged in railroad surveying for a year. 
He then removed to I'ellevuc, where he taught 
school for two years, and during that time also 
acted as county sui)erintendent of the schools of 
Jackson county. He afterward took up his abode 
in Sioux City, Iowa, where he was employed as 
public receiver in the register's office for alx)ut 
two years, or until 1863, when he became a resi- 
dent of Rockford. Here he acce|)te(l the agency 
for the E(|uitahle Insurance Com])an\', and was 
engaged in that business throughout the remain- 
der of his life. The policies which he wrote an- 
nually represented a large figure, and his business 
steadily increased, bringing to him a good finan- 
cial return. The secret of his success lay in his 
close a]>i)lication. his slmng ]mrposi' and l;iudable 
anibition. 

Mr. Edie was married in Crawford county, 
Pennsvlvania, to Miss Elizabeth .S. Prakey, a na- 
tive of Cortland, .\ew York, born January 20, 
1827. Her father. Mr. I'.rakey. followed farming 
throughout his entire life, and in early manhood 
removed from New York to Crawford county, 
Pennsylvania, where for some time he lived re- 
tired from active business cares. I"",ventually he 
removed to Kansas, where he made his home with 
his daughter until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Edie 
became the jiarents of seven children, of whom 
four are now living : John M., a canvasser, re- 
siding in Des Moines, Iowa; Robert .\. Pi., a 
printer, of S]iringfield, Illinois: Harry, who is 
foreman of a shoe factory in Menominee, Michi- 
gan : and Florence P>., the wife of Gavin .\. H. 
Reid, who for two years has resided in Rockford. 
He was born in TTarlem township, Wimiebago 
county. .Xugust 12, i8r>3. and engaged in farming 
in both Winnebago and P.oone counties, follow- 
ing that ])ursuit until Tfio.V He is now living re- 
tired, but still owns his farm, and he and his wife 
make their home with Mrs. Edie. Thev have 
one child. Catherine Elizabeth. Mr. Reid is a 
republican in his political views, and socially is 
connected with the Modern W'ooflmen. the Mac- 
cal)fes and the Mvstic Workers, all of Rockford. 




JAMES P. EDIE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



68i 



Mr. and Mrs. Edie also lost three children : Wil- 
lie Howard, Willie Alexander and Mary Eleanor, 
the last named the wife of James H. Patterson. 

On the 3rd of March, 1896, Mr. Edie was 
called to his final rest. He had given his polit- 
ical support to the republican party, and he was 
a member of the Westminster Presbyterian church 
of Rockford, to which his widow and also Mr. 
and Mrs. Reid belong. He suffered from ill 
health for several years prior to his demise, and 
for two years was totally blind. He was a man 
of unfaltering industry, successful in what he 
undertook, and throughout his life he displayed 
many of the sterling characteristics of his Scotch 
ancestry. His position was never an eqtiivocal 
one. He stood firm in his support of what he 
believed to be right, and his entire life was actu- 
ated by honorable principles. He was for a long 
period a resident of Rockford, and was well 
known as one of its valued citizens. His wife 
resided for some time at the old family home, 
and still owns that property, but has recently 
gone to live at No. 1905 East State street. 



ELIZAUETH C. .AlAAS, ^l. D. 

Into no field of activity into which woman has 
entered have her services been of greater value or 
her adaptability more pronounced than in tlie 
study of medicine. Dr. Maas is a member of the 
medical fraternity of Rockford and has won a 
creditable ]30sition and desirable success. A na- 
tive of Kenosha, Wisconsin, she is a daughter of 
Francis and Catherine (Smith) Maas, who were 
married in Kenosha county. The Maas family 
is of German lineage and the father removed from 
Buffalo, New York, to the west, becoming a 
manufacturer of farming implements at Kenosha, 
where he carried on business for many years. His 
death occurred in 1899, and his wife survived un- 
til 1901. In their family were six children: Caro- 
line, Amelia, Mary, Elizabeth C, Frank and Wil- 
liam. 

Dr. Maas, entering the public schools, passed 
through successive grades until she had completed 
a high-school course and later she pursued special 
work in the University of Wisconsin at Madison. 
Detennining to engage in the practice of medi- 
cine, she matriculated in the Hahnemann Medical 
College of Chicago in 1890 and was graduated in 
1894. Her theoretical knowledge was then put to 
the practical test by one and one-half years' serv- 
ice in the Hahnemann Hospital, during which 
time she gained broad and thorough experience 
that well qualified her for the duties of a general 
practice. In 1896 she came to Rockford and now 
occupies offices at No. 129 North State street, 
making a specialtv of the diseases of women and 
children. She also serves on the staff of the Cits- 



Hospital and has been accorded a liberal and well 
merited patronage. She is most conscientious and 
earnest in her work and her thorough preparation 
and continued research have kept her in touch 
with the most advanced methods followed by the 
medical fraternity. She belongs to the Illinois 
State Homeopathic Medical Society, the Ameri- 
can Institute of Homeopathy, Northwestern 
Homeopathic Society and the Clinical Society of 
Chicago. She has been ver\' successful and pro- 
fessionally and socially is prominent. 



GIRDEN O. WILLIAMS. 

Girden O. \A^illiams, a member of the bar and 
president of the Rockford Abstract Company, 
well known in business circles and as a repre- 
sentative of his profession, was born in Oakland 
county. Michigan. January 2^. 1852. He is a son 
of Seth Williams, who birth occurred in New 
York on the 30th of January, 181 8. The father 
was a hotelman, conducting a hotel on Wood- 
ward avenue, Detroit, where our subject was born. 
He located in that city in 1829. He married Miss 
Eleanore Moore, of L^tica, Michigan, who was 
born at Hope, Orange county, New Jerse}', in 
1823. and was a daughter of James Moore. Mr. 
\\"ilHams died August 21, 1896, and his wife 
passed away August 28, 1899. Joseph B. Moore, 
chief justice of the supreme court of Michigan, is 
a cousin of our subject. 

Girden O. Williams was a student in the dis- 
trict schools near Detroit in his early youth, and 
when he had completed his course there entered 
the State L^niversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor 
as a law student, completing the regular course. 
He was graduated with the class of 1877, and the 
same year located for practice in Rockford. He 
has since been an active representative of the legal 
fraternity here, giving considerable attention to 
law practice, especially to that department relat- 
ing to real-estate transactions or transfers. His 
energies, however, have been divided between the 
claims of his law clientage and his patrons in the 
abstract business. In 1881 he completed a set of 
abstract books of Winnebago county, and in 1889 
he organized the Frank S. Regan Abstract Com- 
pany, of which he was elected president, since oc- 
cupying that position. The compan)- now enjoys 
an extensive business, being widely and favorably 
known in this line of activity. Mr. Williams is 
prominent in the walk of life which he has chosen, 
as is indicated by the fact that he is now president 
of the Abstractors" Association of the state of Illi- 
nois. 

On the 2ist of December. 1881, occurred the 
marriage of Girden O. Williams and Miss Lima 
G. Chapman, of Utica, Michigan, a daughter of 



682 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



John I'., anil Caroline ( Rice) Cliapnian. Tliey 
have two clausjhters, Caroline and A^nes. wlio are 
students in the ])ul)lic schools of Rocklortl, and 
the family home is at No. 413 Park street. 
Througjhont the period of liis residence in Rock- 
ford, covering almost thirty years. Mr. Williams 
has displayed the cnterprisinsjf sjiirit which has 
Ix'en the dominent factor in the npliuildinLj of the 
middle west. His close apjilication am! i)ersist- 
ency of purpose in husiness have constituted the 
foundation of his prosperity, and are traits of 
diaracter sucli as may he cnltivatctl hy all. Wher- 
ever he is found he is a social, affable, fjenial s<-'"- 
tleman, making friends wherever he goes. 



ISAAC COOK. 



Isaac Cook, who follows farming, his home 
being at the corner of Rome and < "ireenwood ave- 
nues, was born in Harlem townshij). Winnebago 
county, in 1841. His father. Samuel Cook, came 
to this county from N'irginia in 1833, and fol- 
lowed farming in Harlem township, wliere he 
owned and operated five hundred acres of land. 
He was deeply interested in jiolitical ((uestions 
and gave liis support to the whig ])arty. In pio- 
neer times he held the office of constable and was 
also a member of the school board. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Mary Wagner, was a 
native of Pennsylvania. He died in 1859 and 
was long survived hy -Mrs. Cook, who ]iassed 
away in 1889. 

Isaac Cook was educated in one of the old-time 
log school houses common on the frontier. He 
had little opportunity to attend school save in tlie 
winter months, when the work of the farm was 
practically over. He remained at home until 
twenty years of age. and tlien liegan working in 
Rf)ckford. where he was employed until he en- 
listed in the army, responding to the country's call 
on the 13th of January. 1863. and placing his 
name on the roll of members of Comjwny D, Four- 
teenth Illinois Cavalry, witli which he served imtil 
honorably discharged after the close of liostilities 
on the 30th of July. 1863. The regiment marched 
through Kentucky and followed Morgan into 
( )hio until his capture. Mr. Cook afterward went 
with his command to Kentucky and on to Knox- 
ville. Tennessee, and ])articipated in the siege of 
that city and in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. 
He was also in tlie engagement at Strawberry 
Plain and was with Shennan in his great cam- 
paign until the capitulation of .\tlanta. He was 
also under command of that great leader at the 
time of Stoncman's surrender with forty thousand 
cavalrymen, and was with liis regiment at the time 
that Morgan was killed in Tennessee. .At one 
time Mr. Cof)k was also under comman<l of (len- 
eral Harrison. He i)arlici|)ated in the battles of 



Xasluille and I'Vanklin. where they drove Hood 
back, and he received his discharge at Pulaski, 
Teimessee. 

l''ollowing the close of the war Mr. Cook came 
to Rock ford, where he began threshing, and the 
following year he farmed near Latham. In the 
succeeding year he again settled in Rockford, 
where he was emi)loyed for four years, and later 
he o])erated a farm on Whig Hill for four years. 
.Suhse(|uently he ])urchased the home which he 
now owns and occupies, and it has since been his 
place of residence. He has a nice little dwelling 
in the midst of a good tract of land, and the im- 
])nivinKnt and cultivation of this property claim 
the greater ])art of his time and attention. 

.Mr. Cook was married in 1866 to Miss Lucy 
Wilcox, and after traveling life's journey together 
for twenty-two years they were sejiaratcd by the 
death of the wife. In 1903 Mr. Cook wctlded Jo- 
sei^hine Houser. a native of New York and a 
daughter of Dra])er Houser. In liis political 
views .Mr. Cook is a re])ublican and has been 
called to .serve in several local offices. He was 
constable and was collector for two years in Guil- 
ford township and school director for two years 
in I'nrritt township. He now belongs to Xevius 
post, Xo. 1.(1. A. i\.. of Rockford. He was for- 
merly identified with the Methodist church, but 
now attends the meetings of the Salvation .\rmy. 
In all matters of citizenship he is as loyal to his 
country to-day as when he followed the .stars and 
stripes on southern battle-fields, and he takes great 
|)leasure in meeting with his old amiy comrades 
and in recalling the scenes and events of the war. 



JOHX W. MURPHY. 

John W. .Mur])hy. a representative farmer of 
W'iimebago township, living on section 10. owns 
and ojierates a farm of two hundred acres, which 
in its attractive appearance indicates his careful 
supervision and progressive methods. He is a na- 
tive of the village of Winnebago, born December 
L'i' '^^'.^- H's father. John Murphy, was a native 
of Wexford. Ireland, in which country he was 
reared and married, the lady of his choice being 
.Miss Ellen Uraham. also a native of Wexford. 
Crossing the .\tlaiitic to America, they made their 
way to Rockft)rd in the early '50s and Mr. Mur- 
])hv was for a long time employed by the Chicago 
& Xorfhwestern Railroad Company, while later 
he was for sixteen years section foreman on a di- 
vision iK'tween Winnebago and Rockford. making 
his home in the former ])lace. .\t length he gave 
up railroad work and removed to a fami on sec- 
tion 10. Winnebago townshi|), where he carried 
on general agricidtural pursuits with gratifying 
success for a mnnber of years. \\'hen he had ac- 
ijuired a comfortalile competence he retired from 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



683 



active farm life and removed to Rockford about 
1890, making his home there up to the time of his 
death, which occurred May 29, 1892, when he 
was sixty-three years of age. He had been very 
prosperous in his farming pursuits and owned at 
his death a valuable and productive tract of land 
of two hundred and eighty acres. He was re- 
puted to have been the best section foreman ever 
located at Winnebago. In politics he was a stanch 
democrat, unswerving in his advocacy of the 
party. In his family were f(jur daughters and 
two sons : Anna B., who is now a widow, resid- 
ing at No. 121 5 Green street in Rockford; 
Thomas, a resident farmer in Winnebago town- 
ship ; Mrs. Mary O'Brien, of Burritt township; 
Mrs. Ellen McDonald, of Seward township ; John 
W. and Katie, deceased. 

John W. Murphy was reared from infancy upon 
the farm which he now owns and o])erates. He 
early became familiar with the duties of field and 
meadow, assisting his father materially in the 
farm work when not occupied with the duties of 
the schoolroom, his education being acquired in 
the public schools of the locality, which he at- 
tended through the winter seasons, while in the 
summer months he aided in the fami work. He 
now owns two hundred acres of rich land, which 
annuall}- yields good harvests in return for the 
care and labor which he bestows on the fields. His 
labors are practical and resultant and he is to-day 
justlv accounted one of the leading agriculturists 
in his community. 

Mr. Murphv was married to Miss Theresa 
i\lurph_\-, whose birth occurred in B}Ton township. 
Ogle count}-, and who is a daughter of Thomas 
Murphy, a farmer, and one of the early residents 
of that part of Illinois. He died in i'888, at the 
age of sixtv-seven years, while his wife passed 
away in October, 1904, at the age of seventy-four 
vears. Thev were the parents of six children : 
Mrs. Elizabeth Gallaher, who is living at Xo. 326 
Stanley street, in Rockford ; Thomas, residing at 
Xo. 1212 Chestnut street, in Rockford; James, a 
farmer of Seward township; John, who is living 
upon a farm near Leaf river, in Ogle county ; 
^Irs. ;\Iurphy ; and William, who is employed by 
the Emerson Alanufacturing Company at Rock- 
ford. Unto our subject and his wife have been 
born six children ; John, Irene. Harold, Theresa, 
Leo and ^lary, all at home. 

Mr. Murjihv's farm is improved with excellent 
buildings and in fact none of the equipments of a 
model farm are lacking, .\ssociated with his 
brother Thomas, he operates in all three hundred 
and forty acres of land and is justly accounted 
one of the enterprising and successful agricultur- 
ists of his commtmity. 

He gives his political allegiance to the democ- 
racy and has served as school director. Socially 
he is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp. 



Xo. 51, and the Knights of the Globe, 
Xo. 25, in which he has held office. Both he and 
his wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church of Rockford. 



FRED BARLOGA. 



Fred Barloga, a representative farmer of Peca- 
tonica township, was born in Greenfield county, 
Wisconsin, March 28, 1856, his parents being 
Tohn and Rosa ( Muhenberger) Barloga, both of 
whom were of German birth, the former having 
been born in Hanover and the latter in Baden. 
From his native countr\- the father came to the 
new world on a sailing vessel, landing at New 
York city. This was in the early '40s and the 
vo\-age was a long and tedious one. From the 
eastern metropolis he made his way westward to 
Detroit, Michigan, overland, but he remained long- 
enough in the state of New York to earn the 
money necessary to meet the expenses of the jour- 
ne\- and with which to purchase a cow at Detroit. 
He lead the animal from that city across the 
countrv to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which at that 
time was but a village. He was a poor man and 
anxious to earn a living in any way that he could 
and worked for twenty-five cents per day until 
he could gain a start. Later he entered land in 
Greenfiekf county, Wisconsin, about five miles 
from the citv of Milwaukee, and he worked on 
the Illinois & ]\Iichigan Canal at Chicago. Three 
times he walked between the two cities, a distance 
of eightv-five miles, when the country was wild 
prairie or timber land, there being few settlers 
along the entire distance. "Mr. Barloga cut the 
tin-iber with which he built his log house contain- 
ing three roon-is. That was a very commodious 
dwelling for the time and district and he had one 
of the notable homes of the locality. He made 
wooden hinges for the doors, split the shingles 
out of timber with which to roof the building, 
made three windows and in fact did all of the 
work himself for the construction of the pioneer 
cabin. He was one of the early settlers of the 
community who shared in all the hardships, trials 
and deprivations incident to frontier life. He cut 
timber and split rails for fencing his land and with 
marked energy carried on the work of the fami. 
Later he erected a frame residence and good 
barns and other substantial outbuildings. Subse- 
quentlv he purchased one hundred and eighty 
acres of land in Winnebago county, Illinois, lying 
in Pecatonica township, known as the Dr. Emen" 
farm. He was for many years a most active and 
energetic agriculturist, but during the last five or 
six j'ears of his life, although he gave personal 
supervision to the work of the fann, he took no 
active part in the labors of the fields. He con- 



684 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



tinned to reside upon the old homestead in W'is- 
consin until called to his final rest. His life rec- 
ord shows what ma_v bo accomplished througfh 
determined and earnest purpose, for he was al- 
most penniless when he arrived in this country 
and gradually l>y untiring effort and able man- 
agement he worked his way U[)ward until he be- 
came the possessor of desirable property and was 
known as one of the substantial fanners of his 
comnnmity. In politics he was a republican. He 
passed away on the old homestead in iSSi. at the 
age of seventy-eight years, and his wife died 
on the same farm in 1898, at the age of 
eighty-three years. They were the jiarents of five 
cliildren — John, Herman. I-Ved. Henry and Eliza. 

Fred Barloga in his boyhood days devoted his 
attention to work on his father's farm through the 
summer months, while in the winter seasons he 
attended the district sch(X)ls and thcrebv acquired 
a good practical education. He early became fa- 
miliar with all the duties and labors that fall to the 
lot of the agriculturist, so that when he started 
out in life on his own account at the age of twen- 
ty-four years he had practical experience to guide 
liim in his farming operations. He and his 
brother farmed together until 1883. when they 
divided their business interest and Mr. Barloga 
has since been alone in the conduct of his agricul- 
tural pursuits. He is to-day the owner of a val- 
uable farm property comprising two hundred and 
twenty-one and a half acres of splendidlv im- 
proved land, on which he has erected a fine 
residence, in the rear of which stand commodious 
barns and outbuildings. He is particularly well 
known as a stock dealer and keeps from forty-five 
to fifty head of cattle and from seventy-five to 
eighty head of hogs. He always raises good 
grades of stock and therefore finds a ready .sale 
on the market, commanding the best market 
prices. 

On the 19th of December. 1883, Mr. Barloga 
was married to IMiss Eliza Barg. a daughter of 
John and .Sophia (Rieckhoff) Barg. Her parents 
were natives of Hanover, Germany, and, crossing 
the .Atlantic to .\mcrica, iK-came residents of Ohio 
in 1853. Tiiey were eight weeks in making the 
voyage to New York citw The father worked 
for three years in a coal mine and then removed 
to tile vicinity of Milwaukee, Greenfiebl county. 
Wisconsin, wliere he purchased a farm of forty 
acres. I^ter he secured an additional tract of 
forty acres and spent his remaining days in the 
cultivation anrl improvement of that proi>ertv. his 
death occurring on the old homestead when he 
had reached the age of seventy years. Ilis widow 
still resides on the old home farm with her young- 
est son, William. They were adherents of the 
German Lutheran Church and Mr. Barg gave his 
political support to the reptiblican ])artv. In their 
family were eight children : John. Fred, Eliza, 



Minnie, Bertha, Henry and William. One daugh- 
ter, Mary, the fifth member of the family, died at 
the age of sixteen years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Barloga have been born si.x children : David, 
John antl (ieorge. who died in infancy; Celia. 
Homer and Floyd. 

Mr. Barloga gives his political allegiance to the 
repul)lican ])arty, but has never sought or desired 
the honors and emoluments of office, preferring to 
give his undivided attention to his business af- 
fairs that he may thcrci)y provide a comfortable 
living for his family. He has worked hard from 
early boyhood days down to the present and his 
excellent farm is an indication of his well-spent 
life and carefnllv directed labors. 



rA.Mi:s M. Ri:ii). 



James .M. Keid, secretary and manager of the 
Holland-Ferguson Abstract Com])any. of Rock- 
ford, is a native of \\'^innebago county, his birth 
having occurred on a farm in 1 larkni township 
in May, 1876. His ]iaternal grandfather. Hugh 
Reid, was a native of Scotland and after emi- 
grating to .America cast in his lot with the early 
settlers of Harlem township, Winnebago county. 
There in the midst of a district largely wild and 
unimjjroved be oiiencd a farm which he ]ilaced 
midcr a high state of cultivation. His son, 
James S. Reid. the father of our subject, has 
always followed in his footsteps and is now a 
prosperous agriculturist of Winnebago county. 
He wedded Mary Breckcnridge, who died 
twenty-nine years ago. 

James M. Reid was reared on his father's 
farm and in the winter seasons attended the 
district schools, while in the summer inontbs he 
performed such service for his father as his age 
and strength ]iermitted. Later he became a 
student in the high school of Rockford. from 
which he was graduated with the class of 1895. 
.\gricnltural life did not prove altogether con- 
genial to him and he sought a position elsewhere. 
In 1901 he was a])pointed secretary and man- 
ager of the Holland-Ferguson .\b.stract Com- 
pany, taking charge of the abstract Inisiness, 
which has grown to extensive proportions. The 
company is regarded as a most resjionsible one 
and is widely known. It is accorded a large 
clientage, and under the direction of Mr. Reid 
the business has been carried successfully for- 
ward and he has proved an efficient officer, ca- 
pable, alert and enterjirising. The company's 
offices are located on the southeast corner of 
State and Main streets, where they have a well 
equi|)ped suite of rooms and a comjilete set of ab- 
stract books. 




JAMES M. REID. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



687 



Air. Reid was happily married, in June. 1904, 
to Miss Inez B. Thompson, of Rockford, a 
daughter of E. A. and Catherine Thompson. 
Sociall}' tliey are well known in this city, and 
their circle of friends is continually increasing 
as the circle of their acquaintance widens. 



V 



WILLIAM C. PRATT. 

In the history of the men who have contributed 
in substantial measure to the material improve- 
ment of Rockford and its commercial develop- 
ment William C. Pratt, now deceased, is worthy 
of mention. He became a resident of this citv in 
1854 and for a number of years figured promi- 
nently in commercial circles as a dealer in fruit 
and confectionery. A native of \'ermont, he was 
born in Alanchester, Bennington countv, on the 
24th of February. 1838, and represented one of 
the old families of that state. His parents were 
Chester and Almyra (Collins) Pratt. The father 
was a native of ]\Iarlborough, A'ennont, and spent 
his boyhood days upon a farm there. His death 
occurred when he was fifty-six vears of age. His 
wife was a native of Cambridge, New York, and 
after his death she was married twice, her last 
years being spent in Brooklyn, Michigan. But 
two of the children of the family are now living: 
Mrs. Betsy Hatch, who resides in Windsor, Ver- 
mont, and Mrs. Julia F. Shepherdson, a resident 
of Brattleboro, A'ermont. All were educated in 
the schools of the Green Mountain state. 

William C. Pratt, when not busv with his te.xt- 
books worked upon his father's farm in the east 
until 1854, when, believing that he might enjoy 
better business opportunities in the west, he came 
to Illinois, being at that time si.xteen years of age. 
He made his way direct to Rockford and soon 
secured a position as a farm hand in Rockford 
township in the employ of Solomon Wheeler, who 
was a pioneer fanner there. Mr. Pratt continued 
to work for Mr. \Mieeler for a few years and aft- 
erward turned his attention to general agricul- 
tural pursuits until 1862. when he removed to the 
city of Rockford. Here he engaged in teaming 
and he hauled all of the stone that was used in 
the construction of the First Congregational 
church, the Utter paper mill and the Jacoby 
home. He continued teaming for several years 
and then accepted a position as a clerk in the F. J. 
Leonard store, where he remained for five years. 
In 1872 he entered into partnership with N. C. 
Burroughs and opened a confectionery store, 
which they conducted for a few years, when 
in 1877 Mr. Pratt began business by him- 
self. He flealt in both fruit and con- 
fectionery at No. 415 East State street, 
also in ice creams and ices, carrying on 



both a wholesale and retail business. His patron- 
age steadil}' increased and he enjoyed a large 
trade, which through a number of \-ears returned 
him a very gratif}'ing income. 

Mr. Pratt was married near Rockford to JMiss 
Julia F. Spink, a native of New York, born near 
the \"ermont state line. Her parents were Robert 
and Julia (Warner) Spink, both natives of Rhode 
Island, whence they removed to the Empire state, 
where the father engaged in business as a con- 
tractor and builder until 1852. In that year he re- 
moved westward, settling in Winnebago county, 
Illinois, and for a few years he was engaged in 
farming in New Milford township. Later he took 
up his abode in Seward township and cultivated 
his land with success for several years. He after- 
his wife then removed to Rockford, making their 
ward retired from active business life and he and 
home with their son-in-law, Mr. Pratt, imtil they 
were called to their final rest. \\'hen a young 
lady ;\Irs. Pratt taught school in New Milford 
township. Five children were born of the mar- 
riage of our subject and his wife, of whom three 
are now living: Andrew W., who married Edith 
Tanner, and resides at No. 312 North Horsman 
street, Rockford, looking after his mother's es- 
tate, and is a traveling salesman ; Robert W., who 
married Myrtie E. Lewis, and is a salesman for 
the Produce Commission Company of Rockford ; 
and Fannie A., who resides at home with her 
mother : George and Edwin died in infancy. 

The death of the husband and father occurred 
March 9. 1892. He voted with the republican 
party, but was never an office seeker, preferring 
to give his undivided attention to his business 
interests. He belonged to tne Masonic lodge and 
also to the Centennial ^Methodist Episcopal 
church. He was a man of rugged constitution 
and his great physical energy enabled him to .give 
unremitting attention to his business interests. As 
the years passed by he prospered in his unoertak- 
ings, displaying all the qualities of a successful 
merchant, who quickly recognizes and utilizes an 
opportunity. He was a great lover of fine horses 
and owned many at different times. In 1872 he 
built the residence where his widow and daugh- 
ter now reside at No. 215 :?outh Third street. She 
also owns other property on South Second and 
East State streets and she and her family are mem- 
bers of the Centennial ?\rethodist Episcopal church. 
The sterling qualities which Mr. Pratt displayed 
commanded the respect and confidence of all and 
secured for him the high regard of a large circle 
of friends. To a student of human nature there 
is nothing of greater interest than to examine into 
the life of a self-made man and analyze the prin- 
ciples by which he has been governed, the meth- 
ods he has pursued, to know what means he has 
employed for advancement and to study the plans 
which have given him prominence, enabling him 



688 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



to pass on tlie liijjliway ot liic niaii\ w lio had a 
more aclvantas«>us start. In the history of Mr. 
Pratt there is deep food for thoiitjht, and if one 
so desires he may profit by the obvious lessons 
tlierein contained. 



MAJOR WILLIAM II. S \R\ I:R. 

Major W. II. Sarvcr. a veteran of the Span- 
ish-American war, well known in military cir- 
cles in Illinois, havintj for si.xteen years been a 
member of the National Ciuard. now follows 
farmintr <>n section i), Rockford township, where 
lie owns and operates two hundred and eleven 
acres of arable land, lie is also entjatjed in the 
buyin<j, feedinjj and shipping of stock and finds 
it a profitable source of income. 

Major Sarver is a native of ( )weu lownship. 
^^'innebaJ::o coimty, born on the I2th of Augfust. 
1S71. and his parents were .Mexander and Sarah 
(Fell) Sarver, both natives of Winnebasjo 
county. He was reared to the occupation of 
farmin.s:, spending almost his entire life upon 
this place, and in the public schools he acquired 
his education, being thus well equipped for prac- 
tical and responsible duties that devolve upon the 
individual who puts aside his te.xt-books and 
enters business life. He became a member of 
the Illinois National Guard in November, 1888. 
joining as a private Company II, Third Infan- 
try, with which he was connected until the out- 
break of the Si)anish-.-\merican war. He then 
enlisted in the service of the government on the 
7th of May. i8<)8, as a second lieutenant of Com- 
pany H. Third Illinois Regiment of \'olunteers. 
The command was organized at Springfield and 
went at once to Chickamauga Park. On the 15th 
of July. 1898. Mr. Sarver was promoted to the 
rank of first lieutenant and on the 28th of the 
same month he sailed on the St. Louis for Porto 
Rico from Newport News. \'irginia. landing at 
.\royo on the 2d of .\ugust. He was then under 
fire until the 13th, taking an active part in the 
subjugation of the island. He was sent to the 
hospital on the 25th of .September and returned 
to the I'nited States on the hospital ship Mis- 
souri, which reached New York city on the 20th 
of October. His re!.;iment left the island on the 
3d of November, and arrived at Rockford, No- 
vember II, i8r)8. Mr. .Sarver was mustered out 
January 16. i8</), and on the 13th of May. fol- 
lowing, he reorganized his old company — Com- 
pany H. of the Third Illinois National Guard, 
and was with that command until Jul\ 2. i<)()4. 
He was then elected luajor, and he is now re- 
tired with that rank, having for seventeen years 
been an active member of the National Guard, 
winning promotion because of meritorious con- 



ilucl and thorough understanding of military 
tactics. The reason of Major Sarver's retiring 
from the ( uiard is best told in this place. In Janu- 
ary, 1903, he was running a hay press, whun the 
lly wheel, of five hundred ])i>un(ls weight, burst, 
the Major receiving the full impact of the Hying 
metal, which entirely destroyed the bones of his 
left leg, necessitating amputaticju. .\bout three 
weeks after he had left the hospital he visited 
the armory on insiiection night, .\fter Major 
Cecil had finished inspection he slei)i)ed forward, 
shook hands with Major Sarver, saying: "Cap- 
tain, I am very, very .sorry that your military ca- 
reer has so uncereiuoniously ended." This, of 
course, closed the Major's connection with the 
National (iuard. He was Captain of Comjiany 
II when hurt, but was retired as major about 
August I, 1904. 

Major Sarver was married to Miss Dora .\1- 
len. who was born and reared in Rockford, and 
is a daughter of William and Sarah (Sheffield) 
Allen. They now have four children: Everett, 
thirteen years of age; Carlton, eleven years of 
age : I'Vank, a youth of ten years, and 1 iirdie, 
who was born on the 2d of July. 1897. 

The family home is on section 9, Rockford 
township, and the farm is located on sections 9 
and 5. It comprises two hundred and eleven 
acres, of which a ])art was timber land when it 
came into his possession, but he has since cut 
down the trees, selling it in wood and lumber. 
During the past few years he has been engaged 
in buying, feeding and shipping stock, often 
shipiiing from four to six carloads per week, 
■ and he employs two. three or more men to con- 
duct the business of the farm. He is energetic, 
alert and enterprising, and in all of his dealings 
is notably prompt and reliable. 

Politically he is independent, and socially was 
at one time connected with the Woodmen, His 
interests, however, have centered in his business 
affairs, and in his military connection Major 
Sarver was always deeply interested in what has 
been accomplished by the National (iuard, keep- 
ing his own command uj) to the standard of ex- 
cellence as represented by the entire military or- 
iranization of the countrx'. 



lli:XRV ILRICI. 



Germany furnished to Rockford many of its 
citizens who have been prominent in its business 
developiuont and consequent pros]ierity and to 
this class belongs Henry I'lrici, who is now living 
retired. His birth occurred in Hanover, Ger- 
many, in 1832. and he spent the first twenty-one 
years of his life in the fatherland. The reports 
which he heard concerning the business oppor- 





MAJOR AND AIRS. W. H. SARVER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



691 



tunities and conditions of the new world awak- 
ened his desire to become a factor in business cir- 
cles here and in 1853 '''^ crossed the Atlantic to 
the United States, locating in Xew York city. 
He had been educated in the public schools of his 
native land and had learned the trade of took 
binding, and it was to that field of endeavor that 
he turned for a position when he reached the new 
world. For a vear and a half he was employed 
in New York and then made his way westward 
to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked at bis 
trade for three years, and on the expiration of that 
period he went to Beloit, where he followed book 
binding for seven years. In 1864 he arrived in 
Rockford, where he embarked in business on his 
own account, establishing a book binders', which 
he conducted for about thirt\- years. In 1885 he 
established a paper box factory in connection with 
the bindery and carried on the enterprise at that 
location until 1887, when he built a factors- for 
the manufacture of paper boxes at No. 1008-10 
!\lulberry street, the building being forty by one 
hundred and sixty feet and one-story with base- 
ment. This is the only concern of the kind in 
Rockford and thirty people are employed here. 
The enterprise has been a success from the begin- 
ning and is a valuable addition to the industrial 
life of the city. In 1887 Air. I'lrici sold the bind- 
ery to his son Douglass, who is now conducting 
it, and in 1899 he sold the box factory to his son 
Fritz, who is now proprietor and successful man- 
ager of the concern. The father then retired from 
all active business pursuits to enjoy the fruits of 
his former toil in a well earned rest, surrounded 
by the comforts and conveniences which go to 
make life worth the living. 

In August, 1854. Air. Ulrici was united in mar- 
riage to JMiss Caroline Bock, who was born in 
Germany, and died in 1892, at the age of fifty- 
eight years. They were the parents of nine chil- 
dren, of whom five are living : Anna, the wife of 
John Collier, a traveling .salesman, residing in 
Belvid-ere, Illinois; Douglass, the proprietor of 
the book binder}-, which was established by his 
father ; Henry, an optician of Aurora, Illinois ; 
Carrie, who is bookkeeper in the Gregorian Hotel 
in Xew York city: and Fritz. In 1893 Mr. Ul- 
rici was again married, his second union being 
with Mrs. Barnes, who died in 1900, and in 1902 
he wedded Alma L. Pond, with whom he is now 
living in Rockford. He is a member of the First 
Presbyterian cnurch and in politics is a repub- 
lican, but he has always been too busy to enter 
activelv into political work, nor has he had any 
aspiration for office. He has based his business 
principles and actions upon strict and unswerving 
integritv, upon unfaltering perseverance and inde- 
fatigable energy^ and with these as a foundation 
the superstructure that he has reared has been one 
of prosperit}^ and gratifying success. 



Fritz Ulrici, born in Rockford on the 4th of 
April, 1875, i" an old frame building on South 
Alain street, adjoining what was then known as 
the Holland House, is indebted to the public 
schools of this city for the intellectual training 
which he received, while his business training 
was received under his father's correction. After 
putting aside his text-books he entered the paper 
box factor)-, where he thoroughly learned the 
business, becoming conversant with it in principle 
and detail and knowing all the practical workings 
of the trade. When twenty-one years of age he 
purchased a half interest in the concern and is 
now sole owner, doing business under the name. 
This is the only fine paper box factory in the city 
catering to high-class work and its output is in 
demand, the product finding a ready and profit- 
able sale on the market. Fritz Ulrici is one of the 
most successful young business men of Rockford 
and his success is due entirely to his own industry 
and well directed eft'orts. 

On the 1 2th of November, 1904, Air. Ulrici 
was married to Airs. Alma Leila Feudel, a daugh- 
ter of John L. and Alarion Wrignt. She comes of a 
famil}- of artistic skill, taste and talent and has 
herself won an enviable reputation as an artist in 
oils, many of her paintings being exhibited in the 
Chicago Art Institute and also at the Louisiana 
Purchase Exposition, held in St. Louis. Mr. and 
Airs. Ulrici are members of the Court Street 
Alethodist Episcopal Qinrch and his political 
views are with republican principles. Frater- 
nall\- he affiliates with the Alodern Woodmen of 
America and .socially with the Countn,- Club and 
the 1900 Outing Club. .\ young man of good 
business ability, continually studying the condi- 
tions in the trade world and its possibilities, he is 
now in control of an important productive enter- 
prise of his native city. 



AlISS AlARV C. SPOTTSWOOD. 

Aliss Mary C. Spottswood, deceased, figured 
prominently for a number of }ears in educational 
circles in Rockford and was one of the most com- 
petent teachers that has ever been connected with 
the school system of this city. Her parents, Rob- 
ert and AIar\- C. (Graham) Spottswood, were na- 
tives of Scotland, and in their family were nine 
children, namely : Airs. Robert Simpson, of Rock- 
ford township ; Airs. Edwin Ware, of Winnebago 
township : Elizabeth, who resided in Winnebago 
county : Alargaret, who is employed in Stewart's 
department store in Rockford : Robert, of Winne- 
bago city : and three who died in infancy. 

The other member of the family, Aliss Mary 
C. Spottswood, acquired her early education in 
the district schools and for a few months was 



692 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



a country school teacher. l)ut liaviiis^: a desire to 
prepare herself for a better position she entered 
the State Xornial School near Pdooniington, Illi- 
nois, and was .s:nuliiated with high honors with 
the class of 1883. She acce])ted a position in 
Metropolis, Illinois, where she remained for a 
year, and then began her work in Rockford the 
following year. Here she remained continuously 
as a most capable and successful teacher until 
March, 1902. She taught first in the Kent school, 
was afterward transferred to the Lincoln school, 
and subse(|nently was elected its principal, teach- 
ing altogether in Rockford schools for eighteen 
vears. She was ever thoughtful, sym]iathetic, 
just and helpful, and was a real friend of the pu- 
pils, encouraging eacli one to put forth his best 
efforts that he might make the most of his oppor- 
tunities. She inspired many with her own zeal 
and interest in the work, and she still lives in the 
lives of her jiupils and friends. Who can know 
when or where such an inlluence may end. but it is 
none the less a potent force, and one whose good 
efifects will be long felt. 

A severe attack of ])neumonia. from which she 
suffered in the winter of igoi, left Miss Spotts- 
wood in a very weak condition, and, being unable 
to return to her duties in the schoolroom, she went 
south as soon as possible, her place in the school- 
room being taken by her assistant, but after a 
short stay at Tucson, Arizona, she died July 30, 
1902. Professor Walker, superintendent of schools 
at Rockford, said to her : "She was one of the best 
teachers we ever had in the city. She was well 
equipped for her profession and made a success of 
her work, as is evidenced by the long period in 
which she was retained in the schools. We have 
lost a valuable member of the teaching force. 
Well educated and naturally well qualified for her 
work and a good discii)linarian, slie gained the 
confidence and affection of her pupils and the 
teachers under her control." She served long and 
faithfully, and there was genuine regret when the 
teachers and pupils learned their chief had gone 
beyond. The following beautiful tribute to her 
memory was paid : "The teachers of the city 
schools through a committee have expressed their 
appreciation of the worth of the late Mary .Spotts- 
wood. .^he was ;. teacher of superior natural en- 
dowment, together with excellent special training. 
We who were associated with her as teachers, 
principals and superintendent recognized her keen- 
ness of intellect, her l)road conceptions of the 
teacher's duty, her willingness to do all in her 
power to promote the best interests not f>nly of her 
own school, but to assist others, as well as to ad- 
vance the cause of education in our own city, 
state and county. She possessed a deep sense of 
justice, a generous spirit, great sympathy and ex- 
cellent power to discern character, a fertile mind 
and high moral and religious principles. We 



nKiiirn her de])arture and >hall miss her wise coun- 
sel and sincere Uning friendship. She lives in the 
lives and works of those on whom she has left the 
impress of her skill and faithfulness, and will live 
for generations to come." 



|( )H.\ T. A.\"1)R1-:\V. 



John J. .\ndrew, having reached the eightieth 
milestone on life's journey, is now living a re- 
tired life in Rockford. I'Dr many years he con- 
trolled business interests of importance in Rock- 
ford. and his close attention, careful direction and 
recognition and utilization of op|)orlunities made 
him a successful man. Still in ])osssession of his 
faculties, seeming, in spirit and interests, yet in 
his prime, he is one of the respected, venerable and 
honored citizens of Winnebago county. 

He was horn in Argyle. Scotland, in 1825, a son 
of David and Jennet ( Huie) Andrew. The father, 
a farmer by occupation, came to America in 1842. 
settling in Washington county. Ohio, whence he 
removed to this county in 1843, locating in Guil- 
ford township, where he purchased one hundred 
and seventy-three acres of land, on which he car- 
ried on general farming until his death. He 
passed away March 23. 1868, and his wife sur- 
vived him until ATarch 28. 1873. 

In their family were thirteen children, of whom 
one died in Scotland, while another died in Ohio, 
in infancy. John J. is the eldest. David, a ma- 
chinist by trade, died .April 14. 1901. Jane is 
the wife of Lynus Knight, of Nebraska. Robert, 
a miller, who lived for many years in Milford 
and in Rockford, died December 14, 1901. James 
died about 1895. jMathew is princii)al of the pub- 
lic schools of Carthage, Illinois. Jennet died in 
Scotland. Archibald, who was a soldier of the 
Civil war and was with McClellan's command, 
was a teacher and county superintendent of schools 
in Winnebago county, Illinois, and is now living 
a retired life in Milwaukee. Wisconsin. Jennet, 
born in .\ugust, 1838, is the wife of Donald Sil- 
lers, a farmer of Argyle, Illinois. Maria is the 
wife of .\ndrew Reed, a fanner near Spring\'ille, 
Iowa. William was born and died in Ohio. Wil- 
liam, the second of that name, born in 1844, lives 
on the old homestead farm in Guilford township. 
Elizabeth, the wife of William Chapman, of Rock- 
ford, died October 23, 1880. 

John J. .\ndrcw acquired the greater part of 
his education in the schools of Scotland but after- 
ward spent one simimer as a student in Beloit Col- 
lege. He came with his parents to America, 
reaching Winnebago county when eighteen years 
of age, and he assi.sted in the work of the home 
farm until more than twenty years of age and 
during three winters he taught district and sing- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



693 



ing schools, being thus engaged until 1853, when 
he was married and removed to Rockford. He 
then engaged in the meat business, conducting a 
market for twenty-five years at No. 433 West 
State street, at the end of which time he sold out 
to Mr. WcPherson. That he continued in the 
trade so long is proof of the success that attended 
his efforts. He afterward engaged ni the manu- 
facture of soap for twenty years, having his fac- 
tory at what is now Riverside. In 1903, however, 
he sold the plant and retired from active business 
life. He was ever watchful of the indications 
pointing to success and every step was carefully 
and thoughtfully made, and with earnest labor as 
a fundation, he builded thereon the superstruct- 
ure of a handsome competence. 

Mr. Andrew was married in 1S53 to Miss 
Mary J. Enoch, of Guilford township, a daugh- 
ter of Henry and Mary (Hall) Enoch, her father 
a fanner of this county. She was born in Butler 
county, Ohio, and represented one of the old fam- 
ilies of that state. She traces her ancestry back 
to England to the Rev. Henry Hall, who in 1698 
came to America, representing the English gov- 
ernment as a minister of the church. His son, 
known as Major Henry Hall, was born March 
12, 1702, and was an officer of the ISritish armv. 
attaining the rank of colonel. His eldest son. 
Major Henry Hall, Jr., generally spoken of as 
Major Harry, also belonged to the British Army 
in colonial days, and he was the father of William 
Hall, who was an adjutant in the Revolutionary 
war. His daughter, Mary Hall, born July 14, 
1790, was married September 5, 1813, to Henry 
Enoch, who came of almost equally remote and 
distinguished ancestry. The first ancestor in this 
country being Colonel Henry Enoch, Sr., who 
was a member of the militia of Washington 
county, Pennsylvania. His grandfather left Hol- 
land on account of religious persecution. Colonel 
Henry Enoch, about 1770, was a grantor of pat- 
ents for ^'irginia and he was a delegate, on June 
16, 1775, to Fort Pitt, where an important con- 
vention was held. His son, Henry Enoch, Jr., 
located in Warren county, Ohio, and afterward 
removed to Winnebago county, Illinois. He had 
previously married Mary Hall, and then after liv- 
ing for a time in Ohio they established their home 
in Guilford township, this county, in 1835, the 
father entering a claim from the government. He 
followed farming throughout his entire life. 
Unto him and his wife were born seven children : 
William Henry and Richard Hall, who died in 
1837; Martha, who died in 1856; John T., who 
died in 1857; Abraham I., whose death occurred 
April 30, 1883 ; Hiram R., who died in 1890; and 
Mary J., born September i, 1831, who married 
John J. Andrew, and died in 1905. The father 
died September 8, 1858, and the mother July 28, 

1859. 
40 



The home of ;Mr. and Mrs. Andrew was 
blessed with seven children. John D., the eldest, 
assistant surgeon of the Northwestern Railway 
Company at Chicago, was married to Annie Til- 
ton, of that city, and has two children, Dorothy 
and Margaret. Henry D., who for seven years 
was with Marcus Daly in Montana as a salesman 
and is now living in Rockford, married Anna A. 
Ijaume, of Galena, Illinois, and had two children 
— Marion, now deceased, and Harry L., who was 
born May 12, 1895, ^"f' 's now attending school. 
Mary Adele died in 1864. Frank, living in Chi- 
cago, city salesman for the Armour Soap Com- 
pan}-, was married to Miss Addie Swartz, of 
Rockford. Minnie is at home. Blanche died in 
1867. Frederick, w'ith the Haddorf Piano Com- 
pany and living in Rockford, married Emma 
Davenport, of this city. The mother of these 
children died May 14, 1905, the second day after 
her fifty-second wedding anniversary. 

Mr. Andrew has long been a devoted member 
of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church, 
was treasurer and a member of the board of trus- 
tees for a number of years and for fourteen years 
was chorister in the Sunday-school. His con- 
tribution to its support and his co-operation in 
many of its activities have promoted the growth 
and extended the influence of the church. He 
was a whig in his political affiliations in early life 
and since the organization of the republican 
party has followed its banners. With a retentive 
memory and a mind remarkably keen and active, 
he yet keeps in touch with the world's progress 
and with local advancement and is yet a valued 
and prominent citizen in the county, where he 
lias so long lived and labored, making a life his- 
tory that will bear the closest investigation and 
scrutinv. 



ROBERT B. JEWETT. 

Robert B. Jcwett, interested in general farming 
on section 23, Harrison township, was born upon 
this place in 1862, his parents being John R. and 
Elizabeth M. (Gilmour) Jewett, -who w^ere mar- 
ried in this county. The father was born in Win- 
dom. Connecticut, August 22. 1815, and came 
alone to Winnebago county, Illinois, in 1838, be- 
ing then a young man of twenty-three years. He 
made his way westward by way of Buffalo and 
Chicago and ultimately reached his destination — 
Winnebago county, where he became identified 
with agricultural interests. He was a millwright 
and blacksmith by trade, however, and followed 
those pursuits until 1850, when he turned his at- 
tention to farming and was thus engaged up to 
the time of his death. In 1847 he entered from 
the government the land now owned by his son 
Robert, walking to Dixon. Illinois, in order to 



694 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



secure the patent wliich is still in possession of 
our subject. The farm has never been out of 
piDSsession of the Jewett family. On the 22(1 of 
May. 1851, John R. Jewett was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Elizai)eth .M. I iilmour, who was 
born in Kentucky. September 4. 18.^1. anil in 
1847 came to this county with her jjarents. who 
located in Harrison townshi]). where they i)ur- 
chased land and followed farming^. .Mr. Jewett 
was not only active in business life but was also 
a man of consideral)le influence in his community, 
where he served for several years as justice of the 
peace and roadmaster. He was a member of the 
Grange and the Patrons of Husbandry, and his 
wife belonged to the Congregational church at 
Harrison. In their family were si.x children: 
Clara .A., who died in 1871 : John R., a contractor 
and builder living at Wood River. Nebraska ; 
Ella, who died in 1868. at the age of fifteen years ; 
George L.. a contractor and builder of Shirland. 
Illinois; Robert 11., of this review: and Mrs. .\b- 
bie E. Craig, a widow, living at Shirland. 

Roliert B. Jewett was reared upon the old 
family homestead where he yet resides, the farm 
comprising niie Inmdrcd and sixty acres, of which 
one hundred an<l twenty acres lie on section 2I1. 
Harrison township, while the remaining forty 
acres are in Shirland townshi]). Here he devotes 
his time and energies to the tilling of the soil and 
to the raising of some stock, and his farm pre- 
sents a well cultivated ai)])earance. the green fields 
giving promise of golden harvests in the autumn. 
Everything is neat and attractive in apixarancc 
and an air of system pervades the place. 

Mr. Jewett married Miss Winnie McMahon. 
whf) was born Jul\ 4. i86<j, and is a daughter of 
John and .\nn ( Iliggenbotton ) McMahon. Her 
father still resides in Harrison township but her 
mother died March .^i. 1904. when almost seventy 
\ears of age. Mrs. Jewett was one of eight chil- 
dren, all of whom are living: Mrs. Eunice 
Weatherhead. a resident of Harrison townshii^ : 
Edward, living in the same township; Mrs. Lizzie 
Crowley, of I^iona township ; .Mien, of Harrison 
township; Mrs. Jewett. of Harrison township; 
Mrs. Mary- Eick, of Durand township; Mrs. Mat- 
tie Shepards<jn, of Harrison township ; and Mrs. 
.\nnie (Jumniow, of Rockton township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Jewett have two living children : John R. 
and Frances .A., aged resiiectively fourteen and 
eight vears. They lost their second son. Graham 
^i.. who died at the age of two years and six 
months. 

Politically Mr. Jewett is a republican, interested 
in the succcsss and growth of his party, and is 
now serving as township clerk, which office he 
has filled for six or seven years. He has also 
held other local positions anrl is respected for his 
reliability in all positions of public trust. His 
fraternal relations are with the Royal Neighbors 



and with Harrison camj). .\o. 684. M. W. A. His 
wife is also connected with the former and is a 
member of the Congregational church at Har- 
rison. 



JACOB VAN DE MARK. 

Jacob \ an De Mark, now deceaseil. was con- 
nected with manufacturing interests in Rockford 
for many years and was a stockholder in the 
Rockford Manufacturing Company at the time of 
his death. Through his own efforts he advanced 
to a prominent position in connection with the 
leading productive industries of the city. 
Though no land is richer in opportunities of 
affords greater advantages to its citizens than 
.\merica. success is not to be obtained through 
desire, but must be persistently sought. In 
America "labor is king" and the man who reso- 
lutely sets to work to accomplish a purpose is 
certain of success if he has but the qualities ot 
pcrserverance. untiring energy and jiraclical com- 
luon sense. Mr. Van De Mark was one whose 
career excited the admiration and gained the re- 
spect of all, for through his diligence he won a 
leading place in manufacturing circles in Rock- 
ford. where he located in 1867. 

Mr. \'an de Alark was born near Albany. New 
York. January 22. 1833, and was a son of Ebert 
and Fannie (Went worth) Van De Mark. He 
was a farmer all his life and resided upon a tract 
of land near .\lbany for more than half a century, 
l)eiiig one of the leading agriculturists of that 
locality. He was also throughout the entire 
time, a deacon in the Wisqua church and both 
he and his wife resided in that locality until called 
to their final rest. Ebert Van De Mark depart- 
ing this life at the advanced age of ninety-five 
years. Of the nine children in their family, there 
are now six living. 

In the district schools near Albany. Jacob Van 
De Mark acquired a good practical education and 
then assistecl his father on the old home farm 
until he became of age, when he went to Ro- 
chester, New York, where he began business on 
his own account. Entering into partnershi]) with 
his brother-in-law, they began dealing in coffee 
and spice, in which they continued for several 
years, or until 1867, when Mr. Van De Mark re- 
moved to the middle west, settling in Rockford, 
where he also established a coffee and spice store, 
which he conducteil for a year. He then turned 
his attention to manufacturing interests and for 
several years was engaged in the manufacturing 
of pumps after which he assisted in organizing 
the Rockford Maiuifacturing Company, which 
is now one of the most extensive and important 
manufacturing concerns in the city, the output 
including all kinds of agricultural itnplements. 




JACOB VAN DE MARK. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



697 



Mr. Van De Mark became one of the large stock- 
holders in the new enterprise, but did not take an 
active part in its management, althongli he was 
financially interested therein until his death. 
Every step in his business career was thought- 
fully made. He carefully considered each plan 
and opportunity bearing upon his interests and 
when once he had determined upon a course was 
prompt and decided in action, while at all times 
his course was in strict conformity with high 
commercial ethics. 

While engaged in business in Rochester, Mr. 
Van De Mark was united in marriage to Miss 
Jane Henderson, a native of Newcastle, England, 
and a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wilkin- 
s(in ) Henderson, both natives of Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, the father engaging in business as a con- 
tractor in Yorkshire and Newcastle. His death 
occurred in the latter place during the infancy 
of his daughter and Mrs. Henderson, afterward 
married William Lord, a shoemaker by trade. 
They removed to Rochester, New York, where 
her husband followed his chosen pursuit, and 
both died in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Van De 
Mark became the parents of three children, but 
the first born died unnamed. Cora E., who has a 
very wide acquaintance in Rockford, was a 
teacher in the high school here for several years 
and was also money-order clerk in the postoffice 
of Rockford for some time. She is now the wife 
of Charles T. Marsh, United States ganger and 
storekeeper at Rockford. Theodore W., mar- 
ried Mabel Davis and resides in Rockford, where 
he is occupying a good position in the .A.shton 
drv goods store, where he has lieen employed for 
several years. 

The death of Mr. \^an De Mark occurred June 
8, 1893. His early political support was given 
the republican party and later he endorsed prohi- 
bition principles and was an advocate of the party 
embodying his views on the temperance question. 
He was strictly temperate in his habits and thus 
by example as well as precept endeavored to fur- 
ther a cause which he believed affected in large 
measure the prosperity and happiness of the race. 
He belonged to the .\ncient Order of United 
Workmen, of Rockford, and the Westminister 
Presbyterian church and Mrs. Van De Mark is 
now a member of the First Congregational 
church. Viewed in a personal light he was a 
strong man, of excellent judgment, fair in his 
views and highly honorable in his relations with 
his fellowmen. His position regarding any ques- 
tion of vital interest, political, social or moral, 
was never an equivocal one, and he never 
swerved from a course which he believed to be 
right. Mrs. Van De Mark is still one of the 
stockholders in the Rockford Manufacturing 



Company, whereby she derives a good annual in- 
come, and she owns and occupies a large resi- 
dence at No. 1229 Charles street. 



JOHN SCHOONMAKER. 

John Schoonmaker, who was formerly identi- 
fied with agricultural interests in Winnebago 
township, but is now living retired at No. 824 
Montague street, Rockford, was born April 2, 
1842, in the township where he formerly farmed. 
His grandfather, Henry Schoonmaker, was a 
native of the state of New York. He is a son of 
Henry and Mary Schoonmaker, the former born 
in Albany county. New York, April 16, 1808, 
while the latter was a native of Schoharie county, 
New York. The father came to Winnebago 
count}- in 1838, at a time when there were only 
two log cabins standing upon the present site 
of the city of Rockford. He helped to put in the 
first dam and also the first bridge at Rockford 
and received the fir.st deed to land in Winnebago 
township, entering his claim from the government. 
Money was scarce in the west at that time and 
Mr. Schoonmaker returned to the east where he 
obtained the gold with which to pay for his prop- 
erty. He spent the remainder of his life here and 
met his death by falling from a load of hay, when 
sixty-four years ot age. In his family were four 
sons and four daughters, seven of the number yet 
living: Mrs. Cornelia Hobson, who resides near 
the old homestead in Winnebago township ; Mrs. 
Emily Branagh, who is living in Chicago 
Heights, Illinois : John, of this review ; David, 
who resides at Stineton, Dewey county, Okla- 
homa ; William, who resides on the old home- 
stead ; Mrs. Margaret N. Warner, who died leav- 
ing two children, Mrs. Lewis Mitchell, who re- 
sides at Harvard, Illinois, and Mrs. Maggie 
Stacy, who is living at Rochelle, Illinois ; Charles 
E., who owns eighty acres of the old homestead 
farm in Winnebago township ; and Mrs. Mary E. 
McDonald, who lives at Hawarden, Iowa. The 
parents have both passed away and the father 
was owner of three hundred and thirty-seven 
acres of land at the time of his death. 

John Schoonmaker was educated in the com- 
mon schools and enlisted in the military service 
of his country when twenty years of age, being 
assigned to duty with the boys in blue of Com- 
pany E, Seventy-tourth Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. He served for five months and was then 
honorably discharged on account of disability. 
The only battle in which he participated was at 
Perryvilie, Kentucky. Returning to his home, he 
remained in this county for a year and then of- 
fered his services to the Union, re-enlisting as a 
member of Battery G, Second Illinois Light Ar- 



6y8 



PAST AND I'KESEXT OF WIXMII'.AGO COrXTV 



tillerv. with which lie riniained for twenty 
months. He jjarticipated in the battle of Tupelo. 
Mississippi. July 14. 1864. o|)posinjj' the C«Mifcd- 
erate troops under General Forest. ( )ldto\\n 
Creek. July 15. i8<')4: and Hurricane Creek, Au- 
gust 13. l8('»4. He was with the Sixteenth Army 
Corps and heljied to drive tlie rebel general. Trice, 
out of Missouri in the fall of i8f>4. He was also 
in several skirmishes and the battle of Xashvillc. 
Tcimessee. December 15 and 16. 1864. and the 
siege of Mobile from the 27th of March until the 
I2th of April. 18^5, resulting in the capitulation 
of the forts. Ele afterward started with Itis com- 
mand for Montgomery, .\labama, being in the 
march at the time word was received of the sur- 
render of General Lee. He was then discharged 
at Springfield. Illinois. Se|)tember 4. 1865. 

Following his return liome. Mr. Schoonmaker 
began farming, operating rented land for several 
years until his lal)ors had brought him a capital 
sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. After 
that he cultivated and im])rove(l his own land witli 
gratifying success until i8<)2. when he retired to 
])rivate life, and took u]) his abode in Rockfc^rd. 
He now owns two fine residences on Montague 
street in this city and eighty acres of land in the 
county. 

Mr. Schoonmaker was married in 1868. to Miss 
T-. L. M. Posson. who was bom in the state of 
Xew York in i84<) and is a daughter of Daniel 
and .\ngelica ( Ih'Uglitclling) Posson. Her fa- 
ther was a farmer, who owned and operated two 
hundred acres of land in the state ot Xew York. 
He came to the west in 1864 with his family and 
after living in Winnebago county for some time 
removed to Missouri, where he purchased a farm 
upon which he lived eleven years. On selling 
that proix?rt\ he returned to Illinois and bought 
the farm on winch he was living at the time of 
his death on the 17th of May. 1892. His widow 
still survives him an<l is living with Mrs. Charlona 
Clilkman in the village of Winnebago. Mr. Pos- 
son was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, to which his widow still belongs, and he 
took an active jiart in the church work, doing 
everything in his power to promote its growth 
and extend its influence. He served as steward 
of the church and was also deacon for many 
years. In his family were four children, all of 
whom are yet living: Mrs. .Schoonmaker: Mrs. 
Isabella Patterson, who resides at Xew Milford; 
.Arthur, who is living at Windsor. Missouri : and 
Mrs. Clilkman. a resident of the village of Win- 
nebago. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker have become the 
])arents of three rlaughters : I*111a. born June 2_v 
1869, is the wife of Strieker Mitchell, a farmer 
living in Wimiebago township, and they have 
three children. Homer. Ollic and John. Fannie 
Schoonmaker, born September 14, 1874, is the 



\.'ife of .\lonzo .Mitchell, who is living upon 
her father's farm, anil they have three chil- 
dren, Irene, Pearl and Everett. Maggie, bom 
January 17, 1877. is the wife of Frank Shel- 
don, a farmer residing in Seward township, and 
tlie\- have two children. Harold and Lorraine. 
The jjarents are members of the Congregational 
church and .Mr. Schoonmaker belongs to Xevius 
])ost. Xo. I. (;. .\. K. He votes with the repub- 
lican |)ariy and for six years he served as school 
director, the cause of education finding in him a 
warm friend. He has, however, never given 
much time to office seeking or office holding, con- 
tent to do his sen'ice for the public as a private 
citizen. He has been very successful in his busi- 
ness and is now one of the substantial and re- 
sjiected residents of his native county, enjoying 
the comforts of life in a ])leasant home, whose 
hosjiitality makes it a favorite resort with his 
nianv friends. 



EDWARD O. CAMPP.ELL. 

Edward O. Camiibell. actively and success- 
fully engageil in general farming in Owen town- 
ship, was born in Winnebago county, January 
6. 1861. and is a son of John and .Mary (McXeaD 
Campbell. The father was a native of Ireland, 
born in 1810. while the mother's birth occurred 
in Canada in 1824. They were married in the 
latter coimtry and their throe eldest children were 
born there. Removing to Winnebago county in 
the "SOS. Mr. Campbell settled in Owen town- 
ship, where he entered one hundred and sixty 
acres of land from the government. He at once 
began to break the wild prairie and in course of 
time transformed the unim])roved tract into a 
highly productive farm. In the early days, 
however, he bore all the hardships and privations 
incident to pioneer life and performed the arduous 
labor that fell to the lot of the frontier settlers. 
There was no market nearer than Chicago and 
he had to haul bis meat to that place, it often 
taking him from eight to twelve days to make the 
round trip. Later Pelvidere offered market when 
then old Chicago & Galena Railroad was built 
through that place. It is now a part of the Gii- 
cago & Xorthwestern Railroad system. Mr. Camp- 
bell contiTiueil farming throughout his entire life 
and also raised some stock, and he contributed 
in no unimjxjrtant manner to the early substan- 
tial developments of the county. He died on 
the old farm homestead in 1883, having long 
survived his wife, who passed away in 1866. 
They became the pareiUs of twelve children, of 
whom five are now living: .Sarah, the wife of 
John Rose, a resident of Sac City. Iowa, by whom 
.she has one child : Rachel, who married William 
Houffman. of Canada, bv whom she has two 




.MRS. !•:. (), r.\.\ii'i;i;LL. 




E. O. CAMPBELL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



703 



children : Hannali, who is the wife of Z. Miller, 
of Rockford, and has five children ; Edward O. ; 
and James E., who married Hattie Steward and 
has four children. Their home is in Owen town- 
ship. 

Edward O. Campbell spent his boyhood days 
under the parental roof and acquired a knowl- 
edge of the common branches of English learn- 
ing by attending the public schools of the neigh- 
borhood. He worked upon his father's farm un- 
til he had attained his majority and then started 
out in life on his own account as an agriculturist, 
purchasing the interests of the other heirs in the 
farm which formerly belonged to his ma- 
ternal grandfather. He now has six hun- 
dred and thirty-six acres of as fine land 
as can be found in the county, con- 
stituting a splendidly improved property. Upon 
the place he has at the present time sixty-five head 
of cattle and one hundred and fifteen head of hogs. 
He ships one or more carloads of cattle to the 
Chicago market each }-ear and both branches of 
his business are proving profitable, bringing him 
a satisfactory financial return. A part of the 
old jMcNeal house, which was built and owned 
by his grandfather, is still standing near the new 
home of Air. Campbell, which he erected in igoo. 
This residence is of modern style of architecture, 
supplied with hot and cold water and equipped 
with all modern improvements. It is tasteful in 
its furnishings and most attractive in its hospit- 
able cordiality. Air. Campbell has always car- 
ried on general farming and stock-raising and as 
tlie result of his well directed eflforts and unremit- 
ting diligence is now one of the prosperous citi- 
zens of his community. 

On the 2d of February, 1881. occurred the 
marriage of Air. Campbell and Aliss Eliza J. 
Black, a daughter of Charles and Eliza (Hall) 
Black, who are mentioned in connection with 
the sketch of John Black on another page of 
this work. Air. and Airs. Campbell have be- 
come the parents of nine children: George Al. 
born November 9. 1882 ; one who died in infancy ; 
Ray W. born August 8, 1884: a fourth, who was 
born February 26, 1887. and died in infancy ; 
Ralph E., born November 28, 1890 : Nellie G., 
born Alarch 31. 1892 ; Clarence C, who was born 
January 12. 1895, ^"d died December i. 1896; 
Floyd, born July 17, 1897; and an infant, who 
was born on the 9th of Alay, 1900. and died 
Alarch 28. 1901. 

Air. Campbell has been a member of the school 
board for six or seven years and he gives his 
political allegiance to the republican party. He 
and his wife are members of the Episcopal church 
and are well known and highly respected citizens 
of Owen township. He is classed with the suc- 
cessful men whose labors have been the basis of 



their prosperity for his close application, enter- 
prise and diligence have proved the foundation 
upon which he has builded the superstructure 
of a handsome competence. 



T(")HX A. STILES. 



John A. Stiles, following the occupa'tion of 
farming on section 19. Rockford township, was 
bom en this section on the old Stiles homestead, 
August 10. 1851, his parents being Richard S. 
and Sarah (Stilson) Stiles, who were married 
in \\'innebago county, December 10, 1846. The 
father was bom at Keene, New Hampshire. Au- 
gust 15, 181 1, and is of English lineage. He re- 
mained at the place of his nativity until the spring 
of 1837. when ne came to Winnebago county and 
soon afterward settled on a farm on section 19, 
Rockford township — the place now owned by his 
son. Amos D. Stiles. He at once began to clear 
and improve the land, transforming it into 
productive fields, and nere he continued to fol- 
low farming until his death. He owned about 
two hundred and fifty acres of land all yet in 
possession of the family. In politics he was a 
strong republican and was a highly respected 
citizen. He held membership in the Second Con- 
gregational church and his life in harmon}' with 
his professions made him a citizen of value and a 
gentleman of genuine personal worth. His wife 
was bom in Lobo, Canada, in October. 1822, and 
was of Scotch lineage. She came with relatives 
to this county and here gave her hand in mar- 
riage to Richard S. Stiles, in 1846. She then 
went with him to the home farm and resided 
thereon until her death. January 4. 1889. She. 
too. was a member of the Second Congregational 
church and .she was- survived by her husband for 
about one and a half years, his death occurring 
on the 2d of September, i8go. 

Thev were the parents of five children : John 
A. is the eldest. Lucy A. is now residing in 
Tennessee. Richard L. was formerly engaged 
in the milk business but is now carrying on gen- 
eral farming in Tennessee. Luther A., of Rock- 
ford. is connected with the City Railway Com- 
pany. He was married. February 21, 1884, to 
Aliss Clara Cole, who came from Pennsylvania to 
Illinois. They have two living children, Charles 
R.. born February 21, 1885 : and Helen A., born 
August 2T. 1886. The mother died April 24, 
IQ05. Amos D. Stiles owns a farm on section 19. 
which was once the old homestead. He married 
Donelda McG^achie on the 7th of April. 1892. 
She was born in Winnebago township and is a 
daughter of Peter AfcGeachie. who resided in 
the township. They have two children : Amos 
E., born December 10. 1893 : and Ellen L.. born 
September 4. 1896. 



704 



PAST AND PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



John A. Stiles has spent the greater i)art of his 
Hfc in this county, beingf reared to the dccupation 
of farming^, and since iijoo lias made his home on 
his jjresent farm. He lias lived, however, in 
Winnehaj^o townshi]) since i<S84 and is regarded 
as one of the enterprising agriculturists of his 
community, working industriously day after day 
in the nianagoment of his home place which an- 
nually ])roduces good crops because of the care 
and cultivation which he bestows ui)on the fields. 

( )n the 5th of June. 1S84. Mr. Stiles was united 
in marriage to .Miss Ella J. Hall, who was born 
in Prospect. Xcw Haven county, Connecticut, 
March 26, 1858, and was brought to the west by 
her mother when only a few months old. She re- 
sided in Winnebago townshi]) until fifteen years 
of age and was educated in the (uiblic schools. 
Mr. and .Mrs. Stiles have become the parents of 
two children: Clinton I., who was born April 
26. 1885, and died May' 14. 1887: and Loly B., 
born July 29. 1887. and now with her ])arents. 

In his political allegiance Mr. Stiles is a re- 
publican. .Socially he is connected with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, belonging to Star in the East 
lodge. .\. F. & .\ .M.. of Rockford. in which he 
has filled some of the chairs. Both he and his 
wife are members of the order of the Eastern Star 
and Mrs. Stiles has been worthy matron of Rock- 
ford cliai)ter. .\o. 53. in which her sister .\lena 
now holds that position. In the locality where 
tliey reside and in Rockford. as well, .\lr. and 
Mrs. Stiles have many acquaintances who enter- 
tain for them warm regard and good will. 



URIAH STOTT. 



I'riah Stott, deceased, became a resident of 
Rockford in 1886. He was born in Uddersfield. 
"S'orkshire. England. July 2. 1815. His parents 
always resided in that country, and both died 
there, the father having followed farming as a 
life work. I'riah Stott was educated in the com- 
mon schools of England. In 1842 he sailed for 
America, hoping that he might have better busi- 
ness privileges and opportunities in the new 
world. He first settled in Cook county. Illinois, 
sixteen miles northwest of Chicago, and there he 
purcliaseil a farm and also built a store, carrving 
on general merchandising. He leamed the tail- 
or's trade in his native land, and followed that 
l)nrsuit in connection with his other business in- 
terests. fref|uently making clothes for his neigh- 
lx)rs. who would do farm work for him in return. 
He remained in his store on the farm for several 
years, but afterwanl returned to England. In a 
short time, however, he again came to America 
and settled in Barrington, Illinois, where he estab- 
lished a general store. He dealt largely in cloth- 



ing and groceries for several years, after which 
he gave that store to one of his sons and removed 
to lieiioa. Illinois, where he established another 
general store. Later he gave that store to his 
other sons and removed to Rockford. 

Mr. Stott was married first in England to Miss 
Elizabeth Thoniton. who was born in that coun- 
try .March i, 1814. Her parents .spent their en- 
tire lives in England. While on a visit to Des 
I'laines. Illinois. Mrs. .Stott was killed by being 
thrown from a buggy in a runaway in .\ugust. 
1884. There were si.x children born of that mar- 
riage; William, who died in 1904: James, who is 
engaged in the real-estate business and is the pres- 
ent mayor of Cienoa. Illinois: Joseph Uriah, an 
undertaker of Des Plaines. Illinois : Charles, who 
is now a merchant clerk in a grocery store in Chi- 
cago : F.lizabeth .\niie, who died at the age of thir- 
teen years ; and one that died unnamed in in- 
fancy. 

Mr. Stott was again married on the 6th of June, 
1886, in Rockford, his second union being with 
Mrs. Mary E. ( .Milner) Cowles. who was born in 
Yorkshire. England. September 5. 1836, her par- 
ents being Joseph and .-Knii (Peacock) Milner. 
Her father was a farmer of I'Jigland and died in 
his native country, after which his widow came to 
.America in 1841; and resided on a farm near Chi- 
cago with her brother. She then came to the 
home of her daughter. Mrs. Stott. and died in 
1892. Mary E. Milner was first married to Dan- 
iel Cowles. w'ho was born in the Isle of Man in 
1836. They came to Rockford at an early date, 
and her husband engaged in blacksmitliing here, 
being a reliable and trustworthy business man long 
connected with industrial interests in this city. 
He died June 22. 1882. in the home where his 
widow now resides. There was one child by that 
marriage, Joseph Daniel, who died in infancy. 
There were no children born to Mr. .'^tott by his 
second marriage. 

.\fter coming to Rockford he divided his pro|)- 
ertv among his wife and children and afterward 
lived retired until his death, which occurred Jan- 
uary 13, 1892. While in Cook county. Illinois. 
he luld several political offices, and was always 
prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties. 
Both and he and Mr. Cowles were republicans in 
))olitics, and Mr. Stott took a very active and help- 
ful interest in the work of his party. He was a 
member of the Indejiendent Order of Odd Fellows 
in England, but never united with any fraternal 
r)rganization in this countrx. Mr. Cowles. how- 
ever, was a member of the Masonic lodge in Rock- 
ford. Mrs. .^tott is a member of the Centennial 
Methodist l-4)isco))al church here, to which both of 
her husbands also belonged. Her cousin. Wil- 
liam Peacock, resides with her and is a retired 
farmer, who looks after the estate and farm in 
Cook conntv. Illinois. Mrs. Stott owns a beauti- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



705 



fill home at No. 405 East street, which was built 
by her and Mr. Cowles. She is well known in 
Rockford as a lady of many excellent traits of 
heart and mind, and her circle of friends is al- 
most co-extensive with the circle of her acquaint- 
ance. 



FAY LEWIS & BROTHERS COMPANY. 

Fay C, Herbert and Harry Lewis are the three 
brothers who are at the head of the firm of Fay 
Lewis & Bros. Company, which was in- 
corporated January 18, 1898, the business, how- 
ever, having had a continuous existence from 
1875, when it was established by Fay Lewis. The 
house is one of the best known in the tobacco 
trade and the reputation sustained by the firm is 
beyond reproach. 

Deacon David Lewis, the grandfather, came 
from ^Massachusetts at an early day and settled 
in Black Walnut Grove. \\'innebago county, Illi- 
nois. Later he conducted a starch factory in 
Rockford but it was eventually destroyed by fire. 
The family, however, thus early became identified 
with the business life of the city and has since 
figured prominently. Charles F. Lewis, the fa- 
ther, began busine>s in Rockford in 1848 as a 
general merchant of the firm of \'aughn & Lewis. 
He was a native of Massachusetts and for many 
\"ears was well known in connection with the com- 
mercial interests of the city. He married Miss 
Frances j". Wheelock, a daughter of Judge 
Wheelock, one of the early settlers of Ogle 
county, who in early life engaged in teaching 
school in Bvron. She makes her home with her 
children. 

The brothers were all born and schooled in 
Rockford, being products of the city schools here 
and they have fulh- sustained the reputation of 
the father and grandfather in connection with the 
trade interests of the city, contributing in sub- 
stantial measure to the business development of 
Rockford. In 1875 Fay Lewis established a 
cigar and tobacco business and for sometime con- 
ducted the enterprise alone but was eventually 
joined by his brothers and in 1898 the business 
was incorporated under the present name of Fay 
Lewis & Bros. Company. They have three whole- 
sale stores and eight retail, four being in Mil- 
waukee, two in Rockford and two in La Crosse, 
Wisconsin. Their Roster includes more than a 
half hundred employes and they are represented 
on the road by about fifteen traveling salesmen, 
covering Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Their 
principal brands are the Tom Moore, La Azora, 
Optimo and Flor De Fay, ten cent cigars, and 
the Henry George, Little Tom, Masterpiece and 
Thomas Paine, five cent cigars. The Tom Moore, 
Flor De Fay, Optimo and La Azora are manu- 



factured in about eighteen different sizes and the 
Flor De Fay is a private brand owned by the 
firm and is their leading clear Havana cigar. It 
was named for the senior member of the firm. 
Fay Lewis. The main store in Rockford is at 
Xos. 312-14 West State street, where they occupy 
two floors with the offices on the second floor and 
at Nos. 208-10 South Main street they have a 
second store, where they also conduct a billiard 
and poolroom. They have the largest cigar busi- 
ness in the state outside of Chicago, carry the 
finest line of goods and are the largest distributors 
of cigars in Illinois. Their business has long 
since reached extensive and profitable proportions 
but they confidently expect their sales will amount 
in the present year, 1905, to more than a million 
dollars. 

Fay Lewis is prominent in the public interests 
of the city as well as in business life and has for 
many years been superintendent of the \Mnne- 
bago County Branch of the Illinois Humane So- 
ciety. In politics he is a utilitarian and maintains 
a close interest in every movement for the im- 
provement of social and economic conditions. 



FRED N. KNAPP. 



Fred X. Knap]) is the owner of a valuable farm 
of more than one hundred and seven acres lying 
on section 2, Burritt township and section 35, 
Harrison township, and he is known not only as 
a progressive agriculturist of the community but 
also as an active and helpful factor in public life 
and is now serving as commissioner of highways. 
His birth occurred in Harrison township, Febru- 
ary 13, 1869, his parents being \\'illiam M. and 
Lois (Ellis) Knapp. The father was bom in 
A'ermont, November 14, 1836, and when ten years 
of age was brought by his parents to this county. 
He was married on the 23d of January, 1864, to 
Mrs. Lois (Ellis) Conklin, who came to Winne- 
bago county in 1846 and wdio was born in Can- 
ada, May 29, 1828. When the father arrived in 
this county in 1846 only a few farms had been 
developed, and one could drive for miles over the 
prairie without a fence to intercept his progress. 
For a long period he carried on general agricul- 
tural pursuits, but is now living a retired life 
among his children. His wife died at the home of 
their daughter in Shirland township April 23, 
1905. 

Fred N. Knapp, spending his boyhood days in 
his parents' home, accjuired his education in the 
common schools, and afterward enjoyed the bene- 
fit of instruction in Rockford Business College. 
The occupation to which he was reared he has 
made his life work, and he now carries on general 
farming, having his place of one hundred and 



7o6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



seven acres uiuk-r a liitjh state of cultivation. The 
fiekls are well tilled, and he also has good stock 
upon his i)lace and the farm is well equippetl ac- 
cording to modern ideas. 

Mr. Knapp was married Novemhcr 14. 1889. to 
Miss Agnes J. Gilmore. who was horn in .\storia. 
Long Island, New York. January y, 1871. and 
during her infancy was hn night to Illinois hy her 
parents. Thomas and .Margaret H. (iilmore. Unto 
Mr. ami .Mrs. Knaji]) have Ix^en horn three sons: 
Thomas W'.. born Novemher 2^. 1891 ; Willis F.. 
-April 28, i8()5 : and Harley C. June 4. n)Oi. All 
were born in Harrison township. 

.Mr. Knapj) exercises his right of franchise in 
sup|)ort of the men and measures of the rei)ul)- 
lican party. He has served as scliool director, and 
has been township collector for two terms, while 
at the present time he is occupying the position of 
commissioner of public highways. In the dis- 
charge of his duties he is ever prompt and faith- 
ful, and his ability well ([ualifies him for the in- 
terests entrusted to his care. For fourteen years 
he has been a member of Harrison camji. No. 684, 
M. W. .v.. and his wife is a memlx'r i)f the C'on- 
gregational church. 



[OHX FALLOW 



John I-"allon, in whom the public reposes con- 
fidence, as is indicated by his incumbency in the 
office of assessor in Cherry N'alley township, has 
for half a century resided in \\'inncbago county, 
arriving here in .\pril. 1855, after traveling west- 
ward from Steuben county. New York. He was 
born in Goshen, Orange county, New 
York, in 1845, his parents being Patrick 
and Bridget (Turley) Fallon, both of 
whom were natives of County Roscommon, 
Ireland, and came to the United States 
in early life. The father first located in Massa- 
chusetts, while the mother took up her abode in 
Orange county. New York. It was in the latter 
locality tliat they became acquainted and were 
married, and during their residence there Pat- 
rick Fallon followed railroading. His wife died 
in Corning. New York, and her remains were in- 
terred at Painted Post, in that state. He after- 
ward removed to tlie west, reaching Winnebago 
county in March, 1853, about a month before the 
arrival of his sfin John and the other members 
of the family. He |)urchased a farm, now owned 
and occu])ied by John Fallon, and made his home 
thereon from 1861 until his death, which occurred 
on the 1 2th of February, 1893, wlien he was 
about eighty-one years of age. He followed gen- 
eral agrictdtiiral i)ursuits throughout his entire 
life, and the term, "dignity of lalmr," found ex- 
emplification in his record. In his family were 



two sons and a daughter : John, of this review ; 
.Sarah, who died in 1867. at the age of twenty- 
five years : and Joseph, who is residing in Chica- 
go, where he has been a member of the police 
force for over twenty-two years. For the past 
eight years he has been sergeant of patrol at the 
Warren-avenue station. 

John Fallon was reared in Orange county, 
New York, and attended school there in his boy- 
hood days. .\s before stated, he arrived in Win- 
nebago county in .April. 1855, and he has always 
followed fanning, being now the owner of one 
Inmdred acres of land which his father purchased 
many years ago. This is a well improved prop- 
erty, indicating the careful sujiervision of the 
owner, who is practical in all of his n:ethods and 
conducts his farm along progressive lines. He 
left the plow at the time of the Civil war. how- 
ever, enlisting in this county as a member of the 
Eighteenth Wisconsin \'olunteer Infantry, which 
was assigned to the Third Division of the Fif- 
teenth .Army Corps. He also sjient some time 
with the Army of the Tennessee, and participated 
in the battle of Shiloh and in many other impor- 
tant engagements, but was never seriously in- 
jured. His first enlistment was in January. 1862, 
and he afterward re-enlisted in the same company 
and regiment, remaining with that command im- 
til mustered out after the close of the war, on the 
i8th of July. 1865. at the time his command was 
with the western army. He enlisted as a private 
and was sergeant at the close of the war. 

Mr. Fallon returned to his home when the 
country no longer needed his aid. and resumed 
farming. He was married here to I'.ridget Do- 
lan, a native of County Galway. Ireland, and a 
daughter of Michael and Mary ( Doud) Dolan, 
who came to Massachusetts in 1854, and remained 
at Pioston for a few months, after which they 
continued their journey westward to Winnebago 
count}', arriving here in 1855. They settled in 
Cherry N'allcy township, where the father carried 
on agricultural pursuits, but both he and his wife 
are now deceased, the former having died in Sep- 
tember. i8<>8, when seventy-one years of age. 
while the latter departed this life in 1893. ^^ '^'^ 
age of seventy years. Mrs. h^allnn has three 
brothers and two sisters living : Patrick, who 
is a farmer of Cherry \'alley township ; Thomas 
and James, who are following farming in the 
same township : Evaline. who resides upon the 
old farm homestead, and Mrs. .Anna McMahan, 
of Rock ford. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fallon has been 
blessed with thirteen children, ten of whom are 
living: William P.. now deceased, was a sol- 
dier of Company K. Third Illinois Infantry, en- 
listing at the outbreak of the i^panish- .American 
war. With his command he went to Porto Rico, 
where he remained until the close of hostilities, 




MR. AND AIRS. JOHX FALLON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



709 



but he contracted fever which terminated liis life 
in the Presbyterian hospital of Chicago on the 
29th of December, 1898. Sarah died in child- 
hood. Mary is the wife of David Lynch, a resi- 
dent of Rockford. Nellie is the wife of Thomas 
Haley, of Cherry Valley, and they have three 
children, John, Lucile and Francis. Michael, 
who served in the Philippines as a member of 
Company K, Thirty-fifth United States Volun- 
teer Infantry, is now farming in Qierry Valley 
township. Joseph is at home. Catharine and 
Elizabeth, twins, are at home. Julia, John, 
Thomas and Alice are yet with their parents. 
F"rancis died at the age of six months. 

^Ir. Fallon has always been an advocate of 
republican principles, and for more than twenty 
years has served as school director. He belongs 
to Nevius post. No. i, G. A. R., and to the 
Knights of Columbus, at Rockford, and he like- 
wise has membership relations with St. James' 
Catholic church. In all matters of citizenship he 
is as devoted to the welfare of his country as 
when he wore the blue uniform and followed the 
starry banner of the nation on the battle-fields of 
the south. 



TOHX :\1. FRALEY, 



John M. Fraley, a retired druggist and a vet- 
eran of the Civil war, making his home at No. 
118 North First street in Rockford, is a native 
son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Mer- 
cer county, April 17, 1842. His parents were 
John and Martha (Shields) Fraley. The father 
was a native of Switzerland, born in 1817, and 
when a young man came to this country. Here 
he was married to Miss Shields, a native of Vir- 
ginia, whose grandfather had come to the new 
world from the northern part of Ireland. He was 
Richard Shields, who crossed the Atlantic during 
the period of the Revolutionary war, and his son 
was John Shields, father of j\Irs. Fraley. John 
Fraley, Sr., came from Switzerland by driving 
six hundred miles across France to Havre de 
Grace, where he took passage on a sailing vessel 
that was thirteen weeks in reaching the harbor 
of New Orleans. He then made his way up the 
Mississippi river to Kentucky and later went to 
Indiana. He was a tailor by trade and in 1848 
he made his way from the Hoosier state to Win- 
nebago county, where he spent his remaining days 
as a resident of Rockford. His first wife died 
during the early boyhood of her son John A., 
leaving beside a daughter, now Mrs. Martha 
Woodrufif. The father afterward married again, 
his second union being with Naomi Willetts, who 
died in 1896. while his death occurred in 1894. 

John '\\. Fraley, educated in the schools of 
Rockford and spending his boyhood days in the 
41 



usual manner of lads of that period, remained at 
home until after the outbreak of the Civil war, 
when on the 6th of August, 1862, he offered his 
services to the government and became one of the 
boys in blue of Company K, Seventy-fourth Illi- 
nois Infantry, with which he served for three 
years. He was a loyal soldier, displaying valor 
upon the fields of battle and when the war was 
over lie was honorably discharged and returned 
to his home. He then began learning the drug 
business and after remaining in the employ of 
others for sometime he embarked in business on 
his own account, successfully conducting his 
store for many years and becoming recognized as 
one of the leading merchants of the city. Eventu- 
ally he sold out and was with the Utter Manufac- 
turing Company until 1898, when he retired from 
business. He now owns the home where he re- 
sides at No. 118 North First street and is enjoy- 
ing a well earned rest, having for many vears 
figured prominently in business circles of the city. 
In 1866 Mr. Fraley was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary Utter, who was born in Warsaw, 
New York, in 1844, and was a daughter of Isaac 
and Eliza (Smith) Utter. Her father was one 
of the most prominent representatives of indus- 
trial interests in Rockford for many years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fraley have lost three children. He 
belongs to Nevius Post, No. i, G. A. R., in which 
he has long been an active and helpful member, 
and he likewise holds membership relations with 
the Masonic fraternity and the Royal Arcanum. 
He has in his possession a Confederate almanac 
published in 1862, few of the kind being now in 
existence, and he also has an old map of the 
United States showing the length of railroads, 
canals, rivers, post routes and wagon roads. He 
and his wife attend the First Congregational 
church and are highly esteemed by many friends 
because of their genuine worth, the hospitality of 
the best homes of Rockford being cordially ex- 
tended to them. 



WILLIAM A. ROTHWELL. 

William A. Rothwell. following farming on 
section 32, New Milford township, was born in 
Marion township. Ogle county. Illinois, February 
19, 1838, his parents being Robert and Susan 
(Andrus) Rothwell, who came to Winnebago 
county in March, 1837. Few settlers had at that 
time sought homes within the borders of this 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Rothwell took up their 
abode on a farm in Ogle county, but about 1843 
returned to Winnebago county, settling on section 
32, New Milford township, not far from the farm 
upon which William A. Rothwell now resides. 
The father was a native of Manchester, England, 
and in his active business life displayed many of 



7IO 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WLNfNEBAGO COUNTY. 



the strong and sterling characteristics of his Eng- 
lish ancestry. His boyhood and youth were 
passed in his native country and in early man- 
hood he crossed the Atlantic, arriving in Massa- 
ciuisetts in 1826. There he followed his trade of 
calico ])rinting and for five years remained in the 
Old Bay State, after which he spent a similar per- 
iod in ( )hio and then came west to Illinois. He 
was an active church man. being at one time a 
local minister of the W'esleyaii .MetlKjdist denomi- 
nation. He was also a stanch abolitionist and 
prior to the Civil war his home was a station on 
the celebrated underground railroad, whereby he 
assisted many a fugitive negro to proceed north- 
ward on his way to freedom. Jn his fraternal re- 
lations Mr. Rothwell was an ( )d(l l-"ellow and his 
life manifested many Inimanitarian traits, his 
g<H)d service to his fellowmen being greatly ap- 
preciated. He died June 14, 1884, at the ad- 
vancetl age of eighty-one years and twelve days. 
He married Susan .\ndrus, who died June 17, 
1882, at the age of eighty-five years, six months 
and four days. She was lx>rn in P>erkley, Massa- 
chusetts, and was a daughter of the Rev. Thomas 
Andrus, who for forty-six consecutive years was 
pastor of the church there, and later served for 
several years intermittently. 

He was among the first to enter the Conti- 
nental .\rmy during the kevolutinnary war. serv- 
ing from 1775 to 1781, when he was captured by 
an English frigate and imprisoned on the old Jer- 
sey prison ship in New York harbor. This was 
prior to his entering the ministry. It was at 
Berkley, Massachusetts, that Mrs. Rothwell spent 
her girlhood days and was married. There were 
but two sons in the family, Thomas dying at the 
age of four years. 

The other son, William Rothwell, was one of 
the first three white children born in this sec- 
tion of Illinois and he has spent most of his active 
business life here, devoting many years to bridge 
building. .\t the time of the Civil war he es- 
poused the Cnion cause, enlisting in 1862 as a 
member of Company K, Seventy-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. He served for almost three years and 
|)articipatcd in more than thirty battles and en- 
gagements in which his regiment took part. He 
\\p.'> twice slightly wounded and was mustered 
out f>n the 27th of June, 1865, having been a loyal 
and devoted advocate of the Union cause. 

When the war was over Mr. Rothwell returned 
home and resumed farming. He had been married 
in 1858 to Miss Nancy .\. Bartleman, who w^as 
Ikmu September I, 18.^8, near Prescott, Canada, 
and left there when sixteen years of age, coming 
witli till family to W'iiniebago county. She was a 
daughter of (jcorge and Jennie (Kirkwood) Bar- 
tleman, the former born near Edinburg and the 
latter in Glasgow, Scotland. They came to Can- 
ada as children and were married there. Both 



died ill the West, the mother departing this life 
at Lawrence, Kansas. Mrs. Rothwell has a broth- 
er and sister living: Benjamin, who makes his 
home in Estherville. Iowa; and .\nna Lyon, of 
Chicago. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rothwell 
was blessed with a daughter and son: Mrs. 
George Stevens, and Lester Rol)ert, who is op- 
ei.'iilng the home farm. 

Mr. Rothwell exercises his right of franchise 
in support of republican i^rinciples and the men 
who stand for the party as its candidates. He 
has served for eight years as supervisor and also 
as justice of the peace and his political duties 
have been discharged in prompt and able man- 
ner. His wife is a member of the Wesleyan 
cliiirili. I'.otli Mr. and Mrs. Rothwell enjoy the 
warm regard of many friends and are widely 
known in this countv. 



ADOXIRAX J. SWF.ZEV. 

The broad prairies of Illinois furnish splendid 
opportunity to the horticulturist as well as the 
agriculturist and Mr. Swezey is numbered 
among the citizens of Winnebago county who 
have successfully engaged in the raising of fruit. 
His attention is largely given to this industry at 
the present time, his home being on section 16, 
Guilford townshi]). He was born in Harmony, 
Cliautau(|ua cnuiity. Xew York. I'ebruary 22, 
1836. His grandfather. Daniel Swezey, was a 
native of Suffolk county. Long Island, New 
York, his natal day being in June, 1753. He was 
a son of Christopher Swezey and a grandson of 
Steiihen Swezey, who w-as one of six brothers 
living in ."-^wezeytown. Suffolk county. Long 
Island, .'■itephen .Swezey spent his entire life 
there, as did also Christopher Swezey, and Daniel 
Sw-ezey was there reared and married. He, how- 
ever, left the old homestead and sought his for- 
tune elsewhere, going in 1796 to Norway, 
Herkimer county, Xew York, where he purchased 
four hundred acres of land, on which he erected 
a log cabin, later giving his attention to the 
cultivation and improvement of his farm. The 
date of his birth was December 25, 1778, and he 
was therefore eighteen years of age when he be- 
came a resident of Herkimer county, where he 
continued to make his home until i<836. In that 
year he removed to Chautauqua county, where 
he purchased a tract of land, ujion which he 
.spent his remaining days. He married Miss 
Clarissa Spcrry, who was born in Xew Haven, 
Connecticut, September 15, 1789, and was de- 
scended from an old colonial family of English 
origin founded in Massachusetts in 1635. 

Darius A. Swezey, father of our subject, was 
born in the town of Russia, Herkimer count>', 
Xew York. .August 15, 1808, and in 1833 went 




A. T- SWEZEY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



713 



to Chautauqua county, settling there among its 
pioneer residents. The western part of the state 
was at that time Httle improved and he purchased 
a tract of timber land, on which he erected a sub- 
stantial log cabin — the home in which A. J. 
Swezey first opened his eyes to the light of day. 
There the father carried on agricultural pursuits 
until 1845, when he removed to Erie county, 
Pennsylvania, where he purchased land, residing 
thereon until 185 1. That year witnessed his ar- 
rival in AVinnebago county, Illinois, and he 
purchased the land upon which our subject now 
resides, making it his place of residence until he 
was called to his final home. He married Miss 
Esther Brooks, who was born in Cortland county. 
New York, September 30, 181 5, and was a 
daughter of James and Rhoda Brooks. Her 
fatlier's birth occurred near Marlboro, Berkshire 
county, Massachusetts, and when a young man 
he went to New York, residing in Cortland 
countv until 1827, when he removed to Chau- 
tauqua county, where he lived until 1854. In 
that year he sold his property in the Empire state 
and took up his abode in Erie county, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he spent his declining years. In 
the family of Mr. and Mrs. Darius Swezey were 
six children, one of whom, Edward, enlisted for 
service in the Civil war as a member of the 
Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was after- 
ward transferred to the One Hundred and Thirty- 
fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers and died 
nine days after being discharged. 

A. J. Swezey acquired his early education in 
the public schools of Chautauqua county. New 
York, and Erie, Pennsylvania, and later pur- 
sued a more advanced course at Waterford 
Academy in Pennsylvania and the National Nor- 
mal School at Lebanon, Ohio. When a young 
man he began teaching and followed that pro- 
fession up to the time of his marriage. During 
the latter part of his connection with that work 
he occupied the chair of languages and literature 
in Elgin Academy, but on his marriage he re- 
signed his position and settled on the old home 
farm in Guilford township. He then began its 
further development and improvement and for a 
number of vears engaged in the cultivation of the 
cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, but 
in recent years he has given his attention largely 
to horticultural pursuits, raising each year large 
amounts of fruit, for which he finds a ready sale 
on the market. 

In 1866 ^Ir. Swezey was married to Miss 
]\Ialinda Bruner, who was born in Canada and is 
a daughter of Philip Bruner. Mr. and Mrs. 
Swezey are members of the State Street Baptist 
church of Rockford. He was formerly identified 
with Grange No. 6 and for three years he man- 
aged a store in the interest of the Grange. He has 



been a strong advocate of temperance principles 
through many years and since 1884 has affiliated 
with the prohibition party. In 1889 he was 
candidate of that party for state legislature and 
ran two thousand votes ahead of his ticket. Mr. 
Sweze)' is a public-spirited and progressive citi- 
zen, prominent and influential, and has the regard 
of all with whom he comes in contact. For the 
past twenty years he has been secretary of the 
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Guil- 
ford, of which successful institution Robert 
Simpson is the president and R. B. Shumway is 
treasurer. 

Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Swezey. Esther Mary, the eldest, is the wife of 
Dr. Robert E. Coy, of Rockford, and they have 
an infant daughter, Isabella. Professor Otto H. 
Swezey was graduated from Lake Forest 
L'niversity with the degree of Bachelor of Arts 
and the Northwestern LTniversity at Evanston 
with the degree of Master of Sciences. He has 
taught at Evanston and in the State University 
of Ohio at Columbus and is now professor of 
entomology and biology at the experimental sta- 
tion of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Associa- 
tion at Honolulu. He married Miss Mary Walsh, 
a teacher in the Cleveland (Ohio) schools and 
formerly an instructor in Evanston, Illinois. 
They now reside in Honolulu. Mrs. 
Otto Swezey possesses much artistic 
talent, and draws many of the cuts of 
the insects handled by her husband. Royal E. 
Swezey is at home. Anna, who completes the 
family, is a graduate of the cooking school of 
Battle Creek, Michigan, and is now superintend- 
ent of the culinary department of the sanitarium 
at Madison, Wisconsin. 



ELISHA C. DUNN. 



In the line of history, science and religion, this 
gentleman possesses an inexhaustible fund of in- 
formation, and as a lecturer has won a national 
fame. He has a practical knowledge of every 
country, its people, politics and religion, and 
has been a thorough student of languages, speak- 
ing several different tongues with fluency. A 
man of fine physique with military carriage and 
genial face, he has a welcome grasp of the hand 
for his many friends and is most companionable. 
Of recent years, he has given special attention to 
the study of the sagacity of the lower animals, par- 
ticularly the horse and dog, and not long since 
edited a remarkable work, published by a Boston 
firm, entitled the "Sagacity of Dogs." The vol- 
ume is beautifully illustrated and is so arranged 
with attractive stories as to be a most popular ju- 
venile work. 



PAST AX 13 rUESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Xiiw retired from the active duties of life. Dr. 
Dumi resides in his palatial lionic at Xo. 809 West 
Slate street. This residence, which was erected by 
an architect from Xew York, is of an oriental de- 
sign of architecture externally, with an interior 
(Jueen Anne finish, and is a model of elegance, 
fitted widi the most complete modern imi)rove- 
nients, such as steam heating, gas and water ac- 
commodations. The parlor is finished in ebony 
and gold, and is furnished with light through 
double French plate glass windows. The octagon 
dining room is finished in walnut and cherry, and 
the windows are of opalized glass, while the other 
rooms contain all of the conveniences desirable. 
The residence is a delightful combination of com- 
fort anil magnificence and is an im|)(irtant addition 
to the architectural beauty of the l-'orest City. 

Tile Doctor has made his home in Rockford 
since 1863. altliough many of the intermediate 
years have been spent either in the lecture field or 
in travel. He has lectured on scientific and po- 
litical subjects, and on the human anatomy and 
diseases and has addressed audiences as small as 
twelve people (in Saugatuck. Michigan) and as 
large as five thousand ]x'ople ( in Prince .Mbert's 
Hall, London. England). He often relates in a 
bright and interesting manner stories of his trav- 
els, which have extended into every habitable 
country of the globe, except in the .\rctic regions, 
and he has lectured in most of the large cities of 
the world. While abroad he collectecl genis and 
precious stones, some of which, worth at least 
nine thousand dollars, were destroyed in a nni- 
seum in the great fire at Chicago. He has come 
in contact with many of the greatest minds of the 
world, and numbers among his friends many of 
the leading men of different kingdoms. 

In social organizations the Doctor has for years 
been very prominent. He is an aide-de-camp of 
the supreme commander, (iencral Carnahan, of the 
Knights of Pythias, and meets with the order in 
their state and national conventions. He is also 
a Knigjit Temjilar. belonging to Crusader com- 
mandcry. No. 17, and is well known to the mem- 
bers of the state antl national lodges. In the In- 
dependent Order of ( )dd i'"ell(nvs he takes an 
e(|ual interest anri is a member of the encamp- 
ment at Rockford. 

While visiting in Palestine with the intention 
of collecting material to assist him in his lectures 
against religion he became thoroughly convinced 
of the divinity of the life of Christ, and has since 
been a consistent an<I faithful member of the 
Metliodist F.pisco|>al church. He advocates |)ro- 
hibition principles and has never drunk liipiors or 
used tobacco in any form. In his p(jlitical belief 
he adheres to the ])rincii)les of the rei)ublican 
party and takes the stump in its belialf whenever 
necessarv. 



W hen seventeen years old and a wild, reckless 
lad, our subject was taken into the home of Dr. 
Peebles, whom he calls his benefactor, and was 
given a thorough educaticjn. being a graduate of 
the L'niversity of Peimsylvania. He remembers 
his benefactor with an affection which will last 
as long as life itself, for he owes him a debt of 
gratitude which naught can efface. He was 
yoimg when he began to study medicine, and soon 
afterward was able to support himself, although 
he was associated and traveled with Dr. Peebles 
for fifteen years. Although a native of Xew 
'S'ork. he spent only a few years of his life there, 
and he has resided in liliiinis during the most of 
his life. 

In Marshall. Michigan, the Doctor was united 
in marriage with .Miss Carrie Etts. a native of 
the lun])ire state and a member of a worthy fam- 
ily Early in life she displayed great ability as 
an artist and in later years executed some very 
fine pieces, which in style and coloring are far 
superior to the work of amateurs. Her work 
has received the commendation of the best artists, 
and her last effort. "Pythias IJefore the Block," a 
painting six feet by four and six inches, is valued 
at more than one thousand dollars. She devoted 
much time to her artistic studies and was a lady 
of dignity of presence and noble character. She 
died in I\Iay, 1893, and was buried in the West 
Side cemetery. Dr. and Mrs. Dunn were the par- 
ents of two children : Aeola, wife of Richard 
Hamlyn, who resides in Rockford, where her hus- 
band is a member of the firm of Hamlyn & P)ig- 
ham in the meat-market business ; and James, 
who married Emma l'aters<in and resides in 
Rockford. 

Dr. Dunn is a tnan of sterling worth, possess- 
ing those characteristics so essential not only to 
genius, hut to chivalrous .American manhood, and 
he is honored and respected liy all who know 
him. 1 le has been an im]>ortant factor in the in- 
tellectual, artistic and material ilevelopment of 
his adopted cit\' and no history of Rockford and 
Winnebago cmmtx would be complete without 
exclusive mention of this genial gentleman. I'or 
two years he served as alderman of the fnurlh 
ward, and is now superintendent of i)arks. 



IS \.\C UTTER. 



Isaac Clier. who died on the "th of May, 
1881. was a i>ioneer settler of Rockford. whose 
acli\ity coiuributed in substantial measure to the 
ni)l>uilding of the city through many years, and 
hardly an enterprise of importance had been es- 
tablished here in which he was not financially 
interested or to whose success he had attrib- 
ute(' by his wise l)usiness counsel and coo;)- 
eralion. He was born in Eaton. Madison county, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



715 



New York, January 17, 1809, and resided there 
until 1837. when he removed to Angelica. New 
York, which remained his place of residence until 
1840. He then took up his abode in Warsaw, 
Wyoming county. New York, where he built a 
woolen mill and was engaged in the business of 
manufacturing cloth until 1850. During the suc- 
ceeding two years he was not actively connected 
with business enterprises, but in 1852 he came 
to Rockford and from that time until his death 
was a most valued factor in industrial and com- 
mercial circles of this city. 

Here he first formed a partnership with Or- 
lando Clirke in Rockford Iron Works and they 
continued in business for years, conducting a 
foundry and machine shop. The partnership was 
maintained until 1876, at which time J\Ir. Clarke 
withdrew and the Utter Manufacturing Company 
was formed. In the meantime lilr. Utter had be- 
come interested in other lousiness enterprises. In 
1865. associated with Levi Rhodes and his son, 
Charles M. Utter, he built the Rockford Paper 
Mills and in the spring of 1866 began the manu- 
facture of paper, the plant being successfully and 
continuously conducted since that time. During 
his business career he invested in various Rock- 
ford enterprises. He was one of the original 
stockholders in the watch factory, a stockholder 
in the tack factor}' and in the People's Bank, and 
in the last two was a director. He was also a 
stockholder in the Second National and the Win- 
nebago banks, in the silver-plate works and was 
president of the Utter Manufacturing Company. 
At his death he left an estate valued at about 
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which 
was equallv divided among his wife and children. 
He owned about thirt\'-seven acres of land north 
of the old camp grounds, which was a valuable 
tract, and he also had a farm in Iowa and a com- 
fortable home on South \\'innebago street. He 
was an enthusiast in anything pertaining to ma- 
chinery and was alwa\'s at work over some device. 
He invented a number of implements in connec- 
tion with his manufactory, although he never at- 
tcmi.ited to secure a patent on these. 

Plis was a business record which any man 
might be proud to possess, as it awakened the ad- 
miration and respect of his contemporaries, who 
knew him to be a man of unflinching honor and 
unfaltering integrity. iMr. Rhodes, so long his 
partner, said of him : "He was a good man, up- 
right and sincere. I could not ask a better part- 
ner. For twenty-three years we were associated 
in the paper mill and in all that time there was 
never a word of difference or a misunderstand- 
ing or anv antagonism as to the plans and details 
of the business." One of his most marked and 
commendable characteristics was his deep inter- 
est in the success of other business men, and he 
generously gave counsel and often financial as- 



sistance to those who became factors in Rock- 
ford's business circles. When those prominent 
in business for many years passed away Mr. Ut- 
ter regarded it as a personal loss, for he enter- 
tained the warmest esteem and friendship for 
those with wliom he was so long associated. 

On the 14th of January, 1832, Mr. Utter was 
married to Miss Eliza Smith, who was born in 
1810 and who died October 28, 1871. They be- 
came the parents of six children, of whom four 
are now living: Mrs. W. E. S. Trowbridge, who 
resides at Downers Grove, Illinois ; Horace B., a 
resident of Danville, this state ; ]\Iary E., the wife 
of John M. Fraley, of Rockford, and Fidello I., 
also living in Rockford. On the i8th of January, 
1873. ^I""- Utter was again married, his second 
union being with Miss Lydia Rush, a native of 
Pennsylvania, who still survives him, and is a 
most estimable lady, whose devotion to her hus- 
band made his last years filled with comfort and 
happiness. 

He lived beyond man's allotted time and death 
came to him as one "who wraps the drapery of 
his couch about him and lies down to pleasant 
sleep." His was an unassuming, straightforward, 
honest nature, and he was a man who believed 
in doing all things well. Pie worked earnestly, 
yet unostentatiously, for the welfare of Rock- 
ford and without invidious distinction could well 
he called one of her foremost men. He com- 
manded the warmest reverence and affection of 
his children, to whom he was ever loyally de- 
voted, and he was altogether worthy and honor- 
able in every relation of life, so that his memory 
is cherished' by those who knew him and who 
came within the circle of his business acquaint- 
ance, his friendship or his home life. 



HON. CHARLES E. JACKSON. 

Hon. Charles E. Jackson is essentially a typi- 
cal representative of the middle west, alert and 
enterprising. His labors into whatever channels 
directed are resultant factors in accomplishing 
the end desired, and in business and political cir- 
cles in his community he is prominent, his popu- 
larity being well deserved, for in him are em- 
braced the characteristics of an unbending 
integrity, unabating industry and energy that 
never flags. As chief executive of Rockford he 
is to-dav giving to the city an administration in 
which are comljined the qualities of the success- 
ful business man, whose efforts are permeated 
bv public-spirited citizenship and a sincere and 
earnest desire for the general welfare. 

Charles E. Jackson was born upon a farm in 
Boone county. Illinois, about four miles from Bel- 
videre, on the 30th of November, 1867, but when 
he was only four months old his parents removed 



7i6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



to Rockford. where lie lias since made liis home. 
His education was that afforded by the public 
schools of this city aiul its practical, thorough 
training; well equipped him for the duties of life 
that came when his text books were put aside, 
lie entered upon his business career as a sales- 
man in a retail clothing store and after becoming 
familiar with methods of merchandizing he went 
upon the road as traveling salesman, giving effi- 
cient service in that capacity for several years. 
Naturally ambitious to enter upon an independ- 
ent business career that his labors might more 
directly benefit himself, he established the whole- 
sale portrait and frame business in 1891 that he 
has successfully conducted from that time to the 
present, his sales extending to every state in the 
Union and into foreign countries. He has 
wrought along modern business lines and has 
wrested success from the hands of fate. P>elong- 
ing to that class of tyjiical .\merican men whose 
business labors result in public benefit as well 
as individual success, he has exerted his influence 
strongly and beneficially to promote the commer- 
cial su])remacy of Rockford, and his effective 
work led to his selection for the presidency of 
the East State Street Rusiness Men's Associa- 
tion. 

His marked qualities of leadership in tlial re- 
gard caused him to be mentioned as a candidate 
for alderman in his home ward and to that ])osi- 
tion he was elected. .\ contemporary publication 
said: "In his new ofifice lie surprised his best 
friends by his temperate demeanor in debate, his 
uniform courtesy toward his colleagues and the 
clear-cut manner in which he cared for the in- 
terests of the people. During the two years' serv- 
ice as alderman he became the central figure of 
a movement to modify the existing ward lines of 
the city so that all the voters could be equally rep- 
resented in the council. The successful termina- 
tion of that movement made him the logical can- 
didate of a majority of his fellow citizens for the 
mayoralty, and his supjiort was even more great- 
ly increased as election day drew near." Chosen 
to the highest office within the gift of his fellow 
townsmen, he entered u])on the discharge of his 
duties with a determination to make Rockford 
better through progress in material lines and 
through methfids of reform and ui)building. The 
same energy, close ap])lication and keen discrimi- 
nation which Constituted the basis of his business 
success are now manifest in the exercise of his 
official prerogatives, and already Rockford has 
felt the stimulus of his efforts and public senti- 
ment has been aroused in favor of practical, pro- 
gressive movements. Quoting from the same 
source from which tiie previous extract was 
taken, we add: "If Mr. Jackson has ambitions 
of a political nature otlier than those which make 
for g(K>(l city government, lie has not disclosed 



them even to his closest friends, and the belief 
obtains that his foremost aim is to see the best 
interests of Rockford developed along broad, 
])eaceful and permanent lines." 

In 1898 Mr. Jackson was married to Miss N^el- 
lie L. llrown, a daughter of ^Ir. and Mrs. Charles 
E. Brown, of this city, and their position in social 
circles is assured wherever culture and intelli- 
gence are received as the jiassports into good 
society. His fraternal relations are with the 
Royal .\rcanum, the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica and the Ancient ( Jrder of United Workmen, 
and he is thoroughly in sympathy with the basic 
elements of these organizations. Mr. Jackson is 
yet a young man and there has been nothing 
startling in his history, yet he is a citizen of whom 
Rockford has reason to be proud. The advan- 
tages which he has enjoyed along e<lucational 
and business lines were those which the city af- 
forded and he has found ample opportunity in 
its conditions and possibilities for the exercise of 
native talents which have made him a strong and 
successful business man and a reliable official. 



MIXER CLIKEM AX. 

Miner Clikeniau, a retired fariiKr living on 
Kilborn avenue, in Rockford. was for many 
years closely associated with agricultural inter- 
ests in W^inncbago county and in his life dis- 
played the many sterling characteristics of his 
derman ancestry. His paternal grandfather, 
Lawrence Clikeman, came to .\mcrica from Ger- 
many, in 1776, in the employ of the British army 
and during the war was taken prisoner. On 
being liberated he announced his allegiance to 
the I"nited States, becoming a citizen of the new 
republic. His son. Peter Clikeman, was born 
August 27, 1798, in .Mbany county, Xew York, 
and was a farmer throughout his entire business 
career. He earned a living for himself and 
family in the early days among the hills and 
rocks of his native county. Having arrived at 
years of maturity he wcilded Jane Hilligass. who 
was also a native of that county, born June 21. 
1708. They became the parents of five .sons and 
four daughters: Mary Ann. Ixirn January 0. 
1824: Magdaline. born October 5. i82f>: John F.. 
Ixirii DecemlKT 10. 1828: Hannah. February 25. 
1830: Miner: Eliza. March 18. 1834: Seneca. 
Xovembcr 8. 1836: Jacob, January 30. 1838: and 
Peter H.. February 26. 1840. The father's 
rleath occurred .\pril 15. 1875. and the mother 
passed away February 26. 1840. 

Miner Clikeman was born February 1(1. 1832, 
upon his father's farm about twelve miles from 
Wright, in Schoharie county. New York, and 
])ursue(l his education in the subscription schools. 





MR. AND ^IRS. MINER CLIKEMAN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



719 



He spent his youth and early manhood in the 
east and came first to Winnebago county, Illinois, 
in 1857, but at that time remained for only 
about six months. He then returned to the Em- 
pire state and in 1861 he again spent six or 
eight months in this county. In 1862 he brought 
his family and made a permanent location in 
Winnebago county, taking up his abode in Owen 
township, where he worked at carpentering, being 
engaged in the building of houses and barns for 
some time. In !March, 1868, he purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land, 
which he at once broke and upon the plowed 
ground scattered the seed that in due time 
brought forth good harvests. He also further 
improved his place by the erection of a house and 
barn and the planting of trees. He planted two 
orchards upon his place and his son Charles is 
now setting out the third one. In the "70s 
he bought another tract of land of one hundred 
and forty acres so that his farm now comprises 
two hundred and sixty acres, all of which is well 
improved, constituting one of the best properties 
of the township. \\nTile carr)'ing on agricultural 
pursuits Mr. Clikeman also worked at his trade 
in different states and many evidences of his 
handiwork are seen in Winnebago county. 

In 1852 Mr. Clikeman was married to Miss 
Ann Elizabeth Allen, a daughter of William and 
Elizabeth (Angle) Allen. Her father was a car- 
penter by trade and provided for his family by 
following the builder's art. He spent his entire 
life in the Empire state and died in Bern, Albany 
county, New York, where his birth had occurred 
eighty-two years before. His wife passed away 
June 29, 1879. at the age of sixty-two years and 
ten months. In their family were seven children : 
Ann Elizabeth, born June 24, 1832; IMargaret ; 
Richard ; Liddy S. ; Joseph : Everett ; and Isaac M. 
Mr. and Mrs. Clikeman were married in Bern, 
Albany county. New York, June 4, 1852. and be- 
came the parents of seven children, five of whom 
are natives of the Empire state, while the other 
two were born in \\'innebago county. Charles, 
born December 12, 1853, wedded Alary Cundiff 
and they have four children, their home being on 
the old farm belonging to his father. Sidney D.. 
living in Jackson county. Minnesota, was born 
March 2, 1855. and married Miss Hattie Oliver, 
by whom he has five children, .\ustin. who was 
born September 25, 1856, and lived at Greene. 
Butler county. Iowa, married Julia Carpenter and 
lias one child. \'erna. born June 30, 1858. is a 
resident of Rockford. Laura, born February 15. 
i860, died on the 21st of the same month. Adela, 
who was born October 9, 1864, died February 23. 
1879. William C, born April 23, 1868, married 
Bird Shelev and is a barber of Chicago. 



After many years' connection with agricultural 
pursuits Mr. Clikeman retired from business life 
and is now enjoying a well earned rest in Rock- 
ford. He has served as school director for twelve 
years and has always been interested in the cause 
of education, exercising his official prerogatives 
to advance the standard of the schools. His 
political allegiance has been given to the re- 
publican party since age gave to him the right of 
franchise. He has led a very busy life and his 
own labor has been the basis of his success. In 
an analyzation of his character we find that the 
strong elements are persistent purpose and a thor- 
ough mastery of whatever duty has devolved 
upon him. 



JAMES A. GIBSON. 

The home farm of James A. Gibson is a well- 
improved property of two hundred acres on sec- 
tion 32. Rockford township, and in addition to 
this he owns a tract of timber and pasture land 
of one hundred and five acres. His activity in 
business aft'airs is well known to those who are 
at all acquainted with his life record and it is 
typical of his Scotch ancestry, from whom he in- 
herited an industrious and enterprising disposi- 
tion. A native of the land of hills and heather, 
he was born in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, 
February 5, 1856, his parents being Samuel and 
Margaret f.Adamson) Gibson, who in i860 came 
to America and located in White Rock township, 
Ogle county, Illinois. Both have now passed 
away, the father in 1901 and the mother in 1881. 
James A. Gibson has three brothers and two sis- 
ters, who are }"et living: John and Robert, vidio 
resided upon parts of the old homestead ; and 
Samuel, who resides at Kings, Ogle county, 
where he operates the elevator and is also the 
owner of farming lands in that county and in 
South Dakota ; Jane, the wife of H. B. Hazelton, 
of Carroll count^•. Jowa : and Agnes, the wife of 
\\'. C. Prill, of Glidden, Iowa, now retired. 

James A. Gibson was onl}' four years old when 
brought by his parents to Illinois, and was reared 
in Ogle coimty. where he remained until about 
twenty-five years of age. He has since lived in 
Winnebago county, spending eight years in the 
Scotch settlement near Argyle, where he took up 
his abode in the spring of 1885. He afterward 
lived for nine years in Cherry Valley township, 
renting a farm owned by John Schmauss, and in 
the fall of igoi he purchased his present farm, 
which is one of the old settled districts of the 
county. On it stands one of the most picturesque 
farm houses of this part of the state and Mr. 
Gibson has made improvements there to the value 
of more than four thousand dollars. He keeps 



720 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



the place in excellent cunditiun. carrying nn .y^cn- 
cral agricultural pursuits and slock raising, his 
specialty being shorthorn fuU-bloLided and higl)- 
grade cattle, of which he now has one hundred 
and seven head. He also raises Poland China 
hogs, of which he has about fifty head. An ex- 
cellent judge of stock, he always makes his |>ur- 
chases carefully and thus realizes ccjnsidcrable on 
his sales. 

The home place is known as the old l.each 
farm and is one of the most attractive of Rock- 
ford township. Xot only is the greater part of 
the home place of two hundred acres under a high 
state of cultivation, but in addition to this he has 
one lunidrcd and live acres i)arlially covered with 
timber, while the remainder is good pasture land, 
affording excellent grazing ground for his stock. 

On the 14th of .\pril, 1886, Mr. Gibson was 
united in marriage to .Miss Mary, daughter of 
James and .\nn (Gilchrist) Fleming. .She was 
born in Glasgow, Scotland, F'ebruary 10. 185^). 
and was brought to .\merica when twelve years 
of age, locating with her people at .Argyle, Win- 
nebago county. Eight children have been born 
of this union, all natives of Winnebago county: 
James .\rthur, born October 1. 1888: .\nna Isa- 
bella, born .Vugnst 25. 181JO: Samuel Lester, born 
October 31, 1891 ; Margaret .\lveda, born Sep- 
tember 5, 1893 ; William Ernest, born June '). 
18117; Mary ^lildred, born December 13. 18)8: 
and two who died in infancy. 

hVaternally Mr. Gibson is connected with the 
Knights of the Globe, with the Modern \\'oodmen 
camp of Cherry \'alley and the Mystic Workers, 
and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian 
ciiurch. Since age gave liim the right of fran- 
chise he has been a stalwart re])ublican. never 
faltering in his allegiance to the party, but he has 
no time nor desire for public office, his interests 
being centered upon his business affairs wherebv 
he is enabled to provide a comfortable home for 
his family. In the county wliere almost his en- 
tire life has been passed he is well known as a 
worthv citizen and reliable business man. 



THOMAS G. LEVIXGS. 

Thomas G. Levings, who follows farming just 
west of the city limits of Rockford, and in the 
ap|)lication of his energies to the develoi)ment 
of the natural resources of the state has won 
gratifying prosperity, was born in .Sherman, Con- 
necticut, in .\pril, 1842. his parents being Peter 
R. and .\nna (Xnmi) Levings, l)oth of whom are 
now deceased. The father came to Winnebago 
county, in September. 1842, and located 
in Winnebago township on the boundary line 
of Rockford township. There he entered a 
claim upon which not a furrow had been turned 



nor an im|)rovenR'nt made, but his labors resulted 
in the development of a good farm upon which 
he resided until, retiring from active business 
life, he took uj) his abode in South Rockford, in 
.\pril, 1870. There he spent twelve years in 
the enjoyment of a well earned rest before he 
was called to the home beyond, his death occur- 
ring in Rockford, in 1882, when he was eighty- 
iwo years of age. From the organization of the 
party he was a stanch and earnest republican, 
active in ])olitics and doing all in his power to 
l)rouiote the growth and insure the success of 
his |)arty. He was deeply interested also in the 
local im])rovement and development of his 
adopted county, and as a co-operant factor in 
many measin-es for the general good his labors 
]iroved far-reaching and beneficial. He was 
poj)uiar as a man, ])rominent as a citizen and 
was res])ected and esteemed by a large circle 
of friends. His wife was one of the charter 
nKMnl)ers of the Congregational church here. His 
birth had occurred in Connecticut, and he repre- 
sented an old family of English lineage, while 
his wife was of German descent and was a na- 
tive of the state of Xew ^'ork. She died in 
Winnebago county, about 1868, at the age of 
si.xty-eight years. In their family were three 
sons, the brothers of Thomas tl, Levings being 
Alfred II. and G. W. The former is a physician 
of Milwaukee, jironiinent in his profession, be- 
ing head surgeon of the hos])itals there, and one 
on whose opinions arc largely regarded as au- 
thority in the line of his profession in his l<ical- 
ity. The other brother. G. W. Levings, who was 
engaged in farming in Rockford township, died 
May 2, 1904. There are also two sisters, Mrs. 
II. I'".. Pease, who resides in Winnebago county, 
though spending much of her time in California; 
and -Maggie, who lives in Rockford. 

Thomas (!. Levings was reared in Winnebago 
comity, being only a few months old when 
brought by his parents to the west. He can re- 
member various conditions of pioneer life which 
existed here during his boyhood days, for the 
homes were then widely scattered over the prai- 
ries and many of the now thriving towns and 
villages had not yet sprung into existence. Rock- 
ford, too, was a small place of little importance, 
but there came to the west men of strong pur- 
])ose, anxious to find homes for themselves and 
families and desiring a ])rogressive civilization, 
so that they i>ut forth earnest effort for substan- 
tial advancement and permanent improvement, 
Mr. Levings has always been interested in 
what has been accomplished, and has given his 
aid to many measures for the general good. 
Since 1873 he has resided in his present fine 
home, and farming has been his life work. He 
now owns three hundred and sixty acres of land 
in n.-irliin to\\nslii|). in addition to his home 




T. G. LEVIXGS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



m 



farm of one hundred and forty acres in Rock- 
ford township, and his extensive holdings return 
him a splendid income because of the care and 
labor which he bestows upon his fields. 

Air. Levings had charge of the roads of his 
township for twenty-one years, and to him is 
due much credit for their excellent condition. 
When he was first elected road commissioner 
there was little more than a mile of paved road, 
but when he retired from the office there were 
seventy-eight miles of finely macadamized roads. 
He was also the prime mover in securing the 
free rural mail delivery, and sent in the first pe- 
tition from ^^'innebag•o county for this purpose. 

Mr. Levings was married to Miss Lucy Ellen 
Fuller, a representative of the prominent Fuller 
family of this county, but her death occurred Oc- 
tober 14, 1903, when she was fifty-four years of 
age. Fraternally he is connected with Nevius 
post. No. I, G. .\. R., of Rockford, to which he 
is entitled to membership because of the fact 
that he enlisted in 1864 in Company I, Eleventh 
Illinois Cavalry, thus serving until the close of 
the war. He has always voted for the repub- 
lican party, which stood as the defender of the 
Union during the hour of the country's peril, 
when the stability of the Union was threatened 
by the secession movement of the south. He has 
ever regarded it as the party of improvement, 
reform and progress, and those are causes which 
have always elicited his interest and endorse- 
ment. His religious views are indicated by his 
membership in the Congregational church. 



AMOS W. \\^OODWARD. 

Amos W. Woodward, inventor and manufac- 
turer of Rockford,' was born in Winthrop, Maine, 
in 1829, his parents being Amos and Nancy 
(jMuzzy) Woodward, the former born in New- 
ton, Massachusetts, in 1786, and the latter in 
Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1793. Both families 
were represented in the American army at the time 
of the Revolutionary war. The paternal grandfa- 
ther served in the battles of Concord and Lexing- 
ton, and hauled powder to the troops at Bunker 
Hill, and the maternal grandfather also rendered 
signal service to the cause of independence. The 
Woodward family was founded in the new world 
in 1634, when John W^oodward crossed the At- 
lantic and settled in ^Massachusetts, where his de- 
scendants remained until the grandfather of our 
subject removed from his home in Newton, Mas- 
sachusetts, to Maine. His wife was a sister of 
General Jackson, of Revolutionary fame. Most 
of the family followed farming, and Amos Wood- 
ward, Sr., was not only identified with agricul- 
tural pursuits, but also operated a cotton mill at 
Gardner, Maine, in 1820. Selling that property. 



he took up his abode on a farm. His death oc- 
curred in 1868, and his wife passed away in 1885, 
at the advanced age of ninety-two years. They 
were the parents of six children, of whom four 
reached adult age: Franklin ]\I., Henry, .\mos 
W. and Priscilla. 

Amos W. Woodward was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of the Pine Tree state, and afterward 
learned the trade of a machinist in a plant manu- 
facturing machinery for cotton mills at Lowell, 
Alassachusetts. He began that work in 1849, 
serving a three-years' apprenticeship, and later 
went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was 
engaged in the manufacture of machinsts" tools 
until 1856. In that year he came to the middle 
west, with the intention of going to Minnesota, 
but instead made a location at Rockford. He aft- 
erward began working for the firm of Talcott & 
Emerson, on the present site of the Woodward 
Governor Works, remaining in that employ for a 
year. He next worked for F. H. Manny and 
later for M. C. Thompson, being thus engaged un- 
til November, 1872, when he began business on 
his own account — a step made possible by his in- 
dustry and frugality. With the exception of a 
year and a half when he was associated with Will 
Ross, under the firm style of Ross & Woodward, 
he was alone in business for many years. His 
partnership with Mr. Ross was in 1875, and then, 
purchasing his interest, Mr. Woodward continued 
the business as sole proprietor, manufacturing 
pumps. In 1870 he invented a governor for use 
on water wheels, the first one he made being used 
on a Thompson wheel. To this branch of busi- 
ness he then directed his energies exclusively and 
continued under the name of A. W. Woodward 
until 1902, when the business was incorporated 
imder the name of the Woodward Governor Com- 
pany, with A. W. Woodward as president and El- 
mer Woodward as vice president and secretary. 
They conducted business on the site of the woolen 
mill until 1893, when they removed to No. 660. 
Race street, occupying a factory one hundred by 
seventy feet. They use the first floor in the con- 
duct of their business, manufacturing governors 
for exclusive use on water wheels and hydro-elec- 
tric plants. They employ seventeen people, and 
the enterprise has become one of the leading pro- 
ductive industries of the city, paying a good re- 
turn to the stockholders upon their investment. 

Mr. Woodward was married to Miss Mary A. 
Sealy. of Rockford, a daughter of Richard Sealy, 
one of the early settlers of this city, coming here 
about fifty-five years ago from the state of New 
York. Prior to that time, however, they lived 
in England, in which country Mary A. Sealy was 
born. She had three brothers in the Civil war, 
Robert Sealy holding the rank of lieutenant colonel 
at the time of his discharge. The marriage of Air. 
and Mrs. Woodward, celebrated in 1861. was 



724 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



blessed with four children : Cora, who died in 
1903 : Elmer, who is vice |)resident of the Wood- 
ward Governor Company antl is married and has 
four children ; Frank, who is engaged in portrait 
work in Chicago; and Mimiie, the wife of G. W. 
Taylor, of Rockford, now living in Canton, Ohio. 
Mr. and Mrs. Woodward now make their home at 
No. 603 Pearl street. They are memhers of the 
Baptist church, of which he has been a dea- 
con for tlie i^ast twenty years, and in politics he 
has been an unfaltering re])ublican since casting 
his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. 
His advancement in business circles has been made 
at the cost of strenuous and self-denying labor, 
and his career exem])lifies the old saying "through 
struggles to success." The men who have known • 
him — and they have been many — i-esptct him, and 
those wlio have come within the closer circle of his 
friendship ajipreciatc his many good qualities of 
heart and mind. 



JOSEPH E. MERRTTT. 

Joseph B. ^Territt, the efficient superintendent 
of the ^^'innebago Paper Mill at Rockton. a val- 
uable industry, furnishing employment to a large 
nnmbiT n! workmen and thus contributing in 
substantial measure to the general prosperity, was 
born in Clinton, New York, January 31, 1830. 
His father, .\rtenius Merritt, was a native of 
Massachusetts, and on leaving New England 
went to New York and thence to the West, cast- 
ing his lot with the early settlers of Indiana, 
where he established his home about 1840. He 
married !\Iaria Bradner, and they died at the 
ages of seventy-two and seventy-three, respect- 
ively. In their family were eight children, of 
whom Joseph P.. is the eldest and the only one 
now living in Wiimebago county. 

Mr. Merritt of this review spent the first 
five years of liis life in the Empire state and 
then was taken liy his parents to Indiana, but 
when still a young lad he returned to the home 
of his grandparents in New York and after he 
had reached adult age he entered upon his busi- 
ness career as a clerk in a store in Danville, New 
York, where he was employed for several years. 
He believed, however, that the west would fur- 
nish him better business opportunities and that 
advancement might be more quickly secured. Ac- 
cordingly he made his way to Illinois in 1856, 
settling first in Chicago. The following year, 
however, he was sent to Rockton by the firm of 
Bradner, Smith & Company, of Chicago, to look 
after their paper mill at this point and has since 
been superintendent of the industry. Mr. Brad- 
ner of the firm was his uncle and it was this fact 
that induced Mr. Merritt to come to Illinois. In 
the control of the business here he has showed 



thorough mastery of the trade and capability in 
handling a large working force. For a number 
of years the product of the plant was wrapping 
paper of all kinds, hut during the last three years 
Mr. Merritt has engaged in the manufacture of 
strawboard. The plant is well equipped with all 
modern machinery and employment is furnished 
to thirty-five operators — a fact which makes the 
industry of much value to the village. 

]\Ir. Merritt made his home in Rockton until 
about fifteen years ago. when he removed to Be- 
loit, Wisconsin, where he still maintains his resi- 
dence although he has his business interests in 
Rockton. He was supervisor of Rockton town- 
ship for two years and was a member of the vil- 
lage board at the time of the incorporation. He 
has also served on the school board, has been 
active in public affairs of township and county 
and during his incumbency in the i)osition of su- 
pervisor the court house at Rockford was built. 
His political allegiance has ever been given to the 
republican party and he is thoroughly in sym- 
pathy with its principles and policies. 

On the 1st of December. 1858. occurred the 
marriage of Mr. Merritt and Miss Frances E. 
Mellen. a native of New York. They have one 
daughter, Fannie, now the wife of H. L. Hollis- 
ter, and the mother of one child, Frances. In 
1901 Mr. Merritt was called upon to mourn the 
loss of his wife, who passed away in October of 
that year at the age of seventy-two years. Com- 
ing to the west at a period when industrial and 
commercial progress was in its infancy, he con- 
tributed to tlie upbuilding of Rockton in the suc- 
cessful control of one of its leading business con- 
cerns and at the same time he made his services 
of such value in the company which he repre- 
sented that he commanded an excellent salary, 
while his frugality and industry in the passing 
years have brought him a comfortable compe- 
tence. 



^^'. R. KEVT. 



W. R. Keyt, an architect and builder, whose 
labors have contributed to the improvement of 
Rockford, was born in Piqua. ;\Iiami county, 
Ohio, in 1850. his parents being John W. and 
Rachel (Barrington) Keyt. His parents were 
also natives of Ohio, and the father was a farmer 
by occupation, following that pursuit up to the 
time of his death, whicli occurred when he was 
seventy-five years of age. He had five children, 
two sons and three daughters: John ^^^, who 
died in 1901 ; Jane .Sarah, who is living in Ohio; 
Caroline, also of Ohio; Emma Elizabeth, who 
died in December, 1904: and W. R.. of this re- 
view. The mother passed away in i860. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



725 



At the usual age W. R. Keyt entered the pubHc 
schools of Piqua, Ohio, passing through succes- 
sive grades until he completed the high-school 
course by graduation with the class of 1869. He 
then removed to the farm and later he engaged in 
clerking for a time in a dry goods store. When 
he had been employed in that way for three years 
he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he attended a 
commercial school, and in February, 1877, h^ 
came to Rockford. Here he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade under the direction of his uncle David 
Keyt, who took up his abode in this city in 1856 
for the purpose of building the Second Congre- 
gational church here. He was a contractor and 
builder and was identified with the substantial 
imjirovements of Rockford for a long period. 

W. R. Keyt not only mastered carpentering, 
but also studied architecture. He was with his 
uncle in contracting for four years, and he also 
did drafting on his own account. He then formed 
a partnership with W. A. Keyt, a cousin, under 
the firm name of W. R. & W. A. Keyt, contrac- 
tors and builders. This relationship was main- 
tained for eleven years, from 1887 until i8q8, and 
in one year they built the Lincoln school, the ad- 
dition to the Garrison school, the Freeman, High- 
land and Brown schools and the Christ Henry 
Block. Mr. Keyt of this review also had charge 
of the rebuilding of the Second Congregational 
church after tne fire. In 1898, on account of a 
sprained knee, he quit the work of building and 
decided to enter the employ of The Marsden Com- 
pany as a millwright foreman. To that work he 
devoted his energies for t\\x> years and a half, 
spending si.x months of that time in Kentuckv. 
He afterward went to Peoria, where he became 
superintendent of construction for the largest 
plant at that place. He spent a year and a half in 
Peoria, and in 1900 returned to Rockford, where 
he opened up an office, since which time he has 
given his attention to architecture, and has secured 
a liberal patronage. He built the Gas Stove 
Works, the Armory building, Andrews Iron & 
Wiire Works, an addition to the tannery for the 
Hess & Hopkins Leather Company, and a large 
number of residences, and during the past two 
years he has had charge of the works of the In- 
terurban Railway Company. He is likewise con- 
nected as a director with the Rockford Concrete 
Construction Company. 

Mr. Keyt was married December 21, 1880, to 
Miss Alice L. ]\IcKinley, of Rockford, a daugh- 
ter of William McKinley, who is now ninety-two 
years of age. They have two children : Eva J-. 
who is living at home ; and Maurice B., who is 
attending high school. The family residence is on 
the Traskbridge road, a mile and a half north of 
the city, where Mr. Keyt owns several acres of 
land, largely planted to fruit. In view of the fact 
that he commenced his business career empty 
42 



handed, his success is the more remarkable, and 
his record should prove an inspiration to many 
young man now starting out as he did a few years 
ago, with no capital save brains, integrity, deter- 
mination and perseverance, which after all con- 
stitute the best capital and without which wealth, 
influence and position amount to naught. 



GEORGE E. KING. 

By the death of this honorable and upright citi- 
zen the community in which he lived sustained an 
irreparable loss and was deprived of the presence 
of one whom it had come to look upon as a guard- 
ian, benefactor and friend. Death often removes 
from our midst those whom we can ill afford to 
spare, whose lives have been all that is exemplary 
of the true and thereby a really great citizen. Such 
a citizen was Mr. King, whose "whole career, both 
business and social, served as a model to the voung 
and an inspiration to the aged. He shed a bright- 
ness around everything with which he came in 
contact, and his memory is now enshrined in the 
hearts of many friends who felt the deepest regret 
at his taking ofif. 

Mr. King was a native of Wappingers Falls, 
Dutchess county. New York, his natal day being 
April 30, 1844. His parents were William" G. and 
Elizabeth (Orr) King. The mother died in the 
Empire state during the infancy of her son George 
and the father afterward married again. With 
his second wife and his children he removed to the 
west, settling first in Wisconsin, where they re- 
sided until May, 1856, when they came to Rock- 
ford. Here the father and his son George en- 
tered in the grocery business on South" Main 
street, the partnership being maintained until the 
father's death. His second wife also continued a 
resident of Rockford until called to her final rest. 
George E. King began his education in the east 
and continued his studies in the schools of Wiscon- 
sin and of Rockford. being thoroughly equipped 
with thorough manual training for life's practical 
and responsible duties. At the age of eighteen 
years he entered upon his business career in con- 
nection with his father, conducting a grocery store 
on South Main street under the firm name of Wil- 
liam G. King & Son. In 1864 he became con- 
nected with the Second National Bank as a clerk, 
and his efficiency won him promotion to the posi- 
tion of bookkeeper. He finally became one of the 
stockholders of the institution and was connected 
with it until its failure about 1895 At one time 
he was the foremost business man of the citv, and 
no man in Rockford enjoyed a wider acquaintance 
or had the confidence of the community to a larger 
extent. He was consulted in matters of investment 
and the disposition of estates, and was regarded 



726 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



as a mail of iinusiially kct-n and sound judg- 
ment. The collapse of the Second National Bank 
destroyed the structure and worth of a lifetime, 
hut thouijh some were led to hlame the stockhold- 
ers and officers of this concern his friends and 
those who knew him best and were acquainted 
witli the business affairs of tlie bank had the ut- 
most faith in the intesrity and honesty of Mr. 
King. With fortune gone, he went to the far 
northwest to regain his lost possession, accom- 
jianied by his wife, who was ever a most faithful 
com])anion and liel|>mate to him on life's journey. 
Making his way to .\laska he first lived at Circle 
City, where he managed a supply store for Ware 
& Company, but for several years he made his 
home on an island a few miles from Ketchukam. 
.\laska. wliere he engaged in the fish packing 
business. Early in the winter of 1904-5 Mr. and 
Mrs. King went to .Seattle to spend the cold win- 
ter months there, and becoming ill he was taken to 
a hospital for treatment. He suffered from ty- 
phoid fever, but for a time seemed to recover. 
Heart trouble, however, was afterward manifest 
in his svmptoms, and lie passed away on the 28th 
of .\pril. 1905. 

.\fter becoming a resident of Rockford Mr. 
King was wedded to Miss .Alice E. Fisher, a na- 
tive of this city and a daughter of Henry Fisher, 
who was born in \'ermont. Coming to the west 
he resided in Michigan, but after a short time re- 
moved to Rockford. establishing his home among 
the early residents of the city. Here he engaged 
extensively in the lumlier business and he owned 
sawmills all over this part of the state. Both he 
and his wife resided in Rockford until their de- 
mise. Mr. and Mrs. King had but one child. Alma 
E.. who was an unusually gifted and beautiful 
girl. She was taken ill of diphtheria during her 
student days at Rockford College, and her death 
resulted. This blow was one from which Mr. 
King never recovered and it marked the beginning 
of his decline in life. 

rublic-s])iritcd and progressive he assisted ma- 
terially in promoting the welfare and upbuilding 
of Rockford. He held many city offices. rc])re- 
senting his ward on the board of aldennan and 
he was also a member of the school board. He was 
known as the champion of every measure that had 
for its basis the material, intellectual, social or 
moral progress of his community and his connec- 
tion with the city's growth and development and 
with the work of imyirovement was largely instru- 
mental in placing Rockford in the prominent posi- 
tion it to-day occupies. He voted with the repub- 
lican party and he held membership in the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, attaining the Knight Templar de- 
gree of the York Rite. He belonged to the Epis- 
copal church, of which his family are also mem- 
bers. In all his personal relations he stood as .1 
high type of .\merican manhood, and honored bv 



many friends his death was deeply deplored by 
all who knew him. Mrs. King owns a home at 
No. 121 South West street in Rockford. known as 
the I'isher place, and spends her winters here, 
while her summers are spent in Chomley, .\laska. 



DR. WILLIAM lli:XRV SHAW. 

Dr. William Henry Shaw, now living retired 
on his farm on section ij. Roscoe township, has 
reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey 
and the period of ease and rest which he is now 
enjoying has been well earned. He was born in 
the state of New York, July 4, 1825, and is de- 
scended from English ancestry. His paternal 
grandfather. William Shaw, was a native of 
England and came to .\merica when quite young. 
He was a well-to-do man and owned a stable of 
fine racing horses where Jerome Park now car- 
ries on business. He was noted as a sportsman 
of the early days and was very prominent and 
pojnilar in his locality. 

\\'illiam Shaw, father of Dr. Sliaw. was born 
in New York state and there he died at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-five years, having followed 
farming throughout his active career in order to 
provide for his family. He married Sarah Bul- 
lock, also a native of the Empire state and her 
death there occurred when she was seventy-five 
years of age. They had a large family of fifteen 
children, but only three are now living: Wil- 
liam Henry : Comer, who is a resident of Lock- 
])ort. New York ; and .\hraham, living in Lock- 
port. 

Dr. Shaw acquired his early education in the 
public schools of Lockport and after preparing 
for college was matriculated in Genesee college, 
at Lyman, New York, where he completed a full 
course of study by graduation in the class of 
1840. He then entered \\\>o\\ the profession of 
teaching school, which he followed for fourteen 
years in the Empire state. During a part of that 
time he also studied medicine in Buffalo, New 
York, becoming imbued with the desire to en- 
gage in its practice as a life work. 

In 1832 Dr. Shaw was married to Miss Mary 
Pool, who was born and died in New York, pass- 
ing away in 1854 when only twenty-one years 
of age. The following year he wedded Catherine 
B. Woods, a native of New York and a daughter 
of Ely and Nancy (Gary) Woods. There has 
been a daughter and son born of the second mar- 
riage. The former, Carrie, is now the wife of 
W. H. Bradley, of Beloit, Wisconsin, and has two 
children, Frances M. and Catherine C. Clarence 
F. was born in the state of New York and wedded 
Grace Ransom, a daughter of the late Dr. Ran- 
som, of Roscoe, and they have two children, 
Catherine M. and Ruth. 




DR. W. H. SHAW. 




MRS. W. H. SHAW 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



731 



Dr. Shaw became quite well known in New 
York as a successful teacher and was principal of 
the high school at Attica, that state, when his 
second wife was teaching there. She taught for 
eight years in New York and then gave her hand 
in marriage to Dr. Shaw. In 1864 they removed 
to Illinois and in 1867 he purchased and settled 
upon the farm where he now lives, having here 
one hundred and twelve acres of rich and valu- 
able land. In 1865 they had arrived in Roscoe 
township. Dr. Shaw devoted his energies to 
agricultural pursuits for some years and in 1882 
he entered Columbia ]\Iedical College of New 
York city, from which he was graduated from 
the veterinary department with the class of 1883. 
He then returned to Roscoe and followed his 
profession in the township and county until 1903, 
when he retired and again took up his abode 
upon the farm but he now rents his land. 

He is a prohibitionist in his political views, 
having long been a stanch advocate of the tem- 
perance cause and for thirty years he has been 
an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity 
and is a past master of his lodge. His wife holds 
membership in the Congregational church of 
Roscoe and he attends and contributes toward 
its support, and they are people of most genuine 
worth, being held in the highest regard by all 
who know them. Dr. Shaw has led a busy life 
and one that has been of benefit to his fellow- 
men. A gentleman of strong intellectuality, his 
mental faculties are unimpaired and in spirit and 
interest he seems yet in his prime, keeping in 
touch with modern thought and progress and 
manifesting genuine interest in the welfare and 
upbuilding of his adopted county. 



jere:miah ca.mpbell. 

Jeremiah Campbell, who has passed away, was 
for many years regarded as a citizen of worth in 
Durand township, where he was long connected 
with agricultural interests. The ancestral history 
of the family has been connected with America 
through many generations, coming from Scotland 
to the new world and among the relationship were 
found those who loyally aided in the early wars 
of the country, one member of the family being a 
noted captain in the war of 1812. Samuel and 
X'Grace ( Plumb ) CampbelJ, parents of Jeremiah 
Campbell, were natives of Grand Isle, \"erraont, 
and there the death of the mother occurred about 
1828. The father removed westward to Winne- 
bago countv. Illinois, and here spent his remain- 
ing days, passing away in 1844, at the venerable 
age of eightv-two years. One of his sons had 
come to the county before the father's removal 
from New England. 



Jeremiah Campbell was born in Grand Isle, 
\'ermont, April 5, 1818, and spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth in the Green Mountain state, 
but when a young man of nineteen years started 
for what was then the far west, arriving in Win- 
nebago county in 1837. He drove across the 
country with an ox team in companv with his 
father, and they entered land from the govern- 
ment, becoming pioneer residents of this portion 
of the state. There were only three houses in 
Rockford at the time of their arrival here, and the 
entire country-side presented the appearance of 
nature's handiwork, with none of the improve- 
ments or cultivation inaugurated by man, the 
prairie being covered with its high grasses, while 
in certain districts stood the forest trees amid 
which the sound of the woodman's ax had not 
been heard. Jeremiah Campbell entered his claim 
at the land office in Dixon and built thereon a log 
house, which was afterward replaced by a frame 
residence. He hauled his grain to the Chicago 
market and on one trip to that cit}- the entire ex- 
pense of the journey was twelve cents, which sum 
he paid for milk. In connection with general 
farming he engaged in the manufacture of cheese, 
which he sold at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and 
also at Galena, Illinois. For years he carried on 
the work of the fields, and as his financial re- 
sources increased he bought more land until at 
one time he was the owner of a valuable tract of 
four hundred acres, which he afterward sold to his 
son Frank. 

Mr. Campbell was first married June 30. 1839, 
the lady of his choice being Miss Lois B. Hoyt. 
There was one child of that marriage, Edward S., 
who was born December 11, 1840, and wedded 
Kate Smith, who died at the age of fifty-eight 
years, leaving three children. On the 19th of Oc- 
tober, 1843, Jeremiah Campbell was again mar- 
ried, wedding ]\Iiss Cynthia E. Hoyt, a si.ster of 
his first wife. She was born in St. Albans. Ver- 
mont, November 11, 1828, and was a daughter of 
Hcman and Susan f Franklin) Hoyt. Her pa- 
ternal grandparents, Jonathan and Lois (Bradley) 
Hoyt, were natives of Connecticut, and became 
pioneer settlers of St. Albans, Vermont, where 
they spent their remaining days. Heman Hoyt, 
however, removed from, the Green Mountain state 
to Illinois, taking up his abode in Winnebago 
county on the 3d of January, 1837, his family hav- 
ing arrived here in October of the preceding year. 
He died in this county near the place of his first 
settlement at the age of seventy-three years, and 
his wife died there when fift3r-six years of age. 
L'nto the second marriage of 'Sir. Campbell there 
were born four children : Romeo H.. who was 
born September 15, 1844. was married, had five 
children and died at the age of fifty-seven years. 
Frank B.. born July 25, 1846, and now one of the 
extensive landowners of the countv, living in Pe- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



catonica township, is represented elsewhere in thi< 
work. Emma L.. born June lo, 1850. died April 
15, i8C)4. Eva M.. born I>cember 21. 1854, is 
the wife of Louis iSoodricb. a resitlcnl of I'air- 
mont. Nebraska. 

in his political views Mr. Cam])bell was a re- 
publican, but never soufjht office as a reward for 
iiis party fealty. He hekl a place so hi-.'^h in the 
esteem of his fellowmen that his death, which oc- 
curred .\pril 2-,. 1884, was the occasion of deep 
and wide spread regret. Me is still survived by 
his widow, who makes her home in Duraud ti)W)i- 
ship, and the family is uuich respected in the com- 
munity. No history of the county would be com- 
plete without the mention of Jeremiah Camjibell, 
who was one of the first settlers here, and aided in 
reclaiming the wild district for the puqioses of 
civilization, undergoing all the hardships and |)ri- 
vations of pioneer lite in order that he might make 
a home and gain a comfortable living for his fam- 
ily. At all times and under all circumstances he 
was loyal to justice, truth and the right, and his 
genuine worth made his an houored name. 



THOMAS w . ni:R\\ l-".\ C. 

I hinnas \\ . Derwent, who. after long connec- 
tion with agricultural interests, is enjoying a 
well earned ease and tlie comforts that go to make 
life worth living, his home being in Rockford, 
was born in Duttonfiekl. England, May 22. 1832. 
He was nine years of age when brought by his 
l)arents to America, the family sailing from Liv- 
erpool to New York city on a sailing vessel, 
which was four weeks in completing the voyage. 
They spent five or six months in the east and 
then made their way westward to Rockford. Illi- 
nois, where they also remained for a few months. 
The year 1842 witnessed their arrival in Winne- 
bago comity. The journey westward was made 
by way of the lakes and canal and after reaching 
Chicago the father and grandfather purchased 
horses and drove across the country to this 
county. The grandafther bought a claim of 
James Colton in Durand townshi]), and later 
paid the govermnent for the tract. 

Thomas W. Derwent. reared amid pioneer sur- 
roundings, assisted his father in liis toyhood days 
when not engaged with the duties of the school 
rtKim. his education iK'ing ac(|uired in a select 
school, taugiit by Newman Rowley. He lost his 
father in 1847. when fifteen years of age, after 
which he continued to live with his mother on the 
old home farm until twenty-three years of age. 
He then purchased his mother's and sisters' in- 
terests in the place and liegan raising cattle, hogs 
and wheat on his own account. He hauled his 
wheat to Chicago and marketed his pork in Mil- 



waukee and Racine. It would require from si.x 
to nine dayslo make the trip and upon his return 
he would iiaul lumber, salt and also goods for 
the merchants at Rockford. In the early days 
his financial resources were limited, but year after 
year added to his success and as his capital per- 
mitted he would invest in land until he became 
the owner of five hundred acres in Pecatonica 
and Duraiul townships. Mr. Derwent relates 
many interesting incidents of the early da\s here, 
being a typical ])ioneer settler, familiar with the 
l>rogress of the coiuitx from its early development 
down to the present. When a boy he attempted to 
cross the Pecatonica river with two companions 
for the pur[)ose of seeing a countryman hanged. 
This man was the murderer of Sheriff John W. 
Taylor. The raft on which they had expec'ed to 
cross would not hold the boys, however, and so 
they swam back lo shore and did not complete 
the errand on which they started out. When but 
a boy Mr. Derwent drove six yoke of cattle to 
a plow to break the raw prairie, for there were 
large tracts of land throughout Winnebago coun- 
ty, on which not a furrow had been turned nor 
an imi)rovement made. He also planted the trees 
which are now seen upon his farm and at the 
northwest corner stands a vcn,- large elm, which 
he set out when a mere boy. Industry and enter- 
])ri.se have characterized, his entire life, and after 
taking ])ossession of the old homestead he made 
splendid improvements there, including the erec- 
tion of a fine residence which is surrounded with 
fruit and sha<le trees of his planting. He pur- 
chased the latest improved machinery to facilitate 
his farm work and he kept his land under a high 
state of cullivation. .so tliat rich crops were an- 
nuallv harvested. He also bought land in Iowa, 
which he improved, and which he now rents, re- 
ceiviiig a good income from four hundred acres 
there. He likewise bought nine hundred and 
sixty acres in South Dakota, which he has im- 
proved and rents, and he owns betweeii four and 
five hundred acres of land in Durand and Peca- 
tonica townships, the income from which adds 
materially to his capital each year, .\bout seven 
years ago he retired from the farm and took up 
iiis abode in the village of Pecatonica. where he 
has lived to the jiresent time. Init recentlv l-e has 
purchased a home in Rockford. where he is now 
located. 

In 1883 Mr. DerueiU was married to ^li.ss 
Emma E. I'oster. a daughter of Nahum and 
Marv J. (Ca.s.sidy) Foster, the former a native 
of Southampton. Massachusetts, and the latter of 
St. Johns. .New I'.runswick. in which place they 
were married. There were nine childre!i in their 
family, of whom seven are now living, namely : 
Flora L. Foster, a resident of Rockford ; Sarah 
|.. the widow of Irvin l>ench. a resident of 
"Rockford; Mrs. Derwent: (ieorgia A., the wife 




MR. AND MRS. T. \V. DERWENT. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



735 



of Frank McLain, who is living in Laona town- 
ship ; Roscoe L., who married Helen Bowman, 
and makes his home in Rockford; Dolly J-, the 
wife of James H. Smith, of Harlem township, 
and lulith \'., the wife of Thomas R. 
Puddicomb. 

Mr. and Mrs. Derwent are the parent? of one 
son, Everett, who was born September 19, 1884, 
and has pursued his education successively in the 
district schools, the Pecatonica high school and 
the State I'niversity at Champaign, where he is 
studying civil engineering, and will complete his 
course in June, 1906. Mr. Derwent has been road 
commissioner and school director and has ever 
championed progressive measures that have been 
for the general good. He belongs to the Odd 
Fellows society and his wife is a member of the 
}iIethodist Episcopal church, in which he has 
served as trustee and to the support of which he 
has generously contributed. His residence in 
the county covers more than sixty years, during 
which his labor has found merited reward in a 
handsome competence, making him one of the 
substantial citizens of this part of the state. In 
the evening of life he is enabled to enjoy its com- 
forts and its luxuries and yet he can look back to 
the time when it required great efifort on his part 
to gain the necessities of life, and he also had to 
endure many of the hardships and difficulties in- 
cident to maintaining a home in a frontier dis- 
trict. 



HERBERT L. NORTON. 

Herbert L. Norton, living in the village of Du- 
rand. a capitalist with extensive landed interests 
in this county and in North Dakota, also farming 
and dealing in horses, was born in Laona town- 
ship, July 10, 1845, ^ son of Eliakim and Grace 
(Crowder) Norton. They were natives of Can- 
ada, the former born February 18, 1801. and they 
were married on the ist of November, 1829. 
They came to Winnebago county about 1844 and 
were therefore early settlers. The father se- 
cured a tract of land in Laona township and be- 
gan the development of a farm, whereon he made 
his home until his death, which occurred in 1893, 
while his wife passed away on the old homestead 
farm in 1884. They were the parents of four 
sons : Herbert L. : James H., who is living in 
Charles City, Iowa, and has two sons and five 
daughters ; Daniel D., who resides at Devils Lake, 
North Dakota; and Louis H,. who has a large 
family and makes his home in Wisconsin. 

Herbert L. Norton at the usual age began his 
education in the public schools and when not busy 
with his text-books aided in the labors of the 
home farm. He continued a resident of Laona 
township until 1879, when he removed to North 



Dakota, settling near Pembina, where he was 
engaged in dealing in horses, in conducting a 
hotel and in speculating in land. He was quite 
successful in his various undertakings. Settling 
at Hamilton, he conducted a hotel at that place 
and not only carried on business interests there, 
but also became a prominent factor in public life 
and left the impress of his individuality upon 
measures and movements of benefit to the com- 
monwealth. He was elected a member of the 
legislature in 1888 and served for one term. Re- 
turning to Illinois, he settled in Durand in 1892 
and has since made his home in the village, where 
he has large property interests. He also owns 
considerable property in the vicinity of Hamilton, 
North Dakota, and he is interested in general ag- 
ricultural pursuits and in dealing in horses. He 
is an excellent judge of stock and is thus enabled 
to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. 

On the I ith of March, 1884, Mr. Norton was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Davies, of Durand 
township, a daughter of John and Emily (Web- 
ster) Davies, early residents of this county. Her 
father was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, 
March 9, 1832, and spent his childhood and youth 
in that country. Desiring to better his condition, 
he sailed for the United States in 1853 and lo- 
cated in Washington, D. C, where for a year he 
worked at his trade of shoemaking. He then re- 
moved to Chicago, where he also spent one year, 
and then came to Rockford, where he remained 
for eighteen months. He removed to Durand in 
1857 and on the 12th of October of that year 
launched into business on his own account, in 
the manufacture of boots and shoes. He erected 
the building now occupied by R. Webster and 
afterward enlarged his business by adding a stock 
of clothing and men's furnishing goods, conduct- 
ing the store up to his last illness, his death oc- 
curring November 6, 1897. He married Emily 
Webster, who was born June 24, 1838, a daughter 
of Solomon Webster, w^ho came by wagon to this 
county from the state of New York. Mrs. Da- 
vies died j\Iarch 7, 1874. The daughters of the 
family were Mrs. Norton: Mrs. B. Morey, of 
Durand ; Ilattie, the wife of John Chisholm, of 
Pembina, North Dakota, and the mother of four 
sons : Bella, the wife of F. B. Smith, of Durand ; 
and Mattie Davies, who is living in Pembina, 
North Dakota. 

Mrs. Norton was born in the village of Du- 
rand, September ig. i860, and there spent her 
girlhood days with her parents until her marriage, 
to which has been born a son and daughter: 
Wavne L., born in Hamilton, North Dakota. De- 
cember 18, 1887. and now a student in the High- 
land Park (Illinois) Military .\cademy, and 
Emily Grace, born January 20. 1894. 'Sir. Nor- 
ton is a member of the ^Masonic fraternity and he 
usuallv votes the democratic ticket. His business 



73(^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WTXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



interests have always been carefully nianay^ed and 
his sound judfjment and discrimination have 
brought him success in many business transac- 
tions until he is now numbered among the capi- 
talists of Durand. 



\Xl)Ki:\\ j. i.OXigi )V. 

Andrew J. !,ovejoy. imu- uf tin.' must pri iininent 
representatives nf stock-raising interests in Win- 
nebago county, and now president of the Ameri- 
can llerkshire Association of S]>ringfield, Illinois, 
vice-president of the International Live Stock 
Association of Chicago and a member of the cen- 
tral committee of the National Live Stock Asso- 
ciation of Denver, resides in Harlem townshii), 
owning three hundred and twenty acres of valua- 
ble land on sections 4, }^ and 9. He was born 
December 5, 1845. "" the site of his present home. 
The family is of English lineage and was founded 
in New IL-im])shire jjrior to the Revolutionary 
war. His father. .Nathan L I-ovejoy, was born 
in Sanbornton. New Hampshire. August 8. i8i8, 
and in 1837 came to Illinois, settling in Winne- 
Ijago county, where lie pre-empted a tract of land 
which is now owned by our subject. Nathan J. 
J.ovejoy was accompanied to the west by his 
father. In 1844 he wedded Harriet E. Plat1, at 
Tremont. Tazewell county. Illinois. His death 
occurred I'ebruary 23, 1897, at Roscoc, when he 
was seventy-nine years of age, while his wife 
passed away June 22, 1866. The members of 
their family are as follows : Leslie A. Lovejoy, 
born December 2, 1847, and now living in Al- 
mena. Norton county. Kansas, has two daugh- 
ters and one son — Crace, Sue and I^eonard, but 
the second daughter has been adopted by Mr. 
Lovejoy of this review. Henry Stillman Love- 
joy, born in 1861, is now living in Jacksonville, 
Illinois. Mary is the wife of C. E. N'aughan, a 
resident of the province of .Mbcrta, Canada, and 
they have one son, C. L. N'aughan. and a daugh- 
ter. Adelaide \'aughan. 

Andrew J. Lovejoy remained at home until 
about twenty-one years of age and pursued his 
education in the common and high schools. He 
also assisted his fatlier in the operation of the 
home farm, but on attaining his majority accepted 
a position in a wholesale notion house of Rock- 
ford, driving over the country with a two-horse 
wagon and selling their goods to small dealers 
throughout northern Illinois. Twelve years later 
he accej)ted a position as traveling salesman with 
a wholesale house of Chicago and remained upon 
the road for twenty-seven years, when, in 1893, 
he retired from commercial life. He had been 
very successful, liaving the ready adaptability so 
necessary to the traveling salesman, and he se- 



cured nianv ])atrons for the house which he rep- 
resented, so that his service was valuable and his 
remuneration gratifying. While thus engaged he 
had invested his savings in the old family home- 
stead, to which he remcjved in 1893. and he has 
since carried on general farming and has also 
become widely known as an extensive breeder of 
registered bk)oded stock, making a specialty of 
English P.erkshire hogs and Shropshire sheep, 
for which he finds a market in all ]:)arts of the 
world. He has the latest inijiroved facilities for 
caring for his stock and is to-day one of the most 
l)roniinent rei)resentatives of stock-raising inter- 
ests in Illinois. His reputation in this connection 
e.xtends far beyond the boundaries of the state 
and he has done much for the improvement of 
stock-raising interests here in recent years. He 
is now the president of the .American Cerkshire 
.\ssociation of Si)ringfield, Illinois, and the vice- 
])resident of the International I-ive Slock Asso- 
ciation of Chicago, also serving as a member of 
its executive committee and the board of direct- 
ors. He is likewise a member of the central com- 
mittee of the National Live Stock .Association of 
Denver, Colorado, and was a mentber of the .State 
I'oard of Agriculture. ( )f the latter he was vice- 
])resi(lent and general suijcrintendent from 1894 
initil 1902, and at the same time was president of 
the Interstate Fair Association of Beloit. Wiscon- 
sin, lie was president of the Winnebago County 
.\griciiltural Association and its secretary when 
its groimds were turned over to the city of Rock- 
ford for park i)urposes. He is a student of the 
conditions affecting agricultural and stock-raising 
interests and has been the ])romoter of many pro- 
gressive measures of benefit along these lines. 

On the 27th of August, 1867, Mr. Lovejoy was 
miited in marriage to Miss Eliza J. \\'yman. of 
Roscoe, Illinois, a daughter of .\lfred and Hep- 
sibeth Wyman, and a native of Roscoe township, 
born July 12, 1846. They have one son, Wyman 
X. Lovejoy. who was born March 6, 1871, and 
since t888 has been the ]>artner of his father in 
his farming and stock-raising interests, while in 
i8i)3 he succeeded him on the road as traveling 
salesman, but since iix>2 has been actively en- 
gaged in the live .stock business with his father. 
He married Ruby Curtis, a daughter of II. P.. 
Curtis, of Roscoe. 

Mr. Lovejoy is a member of the Masonic lodge 
at Roscoe, the Roval .\rch chai^ter at Rockton, 
Illinois, and Rockford lodge. P.. P. O. E. In 
ix>lilics he has always been a stalwart repub- 
lican and has taken an active and bem-ficial inter- 
est in state and county affairs relating to the 
l)arty's growth and develo])ment and is a member 
of the comity central connnittee. He was ap- 
])ointed game commissioner by ( lovernor Yates 
and when he entered upon the duties of the of- 
fice there were no fmids on hand, but lie organ- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



737 



ized the work, secured the assistance of one hun- 
dred and twelve subordinates and turned the of- 
fice over to his successor with a fund of sixty- 
nine thousand dollars. He was also appointed 
registrar of the state grain inspection depart- 
ment with offices at Chicago and is now the in- 
cumbent in that position. He is likewise a 
director of the Winnebago National Bank of 
Rockford and for eight years he served as super- 
visor in Harlem township. In him are displayed 
the sterling qualities of unabating energv, untir- 
ing industry and diligence that never flags. He 
has thus become a prominent factor in stock- 
raising interests of the country, in political cir- 
cles of the state and in public affairs of his native 
county. His life has won him the respect and 
admiration of many, but at home where best 
known he has gained the warm personal regard 
of manv friends. 



GODFREY HILDEBRAXD. 

Godfrey Hildebrand was formerly known as 
an active, energetic agriculturist of Winnebago 
count}- and now with a comfortable competence 
is living retired in Rockford. He was born Feb- 
luary 17, 1845, ii^ Germany and reared in Mont- 
gomery county, New York, his parents being 
Lewis and Catherine (Jordan) Hildebrand, both 
of whom were also natives of Germany. The 
father, born in 1808, came to America and as 
the years passed engaged extensively in farming. 
He owned one hundred and twenty acres of land 
at the time of his death, having previously given 
some of this to his sons. In May, 1855, he came 
to the west with his family, settling in Ogle 
county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm, 
spending his remaining days thereon. He had 
seven sons and one daughter, who reached adult 
age and four are yet living. 

Godfrey Hildebrand was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Ogle county and when eighteen 
years of age espoused his country's cause, join- 
ing the Union army in 1863 as a member of Com- 
pany F, Forty-fifth Illinois Infantr}', with which 
he served until the close of the war. He was 
with Sherman on the celebrated march to the 
sea and in the Carolina campaign, and his brother 
Henry was a member of Company K, Seventy- 
fourth Illinois A^olunteer Infantry. W'hile on act- 
ive dutv with his regiment he was wounded in 
the head and shoulder in Georgia. Another 
brother, Theodore, was a member of the Forty- 
fifth Regiment, to which our subject belonged, 
and was killed near Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia. 
Godfrey Hildebrand took part with his command 
in eighteen engagements, was mustered out at 
Camp Douglas "arid received a final discharge in 



Chicago on the 20th of July, 1865. He had been 
a true and loyal soldier and his valor was demon- 
strated on many battle-fields of the south. 

In 1871 Mr. Hildebrand came to Winnebago 
county and while making the American Hotel his 
headquarters he worked by the month for three 
years. The careful husbanding of his resources 
and his unremitting diligence brought him the 
capital which enabled him to purchase the farm 
of eighty acres which he now owns and upon 
which he resided until 1901, when he removed to 
Rockford, Illinois. He now has two hundred 
acres of excellent and well improved land in Win- 
nebago township and in Ogle county and placed 
all of the modern equipments upon the farm him- 
self. There are fine buildings, well kept fences 
and considerable fruit in addition to well tilled 
fields. The farm lies near the coimty line, the 
new railroad has been built across the land and a 
depot has been established upon the place. The 
fields are devoted to general agricultural pursuits 
and there is also good pasture land for stock, and 
he now has eightv head of cattle, fifteen head of 
horses and sixty head of hogs on his place. He 
owns a fine home in Rockford at No. 117 Auburn 
Place and other lots and a residence on Summit 
street. 

In 1870 Mr. Hildebrand was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Mary Gless, of DeKalb county, Illi- 
nois, with whom he traveled life's journey for 
about twent^'-seven years, when, in 1897, Mrs. 
Hildebrand was called to her final rest. They 
had become the parents of six children : De- 
Forest, who married Mona Baker and lives on 
his father's farm ; Ed, residing in ^lontana : Sam- 
uel, living at Fairdale, Illinois ; Lillie, Rosetta 
and Arthur, all at home. 

Since casting his first presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln in 1864 J\lr. Hildebrand has 
been a stanch advocate of the Republican party, 
and he attends the camp fires of Nevius post, No. 
I, G. A. R., of which he is a valued member. He 
belongs to the Trinity Lutheran church and his 
salient characteristics as indicated by his church 
and social relations, have made him one of the 
representative and respected residents of Rock- 
ford. 



JAMES H. JOHNSON. 

As long as memory remains to the American 
people so long will the history of the soldiers of 
the Civil war he cherished by loyal citizens of the 
republic. James H. Johnson was among the num- 
ber who donned the blue uniform of the nation 
and fought for the Union cause. In Rockford he 
was known for many years as a successful liver\-- 
man, and in earlier days he was also identified 
with building operations and with agricultural 



7^» 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WIXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



pursuits. He was only ten years of age when 
in 1854 he came with his parents to Winnebago 
count V. the family casting in their lot with its pio- 
neer settlers. He was born in New York on 
Christmas day of 1844. his parents being Mr. and 
Mrs. James Johnson. The mother died during 
the infancy of her son, James H. The father aft- 
erward lesided upon a farm in the state of New 
York until 1854. when he came west with his 
family, settling near C )wen Center in Owen town- 
ship. There he iiurchased a farm and was en- 
gaged in the cultivation of his land and the im- 
provement of his iilace until his death. 

James H. Johnson was reared on the olil family 
Immestead, early becoming familiar with the 
duties and labors that fall to the lot of 
the agriculturist. He attended the district 
schools of Owen township and aided in 
the work of the farm, while later he 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- 
lowed until after the Civil war broke out. He 
had watchetl with interest the progress of events 
in the south, and his i)atriotic spirit was aroused 
by the attempt to overthrow the L'nion. He re- 
solved to strike a blow in its defense, and on the 
1st of October, 1861, he enlisted as a member of 
Company E, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry, un- 
der Captain Dewitt C. Herd and Colonel Wilcox. 
His company participated in many important bat- 
tles, and in the engagement at Shiloh, on the 6tli 
of .\pril. 1862. .Mr. Johnson was badly wounded. 
He lay on the battle-field for twenty-four hours 
without care, and was then taken to the hospital, 
where he received medical attention. As soon as 
he had recovered he rejoined his company, and, 
having re-enlisted as a veteran December 25. 1863. 
continued in active service until July 6. 1865. 
when he was honorably discharged. He did his 
full duty as a soldier and was often found on 
the battle-field where the leaden hail fell thickest. 

.\fter being nnistered out Mr. Johnson returned 
to Rockfnnl. where he worked at the car])enter's 
trade, but ill health forced him to give up that oc- 
cupation, and he tumeil his attention to fanning, 
renting a tract of land near this city on which he 
carried on general agricultural pursuits for nine 
years. On the expiration of that period he again 
took up his abode in Rockford. where he pur- 
chased a livery and boarding stable at the comer 
of Main and Elm streets, and was there engaged 
in the livery business for twenty years or until 
his death. He .secured a good patronage, for he 
earnestly desired to jilease his patrons and gave 
to them the best service possible. He was always 
foun<l trustworthy in his business dealings and 
his prosperity was richly desers-ed. 

Mr. Johnson was married in P>eloit. W'isconsin. 
to Miss Delia .X. .Smith, a native of Jackson 
county. Michigan, born March 18, 1845. Her 
parents, James and Roxana (Swiftl .Smith, were 



both natives of Oswego county. New York, and 
her father followed fanning as a means of liveli- 
hood. He removed from the east to Jackson 
county, .Michigan, and afterward made his way 
down the Rock river on a raft to Rockford in 
1845. He then engaged in farming in the south- 
ern part of Rockford township for a few years, 
after which he located in Burritt township, where 
he carried on farming until 1849. In that year, 
attracted by the discovery of gold in California 
and the business O])portunities which there o])ened 
up, he made his way to the Pacific coast, where 
his death occurred. There are only two children 
of the family now living: Mrs. Johnson, and 
Mrs. John G. Henrv, who also resides in Rock- 
ford. 

.Mr. Johnson was ever (lee])ly interested in ])ub- 
lice affairs and was a cham])ion of every ])rogres- 
sive measure. He did everything in his power to 
promote the welfare of his city and was a mem- 
ber of the first fire department of Rockford, at 
which time the old hand pumps were used. In 
politics he was a republican where national ques- 
tions and issues were involved, but at local elec-- 
tions he believed in considering the efficiency of 
the candidate rather than the party's choice. He 
served as collector of Rockford for sometime, and 
rendered capable and honorable ser\'ice. He was 
a charter inember of the (irand .\rniy jjost at 
Rockford and was instrumental in hoMing the 
first camp fires of this city. He delighted in meet- 
ing with his old army comrades and in recalling 
the scenes and incidents of his military service, 
and in days of peace he was as loyal to his country 
as wluii he followed the stars and stripes on the 
southern battle-fields. He held membership in the 
First Preslnterian church, and he left to his 
widow an honored name as well as a comfortable 
competence. She now owns a large residence at 
No. 1 123 North Church street, where she resides. 



RUSSELL M.VRSII. 

There is nothing of more interest than to ex- 
amine into the history of a self-made man, not- 
ing the methods that he has followed and the 
plans that he has pursued as he has worked his 
way upward from a humble position to one of 
affluence. To this class belongs Russell Marsh, 
who is now living retired from active business 
at his home on section 17, Guilford township, 
having reached the age of eighty-five years. 
Few residents of Winnebago county have longer 
resided within its borders than has Mr. Marsh, 
who came here in the spring time of 1838, ac- 
companying his father and mother on their re- 
moval in the month of May. He was born in 
Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1819, his 
parents being Russell and Abigail (Averill) 




RUSSELL MARSH. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



741 



Marsh, both of whom were natives of Vermont. 
From the Green Mountain state they removed 
to New York, and afterward to Pennsylvania, 
whence they came to Winnebago count}', Illi- 
nois, here spending their remaining days. The 
father died at the age of seventy-eight years, 
prior to the Civil war, and the mother's death 
occurred subsequent to the war, when she was 
eighty-two years of age. In their family were 
four sons and three daughters, but only two are 
now living, Russell and a sister, who makes her 
home in California. All spent some time in 
Winnebago county, however. 

Russell Marsh, who was the next to the 
youngest in this famil)-, passed the days of his 
boyhood and youth in various places, his parents 
removing at different times to localities in Penn- 
sylvania, New York and Canada. His school 
life was interrupted because of this, but he ac- 
quired a fair knowledge of English branches in 
the common schools and at an early age he be- 
gan work on his own account, since which time 
he has depended entirely upon his own re- 
sources. He was a youth of nineteen years when 
he arrived in W'innebago county, and here he 
labored until his efforts had brought him capital 
sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. It 
was in the '40s that he became the owner of 
eighty acres of land in Guilford township, to 
which he afterward added until within the boun- 
daries of his farm one hundred and sixty acres 
are now comprised. When it came into his pos- 
session it was covered with brush, but he 
cleared this away, preparing the fields for the 
plow, and in due course of time reaped rich 
harvests. He has erected a comfortable home, 
has adorned his grounds in attractive style and 
as the years passed has carried on general farm- 
ing with excellent success, but at the present 
time this place is being managed by his son, G. 
W. Marsh, who also conducts a farm of his 
own. 

Russell Marsh has been twice married. He 
first wedded Mar}- Ann Hayes, whose people 
were early residents of Winnebago county. She 
died leaving a son and two daughters, namely: 
G. W., who owns a tract of land on section 8, 
Guilford township ; Mrs. Lucy King, who is liv- 
ing in Kansas, about one hundred and thirty 
miles southeast of Topeka ; and Mrs. Rhoda 
Beers, of Otoe county, Nebraska. For his sec- 
ond wife Mr. Marsh chose Miss Maria L. 
Beers, who was born in Guilford township, and 
is a daughter of Daniel Beers, one of the pioneer 
residents of this county, settling here in 1837. 
The second wife died about four years ago. 

Since the organization of the republican 
party Mr. Marsh has been one of its stanch ad- 
vocates, believing firmly in its principles as con- 
taining the best elements of good government. 

43 



He served as school director and road super- 
visor and also filled other local offices. He was 
in former years a member of the Grange. Act- 
ive for a long period in public and private life, 
he now well merits the rest that has been vouch- 
safed to him and the respect which is accorded 
him when in the evening of life he is resting 
after arduous toil. His material prosperity has 
been worthily won and his fife is an exemplifi- 
cation of what may be accomplished through 
honorable business methods. His path has never 
been strewn with the wreck of other men's for- 
tunes, for in his legitimate channels of business 
through close application to his farming inter- 
ests and unremitting diligence he has won the 
success which he now enjoys. 



'(.;. 



PAUL L. :\IARKLEY, M. D. 



Dr. Paul L. Markley, a physician and surgeon 
of Rockford, was born in Fulton county, Ohio, 
west of Toledo, on the 20th of Februan,-, 1861, 
his parents being A. L. and Juliette (Lingle) 
Markley. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, 
was born in 1 819, and the mother's birth occurred 
in Ohio in 1825. Removing to the Buckeye state, 
A. L. Markley became one of the prosperous and 
progressive farmers of Fulton county, devoting 
the best years of his life to agricultural pursuits, 
and his practical and enterprising methods gained 
for him a desirable competence. He died in 1892, 
having for two years survived his wife, who 
passed away in 1890. 

Dr. Markley, who is one of a family of four 
brothers, all physicians, spent his boyhood days 
on his father's farm, where he worked in the fields 
and meadows from the time of early spring plant- 
ing until harvests were gathered in the late au- 
tumn. In the winter months he mastered the 
branches of learning taught in the \-illage school, 
and then in order to continue his education he at- 
tended the normal school at Fayette, Ohio. 
Through two winter seasons he engaged in teach- 
ing in Ohio, but regarded this merely as an initial 
step to other professional labor. He determined 
to make the practice of medicine his life work, and 
to this end entered the State University of Michi- 
gan at Ann Arbor, where he took his first two 
courses of lectures. He then entered the medical 
department of the Northwestern University at 
Chicago and was graduated in 1886. Dr. Mark- 
ley first practiced for a brief period in Nebraska, 
but came to Winnebago county in 1887, though he 
did not take up his residence in Rockford until 
1895. Here he opened an ofifice, and as the years 
have passed by his business has increased to grati- 
fying proportions. During the past five or six 
vears he has given considerable attention to sur- 



742 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



gery and has successfully performed a large nuni- 
l)cr of o|)crations for apjHiidicitis. in fact nearly 
three hundred cases in the past six years. He has 
a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, a steady 
nerve and a delicacy i)f touch and nervous sensi- 
hility that prove vahiahle factors in his surgical 
work. He is also a surgeon to .^t. .\ntliony's llos- 
])ital and president of the Winnehago County 
.Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical So- 
ciety, the Central Wisconsin Medical Society and 
the American Medical Association. In 1899 he 
and William Crolty founded St. .Vnthony's Hos- 
pital, and with the assistance financiallx' and mor- 
ally of the other physicians oi Rockford and vicin- 
ity have created an institution that stan<ls to-day 
as a mommient to their enterprise. 

In 1889 Dr. Markley married Miss llanna Mc- 
Hocs, and they have one son, Paul 1... jr. Dr. 
Markley hclongs to .Star in the East hxlge. .\'o. 
iT/i. .\. V. & .\. .M.. of Rockford, and in his pro- 
fessional career has ample o])i)ortunity to exem- 
plify the teachings of Masonry and to show forth 
the spirit of the craft which is based upon broth- 
erly kindness and mutual helpfulness. 



PATRICK TI. REYNOLDS. 

Patrick IT. Reynolds is the prosperous owner 
of the Palace Horseshoeing Shop of Rockford 
and is well known in business circles here because 
of his reliability, lor the excellent work done in 
his establishment and for a laudable ambition 
that has prompted earnest effort leading to suc- 
cess. He was born in Cook county, Illinois, in 
i85r> and has made his home in Rockford since 
1875. He was left an orphan when a babe and 
began earning his living when but twelve years 
of age. His e<lncation was accjuircd in the pub- 
lic schools and after his arrival in this city in 
1875 he began working at the blacksmith's trade, 
having previously served an ajiprenticeship with 
Ed Doyle at Sycamore, Illinois. Later he was 
employed by T. I. Colby, with whom he con- 
tinued for eighteen years, and in 1893 'i'' began 
business on his own account without a dollar in 
capital. Later he made arrangements to pur- 
chase a home without capital but his untiring 
industry and capable management enabled him 
to discharge his indebtedness in a brief jieriod. 
He worked for seven years in an old building 
and then built a fine shop at a cost of six thou- 
sand dollars. The Palace Horseshoeing .Shop 
is the most palatial and best equipped establish- 
ment of its kind in the world. The building is 
lighted throughout with electricity and there 
is a fine office with both phones. The building 
is a two-story brick structure ceiled inside with 
Georgia pine and all of the doors and windows 
are screened. The forges are built of pressed 



brick and the shop is locale<l in the alley be- 
tween First and Madison streets north of State 
street. Four horseshoers are kept busy all the 
time and Mr. Reynolds carries a larger stock of 
imi)lements in his line than any other three shops 
in the city. 

In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Reynolds and Miss Mary .\. Welsh, a native 
of Ireland. They now have three children: 
Henry, who was educated at St. L>eade College ; 
Charles, who is attending the Sisters' school ; 
and Nellie, who is in the millinery business. 
They have also lost three children. 

Mr. Reynolds is an earnest democrat, recog- 
nized as one of the local leaders of his party and 
in i()05 was elected alderman from the first 
ward, receiving the largest vote given to any 
member of the city council of Rockford with 
one exception. He has likewise been park com- 
missioner for two years. He is a member of six 
fraternal life insurance societies and also has 
membership relations with the Eagles while both 
he and his w'ife are communicants of the Catho- 
lic church, to the support of which he contributes 
most liberally. In his life he has largely fol- 
lowed the golden rule, doing unto others as he 
would huxc them do unto him. and in his busi- 
ness has made a most creditable record, owing 
his success and advancement to untiring indus- 
try. He does not owe a dollar and never incurs 
an obligation that he can not meet and within 
the la.st seven years he has accummulated ])rop- 
erty to the value of nearly fifteen thousand dol- 
lars. He owns the home where he resides at 
No. 628 Longwood street and he delights to 
supply his family with the comforts and con- 
veniences of life. He has certainly won splendid 
success and his history is a creditable one, prov- 
ing what may be accomplished through per- 
sistent and earnest effort guided by sound judg- 
ment. 



GEORGE S. ELLIS. 



George S. ICllis, who is engaged in l)lacksniith- 
ing in Rockton, was born in Canada, in 1840. 
His father, David Ellis, was a native of Vermont, 
and in early life removed to Canada, whence he 
camt to Illinois in 1845. He fellowed farming in 
Owen township, entering land from the govern- 
ment. He secured one hundred and twenty acres 
in his claim and with characteristic energy- began 
its cultivation, for not a furrow had been turned 
nor an improvement made when the fanuly came 
into its possession. He lived there until his death, 
but did not long have the ])rivilege of enjoying 
his new home, for he ])as.se(l away about 1847 or 
1848, when fifty years of age. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Maria Spencer, was a 




p. H. REYNOLDS. 



PAST AXD PRESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



745 



native of Michigan and died in 1851, at the age 
of fifty-three years. They were the parents of 
ten children, of whom three are now Hving: 
Henry, who was a soldier of the Civil war and 
makes his home in Rockford ; George S.. of this 
review : and Hannah, the widow of J. B. Conklin. 

George S. Ellis was reared to manhood in this 
county, and in his youth learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he has followed in Rockton for the 
past thirty years. His life has been a busy one, 
and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed 
is attributable to his own efiforts, being the re- 
sult of his persistency of purpose and his unfalt- 
ering attention to the pursuit in whicli as a young 
tradesman he embarked. 

^Ir. Ellis was married in Rockton to Miss Ruth 
Knapp, a native of \"ermont, who came to Harri- 
son township, Winnebago county, with her par- 
ents in 1847, her father being William Knapp. 
Five children graced this marriage, of whom three 
are living: Emma, the wife of P.arne\' Estes. by 
whom she has two children, Jessie and Fannie : 
Lena, the wife of Edward Shortliff and the mother 
of three children. Hazel, Florence and Edward : 
and William, who married Carrie Chatzey and 
has six children, Ralph, Arthur, Ora, Ruth, Clif- 
ford and Lois. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis also lost one 
daughter. Flora, who became the wife of Charles 
Seigel, and at her death left a son, Charles F. 

In his political views Mr. Ellis is a republican, 
interested in the gro\\i;h and success of his party, 
which he has supported continuously since cast- 
ing his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lin- 
coln. He served for about eleven years on the 
school board, was constable of Rockton township 
for some time and has been a member of the vil- 
lage board and in all these offices has been true 
to the general good. They have been conferred 
iijx>n him bv reason of his fidelity to duty and his 
progressive citizenship. He is a member of the 
]\Iasonic fraternity of Rockton, and is a man held 
in the highest esteem because of his character 
worth. 



F. L. ELACKMAN. 



F. L. Blackman. a retired shoe merchant, whose 
successful life finds visible evidence in his palatial 
home at No. 215 North First street in Rockford. 
was born in Genesee coimty, New York, in Oc- 
tober, 1835. His parents, Levi and .\my (Dean) 
Blackman. were early setUers of the Empire state, 
the father becoming one of the pioneer merchants 
of central New York. He was the founder of a 
town on Tonawanda creek, which he named North 
Pembroke, and he was instrumental in securing 
the postoffice there and served as the first post- 
master. He was likewise the first merchant of 
the town, and was for manv vears the leading 



spirit in all of its progressive movements and en- 
terprises. Eventually, however, he came with his 
family to the west, locating in Rockford about 
1857. Here he established a shoe store on the 
ground where the City Hotel was later built, and 
for some time was one of the prominent merchants 
and representative business men here. Both he 
and his wife spent their remaining davs in Rock- 
ford. They had two sons : F. L. Blackman, of 
this review ; and George W. Blackman, who, 
after spending some years in Rockford, went to 
the west and located near Alexandria, South Da- 
kota, on a farm of four hundred acres. He was a 
successful agriculturist and stock-raiser, his well 
directed labors bringing him a gratifying meas- 
ure of prosperity. Upon that farm he reared his 
family and spent his remaining days, passing away 
there in January, 1905, survived by his widow 
and three sons. Mrs. Blackman still resides in 
Alexandria. One of her sons. Frank Blackman, 
is an attorney and real-estate dealer residing in 
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and is also serving 
as city auditor there. The second son, George 
T.. is a partner of his brother Frank, and makes 
his home in Sioux Falls : while Dean, the voungest 
of the family, is living upon the old home farm 
near Alexandria. 

F. L. Blackman supplemented his early educa- 
tional privileges by study in the Carrv'ville Col- 
legiate Seminar)- of New York, and later engaged 
in merchandising in Alabama, New York, for two 
years. On the expiration of that period he sold 
out and removed to Rockford, in i860, and soon 
afterward he purchased the grocery business of 
Charles Ubeller. located where the Young Men's 
Christian Association building now stands. Hav- 
ing conducted the store for two years, he again 
sold out and turned his attention to his shoe trade, 
being for a number of years one of the success- 
ful shoe merchants of this city. Eventually he 
removed to Chicago, where he conducted a whole- 
sale boot and shoe business for several years, re- 
turning then to Rockford, where he again estab- 
lished a retail store, conducting the same with 
constantly growing success until 1898, when he 
retired. As a merchant he had the entire con- 
fidence and good will of his business associates 
and contemporaries, being known as a most reli- 
able representative of commercial interests here, 
never making engagements that he did not fill nor 
incurring obligations that he did not meet. His 
business record stands in exemplification of the 
old adage that "honesty is the best policy" and 
also illustrates the fact that "there is no excel- 
lence without labor." 

In 1863 Mr. Blackman returned to Genesee 
county. New York, where on the 5th of January 
of that vear he was united in marriage to Miss 
.\lice Halsey, who was born near Rochester, New 
York, on the 31st of March, 1840, her parents 



746 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



being Edward and Nancy (Oauch) Halsey. Her 
father was a very prosperous farmer of Genesee 
ciiuiity. and liotli lie and his wife died in the east. 
In their family were a daughter and son. Mrs. 
iJlackman and Henry llalsey. The latter, a resi- 
dent of Oakfielii. New York, owns a large flour- 
ing mill, is also engaged in the coal business and 
follows farming on an extensive scale. He has 
two sons : Freilerick. who is engaged in business 
with his father; and l>ruce, a member of the med- 
ical fraternity of New ^'ork city, who was grad- 
uated from the I'.uffalo .Medical College and also 
of the Louisville ( Kentucky) Medical College. 
Mr. and Mrs. lilackman became the (larents of 
one son, Eddie, who was born in iSiCh) and died 
in 1871. 

Mr. niaeknian ami his wife own and occupy a 
beautiful residence at No. 215 North First street, 
which he built a few years ago. and which is one 
of the most palatial homes of the east side. He 
also has considerable real estate in South Dakota, 
having from time to time made ])urcliases of land 
— the safest of all investments. His political al- 
legiance has l)een given to the republican party 
since he cast his ballot for its first presidential 
nominee. John C. I-'remont. in 1856. He has 
voted for every candidate at the head of the ticket 
since that time, but has stoutly refused to accepi 
office himself. i)referring to concentrate his en- 
ergies u|)on his business affairs. He is a member 
of the Masonic lodge and is a liberal su])porter 
of the Congregational church, to which he and his 
wife belong. He has resided in Rockford much 
f>f the time for a third of a century and stands to- 
day among its toninost men liecause of his former 
activity in business affairs, his championshi]) of 
progressive measures for the jniblic good and his 
allegiance to all that is honorable and straight- 
forward in man's relations with his fellowman. 



OLIVER A. CR.VNDALL. 

Oliver A. Crandall. whose death occurred Oc- 
tober ID, 1889. was born at Penfield, Monroe 
county. New York, December 31, 1827, His 
parents were Jairus and Sarah Crandall, both of 
wliom were natives of tlic Empire state, where 
they spent most of their lives. Oliver obtained 
a common-school education and learned the coop- 
er's trade. He removed to Beloit, Wisconsin, in 
1845, where he worketl at his trade until i8r)5, 
when be came to Rockford, establishing a large 
cooper shop on the water power, cnnducting all 
kinds of cooperage, etc., successfully for several 
years. He was then employed as traveling sales- 
man by the Rockford Knitting Works of this 
city, and for seven years sold hosiery in Califor- 
nia, after which he returned to Rockford to ac- 



cept a position as a representative of the com- 
pany here. He was a republican in politics, was 
a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Or- 
der lit the Eastern Star and Royal Arcanum. In 
business affairs he was reliable and trustworthy, 
and enjoyed the confidence of those he represent- 
ed. Mr. Crandall took a deep interest in church 
work, was a member of the Court Street Metho- 
dist Kpiscii]ia! church, serving as Sabbath school 
su])eriutendent and leader of the choir for sev- 
eral years. He alscj belonged to a number of 
glee clubs of the city, and his musical talent 
made him a favorite in social circles. To his 
family he left an untarnished name, and his 
memory will ever be enshrined in the hearts of 
those who knew him. 

In 1847. while residing at lleloit. Wisconsin, 
he married }*liss Sarah F. Carpenter, a native 
of Hoosick, Rensselaer county. New York. She 
was born July 27, 1828. Her parents were 
George and Phebc (Crandall) Carpenter, the 
former a native of Williamstown, Massachu- 
setts, the latter of Rensselaer county. New York. 
The father spent the greater part of his life in the 
Em])ire state, and was engaged in farming. He 
came west in 1843 and settled on a tract of land 
in Rockton township, where he lived until 1871, 
when he removed to Rockford. his death occur- 
ring in 1872. His widow, who is still living 
with her daughter, Mrs. Crandall, is one hun- 
dred years of age. .She is the oldest lady in 
Rockford. and she yet retains her faculties in a 
remarkable degree, having a most retentive 
memory. On the occasion of her one hundredth 
anniversary, November 16, 1904, she was ten- 
dered a reception, many being present. Only 
two of her cliildrcn are living, ^[rs. Crandall and 
Martha A. Hyatt, widow of Jabez A. Hyatt, of 
Ithaca, New York. One son, David H. Carpen- 
ter, died May 25, 1890. Mr. Hyatt was born 
September 2, 1831, and removed from Ithaca 
to lieloit in 1835. .\t the outbreak of the Civil 
war he enlisted in defense of the Union cause as 
a member of the Sixth \\"isconsin Regiment on 
the 28th of .August. 1862, and was killed at the 
battle of Bull Run. Mrs. Hyatt is living with 
her sister and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall 
were the ])arents of two children: Helen M. Dmi- 
ham. who makes her home with her mother, at 
locVi Rockton avemie : and ( ieorge. who died in 
infancv. 



|)\\ ID CARPENTER. 

David Car])enter. imcle of Mrs. Crandall and 
Mrs. Hyatt, was born in P.erkshire county, Mas- 
sachusetts, .March 18, 1808, and died March 9, 
18*17. 'fc ^^■'•^ married to Miss Julia Pcttibone, 
of St. Lawrence county. New York, in 1836, com- 




GEORGE CARPEXTER. 




JACOB HYATT. 





MRS. PHEUE CARPEXTER, 

one hundred years old 

X'ovember i6, 1904. 



O. .\. CRAXDALL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



749 



ing to Winnebag'o county on their wedding trip 
and settling on a large farm near Rockton on 
the west side of the river. Mrs. Carpenter was 
the first white woman to settle on that side. 
When they came through Chicago it consisted 
of old Fort Dearborn and a cluster of houses. 
They came from Chicago by team, it requiring 
six days for the journey, and it seemed to them 
they were going to a far country indeed, but 
when they came in sight of the valle_v filled with 
groves and wild flowers they greatly rejoiced 
and felt that they had reached the "'promised 
land." At an early gathering of neighbors Mrs. 
Carpenter was the only professing Christian, and 
she urged the importance of Christian observ- 
ances, and through her effort a society was 
founded and finally a church built, Mr. and Mrs. 
Carpenter becoming the charter members. Rock- 
ton owes much of its moral status to the.se early 
settlers. 

Mr. Carpenter was elected and served as su- 
pervisor several years. He was also one of the 
first jurors of the county, was president of the 
board of village trustees five years, and was su- 
perintendent and trustee of the Congregational 
church twelve years. At one time he. with sev- 
eral brothers and a sister, owned all the land 
between Rockton and Beloit, Wisconsin, on the 
west side of Rock river. The bridge at Rockton 
is still known as the Carpenter bridge. Mr. and 
Mrs. Carpenter had one son, Luman N., who is 
still living, at Lovelocks, Nevada. Mrs. Carpen- 
ter died Januar}- 28, 1901, greatly beloved by 
all who knew her. There are but few families 
better known in Winnebago county than the 
Carpenters. 



JAMES A. WARREN. 

The world is better for the life of every suc- 
cessful and honorable man. His labors contribute 
to the sum total of human accomplishment and 
his example must serve as a source of inspiration 
and encouragement to others, showing what lies 
within the power of accomplishment to him who 
possesses ambition, determination and industry. 
Such has been the history of James A. Warren, 
now deceased, who was well known in Rockford. 
His birth occurred in Washington county. New 
York, May 30, 1829. His parents spent the 
greater part of their lives in that county, locating 
there during the epoch of its pioneer development, 
but the father died while on a visit in Lynnville, 
Illinois. 

James A. Warren made his home in Washing- 
ton county. New York, for nearly forty years and 
in early life he learned the cabinet-maker's trade 
and afterward successfully engaged in the fur- 
niture business, conducting all his mercantile in- 



terests with due regard to a high standard of 
commercial ethics. He afterward went to Al- 
bany, New York, where he was connected with 
the hotel business as landlord of the City Hotel 
for fifteen years. In the meantime he had pros- 
pered in his undertakings and on the expiration 
of that period, having acquired a handsome com- 
petence, he retired from the hotel and built a fine 
home near the Hudson river. For several years 
thereafter he was not actively connected with 
business interests, but later went to Chatham, 
New York, where he became proprietor of a boot 
and shoe store, which he conducted until 1888 — 
the year of his removal to the west. 

Mr. Warren was first married in Hartford, 
New York, to Miss Sarah Merithew, who died 
in Chatham, leaving one son, C. M. Warren, who 
is now engaged in the dry goods business in Cats- 
kill, New York. It was after coming to Rock- 
ford that Mr. Warren was married again, his 
second union being with Mrs. Thankful 
(Brown) Roberts, the marriage being celebrated 
in the house yet owned and occupied by his 
widow. She was a native of Cortland. New 
York, and a daughter of Abiel and Prudence 
(Church) Brown, both of whom were natives 
of the Empire state. They removed to the west 
in i860, settling in Rochelle, Ogle county, Illi- 
nois, where the father followed farming until 
called to his final rest. Their daughter. Thankful, 
was first married in Rochelle, becoming the wife 
of John C. Roberts, of Lynnville, Illinois, who 
during his residence in Ogle county was well 
known to his friends as "Uncle John." He was 
born in Orange county. New York, and was 
a soldier of the Mexican war, enlisting in the 
service at Oswego, Illinois. He became a pioneer 
settler of Ogle county, Illinois, and was engaged 
in farming in the vicinity of Lynnville for several 
years, becoming one of the enterprising and pros- 
perous agriculturists of his community. His land 
was secured from the government. His devotion 
to the general good and his fitness for leadership 
led to his selection for several township offices. 
He afterward removed to Monroe Center, Ogle 
county, where he was engaged in the real-estate 
business and in loaning money, both in that coun- 
ty and Rockford. He also conducted other busi- 
ness enterprises there and was postmaster of the 
town for several years. He held membership in 
the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias 
lodge of Rockford, and had a wide and favorable 
acquaintance among his brethren of those frater- 
nities. He seemed to know that death was near 
and made arrangements for his funeral, which 
was to be conducted by the Masons and the Elks 
of Rockford. He passed away in Monroe Center 
March 10, 1891, and his remains were interred 
in the cemetery of Rockford, the funeral services 
being the first ever held in the Christian L^nion 



/y 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



church of this city. -Mr. and Mrs. Roherts had 
one son, Frank Charles, who married M\rtie 
Earl, and is now a traveling; salesman, residing at 
Rochelle, Illinois. Mr. Roberts had one son by 
a former niarriag;e, Thomas S., who is living in 
Chicago, where he is a traveling railroad in- 
spector. 

Following his removal to the west Mr. Warren 
engaged in no active business pursuits, but lived 
retired in Ruckford until his death, which oc- 
curred April 17, 1903, when his remains were 
taken back to Hartford, New York, for inter- 
ment, lie was a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity and Eastern Star here and in his life e.xem- 
pliiied its beneficent, kindly spirit, and both he 
and his wife held membership with the Eastern 
Star lodge of this city. Mrs. Warren still owns 
a fine residence on the I ludson which was once her 
husband's home. Mr. Warren was a republican 
in politics, while Mr. Roberts was a democrat 
and took a very active interest in the work of 
his parlv. Mrs. Warren attends the State .'street 
Baptist church of Rockford. She and her son 
still own the old Roberts homestead farm near 
Lvnnville, Illinois, comprising four huuflred 
acres of valualile land, which they rent. She also 
has a beautiful home at Xo. 1613 East State 
street in Rockford. where she resides, and she 
is prominent in social circles here, while her own 
home is justly celebrated for its gracious and 
charming hospitality. 



JOHN T. La FORGE. 

J<ihn T. La Forge, who is engaged in rendering 
tallow and dealing in hides at his place of busi- 
ness in New Milford, is a well known representa- 
tive of manufacturing interests in Wimiebago 
county, and he has a wide and favorable acquaint- 
ance in Rfickford, his enterprise and reliability 
gaining for him the respect and confidence of 
those with whom he has been brought in contact. 
He is a native son of Rockford, born in 1870, 
His father. C. C. La h'urge. is a contractor, en- 
gaged in sidewalk building in Rockford. 

N'o eveiU of special importance occurred dur- 
ing the boyhood and youth of our subject, who 
was reared in the city and obtained his education 
in the public schools of Rockford ami in a busi- 
ness college, i'or the |>ast ten years he has de- 
voted his energies to his present line of business — 
dealing in hides and tallow. Me has a plant at 
New Milford and employs alnuit a half dozen 
men in its operation, also having three teams for 
collecting material for rendering. He has re- 
cently entered into the maiuifacture of fertilizers 
to su|)|»ly the local demand of formers and truck- 
>;i( r< ill- b.id nnviouslx b.iudK(l fertilizers for 



Swift & Company, of Chicago. There are only 
two eiUer]3rises of this character in Wimiebago 
countx . that Ix-longing to Mr. La I'orge being 
situated just within the township limits of New 
Milford. He has a fine sewerage system in con- 
nection with the plant, and the business has 
reached extensive and ])rofital)Ie proportions. 

In 1888 Mr. La I'orge was united in marriage 
to Miss Hattie Johnson, of this county, who came 
here in her early girlhood days. They have five 
children. John, Walter, Raymond, Ralph and 
I'erne. In his political adherence Mr. La l-'orge 
is a re])ublican, hulieving firmly in the iirineiples 
of the party as embodied in its platform. He be- 
longs to Rockford camj). .\o. 51, M. W. .\., and is 
a member of the Court Street Methodist church. 



(i. 1-:. i:Ki-:i!ERG. 



G. E. Ekcljcrg, who from the age of twelve 
years has been dependent upon his own resources, 
justly winning the proud .American title of a self- 
made man, is now successfully engaged in the 
dry goods and nnllinery business as a member of 
the firm of Hill & ICkeberg. He is a native son 
of Rockford, his birth having occurre<l in this 
city in 1874. His father, John F. Ekeberg, was 
an early resident here, coming to America from 
Sweden, his native laud. ISy trade he was a cabi- 
net-maker and was em])loyed in the different fur- 
niture factories of this state. His death occurred, 
however, about eighteen years ago, when he was 
more than forty years of age. His widow still 
survives him and makes her home in Rockford. 
She, too, is a native of Sweden. The members of 
the family are: .\lbert, who is in the emjjloy of 
liis lirother G. IC. : Joseph, who is employed in 
the Illinois Sewing Machine Works ; and Mrs, G. 
W. (riynn. of Chicago. 

G. E. Ekeberg, spending his boyhood days in 
his parents' home, entered the public scliools of 
Rockford at the usual age of six years, and was 
advanced through consecutive grades until at the 
age of twelve years he started out in life for him- 
self. Whatever success he has enjoyed or 
achieved has resulted entirely from his own labors. 
When thirteen years of age he Ijccame connected 
with the dry goods trade, and has continued in 
this line to the present time. He has been asso- 
ciated with .\ntou Hill for the past ten or twelve 
years, remaining in his employ for a number of 
years, while for four years the present partner- 
shi]) of Hill & Ekeberg has been maintained. The 
store at Nos. 510-512 Seventh .street is under the 
management of the junior jiartner. and was e.stab- 
lishe<i in .\i)ril. KKlf. while the original store is 
at Xo. 404 East State street, and is imder the su- 
)iervision of Mr. Hill. .-\t the former store from 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



751 



twelve to fifteen people are employed, ami the 
stock occupies a double store building and com- 
prises a carefully selected and complete line of 
dry goods and millinery. The house enjo\s a 
liberal patronage and the business is constantly 
growing as the direct result of the efforts of Mr. 
Ekeberg, whose long experience in the dry goods 
line well qualifies him for the conduct of this 
business. He fonns his plans readily and is de- 
termined in their execution, watches carefully all 
the details of the business so as to save needless 
expense, and at the same time he closely studies 
the desires of the public, that he may be ready to 
meet any demands made in his line. 

Mr. Ekeberg was married in Rockford to iMiss 
Olga Haglund, a daughter of John Haglund, who 
is residing on Eleventh street in this city. Mr. 
Ekeberg erected a home on Third avenue, and it 
is a favorite resort to their man\- friends. In his 
religious views he is a Lutheran, belonging to 
Emanuel church, and in his political faith he is 
a republican. As every true American citizen 
should do, he feels an interest in the political sit- 
uation of the country and the issues which arise 
before the people, but has never sought the honors 
or emoluments of public office, preferring always 
to concentrate his attention and energies upon the 
control of his many liusiness enterprises. 



CHARLES A. LUND\'ALL. 

Charles A. Lunihall is one of the prominent 
and influential citizens of Guilford township, con- 
trolling important business interests and stand- 
ing as the champion of progress and improvement 
in the coimty, so that his value in public affairs 
and as a promoter of agricultural and industrial 
activity, is widely acknowledged. 

Mr. Lundvall was born in Smoland, Sweden, 
I\Iay 3, 1850. His father is the owner of a farm 
in that country and is now Kving retired there at 
the age of eighty-three years. His first wife, the 
mother of our subject, died in 1865, and the fa- 
ther afterward married Miss Lena C. Samuelson, 
by whom he had two children, both of whom are 
now married and reside in Sweden. Charles A. 
Lundvall is the third of four children born of 
the father's first marriage, of whom three are liv- 
ing in .\merica — J. O. Limdvall, who owns and 
operates a farm near Dayton, Iowa ; Charles A. ; 
and Mrs. P. Larson, of Winnebago county. The 
other sister is Sophia, the wife of N. P. Dahlburg. 
a farmer of Sweden. 

Charles A. Lundvall spent his boyhood days 
in Sweden and in the spring of 1867, when seven- 
teen years of age, crossed the Atlantic to America, 
to benefit by the improved business conditions 



which he had heard were off'ered in the new 
world. He arrived in Winnebago county in 1867 
and since 1869 has been identified with its indus- 
trial interests as a manufacturer of brick, suc- 
cessfully carrying on the business for thirty-six 
consecutive years. He established his present 
brick plant in igoo and employs from sixteen to 
twenty-two men. manufacturing- eighteen thou- 
sand brick daily, which output is mainly con- 
sumed by the local trade. The product is a very 
marketable commodity and he finds no difficulty 
in disposing of all he can manufacture. Mr. 
Lundvall is also interested in various other busi- 
ness enterprises, including the L'nion Grocery 
Company, in which he owns considerable stock. 
His fann i)ro|jcrty comprises one hundred and 
fifty-two acres of valuable land, which he has 
placed under a high state of cultivation and on 
which he has made many fine improvements, in- 
cluding the erection of a beautiful and modern 
home supplied with all conveniences. He has 
also purchased the timber rights on forty acres 
of land and operates a portable sawmill, cutting 
considerable lumber through the winter seasons. 

Mr. Lundvall was married, in Chicago, in 1882, 
to Miss Augusta C. Swanson, who in 1868 came 
with her sister Louisa, now a resident of Rock- 
ford, to America from Sweden, their native land. 
Their parents are both deceased. Unto JMr. and 
l\[rs. Lundvall have been born six children : 
Hulda R., Alice R., Albion S., JuHa E., Henry L. 
and Charles E. Alice R. is now the wife of Wal- 
ter Peterson, of Rockford, and at present they 
reside in Denver. .Albion S. is a graduate of the 
law' department of Di.xon College, at Dixon, Illi- 
nois, and intends to engage in practice as a life 
work. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lundvall are prominent members 
and active workers in the First Lutheran church 
at Rockford. He has served for many years as 
a trustee of the church and was a member of the 
building committee at the time of the erection of 
their fine new house of worship. In politics he 
has always been a stanch republican but has 
never been an office seeker. However, he has 
been a member of the school board for several 
years and he is never remiss in any duty of citi- 
zenship but on the contrary supports loyally and 
enthusiastically every measure or movement 
which he deems will prove of public good. He 
has never had occasion to regret his determination 
to seek a home in the United States for his hope 
of being benefited thereby has been more than 
realized. He has improved the opportimities 
here offered in this land where competition is 
greater hut where advancement is more quickly 
secured, and he stands to-day among the pros- 
perous men of the county wlio owe their enviable 
financial position to their own efforts. On his 



/:>- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



part desire prompted eftOn and effort resulted in 
accomplishment, and his history is an exemplifi- 
cation of what may he done throngli jHTsistent 
])nr])ose when guided h\ huidable ambilii)n and 
clear judgment. 



RICHARD .S. ALLEN. 

Richard S. .\llen. deceased, for many years 
a resident of Rockford. was numbered with its 
earlv settlers, having located here in 1849. He 
was a native of I'robus, Cornwall. England, born 
November 28, 1833, a son of Thomas Allen and 
a grandson of Henry Allen, both natives of 
Probus, in which place the grandfather spent 
his entire life, following the stonemason's trade. 
The father. Thomas .Mien, was also a stone- 
mason, who continued his residence in his native 
town and was there married to Miss Margaret 
Secomb, a daughter of Samuel and Joanna 
Secomb. Thomas .Mien died in Probus in 1841. 
his wife surviving until 1843. They were the 
parents of ten children: Samuel, l-Hizabeth, 
Marv. John, Mary (2d), Henry, Emma. Edwin. 
Richard S. and William. Alary (ist) and 
Henry died in England but the others of the 
family came to America, making their homes in 
the Prairie state and nearly all are yet resi- 
dents of Illinois. Samuel enlisted in Company 
D. Seventy- fourth Illinois Infantry and was 
killed at the battle of Little Fort. South Carolina. 
John .Mien was a manufacturer of artificial stone 
in Rockford and is now living retired in this 
city. 

Richard S. .\llen received but a common- 
school education in his native country and there 
began to learn the trade of a cutter in a tailor 
shop. In 1840. in company with some of his 
brothers and sisters, he sailed for .America and 
made his way direct to Rockford, where he se- 
cured employment in the tailoring establishment 
of Joe Durns. He afterward worked for Wal- 
lach & Bacherach for a short time and then ac- 
cepted a position in the shop of George R. 
Atkinson, a leading tailor of Rockford. with 
whom he remained for twelve years, at the end 
of which time he began business on his own ac- 
count, opening a tailoring estciblishment on his 
own account on Filast State street, where he re- 
mained for several years. He then removed 
to the west side, where he conducted business 
for several years, after which he returned to 
the employ of Mr. .Atkinson. 

On the 22d of July, 1837, Mr. Allen was mar- 
ried, in Beloit. Wisconsin, to Miss Clarissa Jane 
Woodworth. a native nf Durham, Canada, born 
l^ecembcr 7, 183^). and a daughter of Gresham 
and Clarissa ("Hill I Woodworth. the former a 



native of the state of .\'cw ^'ork and the latter 
of Canada. The father, removing to Canada, 
there resided until 1840, when he came to Win- 
nebago county and purchased a farm in Guil- 
ford township, where he carried on general agri- 
cultural pursuits until his death. Mrs. Wood- 
worth then came to Rockford. where she made 
her home with her children until her demise. 
.Mr. and Mrs. .Allen became the parents of three 
children. Frank S., the eldest, a glazier by 
trade, married Carrie E. Smith, of Rockford, a 
daughter of H. T. Smith, who was a stone- 
mason by trade and formerly resided in this 
city but is now living in Kansas. Frank S. 
.Mien and his wife reside in Rockford with his 
mother and they have one son. Howard R., born 
February 9, i8()5. Charles died at the age of 
ten months, and Hattie died at the age of four- 
teen months. 

Mr. .Allen conliiiueil lo work at his trade until 
i8<)2, when he gave u]) business on account of ill 
health and lived retired for about eleven years, 
and on tlic 9th of February, 1904, he died at his 
home on Harlem avenue. He was never an 
office seeker but was always a stanch republican 
and took an active interest in the adoption of 
the principles of the party. He held membership 
in Rockford lodge, No. 102. 1'. & .A. M., and in 
the Ancient (3rder of United Workmen and was 
true to the jirinciples of those orders. Mrs. 
.Mien, her son and his wife are all members 
of the State Street P)apti.st church, and they 
have one of the fine homes of the city, recently 
erected at No. 1107 Harlem avenue. Mr. Allen 
belonged to that class of citizens who form the 
real strength of the country — men w'ho are in- 
dustrious and reliable in business, who favor 
public progress and co-operate in those move- 
ments which secure the greatest good to the 
greatest number. He did not seek self-ag- 
grandizement, but sought the general welfare, 
and he was worthy of high respect. 



josr.Mi siii:r AKDSON. 

Josiah Shcpard.son, a retired farmer residing in 
the village of Harrison, came to Illinois in 1852, 
and after a year spent at St. Charles. Kane county, 
where he engageil in farming, he took up his 
abode in Rockfonl. since which time he has largely 
lived in Winnebago county. He is a native of 
Erie county. Pennsylvania. Iwrn Novem1>er 12, 
1827, and his parents were Setji and Minerva , 
(Blakcsley) Shepardson, the foniier a native of 
(iuilford. \'ermoiit. and the latter of Eric county, 
Pennsylvania. The father was a blacksmith by 
trade and conducted an ax factory near James- 
town. New York, for some time, but his last days 




RICHARD S. ALLEN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



755 



were spent in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where 
his death occurred. His widow was afterward 
brought by her son Josiah to Winnebagro county, 
and died here many years ago on the 4th of De- 
cember, 1876, when sixty-nine years of age. In 
their family were two sons and two daughters, all 
of whom are yet living : Emra, w'ho has been con- 
nected with the circus during the greater part of 
his life : Ruljy Ann, who became the wife of a 
Air. Luther, of Pennsylvania, and is now a widow- 
residing at San Diego, California ; and Mrs. Chris- 
tina Clement, who makes her home at Los Angeles, 
California. 

Josiah Shepardson, the other member of the 
family, was reared in the east, acquiring his edu- 
cation in the public schools there, and in earlv 
manhood, anxious to make the most of his op- 
portunities, he came to the Mississippi valley, hop- 
ing to benefit his financial condition in this part 
of the country. He w'as for seven years prior to 
coming to Illinois engaged in boating on the Erie 
canal in the state of New York. His first farm 
tract was in Kane county, this state, where he 
spent a year, and afterward was for a year in 
Rockford, during which time he was employed on 
the section of the railroad just being builded to 
the county seat. He next removed to Rockton and 
]nirchased a team and wagon, after which he en- 
gaged in teaming for some time by way of Savan- 
nah into Jones county, Iowa. He carried goods 
both ways and was quite successful. He later se- 
cured sixteen acres of land in Rockton township. 
Having lost one of his horses he traded his re- 
maining horse and wagon for the sixteen-acre 
tract upon which he lived for three years. He also 
engaged in teaching school for three winters, hav- 
ing secured his certificate by passing an examina- 
tion before H. H. Waldo, then count}' superin- 
tendent. He walked from the tow-n of Harrison 
to Rockford. fifteen miles, and back again the 
same day with a foot of snow on the ground, and 
he began teaching the next day. After living on 
his first fann of sixteen acres for three years he 
purchased sixty acres of land, upon which he 
made his home for five years, and subsequentlv 
he bought an additional tract of eighty acres ad- 
joining but Iving across the boundary line in Har- 
rison towniship. To the further cultivation and 
improvement of his forty-acre farm he then gave 
his time and energies for some years, but event- 
ually sold a part of this and bought one hundred 
acres more in Shirland township, west of Peca- 
tonica river. After having disposed of a part of 
that to Frank Cleveland, he iDought the Oakes 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 
17, Harrison township, and this he still owns. He 
also purchased one hundred and twenty acres of 
land in Shirland township known as the Bennett 
farm, and both farms are now being operated by 
his sons. His landed possesssions aggregate two 



hundred and fort}- acres in the townships of Shir- 
land and Harrison, and he also has several resi- 
dence properties in the village of Harrison. Al- 
though his capital at the time of his arrival in 
\\'innebago county consisted of but sixtv dollars, 
he is to-day one of the prosperous citizens of the 
northern part of tlie county, and his success is at- 
tributable entirely to his own labors. 

In April, 1849, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, 
Mr. Shepardson w-as married to Miss Cordelia A. 
Bartlett. w-ho was born in Steuben countv, New 
York, April 17, 1833. and is a daughter of David 
and Mary ( Fawcett ) P.artlett. Her father died in 
1833. and her mother passed away in Brockport, 
New York, in 1878, at the age of eighty-six years. 
Mrs. Shepardson had one brother and one sister: 
Chester, who died in Brockport a number of years 
ago : and Martha, who married Orin W. Turner, 
of Chicago, but both are deceased. L'nto Mr. and 
Mrs. Shepardson have been born seven children, 
five of whom are living: Seth D., born in Octo- 
ber, 1857, and now following fanning at McLean. 
North Dakota, is married and has five children : 
Annie is the wife of Amos Conklin, residing at 
Rockford : May is the wife of Thomas Atkinson, 
of Rockford, and they have one son : J. Clinton, 
a farmer of Shirland, is married and has three 
children : Elbert Le Roy, a resident farmer of 
Harrison township, is married and has four chil- 
dren. Those who have passed away are Charles 
L., who died at the age of seventeen vears : and 
Chester at the age of two years. 

Air. Shepardson is a democrat in his political 
views, although he voted for Abraham Lincoln. 
He has served as assessor and collector for nine 
years in Harrison township, w-as justice of the 
peace for two terms, resigning on account of poor 
health, and was prompt and faithful in the dis- 
charge of his official duties. His w-ife is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational church, and thev were 
formerly members of the Good Templars Society 
and of the Grange. Mr. Shepardson is now en- 
joying a w-ell earned rest at his pleasant home in 
the village of Harrison. He may truly be called 
a self-made man. as he owes his prosperity en- 
tirely to his earnest labor and close application. 
He has followed a definite plan of action in his 
business life and his energy and capable manage- 
ment have been the means of bringing him in a 
very gratifying competence. 



SYL\'ESTER CLAUDE ANDRUS. M. D. 

Dr. Sylvester Claude Andrus, who is accorded 
a gratifying practice in recognition of his learn- 
ing and skill as a representative of the medical 
fraternity and is now a physician to St. Anthony's 
Hospital of Rockford and a member of the hos- 



756 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



pital staff, was born in Pccatonica. Winnebago 
county, on the 20tli of April. 1872. He is a son 
of Henry and jane ( Love) Andrus, who are men- 
tioned on anotlier page of this vohuiie. He at- 
tended the pubhc schools and passsed through suc- 
cessive grades until he had completed the high 
school course, graduating with the class of 1890 
at Cherry \'alley. His taste temled toward a pro- 
fessional life, and he became a student in the 
.Xorthwestern L'niversity of Chicago, completing 
a course in the medical department with the class 
of 1897. 

I1uis well qualified for his chosen profession, 
he located in Rockford and almost immediately 
iK'gan a lucrative practice. Since that time his 
business has constantly grown, and he is now a 
worthy and ca])able representative of the medical 
fraternity of Winnebago county. He belongs to 
the Winnebago County Medical Society, the State 
Medical Society and the .American Medical As- 
sociation, and through the interchange of thought 
and CNperiences in the meetings of those organiza- 
tii ns he keeps informed concerning the progress 
that is continually being made in the practice of 
medicine and surgery. Always ready to adopt 
new methods wliich he believes will prove of bene- 
fit in alleviating suffering and checking the rav- 
ages of disease, he is at the same time slow to dis- 
card old and time-honored methods, whose value 
has been proven. 

Dr. .Andrus was married to Miss Edna Priest, 
of Chicago, in which city she was born. He is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, a 
charter member of the Elks lodge. No. 64. has at- 
tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish 
Rite in Masonry, belonging to Freeport consist- 
on.-, and he is also a member of a Greek letter so- 
ciety. 



MRS. DELIA A. CHAPPELL. 

Mrs. Delia \. Chappell, making her home 
in Rockford township, is well known here, hav- 
ing for many years resided in Winnebago 
county. She is the widow of John C. Chappell, 
who died on the 1st of July. 1880. when more 
than sixty years of age, his birth having oc- 
curred in Massachusetts in June. 1829. He was 
a son of Palmer and Sylvia (Hitchcock) Chap- 
pell and represented an old family of Massa- 
chusetts. W'hen quite young he accompanied 
his parents on their removal to the state of New 
York and there he was reared by an uncle until 
twenty-one years of age. He afterward en- 
gaged in the hardware business in the east 
until his health failed him and, thinking he 
might be benefited by outdoor life, he turned his 
attention to farming. He then came to the mid- 
dle west, settling in Winnebago county, Illinois, 



in 1855. Here he purchased a tract of land of 
one hundred and thirty-five acres, which is now 
in possession of his widow, and taking up his 
home thereon he made it his place of residence 
until his death. He was an active man of af- 
fairs and wielded a wide influence not only in 
agricultural circles but also as the supporter of 
progressive measures for the general good. He 
served as school director and supervisor and 
whether in office or out of it he was always 
loyal to the general welfare and his efforts in 
behalf of public improvement were far-reaching 
and beneficial. 

Mr. Cha])pell was united in marriage to Mrs. 
Lottie Curtice, who died in 1865. leaving three 
children. The eldest. Azur C. Chappell, resid- 
ing upon a part of the old homestead, was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Bailey, of this county, 
and they have two children: John C, who was 
born in 1887 ; and I-llla G.. who was born in 
1889. Azur C. Chappell now has a farm of one 
hundred and thirty acres of arable land, con- 
stituting one of the best improved properties of 
his locality. Ella G. Chappell, the next mem- 
ber of the family, is the wife of B. F. Searls, of 
Rockford. Alice S. became the wife of Nelson 
Crampton and died here in 1877. 

In December. 1870. Mr. Chai)i)ell was again 
married, his second union being with Mrs. Delia 
.\. Lansing, nee Brooks, who was born in New 
Hampshire and was a daughter of Freeman and 
Candace (Chellise) Brooks, who removed to the 
.state of New York when Mrs. Chappell was but 
five years of age. They later came to Henry 
county. Illinois, where they spent their last days. 
Mrs. Chappell was married to Mr. Lansing in 
the Empire state in 1845 ^"d came to the west 
in 1859, locating in Rockford. where her hus- 
band engaged in the drug business up to the 
time of his death. He passed away in Decem- 
ber. 1863, at the age of forty-three years. There 
were two sons of that marriage: Edwin H. 
Lansing, who is residing in Maine; and Robert 
W. Lansing, who makes his home in Boise 
City, Idaho. By the second marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. Chappell there was one son, John, who 
now resides in Rockford, where he is connected 
with the Weyburn plant. He is also interested 
in the farm with his mother. He married Emma 
Mutimer and they have a son, Guy J., now ten 
years of age. 

Mrs. Chappell has rented the farm, although 
she resides in the old home. Mr. Chappell was 
a stanch and inflexible republican in his political 
views and his sons have followed in his foot- 
steps in this particular. In early life he be- 
longed to the Grange and he was a member of 
the Winnebago Street Methodist h'piscopal 
church. When he was called from this life his 
loss was deeply felt by his family, to whom he 




R. W. LANSING. 



MRS. CLARA LANSING KNOX. 

AIRS. DELIA A. CHAPPELL. 
ALTA KNOX. 



44 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



759 



was a devoted husband and father : in the 
church, where he was loyal to its teachings ; 
and in his community, where he furthered every 
substantial measure for the general g-ood. His 
widow belongs to the Congregational church 
of Rockford, nf which she has been a faithful 
member for over iorty years. The accompany- 
ing picture shows four generations — Mrs. Chap- 
pell. R. \\'. Lansing, ;\Irs. Clara (Lansing) 
Knox and Alta Knox. 



DAA'ID S. SCHUREMAN. 

David S. Schureman, who has gained distinction 
as an architect, evidences of his handiwork being 
seen in fine buildings in various cities of the 
country, while in Rockford many important struc- 
tures have been erected after designs that he has 
furnished, was bom in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylva- 
nia, April 29, 1854, and is a representative in the 
sixth generation of the descendants of Garrett 
Schureman, who was the third generation, mak- 
ing our subject the ninth. The family have the 
following history of the family. There have been 
Schuremans in Germany and Schuermans in the 
Netherlands but it has not been ascertained 
whether they were of one family, or of inde- 
pendent lines. 

"About the year 1300 Hermann Schurman held, 
in fee, a hide of land at Scuren, i. e., Scheuren, 
near Dortmund, Arnsberg, Westphalia. Later on 
Johann Schuremann was in possession of the 
same and of other land, in 1371, at Arnsberg, 
Johann Schuyrmann was enfeoffed, for himself, 
as well as for his brothers, Everhard and Hein- 
rich, of various lands among the rest, of a "manse 
at Holland," ( Abstract through Dr. Jacob Gould 
Schunnan, from the "History of the Noble Fam- 
ilies of Westphalia Cologne. Herberle. Lemperts", 
1878 — A. Fahne. ) According to Fahne, the 
famous scholar and accomplished woman, Anna 
Maria Schuerman, was of this line. Although 
she was born at Cologne, her father and her 
grandparents were of Antwerp and she was 
identified with L^trecht and she seems to have as- 
serted herself as a Netherlander. 

Frederick, grandfather of Anna ^laria, fled 
from Antwerp, for Cologne, with his wife, who 
was of the house of the Counts of Lumey, on the 
night of October 4, 1564, leaving his property and 
affairs in ruins rather than to give up Evangelical 
religion. On that day Christopher Smith (Fabri- 
cius) had been mangled and then burned at the 
stake. Frederick, son of Frederick, in 1602, mar- 
ried into a noble family of Cologne, Eva, daugh- 
ter of von Harf and Lucia Slaan. They had 

at least four children : Henry Frederick, b. 1603. d. 
i6ti2 : John Godschalk, b. 1605. d. 1664, a clergy- 
man ; .\nna ^Nlaria, b. November 5, 1607, d. 1678, 



single, in the Labadist Community, at Wieuward, 
Friesland ; and William, who died in his sixth 
year. Anna's father died in 1623, and his widow 
removed her family to LTrecht, where she died in 
1637. It has not been found that either of the 
sons married. ( Abstract by Professor Schurman, 
from "Kirchen-und Ketzer-Historie," Arnold, 
1699 ; Anna Marie von Schurmann, Tschackert, 
Gotha, 1876; also "Rise of the Dutch Republic," 
Motley; and the "Liberators of Holland," Mrs. 
Charles.) 

The name of Schuurman is extant in Utrecht, 
at the present time, and appeared there in a news- 
paper, October 15, 1890. 

The Schuermans of New York seem to begin 
with Harman Schuerman, whose name is found at 
New Amsterdam, in 1649. In the records of the 
Dutch church. New York, the spelling with the 
double V is more common, and that is the present 
form in the Netherlands (Schuurman) ; but the 
older form "ue" (Schuerman) is the basis for the 
spelling now in use in this country (Schureman) 
by a mere transposition of two letters. The pro- 
nimciation Skureman, still prevails. The Royalist 
branch, who went to the Piritish Provinces, 
dropped the e ( Schurman ) . 

The New Jersey line is an independent one. It 
began with Jacobus Schuurman, who came from 
Holland in 1720. 

Frederick Harmenszen seems to have been a 
son of Harmon Schuerman. 

Frederick Harmenszen, van Bremen, is in a 
list "since 1649" of church members at New Am- 
sterdam : and his wife Christina Jans became such 
church member August 30, 1647. They had chil- 
dren baptized there, 1659-75 ; and other children 
within the same period, whose baptisms have not 
been found. Possibly Frederick was at one time 
a resident of Stamford, Connecticut, Frederick 
Schurman, aged eighty, appears in the list of the 
town of New Rochelle, NBr. 9, 1710 (October). 
The name of Alary Scurman, aged seventy, there 
follows his. There is a tradition that he took a 
sister with him to New Rochelle. 

Children of Frederick Schuerman (2) and 
Christina Jans : Their fifth child was Johannes : 
bap. N. Y., April 9, 1662, "Harmenszen." He 
was probably the Johannes Scuerman who owned 
land at New Rochelle, which formed the bound- 
ary of land conveyed to Jacob Scuennan in 1702. 
(White Plains, Lib. C. p. 126.) He seems to 
have been, also, the Johannes Schuerman who 
married Johanna ^'e^veelen. daughter of Daniel 
A'erveelen and .\letta Schaata. of Hackeiisack. 
.\fter his death Johanna was married to Nicholas 
Peterson. (Hist, of Harlem, p. 553.) 

Children of Johannes (5) and Johanna Ver- 
veelen : Their eldest child was Daniel ; bap. Hack- 
ensack, May 24, 1708: d. about 1749; m., ist, 
^^'illemtie Blaauvelt: 2d, Elizabeth Helver, Ob- 



76o 



PAST AXn PRF.Sr.XT OF WIXXEBAGO COUNTY. 



taincd a lot of land in New York city, .\pril 20, 
1747. (Li'j- 33' 3-y-) Last will. August 30, 1749. 
(Lib. 17. p. 61.) 

Hiildrcn of Daniel ( 12) and W'illiolinina 
r.laauvdt ; tlicir third child was (ierrit; h. \o- 
vcnibcT 2y: hap. LXcenihcr 17. 1732: ni. Xew 
York. .March .). 1754. Wyntjo \'an iler Ilocf. 

Children of ( ierrit ( T,i ) and Wyntje \'an der 
Hoef. Their third child was Johannis : hap. O- 
tobcr 10. 175*): Witnesses, I'ieter Ennis and Ma- 
ria \'an der Iloev: wid. of Jaci->bus Rycknian : d. 
Asbun,-. X. J.. 1833. He was left an orphan child 
and was brought u|) by his .\unt .Steel. He served 
in the Revolutionary army while still under age. 
He was married three times. His first wife has 
been vaguely mentioned as a Miss N'alentine or a 
Miss Day. There was a child, Michael, baptized 
at Schenectndv. ( ictol-.cr 2. 17'*). son of Johan 
Scliurman and Catarina Merlelie. 

Children of John (53) and Leonard. 

Their oldest child was Thomas : m. September 2. 
1800, Catherine .\])]ilegate. He lived and died at 
Asbury. X. J. Ilis descendants were mostly in 
Pennsylvania. 

Children of Thomas (79) and Catherine Apple- 
gate : Thomas : Henry ; William ; P.ennet ; La- 
Fayette, father of the subject of this sketch ; Polly ; 
Rachel : P.etsey ; Catherine ; .\manda : and pcrhai^s 
another daughter. 

James Schureman of another branch of the 
family was a member of Congress from Xew Jer- 
sey from 1786 to 1788 and again from 1797 until 
1799. He was then chosen senator from that state 
to succeed John Rutherford, serving from Decem- 
ber. 1799, until February, 1801. He was again 
elected congressman, his term extending from 
May 2S. 1813. to March. 1815. His business was 
that of a banker an<l merchant. 

Jacob Gould Schureman, president of Cornell 
University, like our subject, is a descendant of 
Garrett Schureman in the sixth generation of the 
family in this country, and they were born within 
twenty-thrie days of each otlier. In Revolutionary 
war times there were seven members of the family 
fighting for independence. 

LaFayette Scjuireman came to Illinois at an 
early day, settling in Tazewell county, where he 
followed farming until 1865. and then after the 
death of his wife he returned to Pennsylvania. 
where he engaged in business as a contractor and 
builder. He had three children l)y his tirst mar- 
riage: David S. : Hattie, who died in infancy; 
Isalwll became tlie wife of John Tucker, of 
Wilkcsbarre, Pennsylvania. P.y his second mar- 
riage he had four children, of wliom one died in 
infancy, while .Mljert died in Indianapolis, Indi- 
ana, in i()02. The surviving son and daughter 
are: Warren, a resident of Decatur, Illinois; and 
Jean. tlic wife of Will Scarbough, a farmer near 
Delavan, Illinois. 



David Schureman. son of LaFayette Schure- 
man. was a student in the common schools of 
Pittston, Pennsylvania, and in the high school at 
.Scranton. that state, and after putting aside his 
text-books he drove mules in a mine for a time. 
He then iK'gan working for his father, with whom 
he reniained for three or fi>ur years, during which 
time he mastered the car])enter"s trade. He after- 
ward followed that trade for a number of years 
or until 1871, when he went to Pittsburg, where 
he became foreman of a building business. In 
1S73 he removed to St. Louis. Misssouri. w'here 
he again became a foreman, although at that time 
but twenty-one years of age. .\lways fond of 
music, he began taking vocal lessons under Pro- 
fessor Malmene and sang in Christ church of that 
city. He likewise became interested in sanitary 
conditions of buildings, and took u]) the study of 
architecture, and previously, while in Pittsburg, 
he had ])ursued a course in mathematics. In the 
seast)n of 1874 and 1875. Louise Kellogg, the 
noted prima donna, hearing Mr. Schureman sing 
in St. Louis, engaged him to go upon the road 
with her opera company. Later he was with the 
lulia Mathews Opera Company until her death 
about the close of the season, and in the season of 
1875 and 1876 he sang with the .\Iice Oates Opera 
Company. This was the extent of his operatic ca- 
reer, for after visiting the Centennial Exposition 
at Philadeliihia in 1876 he went to Cincinnati, 
where he acce])ted a position with the firm of Dun- 
can & I'unten, contractors, with whom he re- 
mained until 1880. In that year he began business 
for himself as an architect, and among the notable 
buildings that he ])lanned in that city was the 
Wcslyan .\venuc I'.ajitist church, the Commercial 
Gazette building, the Hammond building, the Sen- 
ator Foraker residence and the home of L. C. 
I'lack. law partner of Senator I'oraker. He was 
also architect for the schoolboard for two years. 
He likewise built a numlxT of carriage factories, 
including two for the Scheler Company. In 1885 
he went to Moline. Illinois, to build a factory for 
the .Scheler Carriage Company, and at that time 
opened a branch office in Rock Island. He like- 
wise erected the Methodist Episcojial church at 
Rock Island, and numerous other buildings there. 
In 1890 he came to Rockford to compete with 
twenty otlier architects for the contract for the 
.Second Congregational church, and was success- 
ful, erecting the fine church building to-day seen. 
Liking R(X'kford and its pcoi>le. he closed hi« 
offices in Cincinnati and Rock Island and removed 
to this city, where he has since made his home. 

Mr. .Schureman has furnished plans for the 
building of public and private structures in Rock- 
forfl costing in the aggregate over eight hutulred 
thousand dollars, including the Second Congrega- 
tional church. City Hall. .Xjiple's Department 
Store. Svea Music Hall. Rockford Brewing Com- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



761 



pany plant, the Mead building:, ^lasonic Temple, 
F. J. Shoudy"s residence, the H. W. Buckbee Seed 
Company warehouse, and the residences of Mrs. 
Julia Warren, W. A. Stapleton, Aubrey Barnes, 
William Winter. J. R. Whitehead. Robert Lind, 
E. E. Bartlett. ¥.' F. Nelson and A. E. Lindsey, 
and also the Swedish Lutheran parsonage on 
Third street. He also built the Illinois building, 
Mendelssohn Hall, the "Rockford" Hall, Trinity 
Lutheran church and the High, Freeman, Brown, 
Lincoln. Hall. Blake. Garrison, Jackson, I\Ion- 
tague. St. AIary"s and St. James' schools. No 
further comment is needed concerning the ability 
and success of Mr. Schureman in the line of his 
chosen profession to those who know aught of 
Rockford and her fine public buildings and private 
residences. 

In t88o Mr. Schureman was married to Miss 
Mary Elizabeth Ashley, of Cincinnati, and they 
became the parents of one son, Robert Clinton, a 
machinist of Chicago, who wedded Celina Roy, 
of Kankakee, Illinois. There is one son of this 
marriage, Roy, who is of the eleventh generation 
of the Schureman family in America. In 1890 
Mr. Schureman lost his first wife, and in i8gi he 
wedded Nettie ]\Iay Slack, of Delaware. Ohio, a 
daughter of LeRoy P. and Adeline (Terry) Slack, 
belonging to one of the old families of the United 
States. There have been three children of this 
marriage, of whom one died in infancy. David 
S.. who was born on the day that Colonel Tom 
Lawler was elected commander-in-chief of the 
Grand Army — September 7, 1894 — is a student in 
the Hall school. Adeline Isabell, born February 
12, i8g6, is also a student in the Hall school. 

Mr. Schureman is a member of Forest City 
lodge. No. 12, A. O. U. W.. and in politics is a 
stanch republican. His business career has been 
one of notable successes, ambition prompting earn- 
est effort and effort resulting in prosperity. He 
is now the owner of several valuable patents in 
heating and plumbing. 



THOMAS M. CLARK. 

Thomas ^1. Clark, of Rockford, who for a 
half centurv made his home in this city, came in 
1848 when this was a small village. He was bom 
near Swansea, New Hampshire, September 2, 
1800. His father, James Clark, died in the old 
Granite state when quite young, and the mother 
and her children afterward came to the west, locat- 
ing in Wisconsin, where she and her two daugh- 
ters died. The onlv surviving members of this 
branch of the family are a niece, Mrs. Lyons, 
who resides in Hawkeye, Iowa, and another niece 
in Kansas. 

Thomas M. Clark obtained a good education in 
the public schools of the east, largely in Boston, 



and while there ne also studied medicine. He 
continued to reside on the Atlantic coast until 
about 1848, when he came to the west, settling in 
Rockford. Here he began in the jewelry business 
as one of the first merchants in that line in the 
city, but on account of ill health he soon aban- 
doned the business, selling out to Horace Buford. 
As he had previously studied medicine he now be- 
gan practicing in Rockford as a magnetic healer 
and built up a large practice. He effected many 
wonderful cures, and his powers in the line of 
magnetic healing made him a very successful rep- 
resentative of his calling. 

Dr. Clark was married before coming to the 
west to Miss Sarah Gunn, of New Hampshire, 
who died in this city, and the only child of this 
marriage, .\nna Clark, died at the age of five years 
and six months. In Rockford Mr. Clark was 
again married, his second union being with Mrs. 
Ellen (Morrison) Leonard, a native of Hancock 
county, Illinois, and a daughter of \Mlliam and 
Hannah (Smith) Morrison, the former a native 
of Baltimore, Maryland, and the latter of Eng- 
land. Mrs. Morrison was twelve years of age 
when she came with her father to America, and 
he was the first merchant to introduce roasted 
cofl^ee into Philadeljihia. Air. ^Morrison was a 
ship-builder by trade and followed that pursuit in 
Baltimore. Finallv he came to the west, locating 
on a farm in Hancock county, Illinois, where his 
wife died. Later he removed to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, where he followed his trade until his 
life's labors were ended in death. Four of 
the children of Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are 
now living, namely : Mrs. Clark : C. •\. 
^Morrison, who is vice president of the First 
National Bank in Ellendale. North Dakota, and 
is also engaged in other business enterprises there ; 
Arthur Morrison, a well-to-do commission mer- 
chant of Oklahoma City ; and Mrs. Lenora Har- 
ford, who resides in AlcClelland. Florida. Mrs. 
Clark was first married to Theodore Leonard, a 
native of Cleveland, Ohio, who was a commercial 
traveler, and spent his entire business life on the 
road. He died suddenly while visiting her par- 
ents in Hancock county. Illinois. 

Dr. Clark continued to engage in practice here 
until his health failed, and he finally had to give 
up his work. He had already invested in land in 
\'ernon, Wisconsin, and he again went to that 
place, where he purchased more land, but he lived 
there for only a year. He then began traveling 
for his health, visiting California and other parts 
of the country, and he lived a retired life for 
twelve years or until called to his final home. He 
passed away in the house which is now occupied 
by his widow, his death occurring October 21. 

He was a democrat in politics and in early life 
a member of the Alasonic fraternitv. He did not 



762 



PAST AND TKESEXT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



hold membership with aiiv relifjious cleiioniiiiation. 
but contributed to the sui)|x>rt of the I'aptist 
church of Rockford. In his later years lie sold 
his Wisconsin property and invested in city prop- 
erty in Rockford. His business operations were 
usually attended with a very desirable measure 
of success, and he iK-came the jM>ssessor of a com- 
fortable com]>etence. .so that his widow was left 
in easy financial circumstances. She now owns 
much valuable residence property in the most de- 
sirable section of Rockford, antl the rental from 
this brinj^s her a pratifyinjj ina)me. She is now 
residinj; at the old Hlinn home at \o. 510 North 
Horsman street. 



JOHN A. TAYI-OR. 

For years no new names were added to the 
list of dead heroes of our .\merican soldier hoys, 
but in i8<>8 the blast of strife attain soimded, 
causiu}.;- the .American citizens to thronjj to the 
support of the nation, and at that time John A. 
Ta_\lor was ainong those who foufjht for rights 
and liberty. He was for many years a w^ell 
known youn.a: man of Rockford. and his death, 
which occurred here as the result of an accident, 
was the occasion of very deep and widespread 
refjret. He was horn in the cast, his parents being 
Samuel and Catherine Taylor, who were also 
natives of the east hut now reside in Chicago, the 
father being engaged in the creamery business 
both in that city and in Rockford. 

John A. Taylor was a young lad when he ac- 
companied his parents to Illinois. lie acquired 
his education in the public schools and afterward 
learned the butter-maker's trade which he fol- 
lowed here until his removal to Westfield, 
Illinois, where he remaineil for several years. He 
then returned to Rockford, and accepted a good 
position in the gluco.se factor}-, of which his 
father was foreman. There he was emplo\-ed 
until the nth of March, 1903. On that day the 
machinery of the factory stoppefl nmning and 
Mr. Taylor going to investigate was caught in 
the machinery when it started up again and was 
smothered to death before help could reach him. 

In Rockford. in 1902, he had been married to 
Miss Xada Kaker. a native of Elton, Illinois, and 
a daughter of William H. and Charlotte A. 
fShamiour) P.aker. The father was a native of 
New "S'ork and removed from that state to 
Canada, where he met and married Miss 
Shamiour. a native of that country. They re- 
sided there until 1865, when they came to Winne- 
bago county, Illinois, taking up their abode in the 
village of Rockford. Mr. Baker was a black- 
smith and machinist by trade and followed those 
pursuits for several years. Subse(iuently he re- 
moved to Elton. Illinois, where he engaged in 



blacksmithing for two years and then returned to 
Rockton. wiiere he again worked at liis trade 
until 1900. On the expiration of that period he 
came to Rockford, where he and his wife are now 
living and where he is employed as a machinist. 
There were nine children bom unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Baker, four of whom reside with their parents. 
Unto ;\lr. and Mrs. Taylor was born a son, 
Charles Arthur, whose birth occurred August 9, 
1903, after the father's death. Mr. Taylor 
was a memlx^r of the Modern Woodmen camp, of 
Elida, and held offices in that organization, to 
which he was called by his fellow nicml>ers who 
entertained for him the warmest regard. He also 
belonged to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and 
in matters of citizenship he was public spirited 
and progressive, always interested in everything 
that tended to promote the general welfare. At 
the time of the Spanish-American war he again 
demonstrated his loyalty to the government by en- 
listing in Company H. of the Second Batallion, 
under Colonel Fred Bennett, of Rockford. He 
held membership in the State Street Methodist 
Episcopal church, to which all of the members of 
the Baker and Taylor families belong. Mrs. 
Taylor and her jiarents now reside at No. 11 17 
(Ireen street and she is in comfortable financial 
circumstances, having received a goodly amount 
of insurance at the time of her husband s death. 



AKS M. X( )L1XC 



Lars .\I. Xuling. whose connection with many 
of the leading business interests and whose ac- 
tivity in political circles make him one of the rep- 
resentative and honored citizens of Rockford. was 
born in Sweden, May 4. 1843. He acc|uired a 
good common-school education in his native coun- 
try, and in his home was instructed in the value 
of industry and integrity as motive forces in the 
affairs of life. He remained a resident of his 
native land until 1864. when at the age of twenty- 
one vears, he bade adieu to friends and family and 
emigrated to the United States. The favorable 
reports which he had heard concerning this coun- 
try attracted him. Landing on the shores of Xew 
■S'ork he made his way direct to Rockford. IHi- 
nois, where he arrived with very limited capital, 
but with strong determination and laudable ambi- 
tion. Here he entered the emjiloy of John .Xel- 
son, a native of Sweden, who was engaged in the 
manufacture of sa.sh, dtmrs and blinds. Mr. Xo- 
ling had already acquired some knowledge of the 
use of edge tools in his native countrA-. and dis- 
played considerable natural mechanical ingenuity 
in working in wood. He continued in the employ 
of Mr. Xelson for two years, and ior twenty-one 
years did contract work for X. t'. Thompson, em- 




TOHN A. TAYLOR. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



765 



plo}ing other men. His proficiency increased, so 
that his labors brought to him a good financial 
return, enabHng him to command positions of 
trust and responsibiHty. Saving his earnings he 
invested his capital in enterprises which he be- 
lieved would return him good profit. His name 
has now long been associated with the successful 
conduct of many important concerns of the citv, 
and he is to-day the president of the Rockford 
Furniture & ITndertaking Companv. of tlie 
Skandia Coal & Liunber Company, the Swedish 
Building & Loan Association, the Rockford Man- 
ufacturing Company, the Mechanics' Furniture 
Company, the Forest City Bit & Tool Company, 
the Rockford Union Grocery Company and Skan- 
dinavian Ceinetery Association. The hope that 
led him to leave his native land and seek a home 
in America has been more than realized. He 
found the opportunities he desired — whicli, by 
the way, are always o])en to the ambitious, ener- 
getic man — and making the best of these he stead- 
ily worked his way upward. He possessed the res- 
olution, perseverance and reliability so charac- 
teristic of people of his nation, and his name is 
now enrolled among the best citizens of Winne- 
bago county, and has become synonymous not 
only with successful dealing, but also with in- 
tegrity in all active business affairs. 

In 1866 Mr. Noling was united in marriage to 
Miss Josephine Johnson, a daughter of Peter 
Johnson. She is a native of Sweden and emi- 
grated to the new world in her girlhood days in 
1854. Mr. and Mrs. Noling now have one daugh- 
ter. Mary, who is the wife of S. E. Erricson, and 
has three children, William, Marion and Helen. 

Although controlling and promoting many im- 
portant business enterprises of considerable mag- 
nitude Mr. Noling has found time to devote to the 
public welfare and has ever thoroughly informed 
himself concerning the questions and issues of the 
day bearing upon our social, economic and po- 
litical life. In 1892 he was chosen by popular 
ballot a member of the general assembly from 
the tenth legislative district and in 1895 and 
1897 he was re-elected so that for three terms 
he served as a member of the house. He took a 
very active part in the discussion of important 
bills and measures of direct interest to the com- 
monwealth and was concerned in constructive 
legislation as a member of various important com- 
mittees. He did not seek to figure prominently 
on the floor of the house, but he used his influ- 
ence and efforts to advance whatever cause he 
deemed would ])rove beneficial to the state, and 
with equal resolution and energy he opposed each 
measure which he thought would prove detri- 
mental. He was on the committee on railroads 
and on municipal corporations and chairman on 
the home, loan and building associations, and he 
rendered efficient service. He has always been 



untiring in his advocac)' of the republican party, 
and in lyoo was elected a member of the school 
board, in which capacity he is now serving the 
fifth year. He has likewise manifested a helpful 
interest in church work in his city, he and his 
wife being valued and consistent members of the 
First Swedish Lutheran church, while upon the 
church board he has served for over thirty-seven 
\ears. and has been chairman of the board for 
twent)' years. In his four years as a member of 
the schoolboard. the cause of education ever found 
in him a friend. 

He has never concentrated his energies upon 
his business affairs to the exclusion of other in- 
terests in life concerning man's relation to his 
fellowmen, to his country and his church. Yet 
to those who would win material prosperity we 
would say that the life record of Mr. Noling con- 
tains man\- lessons worthy of consideration and 
emulation. His success in all his undertakings 
has been so marked that his methods are of in- 
terest to the commercial world. He has based his 
Ijusiness principles and actions upon strict ad- 
herence to the rules which govern industry, econ- 
omy and strict unswerving integrity. His enter- 
prise and progressive spirit have made him a 
tvpical American in every sense of the word, and 
he well deserves mention in history. What he is 
to-day he has made himself, for he began in the 
worki with nothing but his own energy and will- 
ing hands to aid him. By constant exertion, as- 
sociated with good judgment, he has raised him- 
self to the prominent position which he now holds, 
having the friendship of many and the respect of 
all who kn<iw him. In 1893 ^^^- doling erected 
a beautiful residence at No. 1508 Kishwaukee 
street, where he and his family are now living. 



H. B. CHASE. 



H. B. Chase, a retired farmer of Cherry \'al- 
lev township, now living in Rockford, is num- 
bered among the earliest settlers of the county. 
He was born near Concord. New Hampshire, in 
1829, his parents being Ira A. and Hannah E. 
(Cate) Chase. The father, grandfather and 
great-grandfather were all natives of New Hamp- 
shire, and the last named was a soldier of the 
Revolutionary war, fighting for the independence 
of the country. The family is of English lineage, 
and was established in America in early colonial 
days. Ira .\. Chase became a well-to-do farmer, 
and both he and his wife died in New Hamp- 
shire. 

H. B. Chase was educated in the common 
schools of that state, but did not have the privi- 
lege of attending after eight years of age. He 
came to Illinois in ]\[arch. 1858, settling in Cher- 



766 



PAST AXD I'RKSEXT OF WIXXEBAGO COIXTV. 



ry \ alley lownsliip, W'iniu'bafio county, where 
he purchased a farm, the <leed heariuy; date of 
April. 1859. It was formerly owned by Joseph 
H. Lake, who entered the land from the g;ovcrn- 
nient. and this property is still owned by Mr. 
Chase, who has jjreatly improved it by the erec- 
tion of tine buildings, the plantinjj of trees and 
the cultivatiiijj of the fields. He resided ujion 
the farm for thirty years, successfully and en- 
eri;etically carrying on agricultural pursuits 
throughout that entire period, after which he re- 
moved to Rockford in 1890, to enjoy a well 
earned rest in the retirement from all further 
labor. He shortly afterward jnirchascd the home 
where he now resides at Xo. 321 Xorth Tliird 
street, but he still owns two hundred acres of 
valuable farming land, well im])riivcd. in Cherry 
\ alley townshi]). 

When on his way to Illinois Mr. Chase stopped 
in ( )hio. near Cleveland, where he remained for 
two years, and then continued his westward jour- 
ney. During liis residence in the liuckeye state 
he assisted in building the railroad between 
Cleveland and Toledo. It w-as also in that period 
that he was married, in 1837. to Miss Catherine 
Hamiaford. a native of Cleveland, who was born 
there in May. 1834. her jwrents lieing Rueben and 
Xancy (Foster) Hannaford. Her father was a 
farmer by ()ccu])ati<iii. and both he and his wife 
die<l in ( )hio. They left two sons : John, a resi- 
dent of Cleveland: and Charles .\., who is living 
in Traverse City. Michigan, while Mrs. Chase 
is the only surviving <Iaughter of the family. Her 
grandfather. Abiah Foster, was in congress for 
si.xteen years, and signed important bills in the 
continental congress. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Chase has been blessed with si.x sons and a 
daughter: Charles married Emma Cochrane 
and both have now passed away, leaving two 
children: Ira. who is engaged in the insurance 
business, traveling on the road, married Stella 
I'.arnes. by whom he has three children, and thev 
make their home in Chicago; Frank H., a teach- 
er in the high school of Chicago, married Ida 
(iayton and has two sons: (jeorge married Jennie 
Dickerman and died leaving three children, who 
are with their mother in Rockford; Artinir T., a 
resident of Xew Milford. Illmois. married ."Kcldie 
Rosecrance and has two children ; Estella is the 
wife of Frank Rosecrance, of Ogle county, Illi- 
nois, and has two chiUlren ; Harry IT., who is 
manager of the advertising department of a ncws- 
pa[)er office in Colorado Springs. Colora<ln, mar- 
ried Ida I'.arnes and has one child. 

Mr. and Mrs. Chase now reside in Rockford 
but fr)r some time the latter has been an invalid. 
They attend the First Congregational church, and 
their children and grandchiblren (the latter fif- 
teen in number) are all church people, the five 
sons of the family having been Sundav-school 



su])erintendents. so that the intUience of the fani- 
il\ has been a strong element for religious devel- 
o])ment. In his ])olitical views Mr. Chase is a 
rei)ublicaii. and his father was a whig and a ])er- 
sonal friend of Horace Greeley. He is a self- 
made man who has accumulated his property en- 
tirely through his own labors. When he first 
came to the county ho found here a largely unim- 
proved district, in wiiich homes were widely 
scattered, little ]>rogress having been m.ide in 
material, intellectual or moral lines. At liiat time 
religious services were held for several years in 
the schoolhouse on what was called the island, 
a ISaptist church having been organized there. 
Later there came Irish Catholic families — the 
.Mc.Maurs. Dolans and others. ( )ne of the events 
which remains viviiil\ in the memory of Mr. 
Chase was hearing a lecture by H. H. Waldo 
upon the subject of the Real and the Ideal. He 
takes just ])ride in what has been accom|)lished 
in the comity and in the state, and through long 
years has been an interested witness of the growth 
and development of Illinois. .\one have ever 
doubted the sincerity of Mr. Lha.se or his devo- 
tion to the jirinciples in which he believes, and all 
who know him entertain for him the warmest 
regard. 



VRVA) !•;. STJ':RLiXG. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Dixon, 
Illinois. June 29, 1869. being the third son of 
Edward and Irene IJivins .Sterling, early set- 
tlers of tliat section. The first ten years of his 
boyhood were spent in Dixon, where he attended 
the public schools until 1880, wdien his parents 
removed to Huron, South Dakota, and settled 
on a farm near that place. They were among 
the pioneers of central Dakota (then a terri- 
tory), the subject of this sketch assisting his 
fatlier and brothers in developing one of the 
first farms in Beadle county. He attended the 
public schools at Huron during the winter terms 
and wciirked oh his father's farm during the 
summer until the age of fourteen years, when 
he entered ncwspa])er work with the Huron Daily 
Times, which avocation he has since followed, 
with the exception of three years. 

Mr. Sterling, in his boyhood, was consi.intly 
thrown in C(Mitact with men of much more ma- 
ture years than himself, socially, politically and 
in a business way. in the develoiiment of the terri- 
tory. On the promotion of Judge Louis K. Church, 
of Huron, to the governorshi]) of Dakota. Mr. 
Sterling, who, although youthful in years, had 
been his close friend and companion, was ap- 
pointed to the position of assistant commissioner 
of immigration, in which capacity he had much 
to d<p with the |>reparation and distribution of 




FRED E. STERLING. 



PAST AND PRESH.VT OI" WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



769 



literature and statistics extolling the wonders of 
the territor}-, resulting in its rapid settlement by 
home-seekers from the eastern states. Near the 
close of his term of office he resigned this posi- 
tion to accept the management of the Dakota 
edition to the St. Paul Globe, a supplement is- 
sued with the daily each Saturday and devoted 
to the interests of the territory. In 1890 he 
came to Rockford to accept the city editorship 
of the Morning Star, which paper he served for 
a 3-ear and left to take a similar position with 
Register - Gazette on the consolidation of 
the two evening newspapers. In the service of 
the latter he continued for nine years when he 
resigned to take up other work. During that 
period he also served as the special Rockford 
correspondent of the Associated Press, the Chi- 
cago Inter-Ocean. Times-Herald. Chronicle, 
Evening Post. Journal, St. Louis Globe-Demo- 
crat and other metropolitan newspapers. On 
October i, 1903, Air. Sterling purchased an in- 
terst in The Register-Gazette and assumed the 
editorship of the same. 

Ever since he became a resident of Rockford 
Mr. Sterling has taken an active, aggressive part 
in the business, political and social life of the 
city and lent his hearty assistance to every move- 
ment looking to its progress, welfare and up- 
building. He enjoys the honor and distinction 
of having been the youngest man ever elected in 
Rockford as a member of the city council. He 
represented the third ward as an alderman for 
eight years, until the spring of 1903, when, be- 
cause of other duties, he declined to serve longer, 
after having received a unanimous caucus re- 
nomination. He was recognized as one of the 
leaders of the council, a fine parliamentarian and 
ready debater. During his term of office he 
served either as chairman or a member of the 
most important council committees, was for three 
years secretary of the board of local improve- 
ments and secured for his ward many needed im- 
provements, including the new Blake school 
building. On his retirement from the council he 
was presented by his friends with a very hand- 
some diamond ring. 

Mr. Sterling is a stanch republican and has 
taken an active part in city, county and state 
politics, serving as a delegate from \'\''innebago 
county in every state convention for the past 
eight years or more. He served three terms as 
secretary of the Winnebago county republican 
central committee, being elected chairman of the 
same in 1904. During the presidential and 
gubernatorial campaign 01 1900 he was secretary 
and manager of the press bureau conducted by 
the republican state central committee in Chi- 
cago, supplying party literature and statistics to 
the country press. 



In 1901 Mr. Sterling was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Yates as land commissioner of the Illinois 
& Michigan canal, which he held until July, 1904, 
when he was appointed as a member of the board 
of managers of the Illinois State Reformatory, 
located at Pontiac. During the legislative ses- 
sion of 1903 he served as assistant secretary to 
the chief executive at Springfield. He enjoys 
an extensive acquaintance with and the friend- 
ship of a host of prominent politicians and pub- 
lishers throughout the state. 

In February, igoi, Mr. Sterling was appointed 
receiver of the Manufacturers' & Merchants' 
Mutual Insurance Company, of Rockford. by 
the circuit court. He made an enviable record 
for himself in winding up the aflfairs of this 
compau}', paying all loss claims in full and se- 
curing his final discharge within two years from 
the date of his ap]iointment. 

Ele is a member of the Elks, Knights of 
Pythias, Royal League, Modern Woodmen and 
Home PVaternal League. 

On December 17, 1901. Mr. Sterling was mar- 
ried to Miss Anna C. Parmele and two children 
have been born to them, Arthur Edward and 
Olive Irene. His home is at no West street, 
Rockford. 



ALONZO BACHELDER. 

Alonzo Bacheldcr. although a resident of Rock- 
ford for but a brief period, became well known 
among the business men here and gained many 
friends. He was born in Strafiford, C)range coun- 
ty. Vemiont, December 16, 1820. His parents 
always resided in the east and both died in the 
Green Mountain state. In the schools of Ver- 
mont Alonzo Bachelder acquired a good educa- 
tion and then, attracted by the better business op- 
portunities of the west, he came to the Mississippi 
valley, locating in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where 
he secured a position as express messenger, being 
the first one to occupy that position on the rail- 
road between Milwaukee and Oshkosh, Wiscon- 
sin. For several years he was thus engaged, after 
\\diich he married and removed to Sheboygan 
Falls, Wisconsin, where he had charge of a flour- 
ing mill for a few years. On the expiration of 
that period he returned to Fond du Lac, where 
he learned the carriage-maker's trade, following 
that pursuit until he first came to Rockford. Here 
he entered the employ of his brother-in-law. Dr. 
j\I. D. Ogden, with whom he continued for sev- 
eral years, but because of failing health he re- 
turned to Fond du Lac, where he again followed 
carriage trimming. Later he began traveling for 
his health and received treatment in Boston and 
New York. He also took an ocean trip in the 



770 



PAST AXL) rUllSKXT OF WTXXKBAGO CUL'XTY. 



hope of being benefited thereby and eventually he 
returned to Chicago for further medical treatment 
but grew worse instead. He then again made his 
way to his old home in Fond du Lac, where his 
death occurred on the 22d of May, 1871. 

About sixteen years before that time .Mr. Bach- 
elder had been married, on the 19th of June, 1855, 
in Fond du Lac, to Aliss Eliza A. Ogden, a native 
of Cooksville, Canada, bom September 20, 1831, 
and a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Cook) Og- 
den. Her father was a farmer of Canada and 
removed thence to Fond du Lac, where he re- 
sided for a few years. He then came to Winne- 
bago county, Illinois, and purchased a farm in 
Cherry X'alley township, where he carried on gen- 
eral fanning until his death on the 3d of January, 
1874. His wife survived him until the 8th of 
August, 1880. They were pioneer settlers of this 
county and were well known, while high regard 
was ever given them by those with whom they 
came in contact. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ogden were 
born four children, who are yet living: Mrs. 
BaclieUler ; Mrs. Starkweather, also a resident of 
Rockford ; Georgia Gertrude, who is living in 
Loyalton, California: and E. J. liacheldcr. who is 
a practicing physician of Chicago. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Bachelcler became the parents of 
five children, of whom three are yet living: Laura, 
the eldest, born June 26, 1856, became the wife 
of Qiarles P. Woodruff, who died in Connells- 
ville, Xew York. They had four children — Geor- 
gia LucUa. Tnnnan J., P.ert and .S. Mitchell — all 
of whom are living with their mother, .\fter los- 
ing her first husband Mrs. Woodruff became the 
wife of William .\. Jackson, who was a barber 
of Rockford and died in this city. There was one 
child by that union. Bessie May, who is a stenog- 
rapher of Rockford. Fred AL Bachelder, bom 
April 24, 1838, married Lucy P.alderson and is a 
shipping clerk, residing in Rockford. Carlton, 
born Xovember 19, 1859, has been twice married. 
After the death of his first wife he wedded P>essie 
Cowper. who is also deceased. He is now en- 
gaged with the Springfield Transfer Comi)any at 
.Springfield. Illinois. Of the daughters who ])assed 
away I<la May died in childhood, and .\ddie. who 
became the wife of Professor George Blakeley. 
died in Saginaw, Michigan, October 15. 1890. 

When Mr. Bachelder was called to his final rest 
his remains were interred by the Independent Or- 
der of Olid Fellows, of which lodge he had long 
been a consistent and exemplary member, acting 
at times in various oflfices, l>eing for years noble 
grand. His wife was also connected with the 
ladies' auxiliary — the Rebekah lodge — at Fond du 
Lac. His political views were in accord with 
republican principles and he always cast his ballot 
for the men and measures of the party. He held 
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. 



to which his wife also belonged, and he was 
known as an earnest Christian man, justly merit- 
ing the regard in which he was uniformly held. 
For some time he was the owner of much valuable 
property in Fond du Lac, including the site of 
the leading hotel of that city, and he traded the 
same for a pair of boots. He afterward owned 
other proi)erty there and also a farm near Fond 
du Lac, making judicious investment in real es- 
tate. He was a very charitable man, of kindly 
spirit and generous disposition, and the poor and 
needy found in him a friend. He was also chari- 
table in thought as well as act. never judging his 
fellowmen harshly, and to his family he was a 
devoted husband and father. Since her husband's 
death Mrs. Bachelder has returned to Rockford 
and has since lived with her children, now mak- 
ing her home with her daughter. Mrs. Jackson, at 
Xo. 725 Qiestnut street. 



REV. NICHOLAS B.WARD CLINCH. 

Rev. Nicholas Bayard Clinch, rector of Eman- 
uel Episcopal church at Rockford, was bom in 
Waynesville, Georgia. February 3. 1864. His 
parents were Duncan Lamont and Susan A. 
(Hopk-ins) Clinch. The founders of the family 
in .\merica came from England during an early 
epoch in the colonization of the new world and 
their descendants have since been prominent in 
affairs of state in the south. The grandfather of 
Rev. Clinch was General Duncan Lamont Clinch, 
who won his title through service in the Ignited 
States army and he also represented his district 
in congress. His son and namesake was the owner 
of a large rice plantation and served as a soldier 
in the Confederate army. He died about 1893, 
having for several years survived his wife, whose 
death occurred in 1885. They were the parents 
of ten children, but five have passed away. 

Rev. Clinch, the fifth of the family, acquired 
his education under the instmction of liis parents 
upon the home plantation until thirteen years of 
age, when he entered Cheltenham .\cademy. at 
Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with 
the class of 1882. Coming to the west, he ac- 
cejjted a position in Chicago as a member of the 
clerical force in the hardware house of Hibbard, 
.Spencer. Bartlett Coni)>any. with whom he re- 
mained for six vears. when determining to devote 
his life to the work of the ministry, he entered the 
Western Theological Seminary at Chicago and 
completed the regular course, after which he was 
ordained to tlie priesthood of the Episcopal church 
in i8rj5. He was then called to the pastorate of 
Emanuel church at Rockford. after a year spent 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



771 



in Grace church at Chicago, and since December, 
1896, has hved and labored here, with conscien- 
tious zeal and untiring devotion. 

On the 1st of January. 1895. Rev. Clinch was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Aliss 
Alice Dyer Loring, a daughter of Airs. Stella 
Dyer Loring, of Chicago, and they now have one 
son, Nicholas Bayard, Jr., born June 19, 1898. 

Rev. CHnch is a member of Rockford lodge, 
I. O. O. F. He is really independent in politics, 
though with democratic tendencies, and is never 
remiss in citizenship relating to the welfare and 
progress of the city, although devoting the great- 
er part of his time to the duties and offices of his 
high calling. 



HON. FRANK S. REGAN. 

Hon. Frank S. Regan, legislator, lecturer and 
cartoonist, whose reputation is not limited by the 
boundaries of his county or state, but has spread 
abroad, as he has addressed the public from the 
platform, is known to-day as an influential factor 
in molding public opinion along lines that work 
for good to humanity. He was born in Rockford, 
October 3, 1862, his father having become a resi- 
dent of this city in 1840, at which date he found 
here a small town, giving little promise of its 
present metropolitan development. Mr. Regan 
was educated in the city schools and entered busi- 
ness life in connection with the compilation of a 
set of abstract books of Winnebago county in 
company with Girdon O. Williams. It required 
seven years to complete this task. In 1887 Mr. 
Regan was appointed to the position of stenog- 
rapher in the Illinois legislature and after com- 
pleting the abstract work he entered upon the 
reading of law in the office of A. D. Early, being 
admitted to the bar in 1895, since which time he 
has met with marked success in his practice. He 
has been accorded a large clientage. 

While he has become known in his home dis- 
trict as an able practitioner at the bar. Mr. Regan 
has become still more widely known in connection 
with his work in behalf of the cause of temper- 
ance. He has been active and untiring in his la- 
bors in this direction for many years and served 
as president of the No License organization in 
Rockford. upon which ticket he was elected an 
alderman from the fourth ward in 1895. serving 
for two years. He identified liimself with the 
prohibition party soon after the campaign of 1896 
and was elected to represent his district in the 
state legislature on the prohibition ticket, being 
the only man so chosen that year in the United 
States. In the campaign of 1902 he was a candi- 
date for congress. He has made a close and dis- 
criminating: studv of the issues now before the 



public and he has delivered many addresses upon 
the questions which are claiming general attention. 
As a lecturer he has received favorable comment 
from press and public and his ability as an artist 
has been another strong element in the success 
which has attended his efforts upon the platform. 
It has been well said of him: "He is one of the 
few men who combine the skill of the artist with 
the power of the orator." A clever cartoonist, he 
sketches rapidly, illustrating his remarks in a 
manner that can not fail to leave a strong impres- 
sion upon the minds of his auditors. Something 
of the scope of his investigation and research may 
be obtained from the fact that he delivers lectures 
upon the following subjects : The American 
Small Boy ; Don't Get Gay ; The Fool Set ; Sun- 
shine in the Shadow ; Observations Out of School : 
and Alodern Man. while his more serious lectures 
have been upon The Saloon in Politics : The Fool 
Taxpayer : The Building of a City ; The Alob in 
Broadcloth ; Lhider the State House Dome, and 
Human Wrecks. Some one has said of him : "In 
all his work there is a thread of gold which leaves 
upon his audienc' a splendid impression and tends 
toward the bettennent of humanity. He turns on 
the searchlight of ridicule only where it ought to 
shine, bringing out the absurdities and follies of 
life in a strong, entertaining and forceful man- 
ner." Mr. Regan is now with four leading ly- 
ceum bureaus in the United States for the regular 
lecture courses, and is also given a large number 
of dates at the Chautauqua assemblies during the 
summer. 

JNIr. Regan was married to Miss Helen M. 
Crumb, of Rockford, June 11, 1896, and has two 
children : Frances C. and Leland. The family 
home is at No. 1201 North Church street. Air. 
Regan is secretary of the Rockford Chautauqua 
Association and was one of the promoters of this 
enterprise. In contradistinction to the old adage 
"that a prophet is never without honor save in his 
own country," Mr. Regan's ability is much appre- 
ciated in his native and home city, and his circle 
of friends here is very large. 



FRED JEWETT. 



Fred Jewett, following farming on section 36, 
Harrison township, and also owning a tract of 
land of one hundred and forty acres in Owen 
township, gives his time and energies to the cul- 
tivation and improvement of both tracts of land. 
He is a native son of the former township, born 
November 25. 1864. and his parents were David 
and Martha A. (Reckhow) Jewett. The father 
was born in Genesee county. New York, August 
24. i8ti. and was a son of Josiah and Elizabeth 
(Bates) Jewett, farming people of Genesee 
countv. He came to Winnebago county, Illinois, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF \\IXNEBAGO COUNTY. 



in 1S37. settling in Rockton township, where he 
built a sawmill, cmc of the first in the county, 
lie was engaged in the manufacture of lumber 
for about live years, and then sold out. after 
which he gave liis undivided attention to farm- 
ing, becoming the owner of four hundred acres 
of land in Harrison townshi]). which farm is now 
in possession of his son, lirittain Jewett. The 
father was twice married, having lui the 15th of 
June. i84(). wedded Louisa R. Mosher. who died 
May (), 1847. On the 5th of October. 1853. he 
weiided Martha .\. Reckhow. who was born in 
lireat I'.end. Pennsylvania. March 5. 1831. and 
resides in the village of Harrison. Her ])arents 
wereW'illiam and Christiana (( 'lardner ) Reckhow, 
who left Pennsylvania about 1837. and the lat- 
ter died at Michigan City, Indiana, when they 
were en route to Winnebago county. The fa- 
ther continued on his way and arrived in this 
county in 1838. locating on a farm in Shirland 
townshi]). which he cultivated and improved, fol- 
lowing general agricultural pursuits up lo tlie 
time of his death, which occurred in 1883, when 
he was about eighty-seven years of age. Here 
he was again married, his second union being 
with .\manda I'.urch. who lived in this county un- 
til her death in 18^)4. .Mrs. David Jewett was the 
second of four children. Sarah Jane, the eldest, 
became the wife of James IngcrsoU. of Wiscon- 
sin, and died several years ago. .\deline became 
the wife of .\lden Leffingwell, of Shirland. and 
has also passed away. Williston died about four- 
teen years ago upon his farm. Mr. Jewett filled 
the office of justice of the peace for four years, 
and was the first school treasurer a))])oiuted for 
the town of Harrison, filling that ])osition in ac- 
ceptable manner for eighteen consecutive years. 
He laiil out the village of Harrison in 1848 and 
in other ways was closely associated with the sub- 
stantial develo])ment and im])rovement of the 
county. He attended the Methodist church. In 
his family were four children : lirittain. a farmer 
residing in the village of Harrison ; Nellie, who is 
a graduate of the Rockford Seminary of Music 
and has studied music in both lioston and Chi- 
cago, being now located at No. 3</>4 I-angley ave- 
nue in the latter city, where she is engaged in 
teaching nuisic ; Elsworth. who is engaged in 
farming in Wellington. Kansas, where he has re- 
sided for several years ; and Fred, of this review. 
Fred Jewett. who was reared in Harrison town- 
ship. acf|uirefl his education in the country schools 
and also spent rme winter at .Aurora Normal 
School. He has followed farming all his life, and 
he resideil upon the farm in ( )wen township for 
fifteen years or until about Septemlicr, 1900, when 
he removed to the Marshall farm in Harrison 
townshi|>. He was married here February 4. 
1885. to Miss Minnie Marshall. wh<i was born 
in this township in 1868, and is a daughter of 



James and Elizabeth (Hamer) .Marshall. Her 
mother first married a Mr. Dobson and was a 
sister <if William Hamer. who now resides in 
llurritt township. .She died .\ugust 3, 1900. at 
the age of si.\ty-si.x years, ^[r. Marshall s])ent 
the summer months upon the farm and the winter 
seasons in Rockford until his death. October 3, 
np5. at the age of seventy-three years. His son, 
.\. H. Marshall, is engaged in the lumber and 
Coal business in Rockford. l'>y her first marriage 
-Mrs. Marshall had two daughters: Ida. the wife 
of .Vbram Cham])ion. of Harrison township; and 
Edna, the wife of J. H. Halsted, of Carbondale, 
Illinois. 

.Mr. and .Mrs. Jewell have had four children: 
Ralph, who was born November 7, 1885, and is 
engage<l in f;irniing in this county at the age of 
twenty years ; .\ellie. who was born on the 5th 
of May, 1889, and died on the 12th of June, i8go, 
when about a year old : Hazel, who was born 
March 21, 1891, and at the age of fourteen years 
is a high school student in Rockford; and Leland. 
who was born July 7, 1893. and it atlen<liug the 
home school. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jewett attend the Congregational 
church. The family of David Jewett were very 
helpful members of the church of that denomi- 
nation in the village of Harrison and gave to the 
church its bell. I'ralemally Mr. Jewett is con- 
nected with the .Moilern Woodmen cam]> and the 
Masonic lodge, and both he and his wife are 
members of the Royal Neighbors. Politically he 
is a stanch and earnest re]niblican, who at one 
time -served as deputy sheriff and in other local 
offices, but he prefers to give his attention to his 
business atTairs. which are bringing to him a very 
desirable measure of success. He now carries on 
general farming and also makes a specialty of 
the raising of shorthorn cattle, of which he now 
has a fine herd of about twentv head. 



MILES O. WRIGHT. 

Miles O. Wright, who was connected with the 
business interests of Rockford for many years 
as a designer, decorator and painter, came to 
this city in 1875, being one of the worthy resi- 
dents that the Empire state furnished to Win- 
nebago county. His birth occurred in Sparta, 
New York, July 18, 1835, and his parents spent 
their entire lives in that city. The father was 
a .soldier of the Revolutionary war and lost one 
of his limbs while defending his country. He 
was a shoeinaker by trade and that business 
provided him with the means necessary for the 
support of himself and family. 

Miles O. Wright acquired a good education in 
the public schools of New York and afterward 
began to learn the trade of painting and decorat- 




MR. AND MRS. M. O. WRIGHT. 



45 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



//o 



ing, being thus engaged until after the inaugu- 
ration of liostilities between the nortli and the 
south. He enlisted at Sparta, New York, on 
the 25th of April, 1861, becoming a member of 
Company B, Thirteenth New York Infantry. 
Hardly had the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns 
cleared away when he joined the army, all the 
patriotism of his nature being aroused by the 
attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. 
He sustained an injury at the battle of Malvern 
Hill, being shot in the arm and he was mustered 
out on the 13th of May, 1863. Among the im- 
portant engagements in which he took part were 
the battles of Blackburn's Ford, Gaines Mills, 
Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Han- 
over Court House, Mechanicsville, the second 
battle of Bull Run and siege of Yorktown. 

After the war Mr. \\'right returned to his 
native state and followed the business of paint- 
ing and decorating in Binghaniton, New York, 
for a short time. He afterward went to Oil 
City, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in a similar 
manner during the boom in that locality. He 
worked there for a few years, receiving as high 
as twenty dollars per day for his services. He 
then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he con- 
tinued in the same line of business for three 
years and in 1875 ^^ came to the west, settling 
in Rockfoi-d. Here he entered into a contract 
with the oldest decorator of the city, W. G. 
Johnson, and remained in his employ for twenty- 
two years, his services being engaged on the 
decoration of many of the finest homes of the 
city. He alwa^'s kept abreast with the progress 
made in his line and his work was of a most 
satisfactory and pleasing character. At length 
he was obliged to abandon his trade because of 
failing eyesight, after which he lived retired until 
his death. 

]\Iiles O. Wright was married in Rockford to 
Miss Alwilda Bush, a native of Bath, .Steuben 
county. New York, born .\ugust 31, 1840. Her 
parents, Abram and Harriet (Booth) Bush, 
were both natives of the Empire state and the 
father was a pioneer settler of Winnebago 
county, arriving here in 1844. He located on 
a farm in Guilford township on the old Beh^i- 
dere road and there carried on general agricul- 
tural pursuits for a long period, after which he 
went to Cherry Valley, where he engaged in mill- 
ing business until about fifteen years before his 
death. His widow afterward came to Rockford 
and made her home with her daughter until her 
demise. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Wright were the parents 
of two sons but lost both, Frank dying at the 
age of seven months, and George G. at the age 
of four months. They afterward adopted a son. 
Charles Garrett, who is now twenty-one years 
of age and is a baker by trade. He has always 
made his home with Mrs. Wright. 



The death of Mr. Wright occurred July 3, 
1903. He was a stanch republican in politics and 
a member of the Grand Army post at Rockford 
and Ellis lodge, A. F. & A. M. He also be- 
longed to the Centennial JNIethodist Episcopal 
church and his widow is a member of the Free 
Methodist church here. Airs. Wright and her 
son are living at 1203 Jackson street but expect 
soon to remove to another part of the city. She 
receives a good pension from the government 
in recognition of the aid which her husband ren- 
dered to the country in the dark hour of her 
peril when the stability of the Union was threat- 
ened. In all matters of citizenship he was loyal, 
being as true to his country in da3^s of peace as 
in days of war and he was equally faithful in 
the performance of any private duty which de- 
volved upon him, so that he won the respect of 
his fellowmen. 



J( )nX (i. RALSTON. 

John (1. Ralston is the owner of one of the 
beautiful country homes of Guilford township, 
and his farm of one hundred and ninetv-two 
acres lies on sections 2 and 35. It is a valuable 
property, with good buildings and richly tilled 
fields, and everything abotit the place is attractive 
in appearance, showing the owner to be a man of 
practical, progressive ideas. 

Mr. Ralston was born in Guilford township, 
October 26, 1867, and is of Scotch lineage. His 
father. James Ralston, a native of Argyleshire, 
.Scotland, was born March 17, 1826, and when 
seven years of age was brought to America by 
his parents, who for eight years resided in Mas- 
sachusetts and then removed to Ohio, where the 
succeeding twelve years were passed. They then 
came to Winnebago covmty, first locating in Har- 
lem township, and later moving to a farm of his 
own in Guilford township, where throughout his 
remaining days James Ralston carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits, his practical methods and unre- 
mitting labors bringing him a desirable measure 
of success. He died at his home February 19, 
1898. His wife, Ellen, was a daughter of John 
and Helen Greenlee, and was born in Harlem 
township, June 29, 1838 — the first white child 
born in the township. Her parents had located 
there in 1836, coming direct from Scotland, and 
theirs was the first home within the township bor- 
ders. Mrs. Ellen Ralston is now living with her 
daughter, Mrs. Gavin Ralston, in Caledonia town- 
ship, Boone county, Illinois. The members of the 
family are: ^^"iIliam A., a resident of Belvidere, 
Illinois, who is married and has one son ; Earl J., 
who is living in Beloit, Wisconsin, and has one 
son and one daughter; Martha E.. the wife of 
Gavin Ralston, of Caledonia township, Boone 



7/6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COIXTV. 



county, and the niotlier of one son and one 
daughter; Maggie, wlio married James A. 
Brown, formerly of Harlem townshi]) and now 
of Rockford, and died lea\ing a daughter: and 
John G. 

As a ])nblic-school .student John ti. Ralston 
mastered the common branches of English learn- 
ing, and imdcr liis father's direction became fa- 
miliar with all the duties and labors that fall to 
the lot of the agriculturist, living at home un- 
til twenty-one years of age, when he began farm- 
ing with his brotlier William in I'.elvidere town- 
ship, Boone county, where he remained for eight 
years and then removed to his present farm of 
one hundred and ninety-two acres, lying on sec- 
tion 2, (luilford t<iwnsln]x and section 35, Har- 
lem township. It is a well im|)roved i)roperty. 
the soil being ricii and productive, so that rich 
crops are annually harvested. The residence is 
a beautiful country home, erected in modern 
style of architecture and su]}i)lied with all modern 
conveniences anil comforts. There are also large 
and substantial outbuildings, all in good repair, 
and the farm is one of the finest of the township. 

Mr. Ralston was married in 1897 to Miss Mar- 
garet Breckenridge, who was born November 30. 
1871. and is a daughter of Hugh and Ellen I'.reck- 
enridge, of (juilford townshi]). Mr. and Mrs. 
Ralston had two children: James 11., who died 
in infancy: and Helen (iladys. born Xovember 
25, 1903. Mrs. Ralston, after attending the dis- 
trict schools, continued her education in the Rock- 
ford Business College, and is a lady of superior 
culture and refinement, wiio with her husband dis- 
penses the hospitality of their attractive home in 
a most gracious and genial manner. They are 
members of the First Presbyterian church of 
Rockford, and Mr. Ralston has always been a re- 
publican, keeping well informed on the t|ucstions 
and issues of the day, but never seeking office 
as a reward for party fealty. 



ROBERT COLTON. 



Robert Colton, the oldest pioneer in Diirand 
township, having passed the eiglity-fifth milestone 
on life's journey, while for a half century he has 
lived in this county, was born in Nottingham- 
.shire, England, October 15, 1819. He was left 
an orphan when only five years of age, and was 
educated in the parish schools of his native land, 
but his privileges and opportunities in youth were 
very limited, and his advancement in life has 
come through the development of his latent en- 
ergies and powers, through his close application 
and unremitting diligence to his business. He 
worked as a farm hand in England until coming 
to the United States on the sailing vessel, Mis- 



sissippi, landing at New York city in May, 1843. 
He then went on the steamer Swallow to Albany, 
-New York, and thence to Steuben county, that 
state, where he was employed at general work 
until .'September, 1845, when he came to Winne- 
bago county. Here he took up three forty-acre 
tracts of land from the government, located on 
the prairie in Durand township, and he has since 
made his home in this townshi]), devoting his 
time and energies to agricultural jjursuits with 
good success, so that he is now one of the pros- 
l)erous agriculturists of the community, with a 
comjjetence sufficient to supply hiin with all the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 

( )n the 17th of January. 1845. Mr. Colton mar- 
ried Miss .Martha Jane Heine, of Durand town- 
shi]), who (lied in .\])ril. 1857. lea\ing five chil- 
dren, of whom one son died in infancy. Grace 
.\nielia became the wife of Warren Pettingill 
and died July I, 1904. leaving two sons and a 
daughter: Letitia is the wife of George 
Krone, of Whiting. Iowa, and has three sons 
and a daughter. Libbic is the wife of George 
Cole, of Durand township, and has a son and 
daughter. .Annie is the wife of Charles Ham- 
inond, of Durand township, and has two sons. 

In October, 1857, Mr. Colton wedded Mrs. 
Jane Raney, of Durand township, who died in 
[ainiary, 1887, leaving a son. William W. 
( olton, who was a grailuate of Rush 
Medical College, of Chicago, and died June 8, 
1897. On the loth of October, 1887, Mr. Col- 
ton married Mrs. Carrie Moore, nee Bradley, 
who is of English and Dutch descent and was 
born June 5. 1848, in Highland, I'ranklin cotmty, 
\'ermont. There she married Richard Moore and 
there were three sons and three daughters by that 
marriage: Fred H., of Beloit, Wisconsin, who 
has one son who lives with his mother's sister; 
Dick, who lives on his mother's place ; Stephen, 
of Davis. Illinois, who has two sons and one 
daughter : Phoebe A., the wife of Dell Hughes, 
of P>eloit. Wisconsin, and the mother of five sons 
and five daughters ; Jennie, the wife of Frank 
C. Hughes, of Rock Grove, Illinois, by whom she 
has a son and daughter : and Ora May, the wife 
of Fremont Randall, of Durand township, by 
whom she has three sons and one daughter. 

In his ])olitical views Mr. Colton has been a 
republican since the organization of the party. 
It seems hardly probable, in this present age of 
advanced civilization that there is living a man 
within whose memory has occurred the intro- 
duction of steam navigation, the building of rail- 
roads, and the construction of the ocean cables 
and the telegraph lines, to say nothing of the 
more modern inventions of the telephone, etc., 
but Mr. Colton has seen all this while in Win- 
nebago county. He has witnessed the trans- 
fonnation of wild prairies into well developed 




ROBERT LULTON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



779 



farms, dotted here and there with churches and 
schools, while in their midst have sprung up 
several thriving villages which were not here at 
the time of his arrival. For sixty- years he has 
lived in this county, and as one of its most 
venerable citizens and honored early settlers he 
deserves mention in this volume. Coming to 
America empty-handed, he has made continuous 
progress in his business career and his excellent 
farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres 
to-day proves his industry in former years. 



THOMAS B. MOORE. 

Thomas B. ^loore, who follows farming on 
section 29 and has long been known as an exten- 
sive and successful dealer in live stock in Roscoe 
township, is a native of the middle west, and in 
his life displays the enterprising spirit which has 
been the dominant factor in the rapid growth and 
upbuilding of the Mississippi valley. He was 
born in Watertown. Jefferson county. Wisconsin, 
on the 14th of July. 1849. a son of Stephen and 
Sarah (\v'aite) Moore, both of whom were natives 
of Bugbrook. Northamptonshire. England, the fa- 
ther having been born October 10. 1801. and the 
mother on the 13th of April, 1807. His death oc- 
curred January 10. 1864, while she passed away 
on the 17th of March. 1881. Their children 
were : Robert W.. born January 29. 1833. 
died October 8, 1868. in Kansas City. Missouri. 
Mary B.. born May 6, 1837, became the wife of 
Lewis Brown, and died May 28, 1895, at Roscoe. 
Illinois, leaving three children. Hannah W.. born 
August 4. 1 841. married Horace D. Hopkins, of 
Roscoe. who died May 17. 1898. leaving four chil- 
dren. John \\'.. born September 28. 1844. mar- 
ried Mary Goodrow and has one son. Martha J., 
born February 18, 1847. married Harris Hardy 
and has three living sons and lost one daughter. 

No event of special importance occurred to vary 
the routine of life for Thomas B. Aloore in his 
bo}'hood days, his time being divided between play 
and work. He attended the public schools and 
aided his father in farming pursuits. He re- 
mained at home until twenty-five \-ears of age, 
after which he followed the butcher's trade, his 
father being a butcher. Subsequently he turned 
his attention to farming and removed to Minne- 
sota. He was there engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness for two years, on the expiration of which 
period he came to Illinois in 1877. settling in Ros- 
coe township. Winnebago counts-, where he has 
since carried on general agricultural pursuits on 
the old farm homestead that belonged to his wife's 
father, Luther H. Fassett. who was a very promi- 
nent and prosperous farmer of this locality, leav- 
ing two hundred and forty acres at the time of 



his death. He passed away October 19, 1895, 
having for several vears survived his wife, who 
died August 28, 1888. 

It was on the 3d of April. 1877, that ^Ir. Aloore 
was married to Miss Emma Fassett, w-ith whom 
he traveled life's journey for about twenty-two 
years, but on the 19th of January, 1900, Mrs. 
Aloore departed this life at the age of fifty-five 
years, leaving one son, Frank Fassett Moore, 
who was born in Roscoe, February 13, 1880, and 
was married June 20. 1901, to Clare Runyard, 
who was boni February 19, 1880. and is a daugh- 
ter of Robert and Ella (Ketcham) Runyard, of 
Charles City, Iowa. Unto Frank Fassett Moore 
and his wife have been born two daughters : 
Emma F., born in Roscoe. Januan- 4, 1903 ; and 
Eliza B.. born May 21, 1905. 

Mr. ]\Ioore and his son are associated in their 
famiing interests, and now have a valuable and 
extensive tract of land, w-hich they have placed 
under a high state of cultivation, adding all mod- 
ern equipments. In addition to the cultivation of 
the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, they 
have engaged quite extensively in the raising of 
live stock, and their annual shipments return to 
them a good income. Mr. Moore is enterprising 
in all of his business interests, possesses keen dis- 
crimination and sagacity, and has so conducted his 
affair that he is now one of the prosperous agri- 
culturists of this portion of the state. He and his 
son belong to Roscoe lodge. No. 75. A. F. & A. 
M., and in politics is a stalwart republican. While 
serving for twelve years as a member of the 
school board he has effectively promoted the cause 
of education in his district, and his co-operation 
can always be counted upon to further progressive 
movements. 



JAMES HIXKLEY. 

James Hinkley. interested for many years in 
business life in Rockford. was born in Posey 
county. Indiana, in 1829, and died in this city, 
Jainiary 8, 1891. He came of English lineage, 
and among his ancestors was a governor of Mas- 
sachusetts. In 1858 he removed to Washington 
county, this state, where he followed farming un- 
til the fall of i860, when he came to Winnebago 
county, settling in Rockford. He owned a fruit 
farm in this locality and also established a can- 
ning factory in the west end of the city, the busi- 
ness being first located on the E. H. Skinner 
place. The factory had been built by Mr. Skin- 
ner and Mr. Hinkley purchased an interest in 
the business, finally becoming sole proprietor. 
He conducted the enterprise for a number of 
vears and this together with a two-hundred-acre 
fruit farm in southern Illinois occupied his atten- 
tion and claimed his time and energies until he 



78o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



had accumulated a comfortable competence, llis 
business interests were discerningly directed 
along well defined lines of labor, and his sound 
judgment and persistent energy were the strong 
factors in his success. 

Mr. Hinkk-y married Miss Harriet .\ndrews : 
also a native of Posey county, Indiana, now liv- 
ing at the age of seventy-three years, and they 
became the parents of si.\ children: .\nson .\., 
who resides upon a farm in Washington county. 
Illinois; George, deceased: .Arthur S., an archi- 
tect living in P.oise City, Idaho : Ella, who has 
also passed away: Hargrove (^tis, a florist pf 
Rockford ; and Raljih W.. who is secretary and 
general manager of the Rockford Packing Com- 
pany. 

Mr. Hinkley attended the Christian Union 
church. lie gave his political su])port to the re- 
publican party throughout the greater part of his 
life, but voted for drover Cleveland. lie never 
held office nor did he have aspirations in that di- 
rection, but he was not remiss in the duties of 
citizenship and co-operated in many measures for 
the general good. 

Ral])h W. Hinkley. a native .son of Rockford. 
pursued his education in the ])ublic schools, took 
up the study of stenogra]ihy, and was afterward 
employed at stenographic work for different at- 
torneys and as court re])orter. In 1892 he be- 
came connected with the Rockford Packing Com- 
pany, with which he is now identified as secre- 
tary and general manager, being one of the large 
stockholders. His interest in its success indicates 
his careful control of its affairs, a large business 
being annually conducted, for the product of the 
plant finds a ready sale on the market. Mr. Hink- 
ley is a republican, but like his father gives his 
attention in undivided manner to his business af- 
fairs. He is popular in the city where his entire 
life has been passed, and the circle of his social 
as well as his business ac(|uaintances is contin- 
uallv broadening. 



ASA E. CUTLER. 



.\sa E. Cutler, whose efforts have been char- 
acterized by intelligence and force, and who is 
now a representative of the business interests of 
the city, was bom in West P.mukfield, Massachu- 
setts, in June. 1834, his parents being Abijah and 
Mary (Snow) Cutler. The ancestry of the fam- 
ily in the paternal line can be traced back to 1630, 
when representatives of the name came from 
England. He is of the seventh generation in de- 
scent from James Cutler, and through the inter- 
vening years farming has usually bein the occu- 
pation of the family. Xeither have its members 
been remiss in rilizciisliii) nr l;u"king in lii\n!i\- 



to their country. .Vbijah Culler became a lieu- 
tenant of the American Army at the outbreak of 
the Revolutionary war and participated in the 
battle of Lexington, afterward taking part in 
other engagements which resulted in the estab- 
lishment of the republic. Asa E. Cutler is the 
first of the name to leave New England and seek 
a home in the west. His father died in Massa- 
chusetts at the age of seventy years, and the 
mother passed away in the '80s, when ninety years 
of age, both having been born in the eighteenth 
century. In their family were seven children. 

.V.sa E. Cutler, the fifth in order of birth, was 
a student in the schools of West Rrookfield in 
earl\ life, and afterward attended an academy 
at ^^'arren, Massachusetts, while his more ad- 
vanced c<lucation was acquired in Amherst Acad- 
emy. He then jnirsued a business course in 
Worcester, and at the age of twenty years he 
])ut aside his te.xt-books in order to become an 
active factor in business life. It was in 1855 that 
he came to the west, making his way to Chicago, 
where he was employed at varied labor until 1858. 
He then turned his attention to the lumber busi- 
ness as a member of the firm of Cutler, Witbeck 
& Com])any, with a yard on Canal street. Later 
their business was removed to Tw'enty-second 
street, where they continued operations until 
1870, when Mr. Cutler sold out and the follow- 
ing year came to Rockford. He purchased a 
farm of three himdrod acres in \\'innebago 
county, lying along the river about three miles 
south of the city, and, giving his attention to 
agricultural pursuits, he continued the work of 
cultivating and improving his land until he took 
up his abode in the city in 1892. His son, Fred 
S., remained upon the farm, however, for a few 
years longer. 

.\l the time named Mr. Cutler, establishing his 
home in Rockford. began dealing in implements 
and carriages, which business he conducted until 
1902, when it was incorporated under the name 
of the .\. P.. Cutler Company. This comjiany car- 
ries a full line of carriages, wagons, autumohiles 
and harness and the ])lace of business is at Nos. 
202-206 South Church street, where they have 
a large building one hundred and thirty by sixty- 
five feet and three stories in height with base- 
ment. They are the leaders in their line in the 
city, and have a very extensive patronage. In ad- 
dition to the carriage business they likewise deal 
in windmills and jnunps. When establishing the 
house Mr. Culler inaugurated a safe, conserva- 
tive business policy which has ever been followed. 

On the 17th of December. 1862. occurred the 
marriage of .Asa E. Culler and Miss Lucy Smith, 
of Pruiceton. Illinois, a daughter of Sidney 
Smith, a farmer and miller, who died a number 
of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Cutler have seven 
chiklren: Jessie, who died in 1901, was the wife 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



of Dr. Butterfield. of Ottawa, Illinois ; Fred, who 
married Evaline Mnton and has three children, 
is interested in business with his father as the 
vice president of the A. E. Cutler Company. 
Alexander E., who married Susan Alexander, of 
Beloit, Wisconsin, is a minister of the Congre- 
gational church at Elk River. Minnesota. He is 
a graduate of Beloit College and the Chicago 
Theological Seminary, and is a well-known rep- 
resentative of the ministry of his denomination. 
He has one daughter, Jessie. Dwight, who mar- 
ried Miss Florence Wood, of Rockford. is secre- 
tary of the A. E. Cutler Company, and has three 
children. Asa Bryant is a student in the State 
University at Champaign. Illinois. Lucy, at 
home, is a graduate of Wellesley College of Mas- 
sachusetts. Frank is a graduate of the class of 
1905 in the State University at Champaign, and 
is now connected with the Western Electric Com- 
pany of Chicago. 

Mr. Cutler and his family are all members of 
the Second Congregational church of Rockford, 
and in politics he is a republican, having sup- 
ported the party since casting his first presidential 
vote for John L. Fremont. He has been very 
active and helpful in church work, serving as 
deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school 
for several vears. In fact, his incumbency in the 
former position covers a quarter of a century. 

If those who claim that fortune has favored 
certain individuals above others will but investi- 
gate the cause of success and failure, it will be 
found that the former is largely due to the im- 
provement of opportunity, the latter to the neg- 
lect of it. Fortunate environments encompass 
nearlv everv man at some stage in his career, 
but the strong man and the successful man is he 
who realized the proper moment has come, that 
the present and not the future holds his oppor- 
tunity. The man who makes use of the Now and 
not the To Be is the one who passes on the high- 
way of life others who started out ahead of him 
and reaches the goal of prosperity far in advance 
of them. It is this quality in Mr. Cutler that has 
made him a leader in the business world, and won 
him an enviable name in connection with indus- 
trial interests that is widelv known. 



L. ^^^ cle\'eland. 



L. W. Cleveland, one of the honored pioneer 
residents of the county, was born in Allegany 
county. New York, October 5, 1824, and came 
here with his father, Sylvester Cleveland, in the 
fall of 1838, being then a youth of fifteen years. 
His father was born in Vermont and when a 
young man removed to the Empire state, taking 
up his abode in Allegany county, and married 



Miss Lydia Seavey. After removing to Illinois, 
where his wife joined him in 1840, he devoted 
his attention mainly to farming and settled upon 
the present home property of our subject, where 
he erected a dwelling of which he took posses- 
sion on the 1st of Alarch, 1841. This continued 
to be his home until his death, in 1862. His wife 
continued to carry on the farm with her son un- 
til her death in 1871. The family consisted of 
three children, of whom two daughters are now 
deceased. Sophronia was the wife of X'elson Kin- 
ney, and they removed from New York to this 
county in 1840. but afterward removed to Pierce 
countv. Wiscniisin. where they both died. Phile 
Ann. wife of Isaac \'an Slyke, removed to Ne- 
braska with her family, where her death occurred 
some years ago. 

Few residents of this county are more familiar 
with its pioneer history than L. \\'. Cleveland, 
who found here at the time of his arrival broad 
prairies covered with their natives grasses and 
the uncut forests which bordered the streams. 
Few roads had been made, and there were many 
sloughs which occasioned great difficulty to the 
traveler driving across the country in his wagon 
or carriage. 

Mr. Cleveland was married in 1855 to ]\Iiss Al- 
vira Burbank, who died in 1882. Mrs. Cleveland 
was also a native of New York, being born in 
Cattaraugus county, March 12, 1834, and came 
to Illinois with her parents in 1837. They also 
settled in \\'innel)ago county, where the families 
were neighbors for many years. Unto Mr. and 
^Irs. Cleveland were born eight children, three 
sons and five daughters, all of whom are living 
and married. Mr. Cleveland has now passed the 
eightv-first milestone on life's journey, and as 
a venerable citizen and pioneer settler is espe- 
ciallv wortliv of mention in this volume. 



S. J. CASWELL, M. D. 

Dr. S. J. Caswell, proprietor of the Caswell 
Pharmacy of Rockford, is a native American 
though his birth occurred in Bangkok, Siam, in 
1847, while his parents. Rev. Jegse and Anna ^ 
(Hemenway) Cas\yell, were engaged in mission- 
ary work in that far-of? land. They were natives 
of A^ermont and represented old and prominent 
families of ^Massachusetts. In the paternal line 
the ancestry could be traced back to Thomas Cas- 
well. Sr.. who came to Massachusetts in 1635, 
while later generations came from \'emiont, fol- 
lowing the Revokitionarjr war. The family was 
represented in the struggle for independence by 
one hundred and twenty-three members, and the 
great-grandfather enlisted four different times 
for service in behalf of the cause of independence. 



782 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO CuUNTY. 



Rev. Jesse Caswell, a minister of the Congrega- 
tional church, ilcterniining to devote his life to 
labor in the missionary field, was sent to Siam by 
the American board of commissioners for foreign 
missions and spent nine years in that country. 
While there he was the instructor of the father of 
the present king of Siam. He died in Bangkok in 
1848. a year after the birth of S. J. Caswell, who 
was the youngest of four children, three of whom 
were then living. The mother came with her 
children to .\merica and devoted her remaining 
days to the education and rearing of the little ones 
who were left to her care. Her parents removed 
to Grand Detour, Ogle county. Illinois, and she, 
too, brought her family to this state, living in 
Ogle county until called to her final rest in 1890. 
She was a most devoted and loving mother, count- 
ing no personal sacrifice on her part too great if 
it would promote the welfare of her children. 

Dr. Caswell is now the only living rejiresenta- 
tive of the family. He jnirsued his education in 
the public schools of Beloit. Wisconsin, and Rock- 
ford, Illinois, and afterward entered the Chicago 
Medical College, wherein he pursued a full course, 
and was graduated wnth the class of 1868. He 
never engaged in practice, however, but has de- 
voted his attention almost entirely to the drug 
business. In 1862 he secured a clerkship in a drug 
store, where he gained his first experience in that 
line, alternating this with his general school work. 
He completed his medical education in 1868, and 
for the succeeding three years was engaged in the 
drug business in Rockford. In 1871 he formed 
a partnership with William Worthington under 
the firm name of Worthington & Caswell, the re- 
lation being maintained until 1876. when the jun- 
ior partner sold his interest. In the succeeding 
spring he went to Moline and from that time until 
1881 was assistant postmaster there. In the latter 
year he returned to Rockford and entered the em- 
ploy of Charles Sabin. a druggist, with whom he 
continued for four years. In April, 1885, he pur- 
chased a half interest in the drug store at No. 323 
West State street, this business being conducted 
under the firm name of Hayes & Caswell until 
1901, when by jjurchase Mr. Caswell became sole 
pruprietor and has since conducted what is known 
as the Caswell Pharmacy. This is a paying busi- 
ness, yielding a good return upon the inve.stment. 
The store is attractive in its apjx-arancc because 
of its tastefid arrangement and Dr. Caswell by his 
long experience in the drug business and the 
knowledge which he ac(|uired in the study of 
medicine is particularly well (|ualified for the con- 
duct of such an estal)lishnient. His business meth- 
ods, too, are in conformity with commercial ethics, 
and he is now enjoying a very liberal patronage. 

In iSTx) Dr. Caswell was married to Miss F.liza 
Thomas, a daughter of the late Dr. .\lden Thomas, 
of Rockford. They became the parents of four 



children, but the first two died in infancy. Lewis 
F. married Miss Ermine Waddell, of Columbus, 
Georgia, and is a stenographer in the government 
employ under Commissioner James Garfield. Ed- 
ward J. married Miss Bessie Conklin, of Rock- 
ford, and is engaged in farming near Grand Rap- 
ids, Wisconsin. The mother of these children died 
in 189S. and in May, 1905. the Doctor married 
Mrs. Nellie Rose Waugh, of Rockford. 

Dr. Caswell has long been a resident of Rock- 
ford and a representative of its business affairs, 
and as a citizen and merchant merits the high re- 
gard that is uniformly extended to him. He is the 
pioneer druggist of the city, having Ix'cn actively 
engaged in business for over a third of a century. 
He is a great student and has one of the finest 
libraries in northern Illinois, comprising some two 
thousand volumes of valuable works, largely sci- 
entific, particularly works on ethnology and an- 
tiquities. His books have been his inse|jarable 
com])anions through life and he has Ix-come quite 
an authority and an acknowledged enthusiast in 
lihilately and numismatics, having been a col- 
lector of stamps and coins for thirty-five years, as 
he started his collection in 1870. 



RANSOM BEECHER. 

Ransom lieecher. a retired farmer, living on 
section 13. Winnebago township, was born Janu- 
ary 22. 1 82 1, in Washington county. New York, 
the family home lying between Lake Champlain 
and Lake George. His parents were Isaac and 
.Minerva ((iorhani) Beecher. who came to Illi- 
nois in 1846, settling in Kendall county, where 
the father secured government land and engaged 
in larniing. Their home was near Oswego, twen- 
ty miles from Joliet and fifteen miles from Au- 
rora. The father. Ransom Beecher. and his 
brothers all took claims. They Ijecame pioneer 
settlers of the community, living there when the 
homes were widely scattered. They did teaming 
to Chicago, hauling their wheat to that market, 
and in Kendall county they remained for seven 
years, when in 1853 they all removed to Winne- 
bago county, with the exception of Daniel. Isaac 
Beecher and his wife afterward left Illinois and 
took up their abode in York. Nebraska, where 
they resided up to the time of their death. Isaac 
Beecher ])assed away in 1883. at the age of 
eighty-four years, his birth having occurred in 
Connecticut in the fall of I7<)9, while his wife 
died in 1891, when more than ninety-one years of 
age. Both were representatives of old New Eng- 
land families, for the grandfather of our subject 
went from Connecticut to \^ermont in 1807, when 
the section of the country in which he settled 
was new and unim])roved. and the Gorhams had 




.MR. AND AIRS. RANSOM BEECHER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



785 



located in the same state several years before. 
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Beecher were the parents of 
three sons and a daughter, of whom Ransom is 
the eldest. Charles, who resided in the village 
of Winnebago, worked in a wagon shop there 
with Isaac Johns for some time. He afterward 
went to Nebraska, where he followed his trade 
for a number of years, but about five years ago 
he removed to Pasadena, California, where he 
now makes his home. He has reached the age of 
eighty-one years. Betsy died in York, Nebraska, 
about seven years ago. Daniel I. was a resident 
of Kendall county, Ilhnois, until about 1854, 
when he went south into Mississippi, where he 
purchased a place. Later, however, he removed 
to Arkansas, where he resided upon a farm until 
his death, which occurred in March, 1905, when 
he was seventy-six years of age. 

Ransom Beecher spent the days of his boyhood 
and youth in his parents' home in the east, and 
with the family came to Illinois in 1846, being 
at that time about twenty-five years of age. As 
before stated, he secured a claim and was engaged 
in general agricultural pursuits in Kendall coun- 
ty until his removal to this county in 1853. As 
a companion and helpmate for life's journey he 
chose Miss Sarah A. Drake, who was born and 
reared in Rutland county, Vermont, and was a 
daughter of Julius and Sarah (Tomlinson) 
Drake. Her brother came to Illinois with the 
Beecher family, but soon afterward located in 
Michigan, where he resided until his death, which 
occurred a number of years ago. Mrs. Beecher 
was one of a large family of children, but she and 
her sister, Mrs. Julia O. Thomas, are the only 
ones now living. She passed the eighty-fourth 
anniversarv of her birth in June, 1905. Unto ]Mr. 
and Mrs. Beecher were born three children. The 
son, Edgar W., served during the Civil war with 
the Illinois troops, and later located near Wind- 
sor, Missouri, where he died about twenty years 
ago. Inez is the wife of Dr. Speaker, of Manson, 
Iowa, and they have four children : Clifford, a 
civil engineer by profession, is now in the em- 
ploy of a large company ; Faith, Lelia and Ethel, 
all at home. Editha married George Hollenbeck, 
a farmer residing on section 13, Winnebago 
township, and thev have four children : William 
R., Frank A., Effie and Altha. Of these William 
R. married Jennie jMcLeash, and has recently 
bought his grandfather's farm of one hundred 
and twenty acres. He has five children : Ransom 
B., Lila M., Thelma B., Norma B. and Charles 
W., all at home. 

Politically Mr. Beecher is a republican, inter- 
ested in the success of his party. He has served 
in local township offices and as school director, 
and has ever been actively interested in matters 
pertaining to the public progress, giving his aid 
to manv movements for the general good. He 



has now passed the eighty-fourth milestone on 
life's journey, and he and his wife are among the 
most venerable residents of the county. They 
have long traveled life's journey together, shar- 
ing with each other the joys and sorrows, the ad- 
versity and prosperity which checker the careers 
of all'. 



RICHARD J. PRICE. 

Richard J. Price, who is serving for the third 
term as road commissioner in Guilford township, 
where for many years he has followed the occu- 
pation of farming, owning and operating two hun- 
dred and forty acres of land on sections 14, 15 and 
22, was born in this township near his present 
home in 1856, his father being David Price, who 
came to this county in the same year in which 
the son Richard was born. The father was a na- 
tive of Montgomeryshire, Wales, born in 183 1, 
and in that country he was reared to manhood. 
He came to America in 1850, settling first in 
Oneida county. New York, where he remained 
until coming to Winnebago county. He pur- 
chased a farm in Guilford township and for many 
years successfully carried on general agricultural 
pursuits, but in 1894 retired from business life 
and took up his abode in Rockford. He owns a 
fine home on Jackson street and is enjoying the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life by rea- 
son of his activity in former years. He espoused 
his country's cause during the Civil war, loyally 
defending the Union, and in days of peace he has 
been equally loyal, serving in a number of local 
offices. It was on the 9th of August, 1862, that he 
was enrolled as a member of Company D, Seven- 
ty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served 
for three years or during the war and on the loth 
of June, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee, he was 
honorably discharged, being mustered out in ac- 
cordance with instructions from the war depart- 
ment, dated May 29, 1865. He served under Cap- 
tain H. H. Thatch and Colonel Jason Marsh in 
the First Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army 
Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. He par- 
ticipated in the following battles : Perryville, 
Kentucky, October 8. 1862 ; Stone River, Decem- 
ber 31, 1862, and the first two days of January, 
1863 : Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19 and 
20, 1863 ; Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Novem- 
ber 24, 1863 : Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863 ; 
Buzzard's Roost, Georgia, February 27. 1864; 
Resaca, May 13-16, 1864; Adairsvil'le, May 17, 
1864; Dallas, May 25-June 4, 1864; Kenesaw 
Mountain, June 9-30, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, 
July 20, 1864 ; Moy Creek, August 5-6, 1864 ; the 
siege of Atlanta, from the 22d of July to the 2d 
of September, 1864; Jonesboro, August 31st and 
September i, 1864; Lovejoy Station, September 



786 



PAST AND PRESFAT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



2-6, 1864; Franklin, Xovcnibcr 29 and 30, 1864; 
Savannah, December 10 and 11, 1864; Avcrys- 
boro, March 16. 1865: Rentonvillc, Marcli 19, 
1865. He was captured at Stone River in the 
battle of Murfreesboro and was imj^risoned at 
Libby prison ami Castle Thunder at Richmond 
for six weeks. For about two weeks he was de- 
tailed to guard cattle at Chattanooga, but with the 
exception of these brief periods was always on 
active duty. On the loth of June, 1865, he re- 
ceived an honora))Ie discharge and with a most 
creditable military record, returned to his home. 

David Price was married twice. In Oneida 
county, New York, he wedded Miss Winifred 
Jones, also a native of Wales, bom in 1830. She 
came to America when about twenty years of age 
and died upon the home farm in Guilford town- 
ship, September 9, 1884. at the age of fifty-four 
years. There were nine children Ixirn of that 
marriage : Richard J., who died in infancy : R. J., 
of this review : Edward and David, who died in 
infancy ; Margaret, who became the wife of C. W. 
Dempsey, of Guilford township, and died in New 
Milford in 1889. leaving a daughter, Mabel, who 
married Wallace Forsythe and resides in ( niilfnrd 
township, while Mr. Demp.sey al.so makes his 
home in the same township : Eleanor, residing in 
Guilford townshi]) : Mary, who was a teacher and 
died in early womanb(X)(l ; Fanny, who was mar- 
ried in i()02 to Carl Mclin and resides in Moline. 
Illinois; and Frank IL. who is engaged with the 
R., R. & I. Railroad as conductor, making his 
headquarters at Beloit, Wisconsin, .-\fter losing 
his first wife Mr. Price married Mrs. Jane Jones, 
nee Roberts, who was born in Montgomeryshire, 
\\\'des. in 1830. and came to .Xmcrica in 1856. lo- 
cating first in Oneida county. New York, where 
she resided seven years. She came to \^^innebago 
county in 1863. ^Tr. Jones was engaged in well- 
digging and died here November 7, 1891, at the 
age of sixty-three years. Mr. ancl Mrs. Jones 
were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom 
yet survive and are residents of Rockford and 
vicinity. 

Richard J. Price spent his boyhood days on the 
old home farm, where he has resided continuously 
with the exception of seven years spent in South 
Dakota. .Xt rme time he owned considerable land 
in that state. He has always followed the occupa- 
tion of farming and is to-day the ownier of two 
hundred and forty acres of land, which is very 
productive and valuable, on sections 14, 15 and 
22, Guilford township. This constitutes an excel- 
lent fariu, which is well improved and in its neat 
appearance indicates the careful supervision of the 
owner. 

Richard J. Price was married in 1880 to Miss 
Clara V. Teachout, a native of Rockford and a 
daughter of Gilbert and Melissa Teachout, early 



residents of this county. The father died about 
thirty-nine years ago when a young man. He was 
a cooper by trade and was employed by Levi 
Rhodes & Company. Mrs. Price was one of four 
children, the others l)eing Mrs. Hattie M. Weeks, 
a resident of Tullahoma. Tennessee ; Frederick 
D., living in Tullahoma; and Will, who is an en- 
gineer of the fire department in Toledo, Ohio. Mr. 
and Mrs. Price have become the parents of three 
children : Cora May, who died in Dakota at the 
age of six years ; Zaidee E., the wife of Peter 
Ralston, of Guilford towniship and the mother of 
one son. Norman Richard ; and Herbert H., who 
is attending the Rockford Business College. 

Mr. Price is a member of the Grange, with 
which he has been connected for twenty-four 
years. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp 
of Rockford and in his political views has always 
been a republican. He served as tax collector for 
two terms and is now filling the office of road 
commissioner for the third term, and in matters 
])ertaining to general progress and improvement 
he is deeply and helpfully interested, giving his 
suport to every measure which he deems will ben- 
efit the conimimitv. 



II, V. matiii-:r. 

H. F. Mather, who devotes his time and 
energies to farming on section 13, Guilford town- 
ship, owning and cultivating a tract of land of 
one hundred acres, situated on that section and 
on section 18. was only nine months old when 
brought to this county, in October. 1838, his 
birth having occurred in I'lurlington, New York. 
His iiarents were .\lfred P. and Celona (Or- 
cutt) Mather, who located in Rockford town- 
ship, where they resided until called to their 
final rest, the father's death occurring June 5, 
ii>oi, when he had reached the very advanced 
age of ninety-four years and six months, while 
his wife died February 14, 1879. at the age of 
seventy-three years. Both were natives of New 
York and the family is of F.nglish litieage. They 
became the parents of four children: Elizabeth, 
who married William Foss and died at their 
home in Wisconsin in it/32; .Mfrcd P.. of Rock- 
ford. who was a sho])man and worked for Mr. 
Manny and al.so for Emerson for about forty 
years ; Celona, the widow of J. T. Spencer, resid- 
ing in Pomeroy, Iowa ; and H. F.. of this review. 

H. F. Mather was reared in this county, at- 
tending its common schools, and he has always 
followed farming. In his youth he became 
familiar with the best methods of clearing and 
cultivating the fields and caring for the stock 
and he has never sought other occupation, but 





MR. AND MRS. H. F. M.VTHER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



789 



in the control of his agricultural interests has 
met with well merited success. His farm com- 
prises one hundred acres of land, partly on sec- 
tion 13 and partly on section 18, Guilford town- 
ship, and his Jiome is directly opposite the sani- 
tarium. 

Mr. Mather was married to ^liss Alary E. 
Cook, who came to Illinois in her childhood 
days. She was born in ]\Iaryland and is a 
daughter of John Warfield, who settled in 
Whiteside county, Illinois, where he followed the 
occupation of farming, while later he took up 
his abode in Rockford. Mrs. Mather died in 
July, 1903, at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving 
two daughters, both born in Rockford, namely ; 
Mary C. who is now the wife of William Dirch 
and resides upon the home farm ; and Lillie E., 
who is the wife of George Easton, their home 
being in Jewell county, Kansas. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Mather, 
responding to his country's call for aid, enlisted 
in 1862 as a member of Company D, Seventy- 
fourth Illinois Infantry, with which he remained 
for about a year and a half, serving as a private 
soldier under General Buell. He is now a mem- 
ber of Nevius post, G. A. R., and thus main- 
tains pleasant relations with his old army com- 
rades. He was at one time a member of the 
Order of United Workmen and his political sup- 
port has always been given to the republican 
partv. He has served twenty-one years as com- 
missioner of highways, but he has never sought 
or desired office, preferring to give his undivided 
attention to his business affairs, in which he 
has met with signal success. For sixty-five years 
he has lived in \\^innebago county and few set- 
tlers have longer resided within its borders. He 
is therefore numbered among the pioneers and 
while he has never sought to figure in any 
public light, nevertheless his worth has made him 
a valued citizen of his community along agri- 
cultural lines. 



HON. C. HARRY WOOLSEY. 

The life of Hon. C. Harry Woolsey is another 
illustration of the fact that a man is not born to 
public honor or office and that success does not 
depend upon environment for through well direct- 
ed labor he has gained an enviable position in 
business circles of Rockford and through devotion 
to the general good and fitness for leadership he 
has become a prominent representative of the dem- 
ocratic party in this portion of the state, being 
now a member of the state central committee. 

Mr. Woolsey is a native of England, his birth 

having occurred in Worthing, Norfolk, December 

25. 1854. His parents. Clare and Elizabeth ]\Ian- 

ship nVarnes) Woolsev, brought their familv to 

46 



the United States in 1862, locating in Rockford, 
where the father was engaged in the milling busi- 
ness and other operations for a number of years. 
He died in 1890 in this city, having for five years 
survived his wife, who passed away in 1885. 
They were the parents of eight sons and five 
daughters, and three of the sons now reside in 
Rockford. 

C. Harry Woolsey was a youth of seven years 
when brought by his parents to the new world and 
his education was pursued in the public schools 
of this city. Putting aside his text-books, he en- 
tered upon his business career as a messenger for 
the Western Union Telegraph Company at the 
age of twelve years and studied telegraphy and 
became an operator. He was only fifteen years of 
age when placed in charge of the telegraph office 
at Neenah, Wisconsin. He continued in the rail- 
way service altogether for sixteen years, spending 
the greater part of that time in the employ of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He 
was cashier in the Rockford office and ticket agent 
at Winona, Minnesota, and was chief clerk in the 
office of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Val- 
ley Railway Company, at Missouri Valley, Iowa. 
On leaving the railway service in 1887 he re- 
turned to Rockford and in 1889 he became one 
of the founders of the Skandia Furniture Com- 
pany, of which he was secretary for two years. 
Being a lover of flowers, he built a small green- 
house in 1898 and has since conducted business as 
a florist. His patronage is constantly increasing, 
demanding greater facilities for carrying on the 
business until now he has five large greenhouses 
in addition to an extensive salesroom. The green- 
houses are heated by warm water and are thor- 
oughly equipped for the care of the most rare and 
delicate flowers. His sales are continually increas- 
ing and the output annually brings to him a very 
gratifying financial income. 

Prominent politically as an advocate of demo- 
cratic principles and a worker in the interests of 
the party, Mr. Woolsey was in 1890 elected a 
member of the city council from the first ward, 
and for four years acted in that capacity. In 1903 
he was again elected a member of the citv coun- 
cil and is the present incumbent in the office. In 
the campaign of 1894 he was elected to the state 
legislature on the democratic ticket and while a 
member of the house served on several important 
committees. His interest in the welfare of Rock- 
ford has been manifest in the tangible support 
which as an alderman he has given to measures 
for the general good, his labors proving of direct 
and practical benefit. 

In 1877 Mr. Woolsey was united in marriage to 
Miss Lina Cora Howes, of Rockford, in which 
city she was born and reared and acquired her 
education. She is a daughter of the late Phineas 



/flO 



PAST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Howes, a Iiig^hly respected citizen, and one of the 
pioneers of XV'innebajjo county, who came here in 
iS.V) from Xew York and died in 1894. 

Her mother was Maria P.arnuni. who came to 
Rockford in iS3t). and died in tliis city December 
10. 1877. She was a distant relative of P. T. llar- 
niim. the .ijreat showman. Mrs. Woolsey is an 
accomplislied lady ])residing in a ho.spitable man- 
ner over her ])leasant home in which she 
was born in 1857, at 1055 East State 
street. .Mr. and Mrs. Woolsey are the parents of 
four children: Marie Knapp and Earl J., both 
deceased : l-"lla lieth. at home : and Ral])h 1 larry, a 
student in the Rockford high school. 

Mr. Woolsey is accorded rank with the leading 
citizens of Rockford. He is one of the live men 
of the day. active, energetic and enterprising. The 
march of improvement and progress is accelerated 
day by day and each successive moment seems to 
demand of men a broader intelligence and a great^ 
er discernment. With a realization of this, ^Ir. 
Woolsey has im])roved his opportunities and qual- 
ified himself to meet existing conditions in the 
business and political world and in both has won 
for him.self an enviable place. He is secretary of 
Rockford Lodge, No. 102, A. F. & A. M., has 
filled various chairs in the Knights of Pythias 
lodge, of which he has been a member for thirty 
years, and also belongs to the Modern AX'oodnxn 
of .Xmerica. He and his family are all active 
members of the Christian Union church and he 
has served as a trustee of the same for several 
vears. 



TII.M) W. E\"AN"S. 



Thad W. Evans, who carries on general farm- 
iu"! on section 13. Xew Milford townsiiip. having 
here a tract of land f)f eiglity acres, was born in 
this townshi]). May 2-j. 1872. his jiarents being 
Thomas W. and Caroline (Crill) Evans. The_\ 
were early residents of ( )ijle count\-. and were 
natives of Oneida county. Xew York, coming to 
the west when young people. The father devoted 
his energies to farming and thus provided for his 
famih. ac(|uiring an estate of about fifty thou- 
sand dollars. His death occurred I'ebniary 19, 
1899. His first wife, Mrs. Caroline (Crill) Evans, 
died in 1874. and he subse<|ueiuly married Laura 
E. Lewis, of Xew ^'ork. K\ the first marriage 
there were six children who reached adult age 
an<l one by the second, while the other mem- 
bers of the family tlied in infancy. Jemiie became 
the wife of W. P. Hotelling and died in Rock- 
ford about eighteen or tweiUy years ago, leav- 
invT a tiaughter. Rapha. who married a Mr. 
Munch and resides in the west. Pielle is the wife 
of R. M. I'.arross. who is living near Garden 



Prairie, in McHenry county, Illinois, and they 
have four children, liert, Evans. .Xora and Lucy. 
John O. Evans, who is now following farming in 
.Vew .Milford township, married h'lora Bander 
and they have four children, Thomas, Georgia, 
r.crnice and John. Jean Paul EvatLS. owning a 
farm in ( )gle county, was married to Miss Alice 
l"rench. and they have four children: Lois. Paul, 
Harvey and Howard. Henrietta is the wife of 
J. C. Thomjjson. a resident farmer of Xew Mil- 
ford township. Thad W. is the next of the fam- 
ilv. Lois is the wife of I'rank Denel. a resident 
of Rockford. 

Thad W. I'lvans was reared in the county where 
his birth occurred, and throughout his business 
career he has carried on general agricultural pur- 
suits. I le now has eighty acres of land known as 
the Waugh farm, and devotes his time to the 
tilling of the soil and the raising of cro])s. There 
are good buildings upon his ])lace. and altogether 
he has a finely improved tract of land, con.stitut- 
ing one of the best farm properties of the neigh- 
borhood. 

Mr. Evans was married ( )ctobcr 2},. i8c)5, at 
.Salem. Wisconsin, to Miss Minnie French, who 
wos born in .\ntioch. Lake county. Illinois, and is 
a daughter of John French, who came in his boy- 
hood days from the Empire state to the west, and 
was one of the early settlers of Illinois. Mrs. 
I'>ans died February 17, 1901, at the age of 
twenty-six years, leaving a daughter. Jeanette 
-Maude, now six years of age. 

l'oliticall\ Mr. Evans has always been a re- 
publican and that belief has ever been the politi- 
cal faith of the family. He belongs to New Mil- 
ford camp, .Xo. 419. M. W. .\., of New Milford, 
and also to camp Xo. 26 of the Home Fraternal 
League of Xew .Milford. His business afl'airs are 
capably conducted, and in all of his work he fol- 
lows a definite i^lan of action. Both his syste- 
matic labors and diligence are liringing him to 
the goal of success toward which each man turns 
his face as he starts out in a business life. 



GEORGE PF.\XST1FL. 

.\mong the German-.\merican citizens who 
have contributed to the substantial im|)rovement 
and development of Winnebago county was num- 
bered George Pfanstiel. for through a long period 
he was an active factor in business life in Rock- 
ford. and at his death he left behind many friends 
who held him in high regard and greatly re- 
gretted his loss. .\ native of Prussia, he was born 
September 24. 1831. His father. Millet Pfan- 
steil. always remained a resident of ( iermany 
and departed this life in his native land at the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



791 



age of seventy-one years. He had always fol- 
lowed farniing-. His widow has also passed 
away. Their son Casper, coming to America 
soon after the arrival of George Pfanstiel, took 
up his abode in Rockford and has also departed 
this life, but his widow and children still reside 
in this city. 

In the schools of his native land George Pfan- 
stiel pursued his education, spending his boyhood 
davs on his father's farm. In i860, however, he 
sailed for America, taking passage at Bremen on 
a sailing vessel which weighed anchor on the 17th 
of November. He landed at New York, and for 
a year and a half was there employed in various 
ways. He scorned no labor that would yield 
him an honest employment, but thinking that he 
might do still better elsewhere he went to Cin- 
cinnati, ( )hi(), and subsequentlv came lo Rock- 
ford. \'arious undertakings claimed his time 
and energies in this city. He was first engaged 
in the livery business for a luunber of vears, and 
afterward owned a brewery. He likewise bought 
and sold real estate, dealing in citv propertv un- 
til his retirement. He also owned a farm, and 
his property was the visible evidence of his great 
activity and well directed efforts in business life. 

.\fter coming to Rockford I\Ir. Pfanstiel was 
united in marriage to ^Irs. H. C. Charlotte 
Groneman, who was bom in Berlin. German)-, 
^lay 17, 1829, and was a daughter of Christian 
and Louisa (Loudwig) Brieger. Her parents 
were also natives of Prusssia. and her father 
was a miller by trade, following that occupation 
until his death at the age of fifty-five years. His 
wife passed away when onl\- thirty-two years of 
age. Both were members of the Lutheran church. 
The grandfather. Christian J. Brieger, served as 
a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte. Mrs. 
Pfanstiel was the first of the family to come to 
-\merica. She obtained a good education in her 
native country, and in 1856 crossed the Atlantic 
alone from Bremen to New \'ork city, spending 
some months in the latter place. She arrived in 
Rockford early in the year 1857, ^"^1 the follow- 
ing year gave her hand in marriage to Theodore 
Groneman, a native of Hamburg, Germany, who 
became a resident of tlie new world in t85C). He 
was a cabinet-maker by trade and for three years 
after his marriage was thus employed. He then 
embarked in the funiture business in connection 
w ith A. C. Burpee, that relation being maintained 
for twelve years. In politics he was a democrat 
and a member of the Germania Society and of 
the Lutheran church. He died in 1871, at the age 
of forty-four years. After ten years' residence in 
this countrv Mr. Groneman and wife went back 
to Germanv on a visit, and spent three months 
verv enjovablv, returning on the saute vessel, the 
A\'estphalia. Following the death of her first 



husband Airs. Groneman became the wife of JNIr. 
Pfanstiel. and they made their home in Rockford, 
where they had many friends among the German- 
.Vmerican citizens. Having no children of their 
own. they reared Aliss Helgren, now Mrs. Au- 
gust Pfanstiel. of Rockford. For several years 
^liss Charlotte Beissert has resided with Mrs. 
Pfanstiel, who is her great-aunt, and they now 
occupy the old Groneman homestead at No. 518 
North Third street, where Mrs. Pfanstiel has 
lived for thirt\-five years. She also owns other 
valuable property in Rockford and a fine farm 
of forty acres near Pecatonica. 

Air. Pfanstiel continued a resident of Rock- 
ford up to the time of his demise, which occurred 
Alay 23, ic;oi. In his political views he was an 
earnest republican, and never faltered in his ad- 
vocacy of any measure which he believed to be 
for the general good. His religious views ac- 
corded with the teachings of the Lutheran church, 
of which both he and his wife were devoted 
members. Coming to America with little capital, 
he advanced steadily in his business career, win- 
ning success through close application, keen busi- 
ness discernment and unflagging perserverance. 
As the years passed he was enabled to add an- 
nually to his savings until with a comfortable 
competence he retired to private life, spending 
his last years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his 
former toil. He became well known here, and 
enjoyed in large measure the friendship of many 
of the German-.American citizens of Rockford. 



MOSES WTLLIAM GLEASON. 

One of the most active and energetic of the 
earl}- pioneers who located permanently in what 
is now Winnebago county was M. W. Gleason, of 
Guilford township. His birth occurred at Wil- 
liamstown. Massachusetts, September 15, 1814. 
and he was the second son of Jesse and Alary 
Gleason. He. with his brother Chase, arrived 
in the early spring of 1836, selected land and in 
conformity of the times "made a claim," receiv- 
ing a deed therefor when the United States 
governn-ient first opened a land office at (lalena, 
Illinois. 

^^'illiam had learned the trade of blacksmith 
in I'lennington. \'ermont, therefore his forge and 
anvil were a part of the "furniture" in this hur- 
riedly built log cabin, being the first and only 
blacksmith shop for many miles around. Some 
of his customers came long distances, often re- 
quiring two days for the trip. He soon had many 
friends among the Indians, who were delighted 
with the new idea of having their ponies "shod" 
and their hunting im]:)lemeiUs in better shape. 



792 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUXTY. 



They soon became very free to come to him tor 
aid in (hfferent ways and manifested their grati- 
tnde in LTenerons j^ifts of venison, tish. etc. W'lien 
the tribe of Pottawattamie decided to move, a son 
of their chief wislied to remain with tlie black- 
smith, bnt his father would not consent. 

The brotliers Iniilt a more commodious resi- 
dence and sent east for their father and famih'. 
wlui arrived durinsj tlie summer of iS^j. In this 
( ileason home relijjious services were frequently 
Iield. and at one of these meetings in June, iS_^8. 
the first Sunday school was arranged for. the 
first superintendent being elected one week later. 
The mother and two sisters were among the first 
teachers. This Sunday school has an interest- 
ing Instorx . and is now known as "Pioneer 
Union" Sunday school, and is in a flourishing 
condition. 

William Glcason made the molds in which the 
first bricks were shaped in this vicinity, and in 
1840 erected a brick residence, then considered 
a fine house. In 1842 all was ready and he re- 
turned for his waiting bride. Miss Eunice .\. Gil- 
bert, of Pownal. X'ermont. She was called to her 
higher home in 1852. leaving three daughters 
wlio are yet living: Mrs. ¥. S. DuP>ois. Mrs. J. 
H. Potter and Mrs. Job .Mexander. 

.\side from nis trade and agricultural innsuits 
.Mr. Glcason engaged (|uite extensively in sheep 
husbandry, which he made jirofitable. .-Ml who 
knew him felt the influence of his cheerful, help- 
ful dis|)osition : he was active in all work for the 
public benefit and especially interested in the wel- 
fare of young men ; often sought for in cases of 
illness; and had the ha|)|)y faculty of knowing 
the best thing to do at the right time. He was 
very fond of nnisic anfl sincerely ])atriotic. fol- 
lowing the ])racticc of reading, or having read, 
the Declaration of lnde|)endence every l-'ourth of 
July. lie never sought ])ublic office, but served 
in the capacity of su])ervisor of Guilford town- 
ship several years : al.so as school trustee. The 
last twenty-one years of his life he was elected 
as a justice of the peace, and was chosen admin- 
istrator of several estates. One of his mottoes 
was "Aim to leave the world better for your be- 
ing in it." When he was called from his earthly 
existence .\pril 22. i88_^. every one who knew him 
felt that tiiev had lost a true friend. 



CHARLES MORGAN. 

In the history of the pioneer settlers of Win- 
nebago cotmty Charles Morgan deserves men- 
tion for he took up his abode here about 1840. 
upon a farm in Pccatonica townsiiip. The 
traveler of to-day viewing the splendid improve- 
ments of Rockford and the fine farins of the 



surn>un<ling district can scarcely realize the 
conditions which then existed, much of the land 
being still wild and unim|)roved and covered 
with the long ])rairie grasses. Rockford, too, 
was but a little village and where now are seen 
thriving towns there was often not a single house 
to indicate that the future years would bring 
a settlement of importance to that point. Mr. 
.Morgan was born in Ballinasloe, Ireland. His 
parents always made their home in that country 
until 1833 and have now jiassed away. The 
son was a young lad when he left home, sailing 
for the new world. He landed at New York 
city and secured a position in a book-publishing 
house. That he was faithful, capable and ener- 
getic is indicated by the fact that he remained 
in the employ of one conijiany for eight years. 
Mrs. .Morgan now has in her possession a num- 
ber of old books and I'.ibles that were printed 
bv that house when Mr. .Morgan worked there 
(luring the early period of his residence in 
America. Thinking that he would have still 
better business o])])ortunities in the middle west 
he made his way to Winnebago county in 1840, 
and settled upon a tract of land in Pccatonica 
tcnvnship. where he carried on general agri- 
cultural pursuits. He was married in this 
countv to Miss P.arhara Kinghorn, a native of 
Scotland, and a daugiiter of William and .\gnes 
I Darling I Kinghorn. both natives of that coun- 
lr\ . They came to .America about 1835. making 
their way direct to Winnebago county, where 
the father purchased land in Burritt township, 
devoted his attention to the tilling of the soil 
until his life's labors were ended in death. His 
wife also passed away on the old homestead. 
Two of their children are still residing upon 
farms in I'lurritt township. 

I'ollowing his marriage Mr. Morgan con- 
tinued to carry on general farming in Pccaton- 
ica township for several years and then pur- 
cha.sed land on the old state road in this coun- 
ty, where he made his home for twelve years, 
annually harvesting good crops as a result of 
the care and labor he bestowed upon the fields. 
He then removed to the city of Rockford in 
i8rH), purchasing ])roperty in the southern ])art 
of the town and there he lived retired until his 
death, wliich occurred on the 22d of August, 
1887. He had come to .\merica empty-handed, 
l)ut he overcame all difficulties and obstacles in 
his i)ath and worked his way steadily upward 
to success. He knew no such word as fail, for 
such a word does not find a place in the vocabu- 
lary of men of enterprise, strong purpose and 
sound judgment. 

Mr. Morgftn voted with the re|)ublican party, 
but was without ])olitical aspiration for himself. 
He held membership in the Court Street Meth- 




CHARLES :M0RGAX. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUXTY. 



795 



odist Episcopal churcli. wliich he joined more 
than a half-century ago, and he took a very 
active and helpful part in church work, belong- 
ing; to both the liible and Missionary Societies, 
and did everything in his power to advance the 
cause of Christianity and extend its influence 
as a moving force for the betterment of man- 
kind. He left at his death a good farm and val- 
uable property in South Rockford, which was 
the visible evidence of his life of thrift and in- 
dustry, but moreover, he left to his widow the 
priceless heritage of an untarnished name. There 
is always something of interest approaching to 
the romantic in the history of a young lad who 
leaves a foreign lanrl to establish a home in 
America and without the aid of influential 
friends or capital, works his way from a hum- 
ble position to one of affluence, commanding at 
the same time the trust and confidence of those 
with whom he is associated. Such was the his- 
tory of Charles ^Morgan. Since her husband's 
death Mrs. .Morgan has sold most of the prop- 
erty, but now owns a nice residence at 1045 Mul- 
berry street, where she makes her home. She 
has lived in the county through many decades 
and is one of its worthy pioneer women. 



GEORGE W. TAXA'FATXE. 

George W. Janvevine, deceased, who was well 
known in \N'innebago county and likewise in the 
city of Reloit, where his last da\'s were passed, 
was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1825, 
and his death occurred in 1875. He pursued his 
education in the east, and entering business life 
became identified with mercantile interests in 
Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was living in New 
England at the time of his marriage, which was 
celebrated in 185 1, Miss Eunice Greenleaf be- 
comins; his wife. She was likewise a native of 
.\\\v Ham])shire and was a daughter of Samuel 
and Abigail (Davis) Greenleaf. 

Mr. and Mrs. Janvevine removed from Law- 
rence, Massachusetts, to the middle west, set- 
tling first at Sugar River. Wisconsin, where he 
followed farming for some time and then took up 
his abode in Beloit. where he established a meat 
market, conducting it successfully for several 
vears. He next turned his attention to the hotel 
lousiness there, and was proprietor of the Bush- 
nell House, later called the Goodwin Hotel. Aft- 
erward he again resumed business as a dealer in 
meats in Beloit, and in that enterprise was very 
successful. He was thus engaged during the 
period of the Civil war, and owing to his capable 
management and the careful husbanding of his 
resources he became enabled to invest in real 
estate, purchasing valuable land in Rockton town- 



ship, Winnebago county, where he became owner 
of two hundred and fifty acres. iMillowing the 
period of the Civil war he made his home on the 
farm in Rockton. where he lived for ten vears, 
devoting his time and energies to agricultural 
pursuits, during which period there was a marked 
transformation wrought in the appearance of the 
place for his fields were highly cultivated under 
his supervision and good improvements were 
added. He was a man of resourceful business 
ability, and carried forward to successful comple- 
tion whatever he undertook. He lived upon the 
farm until 1873. when having gained a verv de- 
sirable competence he retired to private life, pur- 
chasing a residence on Fourth street in Beloit, 
where his widow now lives. He remained here 
only two years, however, when death claimed him. 
He was a man of forceful individuality, well fitted 
for leadership, and his fellow townsmen recog- 
nizing his worth and ability called him to the 
office of city marshal of Beloit. He was fearless 
in the discharge of his duty, and on one occasion 
while attempting to make an arrest he was hit 
on the head bv a stone, which caused his death. 

Mr. and Mrs. Janvevine were the parents of 
seven children, of whom six are living: Ida E. : 
Fred, who married Margaret Shay ; Jennie, the 
wife of Alonzo Aldrich. bv whom she has one 
child. Laura J. : Harry ; Hattie. who married 
Stewart Mellick and has two children. Harry and 
Rolland : Joseph, who wedded Josephine Brenton 
and has one son. Brenton. 

Mr. Janvevine"s study of the political issues 
and questions of the day led him to give his sup- 
port to the republican party for he believed that 
it contained the best elements of good govern- 
ment. He belonged to the Independent Order 
of ( )dd Fellows and his life was in harmony with 
the high principles which form the basis of that 
organization. His was a very successful career, 
owins: to his capable management and unfalter- 
ing diligence. He was popular with his fellow 
citizens, owing to his excellent personal traits 
of character, and his loss was deeply regreted. 
Pie was taken away in the prime of life, being 
only fifty years of age when his life was sacri- 
ficed to dutv. 



PHINEAS HOWES. 



It has been customary to speak of men who 
have raised themselves to honorable stations in 
life without the aid of wealth or influential 
friends as "self-made." Such a one is our sub- 
ject, who started out in life with nothing but his 
strong hands and his determination to succeed, 
and that his desire has been accomplished is noted 
bv the fact that he was one of the most promi- 
nent and progressive citizens of Rockford. In 



-(>() 



PAST AM) i'Ri:M-\l Ul' W J XX liBAGO COUXTY. 



his life we find an excellent example for young 
men just embarking in the field of activity, show- 
ini,"^ what may be gained by honesty, prudence and 
industry. In his youth he enjoyed a few advan- 
tages but relied solely upon his efforts, and his 
conduct to win for him success, not in the sense of 
accumulating wealth, but in doing good to otliers, 
in serving others well and in winning their re- 
s]iect. 

The original of this sketch was one of the |)io- 
neers of kockford. lie was born in the town of 
Southeast. Putnam county. New York, .Se])tem- 
ber 2-:,. 1S17. His father. Job Howes, was born 
in Southeast. Putnam county. New York, in 1762, 
of early luiglisb ancestry, and died in 18,^2. The 
latter named gentleman alwavs followed ai^ricul- 
tural purs'iits and spent his last years in I'uinam 
county. Xew ^'llrk. The maiden name of the 
mother of our subject was Elizabeth Eggleston. 
who departed this life in 1864 in the above named 
county. 

Phineas Howes was reared and educated in his 
native town, and when seventeen years of age 
entered u])on an a|)|irenticeship of three years at 
the car|)enter's and joiner's trade. He was then 
eni])loyed as a "jour" an<l remained in the Em- 
pire state until i83<;, when he came to the Prairie 
state by way of the most expeditious route at that 
time, sailing up the Hudson river to .\lbany, 
thence ou the I'>ie canal to I'uffalo, where he 
embarked on a lake steamer, which conveyed him 
to Chicago, l-'rom that then small city of but a 
few thousand ])co|)le. Mr. Howes was given the 
])ermission to ride with a gentleman who was 
coming to Rockford and landed in this city in 
l83(j with but twenl\-five cents in his ])ocket. 

Rockfnrd was at that lime a very small place, 
the surrounding country being owned by the gov- 
ernment, and deer and other wild game being 
very |)lentiful. Mr. Howes was very desirous to 
secure work and better his condition in life, and 
soon foun<l employment at his trade. I'eing very 
industrious and economical, he saved a portion of 
his meager earnings and was soon enabled to 
purchase a lot in the village and claim a trad of 
government land located in what is now Cherry 
N'alley township. \\'hen the land came into mar- 
ket he. with others, started with a team of horses 
aufl a wagon to the land office at Cialena. They 
provided themselves with provisions and cooking 
utensils. cam|)ing out and |)reparing their meals 
on the way. 

In the fall of 1839 ^[r. Howes erected the first 
frame house ever built in Rockford. This struc- 
ture is still standing on I'ast State street. Our 
subject worked at his tra<le for a few vears then 
engaged in the lumber business with John Lake, 
the partnership coulinuing about fifteen years. 
After that his attention "i^ '''ii'lly emf)loyed in 



looking after his private interests, and he was 
one of the wealtlu' and prominent residents of 
the city. 

Miss Maria I'.arnum became the wife of our 
subject in ( )ctober. 1831). Mrs. Howes was born 
in Danbury. I'airfield county. Connecticut, in 
i'ebruary. 181 1. and was the daughter of Daniel 
and Lorana I'arnum. further reference to whom 
will be found in the .sketch of I). If. liarnum. 
1 lie ceremony which made them one was solem- 
nized at the home of Miss I'larnum in Cherry 
X'allev townslii]). and their wedding tri]) consisted 
(jf a ride with a pair of o.xen in a wagon from 
Cherrv \'alley to Rockford. They commenced 
housekeeping in the dwelling above mentioned 
before the <loors and windows were put in. and 
all their furniture was home-made. Mr. Howes 
was very prosperous, and soon built a larger and 
more commodious dwelling, in which they reside(l 
fur many years. Mrs. Howes departed this life 
December 10. 1877. .She was the mother of three 
ciiildren. namely: I'lllen C. deceased, who was 
llu- wife of Charles Chamberlain: Herbert H.. 
will I (lied at Kansas City, Missouri, in 1S88. aged 
iJn'rty-five years; and Cora, the wife of C. iiarry 
\\'oolscy, by whom she has had four children : 
Marie K.. who died in 1902: Earl J., who died in 
1882; Ella P.eth and R.nlph Harrv. both living at 
home. 

He of whom we write cast his first ])residential 
vote for -Vndrew Tackson and ever sympathized 
w itli the democratic ])arly. He was a man who 
combined strictness of moral principles with en- 
ergy and decision of character, lie made jirofit- 
able investments, became interested in remunera- 
tive enterprises, won honorable success in busi- 
ness and secured a comiietency as a product of 
personal industry and good judgment put forth 
in a field wisely selected. He was, when in his 
]irime, a careful business man, ever adhering to 
the dictates of his conscience in matters both of 
))nblic and private nature. 



TOHX MrLEE. 



John ATcLee. wdiose workmanship is seen in 
a number of fine ]iublic buildings and residences 
in Rockford. is a native son of this city, born 
March ft. ]}iCi-. His father. John Mcl.ee. was 
a native of Ireland, and in 1848 came to the 
Ignited States, establishing his home in Rock- 
ford. then a small town. He was a well-to-do 
farmer, and owned two Inmdred and forty acres 
of lancl in P>ooiie county, but is now living re- 
tired in Rockford at the advanced age of eighty 
years. A commimicant of the Catholic church, 
a democrat in i>olitics. a man with strict reijard 



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JOHN McLEE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBA(;0 COUNTY. 



799 



for the hio-luT ctliics of life, he stands high in 
the regard of friends and neighbors. Benevo- 
lent and charitable, he is both liberal in his 
views and in his donations to the unfortimate 
ones of life. Tie married Bridget Seaver, also 
a native of the lunerald isle, from which conn- 
try she came to America with her husband. She. 
too, was a member of the Catholic church, and 
she died in T899, at the age of sixty-six years. 
In the family were eight children, of whom five 
are living. 

John AIcLee, the seventh in order of birth, 
was a public school student of Rockford. He 
was reared upon his father's farm, but thinking 
to tind other pursuits more congenial than the 
work of the fields, at the age of seventeen vears 
he began learning the carpenter's trade, and has 
since been identified with building operations 
here. Sixteen years ago he began contracting, 
and many public buildings and fine residences are 
evidences of his handiwork, and are also attract- 
ive features in the city, noted for its beautiful 
homes and excellent business blocks. 

In 1893 Mr. ]\IcLee was married to Miss Marv 
Tynan, a daughter of Patrick Tynan, who was 
born on a farm in Boone countv, Illinois. Thev 
now have three children, Jennie. Bernard and 
Frances. The parents hold membership in St. 
Mary's Catholic church, and Mr. JNlcLee is a 
member of the Modern Woodmen camp, and also 
has membership relations with the Mystic Work- 
ers, Fraternal Tribunes and Knights of Colum- 
bus, while his political endorsement is given to 
the republican party. He is yet a comparatively 
young man. and his life is in harmonv with the 
spirit of enterprise and advancement which are 
dominant factors in the middle west. 



FRANK E. PEARSON. 

Frank E. Pearson, a native of Rockford, has 
seen no reason to change his place of residence, 
finding ample opportunity for the exercise of his 
talents and powers in business circles of this city. 
He is now serving for the fourth year as superin- 
tendent for the Rockford Manufacturing Com- 
pany, and his connection with the company covers 
altogether twelve years. Mr. Pearson was born 
here in 1862, his parents being Ola and Sarah 
Pearson, who came to Rockford in 1855. The 
father, who was among the early Swedish settlers 
of this city, was an iron molder by trade and was 
at one time in the employ of John P. Manny & 
Companv. .Subsequently when his labors had 
brought to him sufficient capital to permit of his 
investment in real estate he became the owner of 
a farm situated in Franklin township, two and a 
half miles north of Kirkland, and thereafter was 



one of the enterprising agriculturists of his com- 
munity. He died in 1899, at the age of seventy- 
eight years, and is still survived by his wife, who 
is yet a resident of Rockford. In the family were 
the following named : Henry, who is residing on 
the homestead farm : ;\Irs. O. Carlson and Mrs. 
Charles Krans, who are residing in Winnebago 
county ; Lawrence, who is a bookkeeper in the 
employ of the Co-operative Furniture Company 
of Rockford : and Alfred, who is chief engineer in 
a large manufacturing plant in Chicago. 

Frank E. Pearson was reared and educated in 
Rockford, attending the public schools here, the 
days of his bo\-hood and youth being passed in 
the usual manner of lads of the period. He began 
earning his own living as a farm hand, but for 
twelve years has been a representative of the 
Rockford Manufacturing Company. His indus- 
try, capability and close application won him 
ready recognition in successive promotions here, 
and for the past four years he has been superin- 
tendent of the plant, having under his direction 
sixty-five workmen. He is well qualified for the 
position, having become thoroughly familiar with 
the business in every detail, and as a practical 
workman who understands each department of 
the trade. His long connection with the house, 
too, is unmistakable evidence of his loyalty to 
those whom he represents. 

In 1895 ■^f'"- T^earson was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary C. Peterson, a daughter of H. F. 
Peterson, who is one of the oldest stone-mason 
contractors of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson 
now have two sons and a daughter, all born in 
Rockford : Irving, Raymond and Eva Marie, 
aged respectively eight, four and two years. The 
parents are members of the First Lutheran church 
and Mr. Pearson is a republican in his political 
views. L'pon that ticket he was elected to the city 
council in the spring of 1898 and served for seven 
years in the most acceptable and faithful manner 
as a member of the board of aldermen, retiring in 
1905. He belongs to Modern Woodmen camp. 
No. 51. of Rockford, and he is now one of its 
officers. Too progressive and enterprising to long 
occupv a subordinate position in business circles, 
he has gradually worked his way upward until he 
is now well known as a representative of manu- 
facturing interests in Rockford and at the same 
time his public spirit classes him as a representa- 
tive of the best citizenship. 



DAVID H. ELLIS. 



There have come to Rockford many citizens 
who in former years were the promoters of agri- 
cultural development and progress in this county 
and who bv well directed labor and careful man- 



80D 



■AST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



agemciit have become possessors of means that 
enable them to live retired in the enjoyment of the 
frnits of their fonner toil. To this class belongs 
Mr. Ellis, who now makes his home at No. 414 
Chestnut street, Rockfonl. He was born in Can- 
ada, October 7, 1838. his parents being l>ivid and 
Maria ( Spencer) Ellis, both of whom wore na- 
tives of the Dominion and were of English de- 
scent. The father followed the occiijiation of 
farming in order to provide for his family, which 
numbered ten cliildrcn. eight of whom were living 
at the time of his death, while three yet survive: 
Hannah, the widow of Herman Kingsbury and 
now living in Rockfonl; Ceorge. a hlacksmith, 
residing at Ri.ckton:and David 11. 

W hile living in Canada the father engaged in 
the oiKTation of his farm and in 1846 he came 
to Winnebago county, Illinois, still a pioneer dis- 
trict. The homes of the settlers were widely scat- 
tered and few roads had been laid out, but for 
miles one could ride over the prairies without 
coming to a fence or building to impede progress. 
.Much of the land was still in possession of the 
government and Mr. Ellis entered a claim of one 
hundred and twenty acres in Owen township. 
Upon this place he built a one-story frame resi- 
dence of three rooms, which is still standing, a 
mute witness of the many events which have oc- 
curred to shape the history of this portion of the 
state. .\t the time that house was built it was 
considered a model i)roperty. Mr. Ellis continued 
to carry on agricultural jiursuits there mitil his 
death, which occurred in 1850, when he was forty- 
eight years of age, and resulted from the contrac- 
tion of a lieavy cold. He liad prospered in his 
miflertakings here, althougli his residence was of 
comparatively lirief duration. He brought with 
him some horses from Canada. l)ut otherwise his 
possessions were quite limited, but securing his 
land at the government price, he soon developed 
what has become a valuable farm property. 

David H. Ellis was a youtli of eight years when 
the family removed to Illinois. His mother re- 
mained u|)on the home farm for two vears after 
her husband's deatli and then rented land. Mr. 
Ellis of this review was thirteen years of age at 
the time of her demise. He lived with his broth- 
er-in-law. James \'. Conklin. who followed farm- 
ing in Owen and Harrison townships until twen- 
tv-one vears of age, when he turned his attention 
to farming on his own account, and when twenty- 
two years of age he was married, in iS6(j. to 
.\manda Ihirbank. who was born in Harrison 
township and was a daughter of Eli Rurbank. a 
native of .S])ringfield. Massaclnisetts. born Ocl<i- 
ber C). 1801, and a son of V.Wu I'.urbauk. HaviiiL: 
arrived at years of maturity. E.li Rurbank w.is 
united in marriage to .\nn Woodle, who was liorn 
December 26, 1809. in Delaware, and in 1836 he 



came west to Illinois, settling in Harrison town- 
ship, Winnebago county. If one could have a 
])icture of the county at that time it would [present 
broad prairies uncultivated, timber tracts uncut, 
rivers and streams unbridged and little to note an 
advancing civilization, for only here and there had 
settlements been made on the j)rairies or in the 
wooded districts, the work of im]:)rovement lying 
largely in the future. .Mr. I'.urbank entered gov- 
ernment land and began the develo])ment of a 
farm, recognizing the sjilcndid opportunities which 
Illinois afforded to the agriculturist. Later Ann 
Woodle came to this state and they were married 
in Rock county. Wisconsin. They took up their 
abode in Harrison townshi]), and as the years 
passed the evidences of pioneer life on their farm 
were re])laccd by those of an advanced civilization. 
'i1ie\ had seven children: John. .Mvira and Clar- 
issa, all <leceased : Cordon: Mrs. Ellis: Joel, who 
is living' in Ri>ckford : and Thomas, who Ins been 
in the fire department for seventeen years in this 
city. -Mr. Ilurbank long remained a resident of 
the comity, honored as one of its first settlers and 
as the promoter of interests which proved of value 
in the substantial dcveloi)ment of this part of the 
state. He died in .\pril. 1892. at the age of ninety 
years. His political faith was that of the repub- 
lican party, and his religions belief that of the 
I.'nited Presbyterian church. 

David H. Ellis, responding to his country's call 
for aid. enlisted on the 1st of .\ugust. 18A2. as a 
nienilier of C<"impany .V. Seventv-fourth Illinois 
Infantry, with which he served until October, 
1864. He (participated in the battles of Perry- 
ville. Stone River. Crab Orchard. Franklin and 
.Stevenson. He was in four diflferent hospital- 
while with the army and was discharged in Louis- 
ville. Kentucky, returning to his home on the 
26th of October. 1864. 

When his military service was ended Mr. Ellis 
engatjed in farming near Rocktim for a year, after 
which he purchased land in Owen township, 
where he carried on agricultural pursuits for 
Iwentv years. He first bought forty-four acres of 
land, then eighty acres and still later one hundre<l 
and thirty acres, thus making judicious invest- 
ment in land as his financial resources ]3ermitted. 
His labors were practical, progressive and profit- 
able, and as a farmer he ranked among those 
who, readily tmderstanding the value of industry 
and perseverance, so direct their labors as to make 
the fields of most value in the production of splen- 
did crops. 

.\fter farming for more than two decades Mr. 
Ellis came to Rockford in 1881 and enibarked in 
the imiilement business, in which he continued for 
two vears. Subsequently he removed to Rock 
Rapids. Iowa, where he was in the implement 
business for i\vc years, and on the expiration of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



80 1 



that period he came to Rockford, where he has 
since Hved, now enjoying a rest from further 
business cares, his well earned competency supply- 
ing him with the necessities and the comforts of 
life. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have two children : Etta, 
the wife of M. H. McBarnes, by whom she has 
two children. Floy and Ola ; and Bert, of Rock- 
ford, who has two children, Florence and Ralph. 
Mr. Ellis is a republican and served as deputy 
sheriff of the county for three years. He belongs 
to Nevius post. No. i, G. A. R., and takes pleasure 
in the camp fires and in the fraternal relations with 
his old army comrades. He now owns and occu- 
pies a fine brick residence at No. 414 Chestnut 
street. 



GEORGE :\I. KEYT. 



George M. Keyt, the senior member of the firm 
of Keyt & Son, proprietors of what is the finest 
livery barn in the northwest, was born in Piqua, 
Ohio, in 1842. His father, James Keyt, was a 
native of New Jersey and, learning the stone-ma- 
son's trade in early life, eventually became a con- 
tractor in that line. He married Miss Laura Mof- 
fett, who was the first white child born in Piqua, 
•Ohio. Her father was stolen by Indians in Ken- 
tucky, who kept him in their possession for four 
years, for the family home was then in the midst 
of a frontier district and the red men had not been 
forced to leave their old hunting grounds for new 
reservations farther west. 

In the year 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Keyt removed 
with their family from the Buckeye state to Illi- 
nois, settling in Rockford, and he became one of 
the most extensive contractors and builders west 
of Chicago. The firm of James & D. Keyt built 
the old stone church (the Second Congregational) 
and James Keyt was the builder of the Presby- 
terian church and many other important structures 
of this city. In fact, evidences of his skill and 
ability are still seen in many of the old and sub- 
stantial buildings of Rockford. His early politi- 
cal allegiance was given to the whig party, and 
when new issues arose before the people and gave 
rise to the new republican party he joined its 
ranks. He was a man of firm purpose, unfalter- 
ing in support of his opinions, and with his wife 
he attended the services of the Presbyterian 
church. In the family were six children, of whom 
three are residents of Rockford, namely : George 
M., ]\Iarv J. and Mrs. Margaret Lockwood, the 
last named living on North Main street. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Keyt have now passed away. 

George M. Kevt was educated in the schools of 
Ohio until the removal of the family to Rockford, 
after which he continued his studies here. His 
entrance into business life was as a plumber and 



he was employed at that trade until after the inau- 
guration of the Civil war, when he responded to 
the country's call, enlisting on the 15th of July, 
1861, as a member of Company G, Sixth Wiscon- 
sin Infantry. He went to Beloit, Wisconsin, in 
order to join the army and for three years was 
with his regiment in the Army of the Potomac, 
during which period he participated in the battles 
of Gainesville, second Bull Run, South Mountain, 
.\ntietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Get- 
tysburg and Mine Run, whereby he demonstrated 
his loyalty to the Union cause. He suffered from 
smallpox and was in the hospital for a time and 
he also had a sun stroke, from which he has never 
entirely recovered. When the war was over he 
was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C. 

The country no longer needing his aid, Mr. 
Keyt then returned to Rockford. where for some 
years he continued in the plumbing business, while 
later he gave his attention to the sale of reapers ' 
and mowers for the John P. Manny Company for 
two years. On the expiration of that period he 
began buying and selling horses and became the 
most extensive shipper of this city. It was a 
logical step therefore for him to enter the livery 
business and in 1883 he opened a stable in con- 
nection with his dealing in horses. In 1891 he 
built his present barn and is now one of the old- 
est liverymen of the city. At the present time he 
is associated with his son, and they have a splen- 
didly equipped livery barn at Nos. 218 and 220 
Wyman street, the establishment scarcely being 
equaled throughout the entire northwest. The 
barn is built of brick, three stories in height, and 
is fifty by one hundred feet. On the ground floor 
seventy-four horses are stabled, and he has a 
splendid assortment of runabouts, buggies, car- 
riages, hacks and other vehicles, which make him 
the leading liveryman of Rockford. He also has 
a fine office, and the firm have luiilt up a splendid 
business and are justly regarded as the leaders in 
their line here. 

On the nth of June, 1865, was celebrated the 
marriage of Mr. Keyt and Miss Caroline Smith 
Plainer, a native of Little Falls, New York, and 
a daughter of George Platner. Her father was 
a stock-buyer and also conducted a meat market, 
and in the year 1856 he came to Rockford with 
his family and continued in the same line of busi- 
ness here, conducting a good meat market for a 
number of years. Both he and his wife departed 
this life in Rockford. In their family were ten 
children. Mr. and Mrs. Keyt have but one child, 
Ferdinand P., who was educated in the city 
schools of Rockford and is now his father's part- 
ner in the livery business. He married Harriet 
Lawless, a native of Rockford, and they reside 
at No. 512 Market street, while George M. Keyt 
and his wife make their home at No. 315 North 



Hoj 



AST AXD PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COIXTY. 



Horsmaii. wlicri.' Ik- nwiis a fine resilience. He 
is likewise the owner of the livery barn, so that his 
property interests are quite valuable. Hi.s frater- 
nal relations connect hini with the Grand .\rmy 
of the Republic, the Masons and the Home Fra- 
ternal Leaijuc. while his political views have en- 
rolled him in republican ranks, liotli he and his 
wife attend the I'reshvterian church, and in the 
years of their married life Mr. Keyt has found a 
faithful companion and hel])niate in his wife. In 
their early married life their financial resources 
were (juitc limited, but as the years have jjone by 
this has changed and Mr. Keyt has made steady 
progress toward the goal of ])ros])crity. 



OSCAR F. HALSFY 



Oscar F. Halsey. who has pas.scd the sevenly- 
, eighth milestone on life's journey, was born in 
.\ew York city. May 29. 1827. His parents were 
Samuel 1'. and Mary (W'vgant) Halsey, the 
father a native of Sag Harbor. New York, and 
the miither of Marlboro. I'lster county, that 
state. The mother died when their son Oscar 
was only three months old and the father after- 
wards removed with his family to L'lster county. 
He was born .\ugust 15. 1801. and he remained a 
resident of the Empire .state until within eleven 
years of his death, when he removed from Ulster 
county to Winnebago county, Illinois, in order 
to make his home with his son ( ).scar, his death 
occurring in Seward when he had reached the 
advanced age of ninety-two years and nine 
months. He was a mason by trade and through 
many years followed that pursuit. 

The ancestry of Mr. Halsey, however, can be 
traced still farther back. His gra!idfath<T. Jesse 
Halsey. was born on Long Island, where he lived 
until his death. becomiTig a sea captain. The early 
ancestors came from England to .\merica. locat- 
ing in Fioston. Massachusetts, at an early period 
in colonial history. 

Oscar F. Halsey spent his boyhood days in his 
father's home, remaining at Marlboro, New York, 
tuitil 1848. .\ttracted by the <>pi)ortimities of the 
great and growing west he came to Wiimebago 
county tiiat year and for two years thereafter 
made his home at Roscoe. He was employed as 
a farm hand by the month, breaking the prairie 
with (>x-teams and jierforming other arduous 
labor incirlent to ilevelopment of new land. 
.Anxious to have a home of his own he entered 
nne hundred and sixty acres of land from the 
government in Seward township in 184Q, and. 
breaking the wihl ])rairie with ox-teams, he 
planted his grain and in due course of time 
tiatlured grnid harvests. .\s there were no rail- 
roads he hauled his wheal to Chicago, where it 
was markilei! .-niil he perfnniierl otluT ■service .-md 



underwent such ex|)eriences as were common on 
the frontier. L'jxm his farm he placed all of the 
improveiuents and equipments that are found 
upon a model farm i>roperty of the jiresent day 
and he carried on his work in a practical, pro- 
gressive manner that brought good financial re- 
turn. I'or many years he was actively engaged 
in farming but now renting his land he lives re- 
tired in Seward. 

( )n the 5th of May, 1855. Mr. Halsey was mar- 
ried to .Miss Lydia .\. Hawkins, a daughter of 
Jiinathan Hawkins and a native of New York. 
.Mrs. Halsey was born in ( )vid. Seneca county, 
.\ew ^'nrk. March 4, 1827, and died in Seward 
township. November 18, 1884. Five children 
were born unto .Mr. and Mrs. Halsey, of 
whom four are now living: William H. S.. who 
is a resident farmer of Seward township and is 
married and has three children : Mary E.. at 
home: .\nna M.. who is married and living in 
Rockford : and Samuel P., principal of the Sew- 
ard school. Xancy L.. who was the fourth mem- 
ber of the family, is now deceased. 

Mr. Halsey exercises his right of franchise in 
support of the reiiublican jiarty and its ])rinciples 
and belongs to the Congregational church. He 
was familiar with pioneer experiences when \\'in- 
nebago county was a frontier district and through 
an active agricultural life has gained a handsome" 
comi)etence as a reward for his labors, so that 
now in the evening of his days he is enabled to 
enjov the rest that has been honorably earned 
and is richh deserved. 



C( )1.( )XFL CIIRI.ST( )1M1I:R M. P.R.VZEE. 

A distinguished niilitarx service, a successful 
career as a lawyer and ])rominent connection with 
nianv of the movements which contributed to 
Rocklord's welfare and ]>rogress well entitled 
Colonel 1 '.razee to rank as one of the leading and 
intluential residents of this city. lie left the im- 
]>ress of his individuality u])on its judicial records 
and its ])ublic life and came to be honored wher- 
ever known and most of all where best known, 
lie was a native of Lock]iort. Xew York, born 
March 10. 1832, and when twenty-six years of 
a<je became a resident of Winnebago county, 
llis jjarents were .\ndrew and Sarah (Wash- 
burn) Pirazee, both of whom were natives of the 
state of Xew York, where the father followed the 
occni)ation of farnung in the vicinity of Lock- 
|)r)rt, making his home there until called to his 
final rest. His wife also died in that locality. 

Colonel 1 '.razee ac(|uired his earlv education in 
the common schools of I.ockport. Xew "S'ork. and 
continued his studies in Wilson. Xew York, where 
he entered the collegiate institute. .Sometime aft- 
<r\\ard he returned to his native townshi]), where 





MR. AND MRS. O. F. HALSEY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



805 



he entered upon the study of law under the direc- 
tion of his brother, who was a practicing attor- 
ney there. Colonel P.razee continued his reading 
until 1856, when he joined an engineering corps 
who were coming to the west. He made his way 
to Iowa, where he remained with the corps in 
survey and other work for two years, and in 1858, 
as before stated, he arrived in Rockford. Here 
he resumed his legal studies in the office of Miller 
& Taylor, well known attorneys here at that time, 
and after reading for a year he was admitted to 
the bar in 1859 and entered at once upon active 
practice. The favorable opinion which the public 
passed upon him at the outset of his career was 
in no degree put aside or modified as time went 
l.iy, but on the contrary was strengthened by the 
able manner in which he handled his cases and 
his fidelity to the interests of his clients. He has 
been spoken of as one of the most aggressive ad- 
vocates who have ever practiced at the bar of Win- 
nebago county. lie was notable because of the 
careful manner in which he prepared his cases, 
and for the clear and forcible way in which he 
jjresented his cause before court or jury, never 
failing to make a strong impression and seldom 
failing to gain the verdict desired. In i860 he 
was elected city attorney and was holding that 
office when the Civil war broke out. 

His patriotic sj^irit being aroused b}' the at- 
tempt of the south to overthrow the Union, Mr. 
Brazee enlisted as a private in Company C, Sev- 
cntv-fourth Illinois Infantry, under Captain Sloan 
and Colonel Marsh, but before leaving Rockford 
in December, 1862, he was elected first lieutenant 
and was placed in command of the pioneer bri- 
gade of the Army of the Cumberland in Septem- 
ber, 1863. He received a captain's commission 
and was assigned to duty on General Rosecran's 
stafif as assistant quartermaster of the Army of 
the Cumberland, and held that position until he 
was mustered out in January. 1864, on account 
of ill health. He was in the engagements of 
Champion Hill and Stone River as well as many 
others of less importance. Later he served as 
colonel of the National Guards for ten years, and 
was holding that rank at the time of his death. 

Following his return from the war Colonel Bra- 
zee resumed the practice of law in Rockford and 
was accorded a large and distinctively representa- 
tive clientage. He had an office over the Winne- 
bago National Bank, and was retained on either 
the defense or prosecution in almost every case 
of importance that came up in his district. In 
fact his practice was so extensive and his work 
so arduous in connection with his preparation of 
cases that it undermined his health, and after an 
illness of three months he passed away on the 
6th of September, 1886. 

In April of 1861, Colonel Brazee was married 
to ;\Iiss Lydia Holmes, of Rockford, who died in 

47 



1883, leaving four children: Mary Elizabeth, re- 
siding in Chicago ; Kate L.. living in Minneapo- 
lis, Minnesota ; Caroline L.. the wife of F. C. 
Goodspeed. a business man of Chicago ; and Mar- 
tin Holmes, who married Clara Harbaugh and is 
a pressman and machinist living at 524 Division 
street, Rockford. In 1884 Colonel Brazee was 
again married, his second union being with Aliss 
Caroline Potter, a native of New York, and a 
daughter of Joel B. I'otter. Her father was born 
in .Sherman township, Fairfield county, Connecti- 
cut, July 25, 1810, and died in Rockford, No- 
vember 30, 1880. His parents were William C. 
and .\nna ( Hubble ) Potter, who removed from 
Connecticut to Orleans county. New York, about 
1826, the father following the occupation of farm- 
ing throughout his entire business career. Both 
held membershij) in the Congregational church in 
New England, but became Presbyterians in New 
York, and their exemplary lives commended them 
to the confidence, trust and friendship of those 
with whom they were associated. Mr. Potter 
passed away when more than eighty years of age 
and his wife was more than seventy years of age 
when her death occurred. 

Jciel r.. Potter supplemented his early educa- 
tional privileges by a collegiate course and pre- 
pared to enter the Presbyterian ministry, but fail- 
ing health interfered and led him to seek another 
field of labor. He became a pioneer merchant of 
Rockford. settling in this city in 1839, and he also 
became identified with the agricultural pursuits 
of the county. Some years later he purchased a 
drug store on East State street, and in partner- 
ship with J, F. Harding was closelv connected 
with mercantile interests. The enterprise was at- 
tended with success, but soon after the death of 
Mr. Harding, which occurred in 1867, Mr. Pot- 
ter withdrew from business life and lived retired 
in the enjoyment of a well earned ease. He was 
a public-spirited man, giving helpful co-opera- 
tion to many interests that benefited the county 
aside from his activity in business, which con- 
tributed in large measure to the commercial pros- 
perity of Rockford. His political views accorded 
with republican principles and he alwaj-s stood 
strong in support of whatever he believed to be 
right. Two brothers of Mr. Potter also became 
pioneer residents of the county, their arrival ante- 
dating that of Joel B. Potter. Herman B. car- 
ried on farming near Rockford, while Eleazer 
Hubble was a merchant of the city, and then in 
1839 Joel Potter came to add his forces to the 
business activity of Winnebago county. 

In July, 1836, Joel B. Potter was married to 
Miss Adaline Lathrop. who was born in Ver- 
mont, May 18, 1813, a daughter of Adgate and 
Martha (Moss) Lathrop, who in early life re- 
moved from their native state of Connecticut to 
Vermont, where they were inarried. Mr. Lathrop 



.StX. 



PAST AND FRl'SENT Ol" WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



was a carpenter and joiner by trade and in con- 
nection with building operations be also success- 
fully followed farming. In i8i6 he removed 
with bis family to Genesee county. New York, 
where be i)asse(l away at tlie age of seventy-five, 
while liis wife survived him until eighty years of 
age. In religious faith they were i3aptists and 
were earnest, consistent Christian people who en- 
joyed the high regard of all who knew them. 
Mrs. Potter was one of ten children and by her 
marriage became the mother of seven children, 
of whom two died in infancy, while Mrs. .Mary 
\\illis died at the age of twenty-two years. 
Those still living are : Caroline A., now Mrs. 
H razee ; Harriet J., who is the widow of J. F. 
Harding, at one time her father's partner and 
now resides in St. Joseph, Missouri; 1"" ranees L.. 
who for many years was a prominent educator 
and a well known teacher in the high schools of 
Chicago; and Laura J., who is the wife of Ed- 
ward S. Gregory, a wholesale and retail dealer 
in sanitarv goods and heating apparatus in Rock- 
ford. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Potter were devoted members of 
tlie Westminster Presbyterian church and its 
teachings permeated their lives and molded their 
relations to their fellowmen. Mr. Potter passed 
away in Rockford. November 30, 1880, and was 
survived for almost twenty-three years by his 
wife, who died in this city in September. 1903. at 
the advanced age of ninety years. 

Colonel I'ra/.ee was a very stanch republican 
in politics and took an active and helpful interest 
in the work of the party. He belonged to Nevius 
post. No. I, G. A. R., of Rockford. to the 
Knights of Pythias fraternity and in the .Masonic 
order attained the thirty-second degree of the 
Scottish rite. He attended regularly the serv- 
ices of the Second Congregational church, of 
which his wife was a member. For twenty-two 
years be resided in Rockford save for the period 
spent in the Civil war and throughout the city 
and wherever known be was honored for bis ca- 
pability as a lawyer and his record as a man 
and citizen. 

Following her husband's death Mrs. P.razee 
reared his four children, to whom she displayed 
all of a mother's love and devotion. She is a 
lady fif superior culture and refinement, having 
been provided with excellent educational privi- 
leges in her girlhood days, while for many years 
she was a successful teacher. She taught in the 
colleges of Rockford for a long ])erio<l. also in 
.•^t. Josei)b. Missouri, for five years, conducted 
j)rivate classes in her home and has also been a 
leader in many classes of different clubs of the 
city. She is very prominent socially and is a rec- 
ognized leader in philanthropic and lienevolent 
work and in intellectual research and for some 
vears has Ikcu the leader of the Outlook Club, one 



of the largest organizations oi the kind in Rock- 
ford. It is composed of a innnber of the promi- 
nent women of the city and under the guidance 
of .Mrs. Brazee the club has been a success. Its 
course of study has been very broad, covering art, 
science and literature in the past as well as the 
present age. Mrs. Brazee now resides in an at- 
tractive home at No. 314 South Second street, 
where she is living with her sister, and she also 
owns the old Potter home on Oak street. 



IK )l',AkT I. j( illNS( >X. 

llobart I. Johnson, deceased, was one of the 
]Moneer settlers of Winnel)ago county, having 
taken up his abode here in 1852. He was a na- 
tive of Catskill, New York, born .\ugust 21. 
1827, and bis parents are also natives of the lun- 
])ire state, the father being jirojirietor of a hotel 
in Catskill until 1842. when with his family he 
removed to the west, making the journey by 
wagon. They settled in Kankakee. Illinois, but 
had not resided there long before the father and 
mother were taken ill with fever and both died 
there. 

Tlobart I. Johnson afterward returned east ti.- 
his native county, and during his residence there 
was married to Miss Charlotte L. Johns: in. a 
native of Southingt(jn. Comiecticut. and a 
daughter of Carmi and Merab Johnson, both of 
whom were natives of Sonthington Her father 
was a well-to-<lo farmer there, and he served his 
country as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
-Mrs. Johnson can trace here ancestry back to 
the vear 1635. when the representatives of the 
name came from London. I'jigland. to the new 
world. Most of the family have since lived at 
what is still known as the old Johnson houK-- 
slead in Connecticut. There were eight children 
born unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, of whom five 
are now living, as follows: Charles F.. George 
R.. Wesley I.. Ira C. and Edwin IT. Those de- 
ceased are Emma. Eunice and Merab. 

I'ollowing his marriage Mr. Johnson resided 
in the states of New York and Connecticut, re- 
maining in the east until 1851). when be again 
came to Illinois, settling in \\'innebago county. 
He purchased a farm in Rockford township, 
three miles west of the city of Rockford. and 
from time to time he added to his realty hold- 
ings until the farm comprised four hundred 
acres. He called it the Whig Hill farm, and it 
is still known by that name. Here be engaged 
in general agricultural pursuits until 1880, when 
he removed to the city of Rockford. where he 
lived retired until 1887. In that year on ac- 
count of ill health he weiU to the Pacific coast. 
acconi]ianied by his family, and located in Los 




HOBART I. JOHNSON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



809 



Angeles. California, where he resided until 1892. 
when he returned to Rockford. and here again 
lived retired luitil his death, which occurred 
April 7. 1902, in the house which his widow yet 
occupies. Mr. Johnson was never an office 
seeker, but was a stanch supporter of the re- 
publican part}", as are all of his sons, and later 
voted with the prohibition party. He was a 
member of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal 
church, to which his widow also belongs. His 
life was largely passed in the quiet pursuits of 
the farm, but through the faithful performance 
of each day's duties as they came to him he de- 
veloped a character worthy of emulation, lie 
was widely known among his friends as a-> iiji- 
right, honorable Christian man, doing many 
deeds of kindness, and all with whom he was 
associated respected him for his genuine worth. 
Mrs. Johnson owns a nice residence at No. 507 
North Winnebago street, where she and lier 
son, Wesley, reside. She has been in ill health 
since her husband's death, and her son returned 
from California to make his home with her. She 
and her children still own the Whig Hill farm 
of three hundred and sixty acres of very rich 
farming land, which is three miles west of Rock- 
ford, and upon his place two of the sons are liv- 
ing. 



GEORGE M. HAINES, M. D. 

Dr. George ^I. Haines, who in the practice of 
his profession in Dnrand, has attained a patron- 
age such as is only accorded in recognition of 
tlinrongh preparation and capability, was born in 
Greensboro township. Orleans county, \'ermont, 
September 9, 1846. his parents being Moses and 
Deborah W. (Clark) Haines. The ancestor. 
Deacon Samuel Haines, sailed from Bristol, Eng- 
land, in 1635, intending to join the Plymouth 
colony, but the ship was driven north by storms 
and wrecked on the coast of Maine, near where 
the city of Bristol now stands. The survivors 
made their way through the forest to their orig- 
inal point of destination, but lieing pleased with 
the country at the mouth of the Piscataqua riA-er, 
a portion of them, \lr. Haines among the num- 
ber, returned to that point three years later, 1638, 
and founded the settlement at the ]3resent site of 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

The grandfather of Dr. Haines went to \'er- 
mont in 1795. settling at Orleans county, and he 
died there in 1856, at the very advanced age of 
eightv-two years. His son, Moses Haines, was 
born in Orleans county, and upon the farm which 
he made his home throughout his entire life his 
son Dr. Haines was also born. On the old farm 
the father died in the year 1896, at the age of 
seventv-four A-ears, while his wife passed away in 



1882, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were 
the parents of five children, all of whom reached 
adult age, namely : Abigail D., who was born 
in 1844, and died in December, 1902 ; George M. ; 
Cephas Clark, who was born in 1848, and is now 
living at Lakeport, New Hampshire : Sumner 
Caleb, who was born in 1850 and died in 1886; 
and Alma J., born m 1852, who became the wife 
of Austin Rich and lives in Glover, Vermont. 

Dr. Haines attended school in r)rleans county 
and was also a student in the academy at Glover 
called the Orleans Liberal Institute, from which 
he was graduated with the class of 1866. He 
afterward engaged in teaching school for a vear, 
but regarded that merely as an initial step to 
other professional labor, and in 1867 he entered 
upon the stud\' of medicine at A^ermont Univer- 
sity, where he remained for one vear. He after- 
ward spent two years at Columbia College in 
New York city and was graduated with the class 
of 1870. 

Dr. Haines located for practice in Greensboro. 
\>rmont, and for three years was a member of 
the profession there. He afterward spent four 
years in Orford, New Hampshire, and in 1877 
came to Durand, Winnebago county, where he 
jiracticed until 1885. He then traveled for two 
years and upon his return to Durand again en- 
tered upon the active work of his profession. He 
is a general practitioner, well informed concern- 
ing the n.iost advanced methods followed by his 
fraternity, and his capability has secured him a 
very liberal patronage, while his strict conformity 
to the ethics of the profession has gained him the 
high regard of his brethren of the medical fra- 
ternity. He now belongs to the Winnebago 
County, Illinois State, Stephenson County and 
Wisconsin Central Medical Societies and also 
the American Medical .Association. 

Dr. Haines was married in 1870 to Miss Oc- 
tavia L. Goodrich, a daughter of Joseph A. and 
( 'ctavia .\. (Wright) Goodrich, of Greensboro, 
\'ermont. and they became the parents of five 
children, of wlioiu three are deceased: Mary L., 
who died in 1875, at the age of two years ; Emma 
L., who died in 1897, at the age of twenty-one 
years: and Fred G., who was born in 1880 and 
died in March, 1881, One son, George C, born 
in 1884, is now a student in Beloit College of 
Wisconsin, and intends to enter upon the study 
of medicine. Helen W., born in 1885, is both 
studying and teaching music in Dnrand. 

Dr. Haines is a member of Durand lodge. No. 
302, A. F. & .\. M., and he likewise belongs to 
Shawbenee lodge. No. 146, I. O. O. F. He held 
membership in the Congregational church of Or- 
ford, New Hampshire, and in his political views 
he has always been a stanch republican. Inter- 
ested in the welfare and progress of his town 
he has been called to serve in positions of public 



Sio 



PAST AND PRESF.XT OF WIXXEBAGO COUXTY. 



trust, and lias been president of the villa^f lioard 
fur three years and has since been re-elected for 
the fourth term. IVominent socially, profession- 
ally and politically, he is justly nunilx're(l anionic 
the re])resentative citizens of Dnrand. 



GIDFOX 1'.. I'F.RRV. 



Ciidcon F>. Perry, deceased, was horn in the 
town of Lee, ( )neida counlw .\e\v York. .May 
31, 1829, his parents bcinjj Freeman and Han- 
nah (Peckham) Perry. The father was a civil 
enjjineer and surveyed a lartrc portion of western 
Xew York at a time when that was a new and 
unimproved district. He was horn in Rhode Isl- 
and was a cousin of ( Miver 11. Perry, the hero 
of I.akc Erie. Poth lie and his wife died in 
( >neida county. 

(iiileon n. Perry obtained his education in 
I'tica, Xew York, where he was reared. Ilr 
tauj^ht school there for many years and was a 
most sucessful educator. He came of an ances- 
try devoted to professional life and his lines of 
life were cast in harmony therewith in early 
years. Later he came to the middle west, settlins; 
in WiiinebaLTo county, where lie devoted his at- 
tention to ajjriculuue. which (ieorjje \\'ashin.ij- 
ton said was "the most useful and the most hon- 
orable occupation of man." It was in the year 
1855 that he arrived in this county, settlinij in 
Shirland township, where he purchased land, be- 
coming; owner of about two hundred and twenty 
acns. Later he sold a part of this but the estate 
now embraces one Inmdred and forty acres, 
which are cultivated by his son. Frank D. 
I'erry. After comiiifj to this county he cnga;4:ed 
in teaching school for several vvii'ter terms, while 
tlie summer months were devoted to general a.rri 
cultural pursuits. He was thus one of the early 
educators of the community and his intluence was 
ever given on the side of intelleclual develoijuieiit 
as well as material and moral progress. 

Mr. I'erry was first married in 1855 to Miss 
b'Uen Waid, of Xew Y(jrk, who died in iSfio, 
leaving two children : Charles \\'.. who is re- 
siding on a farm in Shirland township: and .Al- 
bert (i., of Winnebago township. In 1863 Mr, 
Perry married Miss Kizzie tilcason of this 
C(»unty and formerly of Wellsville, ( )hio. To 
them was born a son, I'rank I)., who lives on the 
old homestead. 

Mr. Perry was a reimblican in his political 
views and was called to several local offices bv his 
fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and 
ability. His life was at all times honorable aii<l 
ui)right and while he never sought to figure 
prominently before the public he commanded the 
esteem of all with whoTii he was associated, lie 



passed away -Ma\ 8, njo2. and is still survived 
by his wife, who resides upon the old home farm. 

I'rank I). Perrry, the youngest son of the fam- 
ily, was reared here. ])ursuing his education in 
the common schools and in Beloit. Like his an- 
cestors, he has devoted a part of his time to pro- 
fessional labors, having taught for six or seven 
years in this county, and his ability to impart 
clearly and readdy to others the knowledge that 
he had accpiired made him a capable educator. 
He is now engaged in operating the home farm, 
com])rising one hundred and forty acres of land 
which is rich and i)roductive and which in its 
excellent a])pearance gives proof of his capable 
management and thorough understanding of the 
work. 

1-rank I). IV-ny was married in .Miss Dora 
.Moslicr. of Jaiu'sville. Wisconsin, whose i)eo])le 
were early residents there. Her grandmother 
was one of tin. ])ioiieer settlers of that jjlace and 
died there recently at the age of ninety-one \ears. 
Mr. Perry has fraternal relations with the C"ourt 
of Honor and attends the Metlimlist l'"piscop;il 
church. 



pF.'ri:u 11. I'Ai.Mi-.R. 



Peter 11. Palnier. superinteiidenl and designer 
of the Rockford Mantel Com])an\', was born 
An^il ?; 1861. in We'^ter. (lottland, Sweden, a 
son of .\ndrew and X'^elly (Bowman) Palmer. 
Thev are now residing in Rockford and have a 
dauu'liler and five sons here, of whom Teeter IT. 
is the eldest: Paul !•".. the second of the family, 
is married and is now connected with the Royal 
Mantel Company: Frank E. is eni|)loye(l by the 
I'ichiller Piqno Company, of Oregon. Illinois : 
.Aaron J- is with the X^orthern Electric Manufac- 
turing Company, of .Madison, Wisconsin: Carrie 
1). is married and resides at home: and Sinion E. 
is a resident of .Madison, Wisconsin. 

When in his twenty-first year Peter H. Pal- 
mer came to the Cnited .States, sailing from (iot- 
tenburg in 1881 and landing; at Boston. .Since 
that time the other members of the famih' fol- 
lowed him to the new world and locate<l in Rock- 
ford. Learning the cabinet-maker's trade in 
early life, he became a skilled workman and for 
seven years was em])loyed by the l.'nion Furni- 
ture Com|ianv of this citv and afterward was 
connected with the Standard l''urniture Com- 
l)any, one of the leading industrial enterprises 
here. He wis both vice president and super- 
inteiu'cnt of that concern, with which he con- 
tinued in active connection until I'ehruary I, 
1898, since which time he has been with the 
Rockford Mantel Company as superintendent 
and desi tner. and his excellent work in the latter 
department is indicated by the fine mantels which 
the house annually places u|)on the market. 



PAST A\D PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



8ii 



Mr. Palmer was married to Aliss .\manda O. 
Swanseii, who was born in Sweden near the old 
home of her husband, in October, 1862, and when 
twent}- years of age crossed the Atlantic in 1882, 
living- at times in Belvidere and in Rockford. 
Illinois. Her parents died in Sweden but her 
sister Emma came to this countrv and is now the 
wife of Jo'm C ( 'shorn, who is in the employ of 
the Mechanics' Furniture Company. Mrs. Pal- 
mer died March 20, 1896, at the age of thirty- 
four years, leaving three children. Rachel, Ebba 
and Mandus. On the 12th of July, 1901, Mr, 
Palmer wedded Clara (). Anderson, who was 
born in this county near Pecatonica, her father 
being C. O. Anderson, wiio is now living retired 
in Pecatonica. They have one son, Carl Andrew, 
now a year old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the 
Swedish Baptist church, of which he is a trustee. 
He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camjj. No. 
51, and is independent in politics, devoting all his 
energies to his business interests. He is one of 
the best known Swedish residents of Rockford. 
having made a creditable record for ability and 
commercial integrity and his life is an example 
of what may be accomplished in a land unham- 
pered by caste or class. 



FLOYD SAHTH. 



Floyd Smith, who after many years' connection 
with agricultural pursuits is now enjoying a well 
earned rest at his pleasant home at No. 2004 
Green street in Rockford, belongs to that large 
and valued portion of the citizenship of Winne- 
bago county that New York has furnished, for 
his birth occurred in Tompkins county of the 
Empire state on the 2d of July, 1843. His par- 
ents were Belden C. and Sarah (Mettler) Smith, 
the former a native of Tompkins coimty. New 
York, born April \Q. 1 81 1, while the mother was 
born in Pennsylvania. November 20, 1819. Belden 
C. Smith was reared to the occupation of farm- 
ing and made it his life work. In 1852 he dis- 
posed of his interests in the Empire state and re- 
moved to Ohio, where he purchased a farm, and 
when he again sold out he made his way to Win- 
nebago county, Illinois, settling in Harrison 
township, where, in 1865, he purchased eighty- 
six acres of land. He remained there for some 
time and then removed to Aurora. Illinois, wdiere 
he died October 26. t88.S, his wife surviving until 
December 23, 1892. Their daughter, Anna W.. 
is now the wife of E. T. Bradley, of Aberdeen. 
Washington. 

Floyci Smith, the only son and his sister's sen- 
ior, was educated in the common schools of the 
home district and also the public schools of Rock- 



ford and in his youth he became familiar with 
the labors of field and meadow, w^orking on his 
father's farm until 1862, when at the age of 
nineteen years he responded to his country's call 
for aid, enlisting in Company F, Seventy-fourth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served until Oc- 
tober 29, 1864, when he was honorably discharged 
on account of disabilit}'. During his service he 
was in the .\rmy of the Cumberland and partici- 
pated in the battles of Perryville. Tullahoma, 
Chattanooga. Stone River and many other en- 
gagements, and he was discharged at Camp But- 
ler. Springfield, returning to his home with a 
creditable military record because of his imfalter- 
ing loyalty to the cause which he espoused and 
his prompt and faithful performance of every 
soldier duty. 

Returning to ^^'innehago county, Mr. Smith 
began farming on his own account and soon aft- 
erward purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
of land on sections 15 and 22. Harrison township, 
which property is still in his possession. Year 
after vear he carried on the work of the fields 
and his labors were resultant factors in the de- 
velopment of one of the best farm properties of 
the comnnmitv. In i8q8 he retired from agricul- 
tural life and removed to Rockford. where he 
purchased the home which he now^ owns, having 
a beautiful residence that stands in the midst of 
a block of ground. The lawn is beautifully shaded 
with fine trees and there is a solendid barn and 
other equipments on the place. He also purchased 
seven acres of land on the south side of School 
street in Rockford. which is very valuable, and 
this he still owns in connection with his farm. 
\\niile living in the countrv he was extensively 
interested in the dairy business, which proved to 
him very profitable. 

In Tune, 18S1, Mr. Smith was married to 
Martha E. Graham, whose birth occurred in 
Rockton township, this county, AIa\- 14. i860, 
her parents being Henry and Eleanor (Foster) 
Graham. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, 
while her mother w-as a native of Ohio, and in 
1850 thev removed to Beloit, Wisconsin, where 
thev lived for sime time, j\Ir. Graham working- 
there at his trade of plastering. Subsequentlv he 
took up his abode in Rockton township, where 
he Durchased a farm of two hundred acres, on 
which he spent his remaining davs, his death oc- 
curring in 189.S. His w-idoiv still survives and 
is now living with her daughter Mrs. Haughey. 
This worthv couole were the parents of three 
sons and five daughters : A. Foster, who is living 
in Rockton township : Airs. Smith : Airs. Mar- 
garet Ruhl. a resident of Des Aloines. Iowa ; Mrs. 
Rachel Keaele, of Cedarville, Illinois: Alatthew, 
"•ho died Tulv 28, t8qo; Jennie, the wife of Dr. 
Haughev. living at No. 208 South Second street. 



8i. 



I'AST AND PRESENT OF WINXEBAGO COUXTY. 



Rockford ; Harry, who resides on the old home 
farm in Rockton township; and Mrs. Lncv File, 
of Rochelle. Illinois. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three 
daughters: Martha, the wife of h'rank liain- 
bridgrc who resides on a fami in Rockton town- 
ship and bv whom she has two children, Stanley 
and Sidney : Elizabeth, who makes her home with 
her parents and is coiniected with the .American 
Insurance Company ; and Eleanor, at home. 

Mr. Smith votes witli tlic rcimblican ])arty and 
is rej^arded as a capable leader in the local ranks. 
He served as supervisor of his township for five 
years, was township trustee for fifteen years and 
school director for about twelve years and in all 
these positions he discharpfed his duties in a man- 
ner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his 
constituents. He was formerly identified with 
Harrison camp. M. W. .A., of which he served as 
clerk for seven years but now affiliates with the 
camp in Rockford. He likewise belon.ijs to Xev- 
ius post. Xo. I, G. A. R.. the oldest orgfanization 
of the Grand Army in the country, never failint;- 
to hold its rcg-ular meetings since its establishment 
in 1866. They meet three times each month and 
have the finest memorial hall in the country for 
old soldiers. Since he came to Rockford Mr. 
Smith has been appointed commissioner of 
thistles for Rockford township, which position 
he filled for two years. He and his wife hold 
membership in the Congregational churcli. Mr. 
Smith is a .self-made man in the best sense of that 
temi. honest and ui)riglit, and respected bv all 
who know him. 



cii.\kLi-:s n. dow. 

Charles 15. Dow. following the (iecu]iation of 
farming on section 2. Wimiebago townshi]), be- 
longs to that class of sidistantial and honored 
citizens that Scotland has furnished to this 
county. His l)irth occurred in Edinburgh, in Sep- 
tember. 1848. his parents being Charles and 
Mary ( Rarklay ) Dow, who. crossinir the .At- 
lantic t<i the new world, established their home 
in Wimiebago county in the sprinir of 1840. 
They settled on a farm now owne<l bv L"harles 
I'l. Dow and they were preceded here by Daniel 
Dow. an uncle of our subject, who arrived at 
a very early day and followed shoemaking and 
grain-buying in Rockford. He owned a verv 
extensive tract of land which has recently been 
deeded to Charles P.. Dow and bis son Daniel. 
This i>lace Cf)miirises two hundred and forty 
acres of land and was a wild and unimproved 
tract when it came into possession of the uncle. 
Daniel Dow, who about 1837 or 18^8 arrived in 
Chicago. Illinois, there remaining until 1841. 



when lie came to Rockford. Locating in the 
city he conducted a shoemaking establishment 
and although he secured land he never farmed, 
lie was, however, one of the well known busi- 
ness men of the county seat and at his death 
was one of the most venerable pioneers, having 
continued his residence in Rockford until called 
to his final rest in Xovember. 1903. when in his 
ninety-sixth year. For many years he had been 
a grain-buyer and for more than forty years had 
operated on tlie Hoard of Trade, being a very 
successful speculator. He also owned the store 
now occupied by Mr. Wheelock, a merchant of 
Rockford. and of this property his grandson 
Daniel is now trustee. .V notable figure in 
pioneer times and through the period of later 
progress and development he deserves mention 
among the founders and upbuilders of the city, 
where he was long so widel\' and favorablv 
known. 

Charles Dow, the father of our subject, taking 
u|) liis abode upt)n the land which his brother 
Daniel Jiad entered, carried on farming here until 
his death, which occurred in the spring of 1865, 
when he was about fifty-eight years of age. 
His mother afterward rented the farm and re- 
moved to South Rockford. where she died in 
i8(;i. when about seventy years of age. Both 
were natives of Scotland, t!ie father being a 
Highlander, born in Perthshire, while the 
mother's birth occurred in. the city of Edinburgh. 
Coming to .\nierica, Charles Dow. as the result 
of his study of the jiolitical issues and conditions 
of the country, gave a stalwart support to the 
re])ublican party. He served in some local offices 
and in matters of citizenshi]) could be counted 
upon to support progressive measures for the 
general good. He held membership in the Pres- 
byterian church and lived an honorable, upright 
life. In the family were three sons and five 
daughters, who reached adult age, but only two 
sons and two daughters are now living, namely: 
Charles ]'>.: Mrs. .'■1. W. Stanley, of Wyoming; 
William 1!. Dow, of .Aberdeen. South Dakota, 
who is engaged in the hardware business : and 
Mrs. J. W. Lake, of Jolict. Illinois, whose hus- 
band is a railroad man. Those deceased are: 
.Mrs. J. .\.. D. C"ore\-. who died at Cheyenne. Wy- 
oming; Mrs. Dr. Sager, who died in Rockford; 
and two who died in infancy. 

Charles 15. Dow was reared in Winnebago 
County, being less than a year old when brought 
by his ])arents to .\merica. Here he s|)ent tin 
greater ])art of his life. In i8Af), however, he 
drove ox-teams across the ])lains and S])ent three 
years in .Montana, traveling with a party of 
which Judge P.ailcy was also a member. He 
worked in liutte City in the sjiring of 1867, hav- 
ing previously been emi)loye(l for a time at \'ir- 
ginia Chv. He then returned to this countv 





MR. AXD MRS. CHARLES B. DOW 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



815 



and took up his abode upon the homestead farm, 
which he later purchased from the estate and 
upon which he has since resided. He has al- 
ways carried on general agricultural pursuits 
and he also operates a dairy, supplying milk to 
many patrons in Rockford. In addition to the 
one hundred and sixty acres of land in the home 
place he has an interest in the two hundred and 
forty acre farm in liurritt township, which was 
originally entered from the government by his 
uncle Daniel. He has a finely improved farm. 
on which are large and substantial buildings, ad- 
mirably situated, and his home is only about four 
miles west of Rockford on the state road. 

Mr. Dow was married in this county to Miss 
Emma AI. Tullock, who was born in Burritt 
township, in 1S50, and was a daughter of George 
and Mary A. ( ^Nlilne) Tullock, one of the early 
settlers of the county, who died at his home in 
( )wen township about five years ago. His sons 
raise a large amount of fruit, including the well 
known Tullock strawberry', and they have a wide 
reputation as successful agriculturists. Mrs. 
Dow was afforded liberal educational privileges, 
being graduated from the Rockford high school, 
after which she taught for three years where 
the Lincoln school is now located. She was a 
lady of superior intellectual culture and natural 
refinement and her death, which occurred June 
2(). 1904, when she was fifty-four years of age, 
was deeply regretted b\- man\- friends as well as 
her immediate family. Unto Mr. and ]\Irs. Dow 
were born two children, Daniel C. and E. Myrtle, 
both born in this county. The daughter is yet 
at home. The son acts as trustee of the Daniel 
Dow estate and is also associated with his father 
in the operation of large farming interests. 

Politically Mr. Dow is a republican, thor- 
oughly in sympathy with the principles of the 
party, while fraternally he is connected with 
the ]\Iodern W'oodmen of America. As almost 
his entire life has been passed in this county he 
is well known to many citizens here and the 
cjualities of manhood which he has ever displayed 
have been such as to commend him to the con- 
fidence and respect of all with whom business or 
social relations have brought liim ill contact. 



R. C. :\]ILLER. 



R. C. Miller, superintendent of the W'innebago 
countv alms house and poor farm, located on sec- 
tion I, Rockford township, has been in charge 
here since October, 1902. He has lived in Win- 
nebago county throughout almost his entire life, 
for, although he was born in New Jersey, in 1852. 
he was brought to Illinois before he had com- 
pleted his first vear. He was a son of ]\I. M. and 



jiar}- W. (Compton) Miller, who located in 
Owen township in 1853. They were farming peo- 
ple and remained residents of Winnebago county 
until called to their final home. Mr. Aliller of 
this review has three brothers who are farming 
people of Rockton township. 

He was reared and educated in Owen town- 
ship, being indebted to the public-school system 
for the mental discipline which he received. After 
putting aside his text-books he devoted his atten- 
tion to farm labor and carried on general agricul- 
tural pursuits until about seven years ago, when 
he began to give his undivided attention to buying 
and selling stock. He still owns, however, a good 
farm in Shirland township, which is rented. In 
October, 1902, he was appointed by the board of 
county supervisors as superintendent of the Win- 
nebago county alms house. The present building 
was erected in T883 and has a capacity of about 
one hundred inmates, there being between eighty 
and eighty-five there at the present time. The 
farm comprises one hundred and fifty acres, Iving 
on section I, Rockford township, and able-bodied 
inmates of the place assist in the operation of the 
land. The buildings are thoroughly up-to-date, 
supplied with all modern equipments, and in fact 
this is one of the model alms houses of the state, 
each occupant having a separate room. General 
farming is carried on, while six acres is devoted 
to gardening, and there is a large orchard and 
much small fruit upon the place. Grain and stock 
are raised quite extensively and a sufficient num- 
ber of cows is kept to furnish butter for the en- 
tire institution. The work is done in systematic, 
methodical manner, and under the supervision of 
IMr. Miller the farm is a paying institution. 

'Sir. Miller was united in marriage in 1876 to 
Miss E. M. Capron. who was born in Canada in 
1854. and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary 
(Scott) Capron. who removed to Rock county, 
Wisconsin, in 1856, settling in Beloit township, 
where the\- made their home during the greater 
part of the time until they departed this life. The 
father died about fourteen years ago, while his 
wife passed awav eighteen years ago. ]\Iost of 
their children still reside in Rock county, although 
some live elsewhere. !\Trs. ?i[iller was reared in 
Rock county, making her home there up to the 
time of her marriage. By this union four children 
have been born, all natives of Winnebago county: 
Arthur, residing on a fami in Shirland township, 
who married Ethel Zahm, and has one son. Er- 
nest, now two years of age : Myrtle, the wife of 
Frederick De Berard, a resident of Colorado, and 
the mother of two children, Marie and Fayette : 
and Iva and Favette. both residing- at home. 

Politically Mr. Miller is a republican, never 
faltering in support of the party since age gave 
him the right of franchise. He has been some- 
what prominent in local political circles and his 



8i6 



PAST A\D PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



fellow townsmen in recognition of his wortli and 
ability have conferred upon him a number of pub- 
lic offices. He served as supervisor of Shirland 
township for two terms and for nine terms as its 
assessor and his public duties were disciiarged 
with promptness and fidelity. I'.olli he and his 
wife are memljcrs of the .Methodist Episcopal 
i-lniiih of .'■^hirland. 



LORENZO n. CROW 1:1. 1., .Ik. 

Lorenzo H. Crowell. Jr.. who is now pr(i])rie- 
tor of a greenhouse in ( )wen township, and is 
one of the re])resentative young business men 
of the community, was born in this township on 
the old family homestead. December 14. 1884. 
Mis father. Lorenzo H. Crowell. Sr., was also 
born on the old homestead, .\])ril 14. 1854. and 
was a son of Ezekial Crowell. The last named 
was horn in l'>erwick. York county. Maine. ( )c- 
tober 24. 1813. and died in his seventy-third 
year. .\t the age of ten years lie left home on 
account of his father's death, lie was the 
yoimgest in a large family of ten children and 
it was necessar\ that he start out and earn a 
living for himself. ( )n the 25th of December. 
1843, he was married to Miss llamiah i'eters 
at Lowell. Massachusetts, and some years after- 
ward they removed to Steubenville. ( )hio. where 
Mr. Crowell took up the study of law under 
Ivhvin M. Stanton. He was afterward admitted 
to the bar. but never practiced much, and re- 
turned again to the east to resume the position 
of weaver in one of the large woolen mills. In 
1851 he came to Winnebago county. Illinois, and 
|)urchased a fine farm in (Jwen townshi]). where 
lie resided for a number of years, successfully 
carrying on agricultural pursuits until 1861, 
when he took u|) his a1)odc in Rockford. there 
making his home to the time of his death. Dur- 
ing the Civil war he carried passengers to and 
from the old camp ground, but in his later years 
he lived retired, having a sufficient income to 
keep him withcjut work. He was an honest, up- 
rii^ht man. always considerate in his treatment 
of others. It is said that he never wronged a 
single individual in any way. He was regarded 
as a good neighbor, a faithful friend and a de- 
voted husbanrl aiul father, and in these resjiects 
his example is well worthy of emulation. In 
religimis faith he was a S|iiritualisl. with a 
firm belief in jjrogression after ilealh. His wife, 
who was born in I'.erwick township, ^'ork coun- 
ty. Maine, January 14. 1821, long survived her 
hnsbanrl. spending her last years in the home 
of her son, .\. E. Crowell. where she tlied June 
7. if)Oi. She had been married on Christmas 
day of 1843 and she reached the advanced age 
of eiirhtv vears. She was a ladv of stron<j char- 



acter, possessed of many c|ualities. for wliich 
she will be long remembered. Her love for the 
good, the true and the beautiful was marked, 
whether seen in nature, man or God, and she 
delighted in flowers, music and song, which she 
declared were food to her soul. Mr. and .Mrs. 
Crowell were the parents of four children, of 
whom the eklest. Henry C. became a soldier of 
the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry and died in 1874 
from disease contracted while in the service. 
.Mejvin dii-d in infancy, while the surviving 
members of the famil\- are Lorenzo H.. Sr., who 
is living in ( )wen township, and .Mvin E.. of 
Rockford. a well known ])ractitioner of law. 
who has been prominent in puljlic affairs. 

Lorenzo 11. Crowell, Sr.. born .April 4. 1834. 
in ( )wen townshi]), spent the first eight years of 
his life on his father's farm and then accom- 
])anie(i his ]3arents on their removal to Rock- 
ford. the family home being established on Fer- 
tru.son street. He was a student in the Rockford 
high school, which he entered in i86y. complet- 
ing his course there in 1872. The following 
year he taught school and in fact followed the 
])rofcssion much of the time until 1878. teaching 
at Ciuilford. Ihirritt. (~)wen Center. Kislnvaukee 
and other places. In 1878 he began farming and 
stock-raising, which ])ursuits he followed suc- 
cessfully until i8()i, when he turned his atten- 
tion to horticultural interests, raising cherries, 
ajjjiles and small fruits. In recent years he has 
given no attention to general farming, his horti- 
cultural interests claiming his undivided atten- 
tion. I le also l)uill a greenhouse and is engaged 
in the cultivation of flowers. .\t one time he 
was connected wth the Good Templars society. 
He is indeijcndent in his politicl views. suii])ort- 
ing men and measures rather than party. 

Lorenzo H. Crowell. -Sr.. married Miss Luella 
I'hebe .Strang, who was born May 13, 1854. Tlic 
marriage ceremony was performed at l!\ron, 
Illinois, October 5, 1873. by the Rev. (ieorge 
(i. Young. Her parents were Peter and Char- 
lotte (Morrisi .'^trang. Mr. Strang was a self- 
educated man and entirely self-made regarding 
his business successes. He was l)orn in Kings- 
ton, i'ennsyltania. .\ugu.st i, 1814, and in 1820 
he accomiianied his jiarents on their removal to 
Newfield, Tompkins county. New York, while in 
1833 they became residents of Peru. Ohio. On 
the 3d of Se])teniber. 1843. Peter Strang mar- 
ried Charlotte ^lorris, and the following year 
the\' removed to Piyron, Illinois. He was a black- 
smith by trade, serving an apprenticeship of 
seven years in his youth. dnriTig which time he 
received no comjiensation for his services. His 
)>eoi)le were very ]>oor and he had to help them 
by workini,' at home. It was one hundred miles 
from his home U< the place where he learned his 
trade .•md hi' w,ilki-<l tliat distance a number of 




LORENZO H. CROWELL, JR. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



8i(j 



times, dividing his time between blacksmithing 
and farm labor at his father's place. Subsequent- 
ly he engaged in blacksmithing in New Orleans, 
being there during a yellow fever epidemic. He 
made his first visit to Illinois in 1843, traveling 
on horseback, and in the spring of 1844 he took 
up his permanent abode here, making the jour- 
ney by team, accompanied by his wife and his 
parents. He then opened a blacksmith shop at 
Byron, doing general work in that line, also 
making plows, ironing wagons and buggies and 
also doing general foundry work in connection 
with a Mr. Wood. lie was an excellent me- 
chanic, being able to execute almost anything 
with tools, and in fact he manufactured the nia- 
joritv of the tools which he used in blacksmith- 
ing. foimdry work and as a locksmith. About 
ten years prior to his death Mr. Strang, in com- 
pany with his wife, went on a visit to South Da- 
kota and as the health of both seemed so greatly 
improved, they decided to make their future 
home there. For two years prior to his death, 
however, his health gradually failed, but in the 
latter part of June, 1894, he felt so much better 
that he determined upon making a visit to his 
old home in Byron. This was not to be, how- 
ever, for on the 26th of that month he passed 
away, his remains, however, being brought back 
to Illinois for interment. His father had lived 
to be nearly one hundred years of age and his 
mother was in her eightieth year at the time 
of her death. Airs. Strang, the wife of Peter 
Strang, survived her husband. She was born 
Februarv 9. 1828, in Jefferson county. New 
York, and with her parents removed to Ohio in 
1833. There, as before stated, she was married 
and the following year she came with her hus- 
band to Illinois. Nine children were born unto 
them, of whom five sons and two daughters were 
living at the time of the mother's death, while 
one son and one daughter died in infancy. In 
18S5 "Sir. and ]\Irs. Strang removed to Canova, 
South Dakota, where they lived until the death 
of the husband, June 26, 1894, after which the 
mother made her home with her son Oliver in 
Byron, Illinois. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Crowell. Sr., have be- 
come the parents of seven children, of whom 
six are yet living. Bertha L., born June 26, 
1874, is the wife of Clark Burnett, an electrical 
engineer. Alelvin A., bom May 15, 1876, mar- 
ried Aliss ]\Ivrtle Smith, by whom he has three 
children, and they are living in Owen town- 
ship. George H. died at the age of two years. 
Rosetta B., born June 8. 1880. is the wife of 
Henrv Nason, of Rockford, and they have four 
sons. Lorenzo H. of this review is the next of 
the family. Olive I., born January 3, 1886, is 
at home. Myrtle \'.. born December 23. 1888, is 
also with her parents. 



Lorenzo H. Crowell. Jr., pursued his early 
education in the public schools near his father's 
farm and also continued his study in Rockford. 
He has likewise taken a course of engineering in 
the International Correspondence School of 
Scranton, Pennsylvania. At the age of sixteen 
years he rented the home place, where he fol- 
lowed farming until twenty years of age. He 
then held a sale of stock, after which he began 
working for the Rockford Street Railway Com- 
pany as conductor, continuing in that service for 
about a year. Pie has since conducted a green- 
liouse, carrying on business with good success 
for six years, and his sale of flowers and plants 
is now extensive, making his business a profit- 
able one. 

Air. Crowell was married November 8, 1904, 
to Aliss Bertha I. Franklin, a daughter of George 
and Emma Franklin, who are represented else- 
where in this work. The young couple have a 
wide circle of warm friends in the communitv 
where they have always lived and he is justly 
regarded as one of the leading and enterprising 
vonng business men. 



DANIEL G. SPAULDING. 

Daniel G. Spaulding, born in Acworth. New 
Hampshire, November 25, 1839, died in Rockford, 
April 9, 1902. Death often claims those whom 
we can ill afford to lose, and such was the univer- 
sal feeling when D.'G. Spaulding was called from 
this life. He had figured actively and honorably 
in business circles and public aft'airs, which con- 
served the progress and upbuilding of his city 
and county. His energy and enterprise were no 
immaterial factor in the sum total of accomplish- 
ment in Rockford, and as one who has aided in 
framing the historj' and shaping the policy of 
the city we present his record to our readers. 

He was a son of Dr. Nehemiah and Betsy 
(Hay ward) Spaulding. both of whom were na- 
tives of New Hampshire, where the father prac- 
ticed his profession for a muuber of years. In 
the early settlement of the middle west, however, 
he brought his family to the Mississippi valley, 
establishing his home in Nashua. Iowa, where he 
continued in the active practice of medicine and 
surgery until called to his final rest. His wife 
also died in that place. 

Daniel G. Spaulding acquired his education in 
the public schools at his boyhood home and be- 
came a resident of Rockford in 1857, when in his 
eigliteenth year. He was then a }-oung man. seek- 
ing a business opportunity that would prove the 
path to success and he filled various positions in 
the citv until after the inauguration of the Civil 
war. He had been a student of the signs of the 



820 



I'Asr WD i'rilSEXt of wixxedago couxty. 



times aiul noted tlie yrouiiig unrest and discon- 
tent in the south and its threatening attitude and 
resolved if war came to strike a blow in defense 
of the L'nion. Accordingly he joined the volun- 
teers from Winnebago county, enlisting as a mem- 
ber of Company I. Seventy-fourth Illinois In- 
fantry, a regiment which made a splendid record. 
He was with that command throughout the war, 
participating in the greater number of its engage- 
ments, and meritorious conduct won him promo 
tion to the rank of first lieutenant. In the thickest 
of the fight or on the lonely picket line he was 
always true and loyal to his duty, and when the 
war was ended he received an honorable dis- 
charge. His interest in military affairs caused 
him then to join the regular army, which he did 
in Chicago, in May. 1865. again being commis- 
sioned first lieutenant. His command was sent 
to the west, where he remained for three years, 
aiding in C|uelling the .Mormon and Indian upris- 
ings, which occurred about that time. 

When discharged from the regular army Mr. 
Spaulding returned to Rock ford and for many 
years was closely identified with its commercial 
interests. He established a grocery store here, in 
which he continued for many years, his last loca- 
tion being at State and Church streets. His busi- 
ness record was unassailable, being in strict con- 
formity to a high standard of mercantile ethics, 
guided by upright principles and characterized by 
fair and just treatment of all his ])atrons. That 
he enjoyed the full confidence of those with whom 
business relations brought him in contact is indi- 
cated by the fact that many who gave him their 
support in the early days of his mercantile life 
continued as his patrons to the end. In 1892 he 
disposed of his store and practically lived retired 
until his death, giving his supervision merely to 
invested interests. He was also at one time in the 
shoe business and was connected with other enter- 
prises of the city. He dealt to a greater or less 
extent in real estate and it has been said that there 
was no finer judge of realty values in the city. 
His undertakings were usually successful and he 
found that pn>s])erity is ambition's answer. He 
closely studied the business situations and readily 
mastered its intricate points, after which he so 
shaped his course that the best possible results 
were obtained. Moreover, there was naught said 
of his business integrity, as his methods would 
bear the closest scrutiny. 

Mr. Spaulding was twice married. In 1858 he 
wedded Miss Priscilla Smith, from which union 
one son survives, George D.. who resides at Xo. 
1136 Xorth Court street, although he spends 
much of his time upon the road as a traveling 
salesman. On the 1st of January, 1872, Mr. 
Spaulding was again married, at which date Miss 
Sophia Rannie became his wife. She is a native 
of Scotland and a daughter of William and Giris- 



tina Rannie. who were also born in that country. 
Crossing the .\tlantic. they became early residents 
of Rockford. The father, who was a stone-ma- 
son and contractor, folUnved that business in this 
city throughout his remaining days, and his wife 
also died here. .Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding became 
the parents of a daughter. Louise I!., who has 
always resided with her mother. 

Mr. Spaulding always manifested a public- 
spiritetl interest in affairs pertaining to the wel- 
fare and ])r<>gress of his city and county and in 
])olitics was a stanch rei)ublican. fimily believing 
that the ])arty ])latform contained the best ele- 
ments of good government. He therefore labored 
to extend its influence and insure its success and 
ujion that ticket was called to several local offices. 
He served both as alderman and supervisor in 
the citv and exercised his official prerogatives in 
a manner that gave a tangible impetus to good 
citizenship and public improvement. He was a 
member of Ncvius post. Xo. i. G. A. R.. of Rock- 
ford, and took great delight in meeting with his 
old army comrades, seldom being absent from the 
camp fire. He was also connected with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows lodge, and 
in his life exemjilified the beneficent spirit of those 
organizations, which had their basic elements in 
mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. For 
about two years prior to his death he was in ill 
health, but the end came imexpcctedly. he passing 
away in the early morning of April 9, 1902. 
Expressions of regret and sorrow were made by 
all who knew him in business relations, through 
his political activity or within the closer circle 
of his friendship. He had a wide acquaintance 
and conimandecl the respect of all. while many 
entertained for him the warmest feelings of friend- 
ly regard almost approaching to that of brothcrli- 
ness, for while he was successful in business life, 
active and helpful in public affairs and held friend- 
ship inviolable, his best traits of character were 
reserved for his own family, to whom he was a 
devoted husband and father. His interests cen- 
tered in his own home and he regarded no per- 
sonal sacrifice on his part too great if it would pro- 
mote the welfare or enhance the happiness of his 
wife and children. He never .sought the promi- 
nence which makes one known far beyond the 
limits of his home locality, but in the city and 
county where he lived and labored so long Mr. 
Spaulding was justly accounted one of its most 
prominent and honored citizens. 

Mrs. Spaulding and her daughter retain their 
residence in Rockford. and the former is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian church, while the latter is 
a comnnmicant of the Episcopal church, and takes 
great interest in its work. She is a graduate of 
the Rockford high school and was also a student 
in a college at Elmira. X'ew York. Both Mrs. 
Spaulding and her daughter occupy prominent 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



821 



and enviable positions in social circles here and 
have an acquaintance throughout the state by rea- 
son of their active work in connection with the 
Woman's Relief Corps. In May, 1902, Mrs. 
Spaulding- was elected its state president and her 
daughter state secretary, and they filled those of- 
fices for a year. They still take great interest in 
the work and have been faithful workers in many 
movements for charity and benevolence. They 
own a beautiful and commodious residence at No. 
404 North Court street, and although they spend 
much time in travel, they consider Rockford their 
home. 



WILLIS E. SAWYER. 

^^'illis E. Sawyer needs no introduction to the 
readers of this volume, for he is one of the most 
extensive and prominent horse dealers of Winne- 
bago county, his business interests bringing him 
a wide acquaintance. He is. moreover, well known 
in political circles as a stalwart republican and 
his opinions carry considerable weight in the local 
covuicils of the party. A native of the middle west, 
he seems imbued with the spirit of indomitable 
energy and enteiprise which have been the strong 
forces in the upbuilding of this section of the 
country. 

He was born February 9, 1846, in Lake Gene- 
va, Wisconsin, his parents being Hiram J. and 
Lorella (Baker) Sawyer, both of whom were na- 
tives of Cattaraugus county, New York. The 
father spent the early part of his life in the east 
and when a young man removed westward to Wis- 
consin, where he remained until coming to Winne- 
bago county in 1850. His genuine worth, fidel- 
ity to duty and loyalty in citizenship awakened the 
attention and admiration of his fellowmen, who 
in 1863 called him to the office of sheriiif, which 
position he filled for two years — the length of the 
term at that time. Later he was elected collector 
and subsequently acted as constable for many 
vears, and not the shadow of a reflection concern- 
ing his capability fell upon his official service. 
He was justly recognized as one of the county's 
prominent and influential men,, popular with many 
with whom he had come in contact and respected 
by all because of his genuine worth. He died in 
1902, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. In 
the family were three sons : Willis E. ; D. F. 
Sawver, a retired clothing merchant of Iowa City, 
Iowa; and Hiram E.. whose death occurred on 
Mav I. 1875. 

In the public schools Willis E. Sawyer mas- 
tered the elementary branches of learning, attend- 
ing first at Darien. Wisconsin, afterward at Emer- 
ald Grove. Wisconsin, and still later in Rockford 
township, this county, but when the Civil war 
came on his patriotic nature was aroused and al- 

48 



though but fifteen years of age he enlisted in Com- 
pany C, Sixty-seventh Regiment of Illinois In- 
fantry, with which he served for three months tni- 
der Captain H. R. Enoch. On account of ill 
health he was discharged for disability on the ex- 
piration of that period. He was afterward in the 
government employ as brigade wagon master for 
two years and three months, superintending the 
handling of freight and supplies for the army, 
hauling freight from Nashville, Chattanooga and 
that part of the country to the troops. 

At the close of the war Mr. Sawyer returned 
to his home and purchased a threshing machine, 
which he operated for two years. At the end of 
that time he sold the machine and went upon the 
road selling Hamlin's Wizard Oil for three years 
and driving a four-horse team as he made his 
trips through the country. Returning to Winne- 
bago count}', he spent a year and a half here and 
then again started out, going to California in 
1875. For six years he was in the livery business 
on the coast, being the first white man to let out 
horses in Santa Barbara county. He went from 
that place to San Francisco, where he was with a 
transfer company for six months, and thence 
crossed the bay to Oakland, where he drove an 
eight-horse team, doing heavy hauling for nine 
months. He then took a contract to handle a cir- 
cus, which he moved from place to place, usmg 
fifty-four horses in that work. Sometime later 
he disposed of all his business interests on the 
coast and returned to Winnebago county. Here 
he engaged in farming for four years near Dur- 
and, when he sold his land and came to Rockford, 
purchasing a carload of horses, which he shipped 
to Cooperstown, North Dakota. He has since 
been handling horses, and he conducted a livery 
and hack barn for two and a half years. He then 
bought ground on Chestnut and Court streets and 
erected a large livery stable, in which he carried 
on business for three and a half years, but sold 
out in 1905. He is, however, one of the most ex- 
tensive horse dealers in Winnebago county, han- 
dling a larger number each year than almost any 
representative of the trade. 

In 1 87 1 Mr. Sawyer was married to Miss Mary 
E. Blewfield, a native of New York and a daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Rachel Blewfield, who came here 
during the early girlhood of ^Irs. Sawyer. The 
mother has now passed away, but the father is still 
living at the advanced age of eight3--seven years 
and is one of the best known old gentlemen on the 
streets of Rockford. 

Mr. Sawver is a stalwart republican, quite 
prominent in the local ranks of the party and in 
1894 he was elected sheriff for a term of four 
vears. He is again spoken of in connection with 
the candidacy for that office. He belongs to Nev- 
ius post. No'. I, G. A. R., to the Modern Wood- 
men camp and to Rockford lodge, No. 102, A. F. 



822 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



& A. .M.. all of Ruckford. He has had in many 
respects a most interesting career, in which excit- 
ing chapters have not been lackinsr, these being 
furnished by his military service and his experi- 
ence in the far west. He is now located jiernia- 
ncntly in \\'innebago county, where he is con- 
ducting a prntitable business. 



M. ll.\.\ir.()R(i 



P. M. Haniborg is the owner of a farm on 
section 35, Roscoe township, improved with 
a good set of Iniildings and modern etiuipments. 
He is a native of Sweden, his birth having oc- 
curred in that country in 1845. His father, .Mun- 
son .Anderson died when his son, P. M. 
Hamburg, was only a year old. while the 
mnther passed away when the son was but six 
months old. In conse(|uence he knows very 
little of his parents. He had his name changed 
legallv while living in Kockford. because of 
others of the same name in that city. 

Mr. Hamborg remained a resident of Sweden 
until twenty-two years of age and then went to 
Denmark, where he spent four years, following 
the occupation of farming. He heard favor- 
al)le reports concerning the new world and its 
deve1oi>nient. its business opi)ortunities and its 
advantages and thinking that he might profit by 
a rcmiival to the United States he crossed the 
Atlantic from Denmark about 1871. For two 
mnnths he worked in Pennsylvania on the rail- 
road, after which he removed to Michigan. 
where he secured employment in the iron mines 
for four years. On the exjiiration of that period 
he came to Winnebago county, making his way 
to Rockford. and soon afterward he accepted 
a position on a farm near that city. He was 
thus employed tmtil iiis fliligence and frugality 
brought to him a cajiital sutTicient to justify his 
purcliase of land, at which time he became the 
owner of fifty acres in Roscoe township. This 
was the nucleus of his present property. He 
has extended the boundaries of his place as 
opportmiity has offered until it now comprises 
one hundred and five acres. He works the en- 
tire tract and also one hundred acres which he 
rents, so that he is extensively engaged in farm- 
ing pursuits. His land is productive and upon 
it is a good set of farm buildings, including a 
comfortable residence and all the outbuildings 
necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. 

Mr. Hamborg was marriefl to Miss Tilda 
Evarstardt. who was born in Sweden and died 
in i88i at the age of fifty-one years, leaving 
one son Peter. For his second wife Mr. Ham- 
borg chose Sarah Johnson, also a native of 
Sweden. 



In his polilieal views Mr. Hamborg is a re- 
publican, keeping well informed on the ques- 
tions and issues of the day and is thoroughly 
in sympatiiv with the .\merican form of gov- 
ernment, lie has served as school director for 
the past nineteen years and the cause of edu- 
cation has found in him a warm friend. At 
the present time he is overseer of highways, 
which position he has filled for fifteen years, 
his long continuance in the office indicating that 
he is the cham])ion of good roads, and he ])er- 
forms his public duties in a capable manner. 
.Mr. Hamborg is indeed a self-made man and 
deserves all of the praise which that term im- 
])lies. I le came to Roscoe with very little money 
and indeed he possesses nothing that has not 
been gained through his own labors. That he 
has worked ])ersistently and energetically there- 
fore is indicated by the fact that he now owns 
an excellent farm. lie is well liked by his 
neighbors and has been so reliable in all of his 
business transactions that one is reminded of 
a sentiment of a ])rominent traveler and lec- 
turer who said that "Sweden is the home of 
the honest man." 



l-'K.WK 11. KIM r. ALL, M. D. 

The true measure of success is determined by 
what one has accomplished and, as taken in con- 
tradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is 
not without honor save in his own country, there 
is i^articular interest attaching to the career of the 
subject of this review, since he is a native son 
of the place where he has passed his active life 
and so directs his ability and eflforts as to gain 
recognition as one of the truly representative 
members of the medical fraternity of Rockford. 
He was born in this city, July 13. 1855. and is a 
son of Henry P. Kimball, who for many years 
figured prominently in the business and public 
life of the city, winning the respect of all men by 
his close adherence to manly principles as well as 
bv his success in business. He was descended 
from New England ancestry and displayerl the 
thrift and industry so characteristic of the north- 
eastern section of our country. He died at Elgin, 
whither he had gone for treatment for an abscess 
on the brain, passing away at the age of fifty-nine 
years. 

Dr. Kimball, reared in Rockford. was a public 
school student here until he had passed through 
successive grades and completed the hi^h school 
work, after which he entered the I'nivcrsity of 
Michigan, at Ann .\rlx)r. of which he is a gradu- 
ate of the class of 1877. Broad literary knowl- 
edge thus served as an excellent foundation upon 
which to rear the superstructure of professional 




p. M. HAMBORG. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEDAGO COUNTY. 



825 



learning, and having determined upon the praetice 
of medicine as a life work, he next matricnlated in 
the Chicago Medical College after some prelimi- 
nary reading and was graduated from that insti- 
tution in 1880. Returning to Rockford, he opened 
his office, and for a quarter of a century has prac- 
ticed here with constantly increasing success, 
keeping in touch with the marvelous advance of 
the profession, whose methods have almost been 
revolutionized in the last twenty years by science 
and invention. While engaging in an extensive 
general practice Dr. Kimball has informed himself 
thoroughly concerning the ideas which have been 
advanced by the leaders in the profession and the 
knowledge which has been gleaned through expe- 
riment and experience and in the application of his 
scientific learning to the practical needs of the pro- 
fession he is notably correct and accurate. He 
was one of the promoters and managers of the 
Rockford City Hospital and the extent and im- 
portance of his private practice has been indicative 
of the consensus of public opinion regarding his 
capabilities. 

In January, 1881, Dr. Kimball was married in 
Rockford to Aliss Henrietta T. Kirk, a native of 
this city, and a daughter of E. A. and Rachel 
(Dennis) Kirk, the former a native of Maryland 
and the latter of Canada. When a young man 
Mr. Kirk sought a home in the then wild, but 
rapidly developing, west, arriving in Winnebago 
county in the latter part of the '30s. Miss Dennis 
came about the same time and they were married 
here, living for many years upon a farm, which 
in its excellent improvements indicated the careful 
supervision, practical methods and unremitting 
diligence of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Kirk have 
both passed away, as have all of their three chil- 
dren. Their daughter Josephine became the wife 
of Samuel Kerr, who was at one time an attorney 
and alderman of Chicago. 

Dr. Kimball's first wife died in September, 
i8ij2, and in July, 1895, he was again married, his 
second union being with Gudren M. Tillisch, who 
was born in Bergen, Norway, but has spent most 
of her life in \\'innebago county. By this union 
there are two children: Elizabeth, aged nine 
years ; and Alice, seven years of age. The family 
home is at No. i2Q First street. Politically the 
Doctor has always been a stanch advocate of re- 
publican principles, and fraternally he is identified 
with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Wood- 
men of America and the Improved Order of Red 
Men. 



ROBERT GREENLEE. 

Robert Greenlee, who devotes his time and ener- 
gies to general agricultural pursuits on section 22. 
Winnebago township, is one of the county's native 



sons, his birtli having occurred in Guilford town- 
ship on the 23d of .March, 1866. His parents were 
Robert and Marion ( Montgomery) Greenlee, 
early residents of this county, who- came from 
Scotland to the new world. They were the par- 
ents of three children : James C, a resident fann- 
er of Guilford township; Mrs. Peter Greenlee, of 
Harlem township ; and Robert. 

In taking up the personal history of our sub- 
ject we present to our readers the life record of 
one who is widely and favorably known in Guil- 
ford and Winnebago townships and other sections 
of the count}'. He was reared under the parental 
roof in his native township and is indebted to the 
public-school system of the county for the educa- 
tional privileges he enjoyed. He has always fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming and is now living 
on section 22. \\'innebago township, where he has 
a well improved tract of land, in the midst of 
which stands a fine home. 

Mr. Greenlee was married February 15, 1894, 
to Miss Nettie Ralston, of Boone county, Illinois, 
a daughter of Robert Ralston, an early resident of 
the Scotch settlement there. She was born Au- 
gust 8, 1865, near Argyle, her parents being Rob- 
ert and Elizabeth (Andrew) Ralston, both of 
whom were natives of Argyleshire, Scotland, and 
came to America in childhood days with their re- 
spective parents. Robert Ralston settled in the 
Scotch settlement in 1841 and remained with his 
parents until he had attained his majority. He is 
still living at the age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. 
Ralston came to this country with her parents in 
the \ear 1840. In their faniil\- were five daugh- 
ters and a son : Jane, the wife of George P. Rals- 
ton, residing upon a farm at Caledonia, Illinois ; 
?ilarv. at home ; Elizabeth, the wife of George 
Brown, a resident farmer of Guilford township : 
^Irs. Greenlee: John A., who resides upon and 
operates the home farm, and who married Miss 
Agnes Sillars ; ?\faggie B., the wife of J. C. Green- 
lee, a resident farmer of Guilford township. Mrs. 
Robert Greenlee was reared in Boone county and 
attended the country schools. She resided at home 
up to the time of her marriage, when she went 
with her husband to his farm in \^'innebago town- 
ship. Thev now have three children, all born on 
the present farm, where thev have lived since the 
spring of 1804. These are: Esther E.. born 
Febriiarv 17, 1895; Gladys C, born April 10, 
1897; and Clark M.. born March 8, 1899. They 
also lost a daughter, ?\Iarjora J., who was born 
September 21. 1902, and died January ir, 1903. 

Mr. Greenlee supports the prohibition party by 
his ballot, for it embodies his views on the tem- 
perance question. Fraternally he is connected 
with the Knights of the Globe, belonging to the 
camp at Winnebago, and both he and his wife are 
members of the Winnebago Presbyterian church. 
They are people of genuine worth, true to the 



.S26 



rA> I 



M) i'Ki..si;.\ 



I )i 



W l.\.\lii;.\(.c) cut XT Y. 



teacliings of the clnircli. and throughoui liis en- 
tire life, whether in business t)r social relations, 
Mr. Greenlee has exhibited sterling traits m ehar- 
acter that have coniniended him to the confidence 
and trust of all with whom he Ins been asso- 
ciated. 



THOMAS .\l. i:i.l.lS. 

Thomas M. Ellis, general munriger of the Kock- 
ford Interurban Street Railway Coiujjanv. was 
born .\ugust 31, 1861, in Whitesboro. .Vcw York, 
his parents being Thomas and Mary ( D.ivis) El- 
lis. The family is of Welsh lineage and the father 
with his ]iarents crossed the Atlantic to .\mcrica 
from the little rock-ribbed country of Wales dur- 
ing his early boyhood days. He settled at Remson, 
New York, where he was reared to the occupa- 
tion of farming for many years. When a young 
man he turned his attention to the manufacture 
of tubs and pails at Whitesboro and to the man- 
agement of that i)roductive industry gave liis time 
and attention for many years, carrying on the 
business with constantly growing success until 
alwut 1885, when he retired from active life. His 
death occurred in July. 1^03, but his widow is 
still living and has recently ])aid a visit to her son 
Thomas in Rockford. They were the parents of 
four children, of whom one died in infancy, the 
others being: W. C, who is engaged with the 
Rockford & PVeeport Railway Comjjany : .\ellie 
-M., the wife of W. (]. Stone, a civil engineer, liv- 
ing at Whitesboro. New York : and Thomas M. 

At the usual age Thomas .M. l-'llis began his 
education in the public schools of his native city 
and subsc(|uently entered the \\"hitesl)oro Semi- 
nary, from which institution be was graduated 
with the class of 1870. Having com])lete(l his 
education he then joined his father in business, 
being associated with him for ten years in the 
manufacture of woodenware. In 1887 he became 
assistant superintendent of the I'lica iJelt Street 
Railway Company, acting in that capacity until 
i8«j2, when in order to thoroughly accpiaint him- 
self with the electrical department of the business 
he entered the service of the (Jenerai Electric 
Company, of Schenectady. New York, continuing 
therewith until Kpr. He was with that comj)any 
for a year ami in i8(j2 he came to Rockford as 
superintendent of the Rockford Street Railway 
Company. He is now general manager of the 
Rockford Interurban Street Railway Company, 
with lines extending from this place to janesville. 
Wisconsin, and to I'.elvidere and Freeport. Illi- 
nois. Mr. Ellis is well (|ualified for the respon- 
sible duties which rest upon him in this connec- 
tion, having made a close and systematic study of 
the various departments of the business. He is a 
typical citizen of the middle west, alive to oppor- 



tunities and ([uick to utilize every advantage 
which arises in connection with his business inter- 
ests. An interurban railway system is a product 
of the age and an intlication of the spirit of the 
lin-.es. when acconimodation and rapiditv charac- 
terize all departments of business activity. 

.Mr. Ellis is constantly studying to give to the 
public a superior service, knowing that in this 
way the business of the corporation which he rep- 
resents will be increased. 

In 1 888 occurred the marriage of Thomas M. 
l-^llis and .Miss .Mary Louise Kelly, of Xew Hart- 
fi>r(l. .Xew \'ork, a daughter of Thomas Kelly, of 
that jjlacc. They have four children — Bessie May, 
.Milton, W. H. and Howard D. — all of whom are 
students in the public schools. Mr. Ellis is con- 
r.ected with the iiencvolent and Protective Order 
of I'^lks and i)oIitically is a republican, but while 
well informed on the cpiestions and issues of the 
day, he is without political aspiration for him- 
self. In citizenship he is public-spirited and pro- 
gressive and has been a co-operant factor in nianv 
movements for the general good and withal is 
])ractical in his ideas of business advancement and 
public progress. 



|OIl.\ LAKE. 



John Lake, a resident of Rockford, who for six- 
ty-eight years has been connected with the busi- 
ness interests of Winnel)ago county, keeping pace 
with the rai)id commercial and industrial develop- 
nunf, is of English birth and lineage. He was 
born March 27. 1821, on the P.lackford farm in 
Selworthy parish, Somerset county, England, the 
farm at that time being the property of his pater- 
nal grandfather, who was a farmer, dairyman, 
miller, malster and dealer in all kinds of seeds. 
His son. William Lake, was Iwrn on the same 
farm in 17()8. and he died when his son John was 
l)ut six months old. The mother afterward mar- 
ried again and John Lake was reared by his 
grandniotlier on the old home fanu where his 
birth occurred. He received a good practical edu- 
cation and his advantages in that direction were 
l)erhai)s above the average, but otherwise he had 
no assistance for the journey of life and since the 
age of fourteen \ear". has been dependent upon his 
own resources for a livelihood. He was first em- 
ployed as a farm hand and. being ambitious to 
make the best use of his powers, he resolved to 
try his fortune in America, of whose advantages 
and opportunities he had heard nuich. He was 
opposed by his faiuily when he suggested the idea 
to them in May. 1836. but he did not abandon the 
plan and the following \ear secured the consent 
of his ','rai;dparents. 

In .May, 1837, John Lake, then but sixteen 
years of age. sailed for .\mcrica, possessing little 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



827 



save a strength of character and firm determina- 
tion, which have proved the basic elements in his 
later success. He boarded the sailing vessel Sev- 
ern, carr3-ing a cargo of iron to Philadelphia, and 
after seven weeks, during which time severe 
storms and heavy seas were encountered, he 
reached the American port. He then started at 
once for Rockford, Illinois, with the intention of 
joining his uncle Thomas, but illness detained him 
at Rockport, a small town on the Ohio river, and 
it was not until the ist of December, 1837, that 
he reached his destination. 

Here began the struggle first for a livelihood 
and later for success, and from farm hand to com- 
mercial business he has made his way, occupying 
for many years a prominent position in conntier- 
cial and financial circles in his adopted city. Dur- 
ing three years he worked at farm labor and then 
entered upon an apprenticeship to Thomas 
Thatcher, a carpenter, joiner and architect, who 
paid him five dollars per month and board. He 
resolutely set to work to master the business and 
within a year had become competent enough to 
accept a position as a journeyman and soon after- 
ward began taking contracts. He was thus con- 
nected with building operations until 1853, when 
he turned his attention to the lumber trade in 
partnership with P. Howes, conducting a yard 
where the East Rockford, Chicago & Northwest- 
ern passenger station is now located, that at the 
time being the terminus of the Chicago & Galena 
Railroad. When the railroad was extended across 
the river in 1853 their yard was removed to the 
west side, where they conducted their business un- 
til 1856. when they sold out to Mr. Freeman. 

Mr. Lake then enjoyed a well earned vacation, 
making a trip, in November, 1856, to the old home 
which he had left nineteen years before. Return- 
ing to America in February. 1857, he resumed 
business as a lumber merchant at the corner of 
Third and State streets, in Rockford, and in 1859 
he sold out to the firm of Cook & Brother. In 
partnership with Henry Fisher he engaged in the 
lumber business on the west side from 1861 until 
1867, when he once more disposed of his interest 
and again went abroad, visiting France, Italy, 
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Ireland and 
Scotland, as well as his naitive England. In the 
fall of 1867 he returned to Rockford and in 1868 
he entered into partnership with Seely Perry, 
which relation was terminated after five years, and 
through the succeeding year he traveled in Europe 
and twice again thereafter, gaining a comprehen- 
sive knowledge of the countries upon the conti- 
nent. Since 1872 he has visited California seven 
dift'erent times and has spent six winters in that 
state, gaining the experience and culture which 
only travel brings. 

Other business and public interests aside from 
those mentioned have claimed his attention and 



have profited by his co-operation and business sa- 
gacity. He was vice president of the Rockford 
Fire Insurance Company from 1866 until 1886 
and in the latter year was chosen president. In 
1873 he was elected alderman of Rockford from 
the Second ward and during a service of ten years 
in the city council exercised his official preroga- 
tives in support of many progressive measures, his 
public spirit finding tangible evidence in the sup- 
port which he gave to all movements that he 
deemed would prove beneficial to the city. Dur- 
ing a part of that decade he was also supervisor, 
and in 1877 he was chairman of the board of edu- 
cation. 

Mr. Lake married ]\Iiss Almeda AI. Danley, a 
daughter of Cornelius and Sarah Danley, of Har- 
lem. Illinois, on the nth of October, 1849, and of 
their seven children three died in infancy. His 
first wife died 'Slay 5, 1893. and on the 25th of 
Alay, 1895, li"^ ^^'^s united in marriage to Mrs. 
Phoebe E. Benjamin, widow of Willis Benjamin 
and a sister of his first wife. The family home is 
at No. 13 1 3 East State street, and the social posi- 
tion of the family has ever been one of prominence 
in cultured society circles. Fraternally promi- 
nent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
Mr. Lake has been grand master of the grand 
lodge of the state and for six consecutive years 
was representative to the sovereign grand lodge of 
the United States. A life of activity, crowned 
with honors and successes, has been the history of 
John Lake, and now at the advanced age of nearly 
"eighty-five years he is living retired from active 
business and quietly spending his last days in the 
citv which witnessed his early business struggles 
and which rejoices in his advancement and pros- 
peritv, because of the methods which he has ever 
followed in all commercial transactions. 



EDWARD H. ^lARSH. 

Edward H. Marsh, who is engaged in the prac- 
tice of law and is prominent in republican circles 
in ^^■innebago county, was born in the city of 
Rockford, December 6. i860. His father, John 
D. Marsh, was a successful and leading farmer of 
Winnebago county. He was born in New York 
and in 1856 came to Rockford. where he entered 
the employ of .A. J. Work & Company. 

Edward FI. Marsh pursued his education in the 
public schools of his native city, passing through 
successive grades until he had completed the 
high-school course with the class of 1878. Hav- 
ing determined to engage in the practice of law 
asa life work be entered the University of Michi- 
gan at .Ann Arbor and was graduated from the 
law department in 1882. In the same year he 
was adnntted to the bar and began practice. He 



SjS 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



has now for almost a quarter of a century been 
a representative of tlic legal fraternity of liis na- 
tive citv and has a pood law husiness to which he 
is conscientiously devoted. Mis knowledge of the 
principles of juri.s|)rudence and his capability in 
handlings important litigated interests have been 
the means of securing him a creditable and dis- 
tinctively representative clientage. 

Mr. Marsh has held various political iiositions, 
being first called to office as justice of the peace, 
in which capacity he served for four years. He 
was a member of the board of super^nsors for 
one term and city attorney for two years, wliilc 
in iS<)S he was a])nointed master in chancery bv 
Judge (larver. and was appointed a member of 
the state board of ef|ualization to fill a vacancy 
occasioned by the death of Cliarle« A. ^X'-ii-l-rs 
On the expiration of that term he was elected to 
the office, which position he is now filling, A 
stanch advocate of roiniblican principles, he has 
served on the republican central committee of his 
county, and has labored earncstlv and cflfectively 
for the success of the party. In 1898 he mar- 
ried Miss Lizzie T.. Lewis, of Rockford. and in 
social circles of the city they occupy an enviable 
])osition. 



T(»I(X \iri I.Ml'.R 



John Mutimer. a retired farmer and gardener, 
residing at i2ck> .South Winnebago street, was 
liorn in Lincolnshire, England, .\pril 13, 1826, 
and has therefore almost reached the eighteenth 
milestone on life's journey. His ]5arcnts were 
Jeremiah and Frances (Jacobs) Mutimer, the 
former a stock-buyer of Fnglaiid. With his par- 
ents he came to this country on a sailing vessel 
in 1838, being at that time a youth of twelve 
years. It re(|uired six weeks and three days to 
comi)lete the voyage, but ultimately anchor was 
dr<ip)x'(l in the harbor of Xew York and the fam- 
ily made their way thence to .\msterdam. that 
state. There the father worked as a laborer and 
in 1875 he came to the west, settling in Rock- 
ford. He was a gardener here and his remain- 
ing days were passed in this city, where his 
<lcath occurred at the age of eightv-eight vears 
T'.oth lie and liis wife were in London. England, 
at the time of the coronation of Queen \'ictoria. 

John Mutimer largelv acquired his education 
in the schools of New York state, where in his 
youth he worked on a farm for his board and 
clotlies for six years and the ))rivilege of attend- 
ing school througli the winter months. He after- 
ward secured employment in factories of the east. 
being engaged at cari)ct-weaving for five years. 
Later, however, he resumed work as a farm 
hand by the month and subse(|uently started out 
upon an active business venture by working land 



on the shares, being thus engaged until 1875. 
when he came to Winnebago county and located 
on the Kiskwaukee road. Here he |)urchased 
thirty-seven and a half acres of land and subse- 
quently he bought forty acres adjoining. He 
also leased and operated other land but subse- 
quently he traded his land for city property. In 
1899 he took up his alxxle in Rockford, where he 
has since lived retired. 

In 1858 Mr. Mutimer was united in marriage 
to Miss Susan Heigle. of .\msterdam. New York. 
They have become the ])arents of six children : 
James ^^^, who is a solicitor and collector for 
the .\. L. Hartlett Cf>mpany, of Rockford, mar- 
ried Esther Lester, and after her death wedded 
.Vda Schafer, of this city: Lauren Y. married 
Jennie Cooper and is a brass molder, residing in 
Schenectady, New York : Fannie is the w-ife of 
Eugene Lauglilin and resides in Rockford, 
where he is engaged in the coal business : and 
Petsy R. is the wife of Eugene .Sailor, a livery- 
man of Rockford. The wife and mother died in 
January, 1899, ^"'1 '•'iter in the year Mr. Mniimer 
was married to Mary .\. Mutimer. 

He owns a brick fiat building and two lots in 
Rockford, and his wife owns the home where 
thev reside at No, 1209 South Winnebago street. 
and has a ilfe lea.se on a store building. Mr. 
.Mutimer belongs to the Grange. For many years 
he lived a life of persistent and earnest toil. His 
boyhood days were fraught with nnich hard labor 
and he enjoyed few ])rivileges and advantages, 
but he jiossessed a strong and sturdy character 
and made the most of his oi)i)ortunities and as 
the years passed by he was enabled to accumulate 
a farm property and now with a comfortable 
competence is enabled to live retired. .Such a 
history should serve to encourage and inspire 
others who are forced to start out as he did 
rni])ty-handed. 



FLETCTIFR COFFIN. 

I'letcher Coffin, whose beautiful home in Rock- 
ford, which he has owned and occupied since 
i8()V '!* ihe visible jiroof of his life of energy and 
enterprise through the long vears of an active 
bi'siness career, was born in Roscoe. this county. 
on the 6th of November, 1841, and comes of an 
old New England ancestry. His naternal great- 
grandfather, born in New England, was the first 
of the name to leave that section of the countrv. 
locating in Deerfield, Herkimer county. New 
York, where in the midst of the forest he opened 
up a farm, upon which he made his home until 
his death. It was there that Isaac Coffin, the 
grandfather, was born and reared, and the occu- 
pation which claimed his labor in youth continued 
to be his life work, and he assisted in clearing 




JOHN MUTIAIER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



831 



seven different farms of that locality. He re- 
moved from Herkimer county to St. Lawrence 
county about the year 1839 and, having purchased 
a tract of timber land, he and his sons began cut- 
ting away the trees, grubbing out the stumps and 
preparing the land for cultivation, and in due 
course of time abundant harvests were gathered 
there. He had wedded Peggy Patton, whose birth 
occurred in eastern New York and who passed 
away in St. Lawrence county. Her father was 
of the heroes who fought for the independence 
of the nation in the Revolutionary war. 

Henderson W. Coffin, a son of Isaac and Pegg\' 
Cofifin, first opened his eyes to the light of day in 
Newport, Herkimer county, New York, and there 
he spent his youth, and when a young man went 
to Canada, where he learned the trade of brick- 
making under the direction of his brother Horace. 
On leaving the Dominion he came to Illinois and 
located in Winnebago county in 1838. Here he 
continued in the employ of his brother for a time, 
but later engaged in farming on his own account. 
Subsequently he went to Beloit, Wisconsin, where 
he established a brickyard, but previous to this 
time he had become the owner of land in Burritt 
township. Winnebago county, having entered a 
claim from the government. In i860 he took up 
his abode thereon and after cultivating and im- 
proving the place for several years he removed 
to Winnebago township, where he purchased a 
tract of land that was his home until his life's 
labors were ended in death in !May, 1876. He 
was married in early manhood to Miss Mary H. 
Kenear, who was also a native of the Empire 
state. They were farming people, energetic and 
diligent in business aft'airs, and at all times com- 
manded the esteem of those with whom they came 
in contact. So successful was Air. Cofifin in his 
farming operations and so carefully did he invest 
his earnings that he was at one time the owner 
of more than one thousand acres of land. In his 
family were eleven children. 

Like the others of the household Fletcher Coffin 
spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, ac- 
quiring a public-school education and aiding in 
the farm work as his age and strength permitted. 
Throughout his active business career he contin- 
ued his connection with agricultural pursuits and 
while he has now retired from business life, he 
is still the owner of two hundred and seventy-five 
acres of valuable and productive land, lying in 
Burritt and Pecatonica townships. While on the 
farm he was also interested in dairying and stock- 
raising, together with the cultivation of the fields 
and all branches of his business proved profitable, 
owing to his keen discernment, marked sagacity 
and executive force. 

On the 22d of December, 1874, Mr. Cofifin was 
united in marriage to Aliss Harriet Keeling, who 
was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 11, 



1853, her parents being John and Elizabeth (Tay- 
lor) Keeling, the former born near Liverpool, 
England. His parents were William and Harriet 
Keeling, the former a tailor by trade. On coming 
to America he settled in Philadelphia, where he 
engaged in tailoring for a number of years, but 
eventually he removed to Rockford, where he re- 
sided up to the time of his death. John Keeling 
also mastered the same business and followed it 
for a number of years in America, but eventually 
became a house decorator of this city. His wife 
was likewise a native of England and a daughter 
of William Taylor. She came to the United 
States with a brother and sister. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coffin have been born two 
children: Gertrude May, who was educated in 
the Rockford schools, has now successfully en- 
gaged in teaching for ten years, while Alta Marie 
is the wife of Chester Lane, who is engaged in 
the insurance business in Rockford. In 1893 the 
family left the farm and Mr. Coffin purchased 
his beautiful home at No. 442 Oakley avenue, 
where he has since lived a retired life. In its rich 
and tasteful furnishings this home indicates the 
cultured and refined taste of the inmates and the 
members of the household occupy a prominent 
social position. 

Mr. Coffin is a republican in his political views, 
strong in his endorsement of the principles of the 
party, yet has never been an aspirant for office. 
He stands to-day as a splendid example of what 
may be accomplished in the business world 
through force of character and honorable eft'ort, 
his life record indicating that success is ambition's 
answer and also showing that a man of resolute 
will and determination, although unaided by in- 
herited wealth or influence, can win simultaneous- 
ly for himself an honored name and notable pros- 
perity. 



HENRY H. ^^'OOD. 



Henrv H. Wood, extensively and successfully 
engaged in the dairy business and also controlling 
farming interests in the vicinity of Pecatonica, 
was born October 22. 1853, on Prospect Hill, in 
Somervillc, Afassachusetts. It was in the door- 
vard of his father's home (although not then in 
possession of his father) that the first American 
flag was raised. He traces his ancestry back to 
William Wood, who came from England and set- 
tled in Concord. Massachusetts, about the year 
1638. He died in 167 1 at the age of eighty-nine 
years, leaving a son and daughter, Alichael and 
Ruth. 

Michael Wood, the son, died May 13. 1764, 
leaving five sons and one daughter — Abraham. 
Isaac, Thomson, lacob. John and Abigail. 



K^^ 



PAST AND PRESENT iW WIXXICP.AGO COUNTY 



Jacob Wood died October 6, 172.V l<-:i\iiii; 
three sons and three daughters: Jacol). Mary. 
Epltraini, Doreus. Hannalt and Milhceiit, and 
of this family Ephraini. who ilied .March 20, 1789, 
at tlie ajje of eijihty-eij^ht years, was the father 
of E|)liraim Wood, Jr.. town clerk and judjfe of 
tile court of common ])leas. wito was horn .-Kujjjust 

1. 17.^.^. and died .\pril 8. 1814. at the at^e of 
eifjhty-one years. His wife, Mary Heahl Wood. 
was born in Concord in ( )ctober. 1758. and died 
July 13, 1807. They left ten children: IXiniel. 
born October 23. 1760: Prisis. horn ( Ictober j6. 
1762; Stephen, who was horn October 10. ijh^. 
and died I'ebrnary 2^. 1820; Nathan, wiio was 
born January 8. 1766, and died .November 16. 
1810: Hannah, who was born July if). 1768. and 
<lied March 8. 17'H); Ilaimah. the second nf the 
name, who was born I'ebruary 3, 1770, and died 
November 6, 1705; Ephraim, who was bnrn ( )c- 
tober 7, 1773; William, who was born June 10. 
1775, and died .August 24, 1840: Elijah, who was 
born October 31, 1776, and died February 11. 
1785: and John, who was born .\]jril i, 1778. .Ml 
of this family were born in Concord. Judge 
Ephraim Wood was a great-grand fatlier of 
Henry H. Wood of this review. 

His son, William Wood, horn in Concord. June 
10. 1775. married Nancy Wyrick. of Charleston. 
Massachusetts, who was born .May 3. 1780. and 
was married October iT), 1800, in Charleston, 
where they afterward resided, William Wood be- 
ing there engaged m the morocco business. They 
had eight children : William, born September 
Z'^. 1801. died in Portland. November 25. 1870: 
Daniel Parker, horn I'ebruary 17, 1803. died in 
Ilangor. .Maip.e. November 18. 1878; .\nn was 
born October 15. 1804. Mary Hcald. born May 

2. 1806, died in Charleston, Massachusetts, De- 
cember (j. 1873. Edward Wvrick. born .\pril 2^. 
1S08. died March 28. 1836. Martha Wyrick, 
burn January 20. 1810. died October 13. 1812. 
Caroline was born May 24. 181 1. .-Mexandcr. 
born November 30. 1812. died in .'^omcrville. 
Massachusetts, February 27. 1882. The mother 
of this family. Nancy Wood, died in Charleston. 
.\ugust 22. 1814. aged thirty-four years, and the 
father. William Wofxl. afterward married Mary 
Pilsbury. who was lK)rn in P.oston. .\i)ril i. 1779. 
an<l by whom he had two children: (ieorge. who 
was lK>rn ( )ctober 17. 1816. and died September 
24, 1843: and Maria, who was born .\ugust 17, 
1824. .Mrs. Mary Wood died in Charleston. No- 
vember 2y. 1852. at the age of seventy-three 
years. 

.Mexander Wood, father of Henry H. Wood. 
was l)orn November 30, 181 2. at Charleston, Mas- 
sachusetts, and ilied in Somerville. b"ebruary 27. 
1882. He was in the boot and shoe business from 
1833 until 1870 antl was in the old Penjamin 
Franklin building on Hanover street in Postim 



until 1862 or i8()3, wIkii the old building was 
lorn down and a new structure erected in its 
jilace. He then removed to a building across the 
street at No. 134 Hanover street, where he con- 
tinued in business until 1870, when he retired to 
jirivate life. 1 ie built many houses in Somerville 
which he sold and rented and he also did a rent- 
ing business for others. He was thus closely iden- 
tified with the imi)rovement of the city through 
his building operations and was well known 
there. He also served as justice of the |)eace and 
was active and intUiential in public affairs. He 
was married at Christ cliureli in I'lusinn, ()ctiil)cr 
H). 1837. til i'hoebe .'-iinuliwick \\'iiitmi)re. and 
although tliex had no children of their own. they 
adopted a daughter, Crace .\(lelaide. who was 
hf)rn September 12, 1846. .Mrs. I'hoebe S. Wood 
died in lioston. and .Mexander \\'ood afterward 
married her sister. .Amelia Hewer Whitmore. 
November 28. 1850. She was born at Ncwburv- 
port. Massachusetts. May 30. 1823. and is now 
living at the old homestead in Somerville. where 
she has resided for fifty-five years. There were 
four children of this marriage. .Mexandcr Lovel. 
born Octol)er ii. 1851. died February 23. 1855. 
Henrv Hunt is the next of the family. Caroline 
1 nvel. born .Vugust 17. 1855. was married to 
.Mfred Seymour Maynard at Somerville. Massa- 
chusetts. November 25. 1875. Katharine ^\'al- 
ker. born February 3. 1861. is living at the old 
hoipcstead with her mother. 

Henry H. W'ood pursued his education in the 
public schools of his native town, passing through 
the consecutive grades until he completed the 
high school course. He then entered upon his 
business career as an emplove in the dry goods 
house of Swetcrs. Swan & Plodgett. with which 
he continued for seven vears nnd in i**" i h'- cni" 
to Pccatonica. where he embarked in the produce 
and grocerv business. coinluctin>j his store n-'t'i 
a fair measure of success for ten years. In 1884 
he turned his attention to the creamery business, 
in which he remained for nbout frur vars. after 
which he rented the building, which was later de- 
stroyiNl by fire. Tn 1888 he went to Long P.ranch. 
New Jersev. where he sjicnt one year in connec- 
tion with Mr. Warren, building the race track 
there. He afterward returned to lioston. where 
1k' engaged in the milk business for three years 
and on the expiration of that period lie again 
came to Pccatonica. where he has since resided 
and hns conducted an extensive and profitable 
dairy business upon his fine farm of one hundred 
acres, which adjoins the city limits. His resi- 
dence, a large and attractive one. built in modern 
style of architecture, stands upon the farm and 
yet is within the city limits. Mr. Wood cares for 
each winter about one hundred head of slock, in- 
cluding cattle, sheep and horses. Tn addition to 
his home projierty he owns a fine tract of land of 



PAST AND PRESExNT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



833 



one hundred and sixty acres about a mile and a 
half east of the town, which he rents. His busi- 
ness interests are capably conducted and his keen 
discernment and sound judgment ably supplement 
his indefatigable energy. 

On the 5th of October, 1876, Mr. Wood was 
married in Pecatonica to Miss Jennie Roena Sal- 
isbury, a daughter of Francis and Jane (Scott) 
Salisbury. Her father was born in Hamburg, 
Erie county. New York, August 2, 1823, and was 
a son of Smith and Roena (Parker) Salisbury, 
both of whom were natives of New York and 
died in Hamburg, that state, at the ages of forty 
and seventy years, respectively. On both the pa- 
ternal and maternal sides of the family Francis 
Salisbury was descended from English ancestry, 
four brothers of the name coming originally to 
America. Francis Salisbury remained at home 
until nineteen years of age, assisting his father 
upon the farm, and then went to Louisiana, but 
did not remain long in the south, being called 
home on account of his father's death. He, how- 
ever, purchased one himdred and forty-four acres 
of Indian land, which he cleared of the timber, 
and in a few years a plank road was built through 
his land, connecting him with the city limits of 
BufTalo. He later sold this jiroperty to a Catho- 
lic mission. After owning that farm for about 
two years Mr. Salisbury was united in marriage 
at Hamburg, New York, November 11, 1845, to 
Miss Jane Scott, a daughter of Thomas and ?ilar- 
tha (Lindsey) Scott, who were of Scotch-Irish 
descent. In 1850 Mr. Salisbury came to Illinois, 
but afterward returned to New York. However, 
he was pleased with the western country and on 
the 15th of Alay, 1834. he bronjht his familv to 
this state, becoming a pioneer resident of Steph- 
enson county, where he resided until 1864. He 
owned there about eight hundred acres of valu- 
able land. In the year mentioned he removed 
from Stephenson to Winnebago county and was 
here extensively engaged in buying cattle and 
grain. In fact, he figured prominently in many 
business enterprises and undertakings and con- 
tributed in substantial measure to the upbuilding 
of Pecatonica and his part of the county. He 
built the old Western Union Railroad, now a part 
of the Chicago, JNIilwaukee & St. Paul Railroad 
from Shirland to Davis and he was also inter- 
ested in oil wells for a number of years in Penn- 
sylvania. ^^^^atever he undertook he carried for- 
ward on an extensive scale. At one time he 
planted two hundred acres of potatoes and this 
caused him to be known by the sobriquet of Po- 
tato Salisbury. His crop was very extensive and 
he gave potatoes to all who would come and dig 
them. He also conducted a packing business in 
Pecatonica at one time and was in the hop busi- 
ness. He was likewise proprietor at one time of 
the largest nursery in Winnebago county and he 



owned a farm of twelve hundred acres in Iowa, 
which he afterward divided among his children. 
He was coiniected with Mr. Wood in the cream- 
ery business and was proprietor of a lumberj-ard 
in Pecatonica at one time, while in connection 
with his son-in-law. J. W. Harrenstein. he con- 
ducted a mercantile enterprise here. During the 
last twenty years of his life he was a great suf- 
ferer from rheumatism. His intense and well 
directed activity made him a valued factor in in- 
dustrial and commercial circles and his labors 
contributed substantially to the upbuilding of the 
community. In politics he was a democrat, sup- 
porting the principles as advocated by Jefferson 
and Jackson. He died April 16. 1904. when in 
the eighty-first year of his age. and his wife 
passed away November 14, 1891. Thev were the 
parents of eight chiklren. Mary, born February 
15, 1847, became the wife of H. M. Cook, a 
farmer residing in Pecatonica township. Frances, 
born June 8. 1848. is the wife of J. W. Harren- 
.'^tein. now living in California. Franklin E. was 
born February 27, 1831. Thomas S., born April 
-I. 1833, <lied on the iQth of September following. 
Martha, born August 16, 1854. died Mav 26, 
1862. Mrs. Wood was born fune 18, 1856. Sarah 
was born November 20, 1858. Douglas was born 
February 2, t86i. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wood have been born two 
children. Amelia Whitmore, born July 29. 1877, 
is the wife of G. R. Owen, a resident of Kirk- 
land, Illinois, and an engineer on the Illinois, 
Iowa &• Minnesota Railroad. Jennie Scott, born 
September 23. 187Q. is at home. l\Ir. Wood 
has served as a member of the town board and 
also as a member of the school board. The fam- 
ih- are membe'-s of the Congregational church, 
and Mr. and Mrs. ^^^ood and his daughter are 
prominent in social circles of the citv. 



EDWIN S. GUEASMAN. 

The business interests of Rockton find an active 
and progressive representative in Edwin S. Gleas- 
man. who is dealing in agricultural implements 
there. He was born in Rockton in 1867. His 
paternal a;randfathcr. Godfred Gleasman, was a 
native of Germany, and with his two brothers, 
A'alentine and George, was killed in the battle 
of Antietam. in the Civil war, the explosion of 
one shell causing the death of all three. In the 
grandfather's family were five sons and three 
daughters, of whom George Gleasman was the 
second son and fourth child. The members of the 
familv still living are: Fred and Phillip, both of 
whom are residents of Rockton ; Lizzie, the wife 
of J. B. Atwood, of Roscoe township ; Mrs. 



■^.^4 



PAST AND l'Ri:Si:XT OF \VI \".\"i:i!AGO COUNTY. 



Louisa Faass, living in Utica, New York ; and 
Kate, who is residing in Rome, New York. 
George Gleasman, tlie father, was born in Syra- 
cuse, New York. June 30. 1840, and is repre- 
sented elsewhere in this work. 

lulwin S. (ileasman spent his youth in ( )wen 
township upon the old homestead farm, where he 
remained until twenty-three years of age. His 
education was acquired in the district schools, 
which he attended through the winter months and 
in the summer seasons he was trained to the active 
work of the farm, .\fter reaching man's estate 
he followed farming in connection with his father 
and was identified with general agricultural pur- 
suits until i8<")o. when he removed to the village 
of Rdckton. where he has since been engaged in 
merchandising as a dealer in agricultural imple- 
ments and kindred supplies. He has met wnth 
nnich success in the conduct of his store here 
for he is careful in making his purchases and is 
thus enabled to realize a good profit on his sales. 
Moreover, he secures a desirable patronage by 
reason of business principles that are so honor- 
able and straightforward as to require no dis- 
guise. 

On the 26th of Fehruarv. 1S92. Mr. nicasman 
was married to Miss I.issie Truman, t dau£:hter 
of J. C. Truman. They have two children. Maria 
H. and Ruth T,. Mr. Gleasman is a republican, 
has served as highway commissioner of Owen 
township and is now a member of the library 
committee. He belongs to the Masonic fraternitv. 
holding membership in Rockton lodge, and in 
the Scottish rite he has attained the thirty-second 
degree. He is also connected with the Modern 
Woodmen of .Xmerica. He belongs to the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church and takes quite an active 
and helpful part in its work, doing all in his 
power to iiromote its growth and extend its in- 
fluence. Tn his life record he displays many of 
the sterling characteristics of the German ances- 
trv althorgh he is distinctly .American in thought, 
interests and feeling, having as a progressive citi- 
zen contributed to the welfare of his community 
along material lines and at the same time has 
aided in upholding its political and legal status. 



EDWWRD FRANCIS CARTY. 

Edward Francis Carty instituted in Rockford 
a h\isiness which, constantly growing in volume 
and importance, has become a profitable meat 
packing industry. A native of Dubu(|ue. Towa. he 
was liorn in 1867. a son of Edward Carty. who 
removed from Oierrv Valley to Dubur|ue. Sub- 
sequently, however, he returned to his old home 
in 1870. He was a baker by trade and followerl 
that pursuit for several years. His death oc- 



curred in 1 872. In his family were four chil- 
dren: J. J., a resident of Dixon, Illinois, who 
is engaged on the Chicago, Milwaukee & .St. Paul 
railroail : Elizabeth, who died at the age of seven- 
teen years ; and Rose, who died at the age of six- 
teen years. The mother is still living at the age 
of seventy-two years and makes her home at No 
1272 South Church street, Rockford. 

Edward F. Carty accompanied his ])arents on 
their removal from Cherry Valley and there at- 
tended the public schools until sixteen years of 
age. when he entered upon his business career 
by learning the butcher's trade, being employed in 
that way for one year at Cherry \'alley. Tn 1887 
he entered the employ of the .'>chmauss Com|)any, 
with whom he continued for seventeen years, 
eventually securing advancement and recognition 
of his fidelity and capability until he became man- 
ager of the firm. Ambitious to become an inde- 
liendent factor in business circles that his labors 
might more directly benefit himself he organized 
a comjiany in ir/).^. becoming associated with 
Don Dever. Tom Monnex and Henry Bingham, 
under the name of The Carty. Dever & Monnex 
Company. They now conduct four stores at No. 
321 West St.ate street. 518 East State street. 1003 
South ;\lain street and lofii West State street, 
and the volume of their business is constantly 
growing until it represents a large investment and 
returns a very gratifying income each year. At 
their slaughter house they have twenty acres of 
land, upon which thev have also erected a cold 
storage plant. The\' furnish eniplovmcnt to thir- 
ty-five people and slaughter one hundred head 
of cattle and six hundred head of hogs per day. 
Thev pack hogs, doing both a wholesale and retail 
business, and are represented on the road by trav- 
eling salesmen. The business was incorporated in 
March, ifp?. and has become one of the leading 
cnteriirises of this character in Rockford. 

Mr. Carty lives with his mother at No. 1272 
South Church street. He has taken an active 
interest in the aflfairs of the city and in 1003 was 
elected alderman from the fifth ward upon an in- 
dependent ticket. He was made chairman of the 
committee of streets and alleys, fire and water, 
the purchasing committee, the lease committee 
and the sidewalk committee, and he exerci.ses offi- 
cial jirerogatives in support of all practical meas- 
ures that tend to advance general jirogress and 
improvement. He belongs to St. Mary's Catholic 
church and holds fraternal relations with the 
Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Pythias, 
the Elks, and Kishwaukee Tribe of Red Men. 
Mr. Carty is yet a >-oung man but has already 
attained success that might well be envied by 
many a man of twice his vears. He has wrought 
along modern business lines, watchful of every 
indication pointing to advancement, utilizing each 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



835 



opportunity that has presented and making every 
forward step after thoughtful consideration. His 
mistakes therefore have been few and his prog- 
ress and prosperity are assured. 



JOHN VINCER. 

John Vincer, who is engaged in farming and 
threshing, his home being on section 10, Cherry 
Valley township, was born in London, England, in 
1846, his parents being Henry and Mary (Pow- 
ell) Vincer, both of whom died in England, the 
father passing away in 1895 and the mother in 
1898. Both were about sixty years of age. Mr. 
Vincer was a wagon-maker and followed that 
business throughout his active life in London. 
The parents reared a large family, including 
Elizabeth, deceased ; John : Daniel, who is em- 
ployed in the machine shop of Harry Dickerson 
in Rockford ; Harry, who is in business in Lon- 
don. England ; Mary Ann, the wife of William 
Jones, also of England ; Martha, who married 
William Wiles, a brush-maker residing in Eng- 
land ; Harriet, who is married and lives in that 
country, where her husband is a police officer ; and 
three children who died in early life. 

John Vincer was reared in the land of his na- 
tivity and is indebted to its public-school system 
for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He 
came to America in 1870, when about twenty- four 
years of age, landing at Castle Garden, New York. 
He had previously learned the trade of an engi- 
neer and machinist and continuously followed 
those pursuits until the last thirteen years. Mak- 
ing his way to Chicago, he remained four years 
in that city, being employed as engineer in the H. 
P. Robinson flour mills. In 1875 he came to 
Rockford, where he entered the employ of Gault 



& Hill, manufacturers of plows, with whom he 
worked as a machinist for six months. He then 
went to Freeport in the employ of J. D. Ester & 
Company, and in December, 1876, he entered the 
service of the Rockford Watch Company, with 
which he was connected for thirteen years. Since 
that time he has devoted his energies to farming 
and threshing and is now the owner of seventy- 
six acres of land on section 10, Cherry Valley 
township, near the station of Perryville. This is 
known as the old Perry farm and in connection 
with the tilling of the soil Mr. Vincer owns and 
operates a threshing machine, carrying on busi- 
ness in that way for thirteen years. 

Before leaving his native country Mr. Vincer 
was married in London to Miss Frances Baggs, 
of that city, who came to America a few months 
after the emigration of her husband, joining him 
in the middle west. They have seven children, 
who are still living : Henry, a resident farmer of 
Cherry Valley township ; Benjamin, who follows 
farming in Boone county ; Fred, who is working 
in Cherry Valley township ; Frank and William, 
at home ; Frances, the wife of F. Hazelton, who 
is living in Flora township, Boone county, Illi- 
nois ; and Lillie, the wife of Charles Wheeler, also 
of Flora township. They also lost seven children. 

In his political views Mr. Vincer has been a 
republican throughout his naturalized life as an 
American citizen and his religious views are in 
accord with the teachings of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. Starting out in life for himself, 
with few educational or other advantages and be- 
coming imbued with a laudable ambition to attain 
something better than he could secure in his own 
country, he crossed the Atlantic to America, 
where by his business ability and fidelity he has 
gained creditable success and to-day commands 
the respect and esteem of the entire community in 
which he lives. 



INDEX 



HISTORY OF WINNEBA(i< ) C'Ol'NTY 



Geogi-aphical Review 5 

Winnebagoes and Black Hawk 

War 6 

First Settler in County e 

First Settlement in Rockford.. (j 

First Settler in East Rockford 7 

Pioneers of 1S35-37 7 

Peeatonica 7 

Winnebago 8 

Cherry Valley 9 

Durand 9 

New ililford 10 

Rockton 10 

Roscoe 11 

Guilford 11 

Harrison 12 

Shirland 12 

Seward 12 

Harlem 13 

Burritt 13 

Owen 13 

Laona 13 

Organization of County 13 

First Election 14 

County Seat Located at Winne- 
bago 15 

Early Ferries on Rock River. . Id 

Survey of State Road 1(5 

Villiage Christened 17 

First Surveys 17 

Beginning of Methodism 17 

First Marriages and Births. ... 19 

County Divided 19 

First Tax Levy 20 

Day of Small Things 20 

Congregationalism 20 

First Patriotic Celebration.... 22 

First Terms of Circuit Court.. '2? 

Stage Coach 23 

Early Hotels 24 

Three Pioneer Physicians of 

1S3S 25 

Dr. Haskell and First Steamer. 25 

Pioneers of 1S3S-9 27 

Trials of the Pioneers 30 

Early Homes of Rockford 31 

First Baptist Church 32 

Village Incorporated 33 

Earlv Lanrl Sales 33 

Rockford Cemeteries 34 

War Over County Seat 35 

Notable Secession Movement . . 37 

Rockford Ooposes Repudiation 3S 

Settlers of the Early Forties.. 39 

First County Pairs. .- 39 

Banditti of the Frontier 40 

Robbery of McKennev and Mul- 

ford 43 



New England Unitarianism. . . 4i; 

Early Elections 47 

The Only Slave in the County. 4S 
Polish Claims Delay Land Pat- 
ents 4S 

First Dam 51 

Postmasters of Rockford 52 

Universalist Church 54 

First Bridge 54 

First Foundry 5(1 

New England Type 50 

River and Harbor Convention. 58 
Constitutional Convention of 

1S48 58 

Galena & Chicago Union Rail- 
road 59 

Representative Rockford Citi- 
zen. 1842-50 62 

Departure of Mr. Haight CI 

Gold Hunters of '49 (U 

Emanuel Church 64 

Township Organization: 65 

Second Congregational Church. 66 
Incorporation of Rockford as a 

City 68 

Elections of 1S52-53 69 

Early Water Power 70 

Famous Manny-McCormick Suit 71 
Emerson, Lowell and Greeley 

Visit Rockford 73 

Fragment of Political Historv. 74 

Rockford Settlers 1851-54 ". . 74 

PMrst Public Library 77 

Wesleyan Seminary 78 

Bayard Taylor's Tribute 78 

First Fraternal Orders 79 

Death of John A. Holland 79 

Murder of Sheriff Taylor 79 

Execution of Countryman .SO 

Kenosha & Rockford Railroad. SO 

Early Rockford Mansion 81 

Winnebago Supports Fremont . 81 

Rockford City Greys 81 

In Honor of Atlantic Cable. ... 81 

Census of 1860 81 

Trial of Governor Bebb 81 

Lincoln Douglas Debate 82 

Rockford Settlers 1855-59 83 

War Clouds 85 

Slory of the Civil W'ar 86 

First War Sermon 86 

Rockford Zouaves 86 

First War Meeting 88 

Ellis Rifles 88 

Captain Ketcheson's Company. SS 

Death of Colonel Ellsworth 88 

Death of Stephen A. Douglas. . 89 



War Sermons by Bishop Simp- 
son 89 

Rev. A. H. Conant Becomes 

Chaplain 90 

Rockford Rifles 90 

Washburne Rifles 90 

Winnebago Sharpshooters 90 

Cavalry Company 90 

Other Volunteers of '61 90 

Soldiers' Aid Society 91 

County War Appropriations... 91 
Fifteenth at Battle of Shiloh.. 91 

Funeral of Colonel Ellis 92 

Volunteers for Three Months' 

Service 92 

Camp Fuller 92 

Seventy-fourth Regiment 93 

Death of Colonel Nevius 93 

Mulligan Guards 94 

Death of Colonel Smith 95 

Resume of Record of VoUin- 

teers 96 

War Bounty 96 

Prisoners of War 96 

Mrs. Mary Brainard, Army 

Nurse 96 

Christian Commission 96 

Naval Service 96 

Sent Eleven Sons to War 96 

Cost of the War 97 

End of War Story 97 

Nevins Post. G. A. R 97 

Famous Invitation to Jefferson 

Davis 97 

Fall of Courthouse 98 

The Rifles and The Greys 98 

Rockford's Congressmen 99 

Winnebago County in State 

Legislature 100 

J'.idicial History 102 

Probate and County Judges. . . . 105 

Roster of County Clerks 105 

Books Written by Rockford 

People 106 > 

Rockford's Furniture Industry. 108 

Piano Industry 110 

Rockford College for Women.. Ill 
Rockford Free Public Library. lU 

Early Rockford Schools 117 

Free Public School System... IIS 
Fir=t Consolidated School in 

Illinois 121 

District School Traveling Li- 
braries 122 

District School Libraries 122 

Township Graduation Exer- 
cises 122 



83« 



•Asi A.\i» i'RKSi:\T < )i' \\i\xi:i;a(;< ) lolxty. 



Rofkford Chautauqua Assem- 
bly 122 

Rm'Ufonl Street Railway and 
Interurban Lines 123 

Memoriai Hall 12r, 



Spanish War Velorans 

Insiiiutions of Philanthropy. 
Roster of Rockford Mayors. . 
RoeUford Hanks and Bankers 
Newspapers of Rockford.... 



12.~> Illinois. Iowa & Minnesota Rail- 

127 way 139 

130 Later Eeelesiastiial History.,. 14t) 

132 Musieal Clubs and Musicians of 

1 33 Rockford 14fi 



i;i( K .K.M'l IK AI. 



Abbott. Thomas J (W.') 

Abram. Peter iiltl 

Alexander. Job (121 

Allen, rir. L. S (531 

Allen. Richard S 752 

Anders. John, Jr 41(i 

Andrew. Ellis 395 

Andrew. J. J 692 

Andrew. Roljert 43t; 

Andrews. John 177 

Andrus. Henry 252 

Andriis. Dr. S. C 755 

Armstrong. A. R 29tl 

Atkinson. GeorRe R 3i>2 

Atwood. A. J ti41 

Atwood. David 473 

Atwood. J. M 495 

Atwood. P. H 159 

Austin. C. E 191 

Babcork. J. H 307 

Bachelder. Alonzo 7<i9 

Bailey. Rufus C 330 

Baker. Henry L 375 

Banks. H. 156 

narlK>r. .Mrs. E. M 461 

RarKren. A. K 543 

BarloRa. Fred 683 

Barnes. Joseph 543 

Barrett. John 330 

Bartlett. Moses 318 

Bander. F. M 392 

Beal.son. David 327 

Beatson. J. \V 544 

Beecher, Ransom 782 

Benoit. Nelson E 607 

Billmyer. Dr. E. T 428 

Black. John 317 

Blackman. F. L 745 

Blake. H. E 3.50 

Blakeman. Benjamin 281 

Bloduett. S. K 507 

Bodine. William 281 

Braddook. Rev. J. S 478 

Brazee. C. M 802 

BrlKBs, Chester E 270 

BrisKS. G. F 569 

Brinkerhorr, H. M 251 

Broimhlon. Dr. Russell 162 

Brown. E. W 181 

Brown. <;. S 646 

Brown. Horace 172 

Brown. Thomas H 361' 

Brown. William 199' 

Brown. William 328- 

Huclianan. Thomas 534 

Bucklx-e. T. E 2fiO 

Bull. Rol)ert 533 

Bnrch. C. R 487 

Burns. Timothy P 308 

Burn.-. Toblau 528 

Burr. W. L 560 

Burrlti, Rufus H i\r,-, 



Bur.son. W. W 166 

Hutler. Dr. T. .\1 299 

Caldwell. Dr. William S 324 

Campbell, E. 698 

Campbell. Frank B 292 

Campbell. Jeremiah 731 

Carlson, John 432 

Carney. Daniel 445 

Carpenter. David 746 

Carroll. John C 515 

Carton. James H 211 

Cariv. Edward F 834 

Caswell. Dr. S. J 781 

Catlin. Dr. E. P 286 

Champ. Frederick 155 

Chapin. A. R 673 

Chapi)ell. .Mrs. Delia A 756 

Chase, H. B 765 

Church. Charles A 635 

Clark. Charles .M 610 

Clark. Thomas M 761 

Cleveland. Hcrvey S 302 

Cleveland. L, W 781 

Cleveland. William J 226 

Clikeman. Miner 716 

Clinch. Rev. N. B 770 

Clover. C. F 592 

Coffin. Fletcher 828 

Colby. G. F 28(1 

Collier. Alexander 65u 

Collins. Anthonv 623 

Collins, r. A 588 

Collins. O. W 318 

Colton. Robert 776 

Colvin. Pa=chal 178 

Comly. A. L 671 

Cook. Isaac 682 

C^)rwin. M. L 401 

Cosper. Elias 565 

Cox. Henry 527 

Coy. Williatn 422 

Crandall. Charles F 500 

Crandall. Oliver A 746 

Crill. .John J 582 

Crill. O. F 266 

Crill, William 186 

Crowell. L. H.. Jr 816 

Crowlev. George A 576 

Crumb. R. W 171 

Culhane. Dr. T. H 472 

CumminRs. O. J 398 

Cutler. A. E 780 

I 

Dale. L. M 674 

Dales. William 359 

Darrow. Frank E 271 

Davey. J. H.. Jr 377 

Davis. Alva B 351 

Davis. EuKene E 339 

Davis. Jeremiah 252 

Decker. T. C 538 

De La Mater. W. J 161 

Denney, T. A . . 38t; 



Derwent. T. W 732 

de Tissandier. T. L. L 625 

Dickerman. P. B 620 

Dobson, Daniel 365 

Doolittle. P. W 511 

Dow. Charles B 812 

Drohan. Patrick 428 

Dunn. E. C 713 

Dunwell. Dr. Edward 580 

Eaton. Prof. W. L 189 

Edie. J. P 678 

Edson. Dr. A. J 602 

Ekeberg. G. E 750 

Ellis. D. H 799 

Ellis, George S 742 

Ellis. T. M 826 

Evans, D. W 225 

Evans. Thad W 790 

Falconer, George 591 

Falconer, Robert 396 

Fallon. John 706 

Farnhani. William P 547 

Faulkner, J. W 360 

Ferguson. Hugh 167 

Fitzgerald, John 309 

Fitzpatrick. Timothy 478 

Flagg. George W 412 

Flaghertv, Rev. J. J 540 

Fraley. John M 709 

Franklin. George 355 

French. Irvin 576 

Fresse, Mrs. Margaret L 190 

Fritz. George A 246 

Frost. Arthur H 537 

Frost. Dr. J. H 677 

Fuller. Charles 2.50 

Fuller. Lemuel 196 

Fuller. Levi B 365 

Gardner, Cassius M 190 

Garner. Frederick 465 

Garrett. B. H 177 

Garrett. Will N 376 

Garver. Judge J. C 182 

Gibson. James A 719 

Gilniore. Thomas 241 

Glawe. Mrs. Kate 418 

Gleasman. E. S 833 

Gleasnian. George 408 

Glea-sman. Valentine 438 

Glea-son. Moses W 791 

Glennev. Thomas 448 

Glover. Mrs. G. B 345 

Goldv, B. D 295 

Good lander, Daniel 64' 

Goodrich, A. W 467 

Gorhani. Marnuis L 222 

Graham, A. F 612 

Graves. R. W •J06 

Greenlee. Hugh 323 

Greenlee. Robert 825 

Gregorv. L. B 314 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



839 



Griffiths, John 415 

Guilford, E. B 366 

Haines, Frederick 245 

Haines, Dr. G. M 809 

Hall, Alfred 159 

Hall. Charles R 468 

Halley, E. R 334 

Halley. William A 388 

Halsey, O. F 802 

Hamborg, P. M 822 

Hardy, J. B 611 

Harris. Elmer E 291 

Hartley, W. L 672 

Hayward, M. W 575 

Helm, Dr. Clinton 256 

Henienway. Calvin A 550 

Herd, Benjamin 290 

Herrick, Leonard E 504 

Herrick. S. H 488 

Hibbard, John 175 

Hicks. Mrs. J. B 512 

Higgins, Charles E 405 

Hildebrand. Godfrey 737 

Hinkley, James 779 

Hoffman, Edward J 378 

Holland. H. P 652 

Hopkins. C. H 527 

Howes, Phineas 795 

Hunter, Cyrus L 495 

Hutohins, John 533 

Irvine. Joseph \V 262 

Jackson. Charles E 715 

James. Dr. Katharine E 537 

Janvevine, O. W 795 

Jenks. Dr. Solomon 392- 

Jewett. Brittan 186 

Jewett. Fred 771 

Jewett, Robert B 693 

Johns, Richard 666 

Johns. William 484 

Johnson, Hobart 1 806 

Johnson, James H 737 

Johnson. N. P 60S 

Jones, William C 446 

Keating. Michael C 301 

Keeling. Francis 165 

Keith, Lewis 232 

Keith, W. H ^122 

Kevt. George M 801 

Kevt. W. R 7?4 

Kimliall. Dr. F. H 82'! 

Kimball. Henrv P 603 

King, George E 725 

King. J. H 539 

Kinson, Daniel ^32 

■KTiann. Fred N. . . 705 

Knisht. B. A 474 

Knowlton. H. W 210 

T.n For°p. John T 750 

T ake, John S26 

T.ake, l^wis F 199 

T.qke Thomas PO' 

T, arising, A. C 6i6 

T.arson. August W 397 

T,awtori. ■"^ M •'^98 

T.pvino'S, T^'frp. Helen V 63'> 

T pvins-s Thomas G '^''0 

T.o-n-i<i. Fai- * Bros. Co ''"K 

T,iTirl«av. John 6?6 

T.ofcrron. "Or. Emil f^"' 

I^ovejoy, A. J 736 



Lundvall, C. A 751 

Lyddon, B. R 594 

Ly ford, Dudley 45S 

McCaughey, W. C 518 

McCulloch, J. A 529 

McEvoy. Robert G 286 

McLee, John 796 

McMahon, J. F. and G. P 256 

McMichael, Hugh 259 

Maas, Dr. Elizabeth C 681 

Mannix, Thomas 407 

Manny, John P 649 

Markley, Dr. P. L 741 

Marsh. A. A 457 

Marsh, E. H 827 

Marsh, Russell 738 

Marston, George W 496 

Martin, Dr. C. E 436 

Mather. H. F 786 

Merritt, J. B 724 

Meyer, Robert 388 

Miller, A. B 604 

Miller, Daniel W 516 

Miller, H. J 195 

Miller. R. C 815 

Miller, W. H. C 555 

Milne, Alexander 446 

Milne, Mrs. Emily 624 

Miners. Thomas J 442 

Miners, W. H 407 

Moore, Joseph 441 

Moore, T. B 779 

Morgan. Charles 792 

Murphy, Henry 457 

Murphy, John W 682 

Mutimer, John 828 

Nelson, John 192 

Nelson, John H 491 

Nemeth. S. A 662 

Newton, P. Z 572 

Noting, L. M 762 

Norton, H. L 735 

Norton, M. A 168 

O'Brien, George 371 

Oliver, Robert 382 

Packard. C. M 447 

Palmer, Peter H 810 

Parker, George 290 

Parker. J. S 381 

Parsons. N. F 571 

Partridge. Ella E 517 

Patterson. Fred W 431 

Patterson. James M 540 

Pearson. Frank E 799 

Peats, Frank F 639 

Penniman. Dr. D. B 313 

Pennoyer. Oliver A 561 

Perrv. David 515 

Perrv. G. B 810 

Pettis. George L 503 

Pfanstiel. George 790 

Phelps, William 418 

Place, John R 662 

Pollard, William 651 

Powell. W. A 308 

Pratt. William C 687 

Price, Henry W 272 

Price, Richard J 785 

Provoost. James A 435 

Ralston, Alexander ?35 

Ralston, J. G 775 



Ralston, Robert 427 

Ransom, Dr. P. W 356 

Reddy, Patrick 579 

Redington, D. B 601 

Regan, Frank S 771 

Rehm, Jacob A 261 

Reid, James M 684 

itevell, Edwin M 636 

Revnolds, E. D 660 

Reynolds, P. H 742 

Rhoades, Levi 613 

Rhodes, John M 300 ■ 

Rice, Allen 611 

Riley, William 508 

Roberts, C. Jerome 597 

Rockwell, F. W 255 

Rogan, M. J 412 

Rogers, Richard W 587 

Roper. George S 229 

Rothwell. William A 709 

Sabin, Dr. H. M 421 

Sample. David 160- 

Sanborn. George W 549 

Sanders, C. W 324 

Sanford, Albert 212 

Sanford. G. A 151 

Sarver. W. H 688 

Sawver, W. E 821 

Saylor. J. N 597 f 

Schmauss. John 566 ^^ 

Schoonmaker. David 250 

Schoonmaker, John 697 

Schoonmaker, W. H 341 

Schureman. D. S 759 

Scott, Daniel 530 

Searl, John 342 

Seaverns. G. F 195 

Seek, John W 451 

Segur, John 352 

Segurd. Frank 276 

Seymour, Samuel 402 

Shaw, Dr. W. H 726 

Sheldon, C. W 656 

Shepardson. Josiah 759, 

Sherman, B. C 349 

Shirley. Lewis . ■ 216 

Shirley. Silas W 661 

Shoudy, Israel 548 

Shumway, R. B 630 

Simpson. Robert 231 

Skinner. J. B 614 

Smith, D. A 468 

Smith, Flovd 811 

Smith, .T. C 629 

Smith. .Tames M 285 

Smith, Robert M 508 

Smith, William G 455 

Sovereign, Israel 209 

Sowle. Dr. C. J 236 

Spaulding, E. C 466 

Spaulding, Daniel G 819 

Spottswood, Miss Mary C 691 

Snottswood. Robert 425 

St, Mary's Parish. Pecatonica. . 31'? 

Sterling. Fred E 766 

Stevens. George ''I'' 

Stevens. G. A I'l 

Stevens. Henry W 33S 

Steward. James ''3'' 

Stiles, John A 703 

Stone. H. W 'I'^l 

Stothard. William S*"? 

Stott, Uriah 70i 

Stover, Emanuel 385 



M'- 



PAST A\l) I'KRSKXT ( )!•' \VINNFJ!A(;(J COUNTY, 



Slurtevaiil, 1). A ^-'J 

Sumner, I. S 2ii5 

Swartlioiil. Isaar 32(l 

Swezey, A. .1 Till 

Taft. G. M 538 

Tanner. S. W 397 

Taylor. Edward 282 

Taylor, John A 7t>2 

Terniohlen. Henry 417 

Tel low. James G C52 

Thomas, Frank E 3G1 

Thomi>son. A. \V 219 

Thompson. N. T 572 

Thompson. William 2t;!i 

Thome. A. C 3it(! 

Todd. Millon 391 

Toms. Isaac 239 

Tousley. \V. H 271 

Turner. P. E 597 

Tvn'lMi- \ H 593 



L'lrici, Hi'ury liS8 

Utter, Isaac 714 

Van De .Mark, Jacob (;9 1 

Veness. E. J 17(i 

Vincer, John 835 

Waldo. H, H 212 

Walker, P. R 310 

Wallace. C. A 455 

Wallace. S. W 221 

Wallis. John 42(i 

Ware, Edwin 492 

Warner, F. W 4(i2 

Warren, Alpha 472 

Warren, James A 749 

Walking. Will E 570 

Walson. John S SCO 

Webber. H. A 452 

Webster. Rienzi 483 

WpI don . S. S <)55 



Wellington. Thomas 249 

Welty, Calvin 477 

Welty, J. J 55G 

Whitehead, J. B (;4o 

Wilkins. S. B 340 

Williams. Girden 681 

WillouKhby, F. E 504 

Wills. Charles 559 

Wilmarlh. A. B 524 

Wilmarlh, John S 614 

Wilson, N. P 372 

Winchester, Thomas 20(; 

Wolven. John W 242 

Wood. H. H 831 

Woodward. A. W 723 

Woolsey. C. H 789 

Works. C. A 279 

Wrif,'ht. Miles 772 

Wnnder. George J 34G 



H 9 8 89'""'' 



L ^57 



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